Christmas Feast - An Early One - Excellent Day

Anna and Si have a new house. Yesterday they threw their first major party...A wonderful opportunity to show off their home and get together with the family.
And what better reason, to also incorporate Christmas Day. Anna, Si, Shannon, Elizabeth  and Jordan will be going south for Christmas. So we won't see them on the actual Day.
Secret Santa visited, and everyone contributed to a superb feast.
Of course the hosts seem to be doing most of the work on the day, but I guess you get that, when you are the host! The wine flowed, the food was so so good. What a day.
Little Jordan exploring Anna's lemons.

Our Stunning hostess. It was hard to get her out of the kitchen

Jordan, playing with her cousins and Grandad, just before she was popped into bed, for the afternoon nap

Jo, Dan and Sophia

Dave draining his wine, preparing for the next glass do we think?

Lucy spending time with Joseph

 

Katie and Lou, it's been a while.

 

Ms Cleo with Helen

 

Craig getting the table ready for lunch.

Anna and Si ahd set up their Tiki Bar Could be permanent . It was very popular

Si's Shed, every man needs his shed

 

 

 

 

Si on the Barbie

 

Elizabeth took over.

 

There was even help from Dale - A rare sight!

 

The food came out

 

Foods up Folks

Here is our feast.
We started with Lucy's Famous Sandwiches
I contributed My Favourite Roasted Prawns with a Mary Rose Dip
Almost a deconstructed Prawn Cocktail.

These are really the very best way to cook Prawns.
So simple
On a baking sheet
Lay out your prawns
Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice over them
Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper


Into a 200C cook for 6 minutes only
Keep the juice and pour over the prawns.

They are perfect. I will never do them any other way

So the Menu Continues
BBQ lamb marinated in Olive oi,l lemon juice, S and P, garlic and rosemary, by Katie.
Potato Salad
Wholemeal freshly Baked Bread, baked by Karen who was absent due to illness.
We missed you Karen.
Get well soon.
The greens were
Peas
Snow peas and beans

Sausages
Pesto sauce to add to the lamb. Thank you Shannon

Down the other end of the table,
Magnificent Glazed Ham (How can you not love juicy ham? It's divine)
Anna cooked Asparagus beautiful red and yellow bell peppers
Louise supplied her fabulous mustard fruits, to have with the meat

 

 

 

Time for Christmas Crackers

 

The Noble family enjoying the jokes. They were pretty corny. (The jokes not The Nobles).

One of the best part of the crackers, the Paper Hats...one size fits all

 

The kids just adored the crackers.

 

 

 

 

Time for Secret Santa. Helper Sophia, handing out the presents.
I don't care what anyone says, You know the "we are not giving the adults presents this year"...Bugger that.  I would hate not ever getting presents on Christmas Day.
I want them till I die.
Secret Santa solves that problem, everyone has to bring a $20 uni-sex present.
All into the bag and the youngest adult gets first choice and up to the eldest. Great fun.

 

What better present for our Cleo. Dora the Explorer. Hola Dora!

 

Finally got the hostess sitting down, apron off. Relaxing Whoop, Whoop, Good work Anna!

 

Sophia is taking Tennis lessons this looks like fun.

It is fun. Good Shot Sophia.

Ms Mia received a diary. She was thrilled.

The dessert was served.

Karen baking again. Beautiful Shortbread Stars,

Helen provided her Fabulous Christmas Mince Pies

I made jellies for the kids

and a Savoury Cheesecake

Hi Ms Jordan awake now.

Trees to climb. That's great.

 

So always a sad sight.
The remains of the day. And what a great day it was as well.
Thanks so much Anna and Si, we had a great time.

In two weeks we will be doing it all again. BRING IT ON!