2012, part one.

Looking back on 2012, months just raced by, jam-packed and as another January comes around, we're very grateful to be enjoying our not so new kitchen one year on and to be cherishing time together before our trio becomes a quartet. Thank you all for reading, for your greatly appreciated support and for dining with us. Wishing you all a very happy 2013 filled mainly with delicious food, happy memories and new adventures. Here's 2012 at a glance.

January

We hibernated and braced ourselves for the upheaval which would see our kitchen look like this for weeks. As the transformation (part one and part two) took place, we moved out.

February 

Amid the renovations and away from home, the only thing on our menus were simple suppers and new adventures in weaning and crawling. We made our first appearance in Sainsbury's magazine and at the inaugural Burgher Burger.

March

As work in the kitchen continued, we headed south to create a bright and beautiful Spring wedding and watched the kitchen we'd long dreamed about take shape.

April

We were grateful for pretty and delicate blossom to distract us from the seemingly endless dust at home. We celebrated moving home for our precious girl's first birthday and with news of wonderful engagement. There were weddings of dear friends (and we weren't in the kitchen), a private supper to ease us back to hosting and more birthday celebrations for a lovely lady's special birthday and then a room full of four year old princesses.

May

Time to enjoy the new kitchen, welcome sunshine, fresh flavours and for supper featuring the baby, the dog and other guests. We also ventured away from home to prepare a feast. It was also a month to picnic and we even carried our Table to a secret garden for a fine-dining affair which later appeared in Red Magazine.

 June

Flags waving for The Queen's Jubilee, daisies between little toes, a little lady took her first unaided steps in the sunshine, great cakes and time at last to officially return to hosting with a series of sell out Summer supper clubs, rainbows, reunions and Olympic fever.

2011, part two.

July

Vegetables chopped, jars filled, preparations completed. A special picnic. Somehow, a beautiful and creative wedding. A three month old baby is shaded from the sunshine, kicking her legs freely while her exhausted parents lie watching. And cake club, with rainbow cake.

August

A family gather for a dear lady's final birthday and soon after they gather again to say goodbye. A special 90 year old gown is worn. A Christening day reminds us that there is new life to be celebrated. Festival canapes are served. A seaside adventure.

September

The best shortbread we've tasted, canapes for ladies, an unlikely but pleasing flavour combination and, away from the blog, a baby girl takes her seat (high chair) at Charlie and Evelyn's Table for the first time.

October

Adventures. Hungarian breakfasts, a very hot marathon, goulash. A family return home and head far north. Sunshine, peace, past memories recalled and new ones made. Amazing sights, delicious seafood. Guests return to the Table.

November

A busy, dusty house with lots of skilled workers, each with their own job. We want to run away. Trying to keep our vision in mind as windows, fireplaces, doors, floors and walls are transformed. Work in progress. Cleaning. Meals were simple and quick.

December

A busy house. An early Christmas present - appearing in Woman and Home Magazine (sorry, I forgot to say). Work delayed, snow, then at last, the dining room completed. The Christmas table laid. Friends and family are warmly welcomed. Fresh holly, candle light, love, laughter, feasting.

This year we will be back to more regular blog posts and more regular suppers too. The next part of our renovations is the kitchen. Wish us luck. We can't wait to see you when it's done.