My Cooking and My Garden: Happy Christmas 2015

I wish you had a happy and enjoyable Christmas 2015, as we did.

We had a happy gathering with our first daughter Melanie, her husband Lance and their children: Mary Rose, Thomas, Henry and Lily.

Started off in Christmas Eve, we had a lovely afternoon tea in our backyard. Christmas day was so good, as my oldest grand child-Mary Rose set up the table, it looked so pretty, perfect and festive. Thank you, Mary Rose.

The Christmas Dinner was very successful, Melanie did the starter- beautiful giant prawns with a leafy salad.

Turkey and it's trimming were excellent, but it looked brown, maybe I basted with extra orange juice. Even though the turkey looked dark but it was moist, not dry. The delicious turkey was complemented by fine wine, thanks, Mel.

Simple and fresh
The sweet dessert was well received by the family but mainly by the grandkids. Chocolates were there for the grandchildren, they love chocolates, they enjoyed fine chocolates, especially the one from aunt Jane who lives in the Netherlands. Thanks, Jane, Ed and Milo for the chocolates.

We had a grand day, an afternoon snooze and informal evening. We were looking forward to another gathering in the boxing day. Susan and Tris came from Melbourne, it was a good catch up time for everyone. I received a good book, a gift from my Kris Kringle, thank you Tritan,

I tried my best to serve a lovely Boxing Day Dinner-Roast Loin Pork, with baked whole apples and gravy. Garnished with roast potato, sweet potato, and mixed greens-broccoli, snow peas and asparagus. Followed by a leafy salad with a home-baked sliced fillet of pork, covered in chicken mouse, pistachio nuts, wrapped in prosciutto. The dessert was layered meringue with strawberries and topped with raspberries, served with extra fresh fruits-mango, kiwi and cherries. So good and sweet.
We had a lovely day at the boxing day, a good company and we enjoyed delicious food, and the grandkids opened more presents from aunty Susan.

Everyone left at seven o'clock for Melbourne. The house becomes so empty, I looked back and say, I am so lucky to be able to see and to spend time with my family this Christmas. Now it is my time to have a rest.

PICTURES

The Cooking and Preparation for Christmas 2015.

Beautiful Cooking for Beautiful Season

The Christmas Cake

Turkey

There were a lot more dishes I prepared for the season, come to think of it, I am amazed at myself the fact that I could manage them very well under my condition,. I have not been fit for the past few months. Indeed I congratulate myself, I know that I could do better otherwise, but it was good enough, as the family were happy and enjoyed the festivity.

It has been a long time that the children have not been home for Christmas, the girls took a turn to host the Christmas Party, and they did it so well. But this year, I voluntary to do it, and I did not do badly under the circumstances.

PICTURES
Photos of the family, the children and grandchildren
Afternoon Tea in the Backyard.
Lumpia, Resoles, Almond cake filled with preserved
fruits in brandy, and chocolate ring cake with cherries.

It was hot in the backyard, we did not stay there

too long.

Christmas Morning

Opening Gifts

Christmas Dinner

Boxing Day
We were ten, with Susan and Tris

Christmas is over, and we are looking forward to the New Year 2016. And I hope. It brings good health, happiness and prosperity to us all.

Today is a hot day, and it is the New Year's Eve, I gathered beautiful flowers, some of them are the last blooms from my garden. They look so colourful and attractive for our table.

Enjoy the last day of the year 2015, have a happy party, keep safe and well.

Beautiful Flowers for The Last Day of the Year 2015