Auld Lang Syne

Palmier cookies hurriedly made at the last minute: Check.










Hair & makeup: Check.













French/Mexican hosts, who together are amazing chefs, bar tenders, and all-around lovely people: Check.












Beautiful newly redecorated house with a pool and hot tub: Check.













One adorable baby who seems determined to make it all the way to midnight: Check.









One cheese plate that definitely includes a wheel of brie: Check.











One DJ with a laptop and excellent taste in music: Check.












A pair of Mexican men who love singing boleros and rancheras, even while the DJ is playing something else: Check.







Twelve grapes for good luck in the new year, to cram in my mouth during the 12 strokes of midnight: Check.











An assortment of noisemakers: Check.












An especially noisy Chilean who isn't afraid to use them, despite death glares from his wife: Check.









And the results are a particularly agreeable evening spent ringing in the new year.