Today is Saturday January 22 2017, I have just heard one of my favorite sounds in the world.  The “POP” of a bottle of champagne or Prosecco in this case.  I am currently sitting on  the back porch of our rental in Marathon in the Florida Keys squinting in the sunlight as I type this.  Poor, poor me imaginary readers lol!
My husband and I left home 10 days ago, leaving the SIX to head to Durham, England for the graduation of our son “The Golden One” according to our girls hahah!   We landed to damp awful cold but hey, it wasn’t Ontario.  I perhaps enjoyed a little toooooooo much red wine that evening, visiting restaurants and then College bars and ended up having a close intimate conversion with the great white cool throne.  Embrassing!
This was our first flight with British Airways, unfortunately we also had to fly them home. It was a very disorganized bright flight to England as a light malfunctioned making it impossible to tame the herd.  The front of the steerage section, us included, could not settle down.  Even after 3 hours when the staff finally admitted that the light could not be turned off and offered eye shades.  People milling around and screaming kids did not make for a great flight.
Our eldest daughter met us in Durham (after missing her train from Scotland and having to pay through the nose for a new one way ticket) missing breakfast at the most awesome Flat White Kitchen.  If you have the chance, you must check this place out.  Amazing foods coffee, reasonable portions.    Unfortunately she was there for my wine induced performance. We stayed in a lovely family room at the Durham Royal County, a little cold but we were happy to all be together.
Friday was Grad day, I mean, how ofen in ones life do you graduate from Hogwarts?  Our son was gowned and the procession began from Durham Castle  over to Durham Catherdal for the ceremony.  Both venues have been used in Harry Potter movies.  It was a lovely ceremony in a World Heritage Site, we are so very lucky to have been able to attend.  Dinner that night was very much enjoyed at The Cellar Door.  A lovely selection on the menu with an average wine list.
The next day was up and on the way to Florida……more to follow.  Yes, I know dear imaginary reader that perhaps we are bit crazy.  Two days in England?!?!?!  WTF

Today will be the first full day without having a single extra person in our house since the middle of December.  Our Holiday Season began with the return of our oldest daughter bringing home her boyfriend from Scotland, tagging along by way of Tel Aviv was a friend our two oldest had met in La Paz a few years ago.  From the time the kids walked through our door, after a visit to the Toronto Christmas Market, our front  door became a  revolving door, laundry never stopped and it was a mission to keep food in the fridge and in the pantry.  I thought I was well prepared lol!
The youngest of our family rolled in from the East Coast and with her another addition to our family arrived from Rhode Island.  Our last girls were home and it was time to truly get family on!  12 hours and 25 people later, we were all in the Holiday mood.  This holiday time made my husband and I think that perhaps we CAN all survive adult children.
There wasn’t a single fight, there was help cooking and cleaning up.  Loud euchre games, beer pong, air hockey and FIFA tourneys.  Lots of UK Gin, good wine and amazing food.  We taught our Israeli things about snow and Christmas and fun times in Toronto.  Watching a 29 year old Scot  and our daughter build snowmen with an almost 3 year old is enough to melt your heart.  Christmas with an Israeli and a Scot, one for the record books!
Now it is time to begin the big dig out, not of snow but of detritus left behind by our band of merry revellers. Getting things organized again may take awhile, I think I may have to take time to have a cry in this empty,too quiet house.   Miss them all.