Happy Christmas Wishes

A while ago I made myself a Christmas apron from fabric which has been in my stash for......oh......a hundred years, at least.  It would have looked even lovelier had it been ironed, now you all know what a sloppy housekeeper I am.

 The pattern is in a book bought on our last trip to Canada in 2009, "Canadian Heritage Quilting".  As soon as I saw this pattern I knew it was for me, isn't it great?  It's a lovely book, a very interesting read about the history of quilting in eastern Canada, and has wonderful patterns.

Here's a basket of pretty Aussie wildflowers for you all for Christmas, as a 'thank you' for reading my blog and sticking with me.

This afternoon I have been making some yummy goodies in preparation for our older son's visit, and some more will be made tomorrow.  Nothing like chocolate and nuts at Christmas, is there?  A pork roast (won in a raffle at the local lawn bowls club - meat raffles are a great thing here, and we are lucky enough to win from time to time) is defrosting in the fridge and tomorrow evening will be rubbed with a mixture of sage, lemon rind, garlic, oil, salt and pepper ready to be roasted for lunch on Christmas Day.  There is also a small rolled turkey breast roast with cranberry and apple stuffing because the aforementioned son likes turkey, and they will be served with roast potatoes, roast sweet potatoes, caramelised onions, and fresh asparagus.  And gravy.  Mustn't forget the gravy.  To be followed by traditional Christmas cake, pecan brownies (also to be made tomorrow), chocolate nut slice (made today), rosè wine ice (currently being made), cherries, and ice cream should your little heart desire.  It will be served with sparkling wine.

I won't think badly of you if you refuse seconds.

While our older son is visiting we hope to spend a little time on the computer chatting to our other son, who lives on the far side of the known universe from here i.e. Toronto, Canada, and to his lovely partner our girl-in-law.  We miss them and are sorry they are so far away, but glad they are happy.

We have been hearing lots of Christmas music on the radio, fortunately not much has been of the "Winter Wonderland"/"Let It Snow" variety.  They are songs about winter, not songs about Christmas, and Christmas in Australia is not in winter.  By all means play them until you are tired of them (and you may already be so, for all I know) on the other side of the equator, where they are more appropriate.  While I quite enjoy most Christmas music....for a while.......by about tomorrow it will all start to sound a little too familiar.

Before I leave you with the quote from my 1885 etiquette book without which no blog post would be complete, I would like to extend my greetings to you, dear readers, and your families, for a happy and peaceful Christmas.

"Praising Dishes.
A hostess should not express pride regarding what is on her table, nor make apologies if everything she offers you is not to her satisfaction.  It is much better that she should observe silence in this respect, and allow her guest to eulogize her dinner or not, as they deem proper.  Neither is it good taste to urge guests to eat, nor to load their plates against their inclination."

Have a wonderful Christmas, and I hope the fat man in the red suit is good to you all!