Christmas 2012

Christmas Eve was a scorcher. 37+ degrees! Preparations for a gathering under the pergola were very last minute. With no time to spare before the first guests arrived the finishing touches were made to platters and pastry, pinwheels. The tree had been dressed for weeks. It stood waiting patiently to reveal its secrets. Stockings sat in a long line on the lounge. They were brimming with goodies and bursting at the seams. The individual designs and colours noted and it was, I am told, expected that we should each remember which was ''ours'' for next year. Not sure that I can do that so I may take a picture to remind me.  Convivial banter with some having travelled from overseas to share the festive mood of the evening. It was almost midnight when we crawled into bed. The essential sleep, a requisite, for Santa to come. Weary was I when I opened my eyes to the table set for breakfast. The good fairies must have visited in the middle of the night for as if by magic someone they had organised breakfast. Breakfast, an imperative, to make way for the ransacking of the gifts beneath the Christmas tree. A ransacking it was with all its fervor. Kate, the self nominated, enthusiastic, courier delivered presents to each seated onlooker. The pace for the remainder of the day was somewhat more relaxed and casual. A seafood dinner of scallops, prawn skewers, salads and cold lamb were prepped by willing participants. Selections of sorbets, various ice creams  and a favourite chocolate tart the much anticipated dessert offerings to end the experience.