Christmas 2017

A lovely couple of days, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the family.

This roadside find was my decorating display piece for treats.

Bob hops up for a pose on the photo backdrop.

I like to use baskets for their rustic charm. 

Some of our handpainted baubles have lasted the distance. 

We somehow gathered this many Christmas plushies over 36 years!

I like this Australian Kangaroo one.

Decorating, cleaning, and Christmas present wrapping with cooking shows 

of Nigella, Jamie and 'Kirsty's Handmade Christmas' on the telly. 

My annual hamper gift for teaching Rodney art.

Bec makes her beautiful mushroom rolls, with lovely fresh herbs.

Bob is very much a kitchen cat and has to supervise everything. Here he is caught napping. 

A little height is needed here. 

Found these vintage decorations from my childhood.

I decided to cater with vintage Wedgewood plates and good cutlery, 

and these vintage beer and water jugs this year.

Chris makes the pastry for the traditional fruit mince pies. This is a continuation of his 

Grandmother's cooking and her hand mincer gets used for the fuit.

The fruit for the frozen ice cream pudding is marinated in Chatelle Napoleon Brandy.

Bob tires of his duty.

An instant revamp of the outdoor lounge, trashed a couple of year's ago on Christmas Day.

My quickie Christmas craft upcycling cast out frames. 

Gathering some curios of Mum's and Dad's. 

Our barefoot vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free chef.

Christmas Day breakfast, half naughty, half nice.

Bob and the fruit mince pie recipe, with his jingle bells on.

The happy soon-to-be-married couple, Sam and Gordon.

Bec secretly wraps last minute presents.

The gift unwrapping, Ben gets some silk screened Tshirts from a local company. 

Bob gets a dish of seafood with cheese for his present. 

Chris gets a new clock radio. 

A basket, Bob, and the wrapping paper. So predictable.

The ever more cringeworthy Christmas tradition pose of the kids. The tree is shrinking.

Bec and Sam are straight onto that 1500 piece puzzle. 

Sam's job of peeling the prawns with Bob's help of course!

The buffet laid out.

Retro party forks and lemon squeezers. 

A lovely relaxed and happy Ben. He reclaims his lounge. 

Gordon catches a puddy tat. 

Blue Swimmer Crab for Chris's supper.

The quaint packaging of the vintage crackerjack tool for the crab.