Officially had my final Christmas gathering yesterday, after an onslaught of festive get togethers that saw me at eight separate Christmas events in a row, in short, it was an insane amount of season celebration this year! Over the last eight days, I've had two brunches, three lunches, one afternoon tea, two dinners and a Christmas movie night and I personally hosted seven of these events at Enfield! Needless to say that after my last guest left yesterday I exhaustedly fell onto the couch and had a well earned nap.
Over the festive season I have eaten my body weight in shortbread and gingerbread, I have feasted on pork, beef, trout, chicken and lamb, I have drunk countless cocktails, champagnes and wines and I have opened more than my fair share of lovely and thoughtful gifts. Needless to say, the house is now full of leftovers, I have gained at least a couple of kilos and as we round the bend towards New Year 2022 instead of thinking about drinking and celebrating, I'm actually just dying to hit the yoga mat, start some clean eating and zen out with a few long meditation sessions.
Was it delightful? Oh my goodness, it was absolutely lovely to share so many laughs, treats, tipples, meals and tales with my nearest and dearest. I got some marvellous gifts; everything from a kilo tub of manuka honey (might sound weird but honey is one of my favourite foods), some earrings, gardening gloves, ceramics, fancy teas, plants, books, body lotions, a spa gift card and.... the most exciting gift of the season? Tickets to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in Melbourne on January 22nd, which I will be seeing with Zoe and my best friend Helen, and I cannot wait! It was definitely the season to jolly and jolly I certainly was and I am extremely grateful to have been able to have such a lavish and joy filled Christmas season.
The last few days of the year will be casual now, nothing too big or strenuous and no hosting any big events at Enfield for a little while now. I need a recharge and that will probably involve some reading, sleeping in, a trip to the movies, some binge re-watching of the Harry Potter series in preparation for The Cursed Child and a few long walks with a good audio book. Still the season to be jolly for sure, just in a more peacefully joyful way for a spell I think.
Over the festive season I have eaten my body weight in shortbread and gingerbread, I have feasted on pork, beef, trout, chicken and lamb, I have drunk countless cocktails, champagnes and wines and I have opened more than my fair share of lovely and thoughtful gifts. Needless to say, the house is now full of leftovers, I have gained at least a couple of kilos and as we round the bend towards New Year 2022 instead of thinking about drinking and celebrating, I'm actually just dying to hit the yoga mat, start some clean eating and zen out with a few long meditation sessions.
Was it delightful? Oh my goodness, it was absolutely lovely to share so many laughs, treats, tipples, meals and tales with my nearest and dearest. I got some marvellous gifts; everything from a kilo tub of manuka honey (might sound weird but honey is one of my favourite foods), some earrings, gardening gloves, ceramics, fancy teas, plants, books, body lotions, a spa gift card and.... the most exciting gift of the season? Tickets to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in Melbourne on January 22nd, which I will be seeing with Zoe and my best friend Helen, and I cannot wait! It was definitely the season to jolly and jolly I certainly was and I am extremely grateful to have been able to have such a lavish and joy filled Christmas season.
The last few days of the year will be casual now, nothing too big or strenuous and no hosting any big events at Enfield for a little while now. I need a recharge and that will probably involve some reading, sleeping in, a trip to the movies, some binge re-watching of the Harry Potter series in preparation for The Cursed Child and a few long walks with a good audio book. Still the season to be jolly for sure, just in a more peacefully joyful way for a spell I think.
THE HARRY POTTER SERIES
1. Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone
2. Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets
3. Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban
4. Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire
5. Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix
6. Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince
7. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1
8. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2
Release Dates: 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011
Rating: The first three - PG The rest - M
Running Time: Total - Approx. 1200 Mins (each film is approx. 2.5 hrs)
If I was reviewing the books instead of the movies here, it would be going straight to the Hall of Fame because the Harry Potter series is my favourite book series of all time. Not that I want to take away from the movies at all, because they are an incredible body of work produced over a full decade and I did go to the cinema to see each and every one of them.
We watch Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe)and his trusty best friends Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) grow up and develop throughout the series; witnessing all of their trials and triumphs from childhood to adulthood. The films are beautifully set against the backdrop of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, London and the British countryside, all of which are visually pleasing in every way.
The story line is just epic, the characters are incredibly extensive and each movie journals another year of the children's lives and another set of challenges that ultimately lead us closer and closer to the inevitable battle of good vs evil - Harry vs Voldemort. Each movie gets a little darker and clearly more complicated, ending in a very adult two part finale.
When it comes to magic, this series wins hands down, everyone that watches will be longing to go Hogwarts and get their first wand. The cast is strong and diverse, the CGI is effective and not overdone and the whole experience is just...well, dare I say it....magical!
FINAL SAY: The best magical series ever made.
4.5 Chilli Peppers
1. Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone
2. Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets
3. Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban
4. Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire
5. Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix
6. Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince
7. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1
8. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2
Release Dates: 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011
Rating: The first three - PG The rest - M
Running Time: Total - Approx. 1200 Mins (each film is approx. 2.5 hrs)
If I was reviewing the books instead of the movies here, it would be going straight to the Hall of Fame because the Harry Potter series is my favourite book series of all time. Not that I want to take away from the movies at all, because they are an incredible body of work produced over a full decade and I did go to the cinema to see each and every one of them.
We watch Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe)and his trusty best friends Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) grow up and develop throughout the series; witnessing all of their trials and triumphs from childhood to adulthood. The films are beautifully set against the backdrop of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, London and the British countryside, all of which are visually pleasing in every way.
The story line is just epic, the characters are incredibly extensive and each movie journals another year of the children's lives and another set of challenges that ultimately lead us closer and closer to the inevitable battle of good vs evil - Harry vs Voldemort. Each movie gets a little darker and clearly more complicated, ending in a very adult two part finale.
When it comes to magic, this series wins hands down, everyone that watches will be longing to go Hogwarts and get their first wand. The cast is strong and diverse, the CGI is effective and not overdone and the whole experience is just...well, dare I say it....magical!
FINAL SAY: The best magical series ever made.
4.5 Chilli Peppers
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