T'was The Night Before Christmas...

Just an advance warning, you're probably going to notice a plethora of posts in the next couple of weeks! At the best of times I try to update at least every couple of days, if not daily.  However I am (sadly!) back at work whilst the rest of the site is still shut down for Christmas break, so I am relying on this blog to keep myself occupied!

So we spent Christmas Eve with Liam's family, it was a lovely hot day and we spent the evening out on the back porch in shorts and singlets.  What a vast contrast to the floods the next day, which only narrowly missed the porch where we were basking in the heat just the night before!

We snacked on dips, cheese, crackers and nuts while we waited for Liam's sister to arrive.  Liam's mum and Grandma also made these -

 

Brandy Alexanders.  These were divine! Creamy and rich, with a strong alcoholic kick.  Perfect way to start off the festive season.  I wonder if Santa would appreciate it if I left one of these by the fireplace for him, instead of the traditional milk and cookies!

Let me tell you, Liam's mother and my own mummy dearest are EXCEPTIONAL cooks.  I know everyone says that, but it is absolutely 100% true.  Between the two, as well as my gorgeous grandparents, we are never short of delicious food. We are truly well-fed!

For dinner this night, Liam's mum and grandmother had prepared a sort of make-your-own souvlaki set up.  We helped ourselves to gorgeous thick tortilla wraps, slathered them with hommus or homemade garlic sauce, then filled them with our choice of salads before piling on tasty, tasty chunks of chicken and lamb.  Also on offer were potatoes roasted in dripping from the chicken, and wonderful homemade coleslaw and tabouleh. 

I ate so much that I was sure there wouldn't be any space left for Christmas lunch the next day!

But of course there was dessert! The caramel tarts were sooo good that I wish I could have fit in more than one.  Liam's mum also plated up some of the mini Christmas puddings I made as part of her present.

Speaking of presents, there were plenty!

These are the hampers which we put together for Liam's parents.  And YES, that is a 2 litre stubby of beer! It was so cool that I want to get one for myself so that I can keep the bottle!

So that, my dears, was Christmas Eve.  Next up will be Christmas Day, which was even more of an indulgent affair!

I do adore Christmas!!!

Mum's Christmas Present Update

Sooo... the Canvas Factory aren't returning my emails, but they have told me as much that they have not started manufacturing my canvas yet so I'm not sure when the heck it is going to reach me! 

Crisis averted however.  I stopped into Kmart and bought her a little coffee pack to unwrap on Christmas morning and a card in which to enclose an IOU. On a side note, how cheap is Kmart these days?! Then we started trawling the shops to cross some names off Liam's Christmas shopping list.  Whilst I have been all organised this year, and done the bulk of my Christmas shopping in November, he has not done quite as well.  Like your typical boy, he has left it all to the last minute! 

Anyway, on my advice he decided to get this for my mum.

Over the years, while sitting in front of the TV watching Masterchef mum would comment how easy making pasta looks, and she should totally give it a go.  I always mention that my aunt and uncle were gifted a pasta maker for their wedding which they never use and have offered to me to use, but her reply is always the same. "No point, I'll just buy my own." Till this day, she is still yet to buy her own. 

Now she has no excuse! Go on - make me fresh pasta, woman! Chop chop!

At the cash registers, I had a bit of a sulky moment.

"I was meant to have an awesome gift to give mum on Christmas morning! Now YOU'RE going to be giving her something cool and I'm just going to be giving her a measly pack of stupid coffee. What if she doesn't have milk? How about if the kettle is broken? What if she doesn't even WANT coffee?! What if she wants TEA?!?! I hate you. YOU'RE NOT BETTER THAN ME!"

Liam, being the patient man that he is, patted me on the head and calmly offered a solution.  Why don't we pool our resources and just gift all of our presents from both of us instead? Which is realistically what we've decided to do for almost everyone else, but I had chosen cute little presents for my parents ages ago so had thought I'd do their gifts on my own. 

I'm pretty sure that Liam's just struggling to find a suitable present for my dad, so the arrangement benefits him as much as it does me but all's well ends well and everyone is happy!

Christmas Countdown

Now... just TWO more sleeps til Christmas!