Long long week at work followed by a weekend of stress release. The weekend is fast disappearing though and I really wish I could have one more day off; just one more! I'm finishing the two days of respite by making hangover soup...in need of some healthy sustenance!
Friday night was spent getting over the long week with a relaxing night in as Saturday was going to be a busy busy day and we needed to be fighting fit for it!
Saturday was our "Christmas in July" extravaganza hosted by the Barnes and attended by Chris and Kirsty and ourselves. Preparations had been going on all week with the planning meeting having taken place over lunch the previous Sunday at Greasy Joe's. We had spreadsheets and songsheets, email exchanges, logistical issues to resolve and finally we were ready to celebrate!
Christmas in July seems to be quite a common celebration among the Brits in Australia. I guess July is the coldest it ever gets so as close to December weather we can get. Christmas in December on this side of the World usually revolves around the outdoors, BBQ and seafood so for a traditional British Christmas, July is a good time. Any excuse for lots of food!
The day dawned for us with all the nervous anticipation and excitement Christmas morning brings. It didn't feel like Christmas as it was warm and sunny day (15 degrees in the sunshine). By the tim we arrived at the Barnes' it was a little cooler but still not like the Winter back home.
It was quite bizarre when I was wrapping the Secret Santa gifts and we had the iPod on shuffle and suddenly "I Wish it Could Be Christmas" came on followed by "Winter Wonderland". Out of 2500 songs, it was just one of those perfectly timed events! It did make me think that this Christmas in December, I won't have my usual tradition of sitting at the kitchen table having a wrapping marathon and letting my creative juices flow by making bows and other fripperies to adorn packages like I usually do...slight pang of loss.
Pictures can tell you how our celebrations went so I don't plan to write much and just explain what went on...
Friday night was spent getting over the long week with a relaxing night in as Saturday was going to be a busy busy day and we needed to be fighting fit for it!
Saturday was our "Christmas in July" extravaganza hosted by the Barnes and attended by Chris and Kirsty and ourselves. Preparations had been going on all week with the planning meeting having taken place over lunch the previous Sunday at Greasy Joe's. We had spreadsheets and songsheets, email exchanges, logistical issues to resolve and finally we were ready to celebrate!
Christmas in July seems to be quite a common celebration among the Brits in Australia. I guess July is the coldest it ever gets so as close to December weather we can get. Christmas in December on this side of the World usually revolves around the outdoors, BBQ and seafood so for a traditional British Christmas, July is a good time. Any excuse for lots of food!
The day dawned for us with all the nervous anticipation and excitement Christmas morning brings. It didn't feel like Christmas as it was warm and sunny day (15 degrees in the sunshine). By the tim we arrived at the Barnes' it was a little cooler but still not like the Winter back home.
It was quite bizarre when I was wrapping the Secret Santa gifts and we had the iPod on shuffle and suddenly "I Wish it Could Be Christmas" came on followed by "Winter Wonderland". Out of 2500 songs, it was just one of those perfectly timed events! It did make me think that this Christmas in December, I won't have my usual tradition of sitting at the kitchen table having a wrapping marathon and letting my creative juices flow by making bows and other fripperies to adorn packages like I usually do...slight pang of loss.
Pictures can tell you how our celebrations went so I don't plan to write much and just explain what went on...
Christmas views from the Barnes' balcony. Not the usual Christmas snowy scene!
There was authentic decor at the Barnes' with a Christmas tree and Chris provided us with a burning log fire, excellent playlist and Home Alone and National Lampoon films playing in the background.
Thank you Kirsty for the hats.
We were responsible for providing the pre dinner nibbles. We were keen to make a good impression and to kick off proceedings with high standards so we'd visited Queen Vic Market for some great cheese, fresh Turkish bread and salamis, South Melbourne market for excellent fresh dips and Woolworths for all the rest of the accompaniments. General concensus was we did well!
After some initial grazing it was time to get to work. Cam started caressing the turkey and Kirsty made pigs in blankets.
Whilst the turkey baked in the oven, it was time for present opening. Steve was very pleased with his flying monkey and I received some fragrant Lush products. The zingy shower gel in particular was an invigorating start to today helping ease the hangover!
Soon it was time for the main meal and the turkey came out. I've posted a pre cooking and post cooking picture of the bird. Amazing how a few hours in the oven results in such a nice tan!
We had a vast array of side dishes - stuffing, golden roast potatoes, roasted parsnips, carrots and pumpkin, pigs in blankets, sprouts, Yorkshire pudding, gravy and cranberry sauce. All very delicious and a very well put together meal. Teamwork! High five!
Christmas dinner always comes with leftovers and our feast was no exception. Lucky Cam gets to indulge today with a tureen full of leftovers!
Dessert was chocolate flourless Yule log made by Kirsty. It looked so fudgey and dark but was amazingly light. Gorgeous!
Christmas involves games and television and general revelry. We watched a couple of episodes of "Big Fat Gypsy Wedding". We played drinking games, Saucepan game and table tennis on a glass table with make do bats. We watched Taylaa make friends with a new puppy (Karly's present). Kam performed some body piercing because no Christmas is complete without that.
Not an entirely traditional Christmas but definitely Christmas. What will December Christmas bring?
Today has been like Boxing Day in that we've done very little! I met up with a friend of one of my close UK friends, Rachel. She has introduced me to Sharen who is also living in Melbourne. Sharen was kind enough to meet up close to home so I didn't have to venture far in my hungover state. It was a really nice couple of hours spent chit chatting about Melbourne life and home.
Not an entirely traditional Christmas but definitely Christmas. What will December Christmas bring?
Today has been like Boxing Day in that we've done very little! I met up with a friend of one of my close UK friends, Rachel. She has introduced me to Sharen who is also living in Melbourne. Sharen was kind enough to meet up close to home so I didn't have to venture far in my hungover state. It was a really nice couple of hours spent chit chatting about Melbourne life and home.
I levae you with a picture of Tylaa for no other reason than because it's cute!
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