January 17, 2011

All in the kitchen....and on the billy cart


Christmas just gone brought a few 'firsts' to my family; It was the first time Alex (my youngest) went to Tasmania, it was the first Christmas I have spent with my family since having kids and it was the first time I rode a billy cart my dad built!
Anyone who tells you having kids is all hard work and yelling, I give you permission to give them a raspberry. When dad first found out we were bring the boys home for Christmas I am sure the first thing he did was go down to the shed and start work on the billy cart. Over the months toward Christmas, Max and Alex added to dads list of chores when it came to building the billy cart "Can we have fast stripes?", "I want it to be red...no green......no red!"

I wasn't quite sure what I was more excited about, cooking in mums fabulous kitchen while sipping champagne and eating berry brioche while basting the ham; eating mums warmed crayfish that was lightly tossed in a delicious white sauce or having a go on the billy cart?


There was one thing I never had any doubt about and that was the Christmas day spread. Seeing how it was the first Christmas mum was able to have in her own home since we left for the States over 8-9 years ago, I knew we were in for a treat.

If the boys ever felt peckish while waiting for breakfast/lunch or dinner mum would show them where all her baking treats were kept- lemon slices, mince tarts, hedgehog, snowman cookies, shortbread Christmas trees...shall I go on? I'd be lying if I told you it was only the boys who got into that cupboard, hence the reason I am now going to the gym 4 days a week.

That's right, we ate ourselves into a stupor!! When living over in the Chicago, I would ring mum, dad and my sister on Christmas day while the turkey was in my oven and the snow gently falling outside and I would listen to them popping champagne, talking about the beautiful sunny day that was ahead of them not to mention the up and coming crays they managed to get for Christmas day lunch- I was envious. Now, I do love a good turkey but green would be my colour, I just couldn't help it. So when mum prepared these for our entree I felt like I had finally arrived. The sweet cray meat, lightly tossed in a garlic and lemon white sauce was the perfect way to start our holiday feasting and I have to tell you I loved every mouthful and prayed the boys wouldn't like theres.
Of course I was dreaming when it came to Max, he was looking for seconds just like his mum....thank goodness Alex hasn't got his gourmet taste buds yet!













I managed to get my cake and eat it too. Playing in the kitchen- fabulous!
Having a go on the billy cart before the wheels fell off due to too many rides from the bigger kids- priceless!

Even though the holidays are now over, at least I have these memories of a wonderful family gathering the only way to celebrate with good food, wine and a billy cart for those of us who are still big kids.

5 comments:

Jo said...

Oh yep that looks fun and the food looks mouth watering! I was so sad to have missed you in that tiny window we had to catch up in Sydney. Maybe we'll get another chance before we head back to the UK. I hope so. Our holiday was fab, well the bit in Sydney anyway. Can't quite say the same for Brisbane, we only just got out in time.

TKW said...

You are a daring girl, going for a spin in that thing! Glad your holiday was full of fun and family!

Janette said...

Thankyou Mil you really captured the heart and essence of Christmas!.....you haven't lost your skills on the billy cart :-)

Bryan said...

Looks like so much fun! Thanks for the video. It is good to know that you had a fun holiday.

The Kings said...

Sounds like an awesome Christmas! As for having to go to the gym 4 days a week, you are looking pretty awesome to me! :)