Sunday, December 29, 2013

Christmas 2013





















We had a wonderful Christmas. It was simple, relaxed and extra special because we had my Dad and Diane joining us from Sydney this year. A rather lovely tradition has developed over the years for Christmas Day. We open presents, then start preparing for Christmas lunch. We usually feast on fresh Seafood, although depending on who is staying with us we may also cook up a traditional ham for the traditionalists within the family. This year we sipped Champagne and indulged on Pacific Oysters followed by BBQ Prawns, smoked Green Tea Salmon in the BBQ and Roast Chicken with Potato Salad and some Greens. Diane bought her homemade Plum Pudding across Bass Strait and Daniel made a Pavlova topped with lashings of Mango. Following lunch, we launch into some serious backyard cricket which seems to be getting more and more competitive as the years progress. This year George impressed us with his cap-kissing moves he learnt watching Michael Clarke in one of the Ashes tests and the Whippet assumed his usual role as star Fielder. We then have a little rest before heading to the beach in the late afternoon when it's cooler to walk off lunch. 

The Christmas recovery continues into Boxing Day and we usually spend the day with friends. This year we were invited to our friend's parents' home for a casual day at the beach. Everyone brought their Christmas leftovers and we also feasted on a 4kg Salmon. The conditions were prefect for swimming, kayaking and fishing. About 35 Fish were caught and the adrenalin hit an all time high when my Dad snagged a shark from his Kayak. The shark took off and dragged the kayak and passengers for a good 10 minutes, enough time to get the shot below of the incredible bend in the fishing line. The shark eventually got tired of playing and chewed through the line which was a great relief because no one had any idea how to land a shark in a full kayak anyway! All in all, a terrific couple of days with family, good food and good friends along with some rather perfect weather. 

I'll leave you with some photos from Boxing Day. I hope you are all enjoying the festive season. I feel very much out of the loop with all your news, having been without the use of my laptop for almost 2 weeks but that has now been remedied (thank you Santa!) and I'm looking forward to catching up on all your news over the next couple of days.

Take care, 

Mel x










22 comments :

  1. It sounds like it was a wonderful Christmas! I love seeing the pictures of you celebrating in a place where you are walking off your Christmas meal on a warm beach. And well done to whoever had the presence of mind to take that picture in the midst of being dragged off in the kayak by a shark!

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  2. It looks like you had a beautiful Christmas, Mel. I hope you have a happy New Year's too.

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  3. Definitely sounds like you all had a brilliant Christmas and Boxing Day - loved the fishing story! xx

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  4. Sounds like a lovely Christmas Mel. Loved seeing all the photos x

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  5. What a wonderful time you've had, I love all the photos - how my kids would love to join you for the backyard cricket and shark fishing (I'd join you for the feast - I love seafood & pavlova!) all the best for 2014 to you & yours x

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  6. Sounds like the perfect Christmas. I love the way your table looks out onto that stunning view. Hope you are all enjoying some relaxation now!

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  7. Good to see the whippet getting in on the act there!

    Boxing Day at the beach sounds wonderful :)

    I think I said this already, but have a fabulous New Year Mel x

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  8. Warm weather brings such happy times. I love it being hot at Christmas.

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  9. What a perfect Christmas day ( well aside from the shark incident but who else would have a Boxing day story like that one!) must add that the view from your dining room is incredible, I would just want to sit there and eat all day. mel x

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  10. Lovely photos. They make me miss Tasmania! Secluded open beaches and such beautiful views x

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  11. Tasmania looks so beautiful ... your Christmas sounds just perfect Mel ... wishing you many more happy days ... Bee xx

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  12. Mel that sounds a wonderful way to spend Christmas. I would love to have food like that on Christmas Day. Maybe next year I should do an Australian menu instead! Christmas spent in a warm climate seems such a contrast to here!
    Sarah x

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  13. It looks as though you had a wonderful time Mel, and can I say that your Christmas stockings are divine!! Hope that you have a wonderful 2014! xx

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  14. Mel, what an amazing time you all had. The view from the window would leave me staring out for hours. Have a Happy New Year and I wish you well for 2014.
    Kindest Regards Linda

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  15. I love to read about how you celebrate Christmas, Mel - I just can't imagine what it's like to have hot weather on Christmas Day and I enjoyed your descriptions of your traditions. The food all sounds amazing - special and celebratory, but right for the weather. Who wants to roast turkey when it's baking hot?! And that beach is just stunning. But the shark?? I would probably have wet myself. x

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  16. It looks like a wonderful way to spend Chrissy Mel and that view... OMG that view!!! Wising you the most amazing New Year huni xx

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  17. Sounds like a fab Christmas! Love that mirror above the fireplace by the way! x

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  18. Hey Mel,

    It all looks perfect to me. I love all those stockings hung up on the fireplace! So glad that you had such a lovely time with family and friends.

    Leanne xx

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  19. Your mantle vignette is lovely, the perfect spot for a bit of styling out of the reach of little hands.
    The Christmas menu sounds amazing. Wishing you a wonderful 2014 lovely lady. x

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  20. Wow, I love your photos! Off camping tomorrow, not blogging much! Happy New Year Mel! x

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  21. My jaw just hit the table, don't ever take your view for granted. Simply stunning. x

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  22. Browsing through pictures of your gorgeous family and wonderful lifestyle makes me lean so much further toward moving to tassie. My dad lives on Carlton beach and every time we go down to visit we miss it so much when we come home! Lovely to see people treasuring tassie how it should be treasured :)

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