examinator what a great idea.
Now back to reality.
Some of the Branch's of my family tree have been growing in other directions for some time, it happens.
This year lines of communication opened, many calls and promises on the day.
It was not my idea but it grows in others how can I aviod it?
And an idea, firming into a plan, a reunion, my my place.
Yes you got that right ,could be 50, and traditional for sure.
So keeping in mind both my weight and wishes my plan will include sea food platter for one, me, a nice quite room to take that nap after lunch, well drinks

Belly,
You catered for 37? Me never. Big job, no wonder you want change.

Don't know how you do traditional and keep it hot, domestic cooking appliances can't handle that amount.

If that many involved, you definately better off with barbie where the blokes can yarn and do the cooking, with a few beers. Others can bring cold seafood and salads for smorgasboard.

Kids really do not care about tradition anyway, so give them slices of watermelon for sweets and they will enjoy making a mess.

The social aspect is the most important, so put your foot down next year and if some insist on traditional, let them do it.

CJM,
I don't whinge, but am not about letting others take advantage of all the effort and hardship we and our forebears put it to get where we are. They don't even ask, just impose themselves on us and expect us to conceed and we give them a free ride. Many come from countries that are rich in oil and minerals if they just got off their bums and worked at it. This country, and myself, have done well but it is not luck, it is the effort put in. I am generous to a fault, but strong enough to resist being told what I should do.

Our polys are the biggest worry though, trying to trash the country deliberately, in my opinion. The ETS tax is designed to bring us down, not to mention raising the population to 35 million. That stupid Fraser wanted 50 million. You gotta watch them at all times.

Good Morning Everyone,

Thank You so much for sharing your experiences
of your Christmas Celebrations and for your
lovely words regarding mine.

As Banjo pointed out - it's family getting together
that matters. And Dear Belly, you're to be Congratulated
for continuing to cater to so many. Bravo! That's a
lot of work!

Dear Examinator, no naughty corner for you - just
a permanent place in my heart. :-)

Merry Christmas to all!
I have been away in Brisbane for the past week visiting my father and the wicked stepmother!
She wouldn't let me go on the computer to check olo in case I went over her allowance! I said I would pay her some money- but no way.
And a very merry Christmas to her too!

My husband comes from Ireland, so has always wanted a hot Christmas lunch, with plenty of leftovers for the rest of the week. I went along with it because my family always had either duck or turkey roast dinners for Christmas ever since I can remember.

I always enjoy it because it is something we only have for one day a year, so it is special. We have prawns and barbeques every other day during summer, so it wouldn't be Christmas without turkey!

Luckily, we have a weber kettle barbeque outside wherein we cook the christmas lunch. No hot house at all. We just add salads and trifle or pavlova, and our day is complete!

Banjo the 37 was a fair while ago, it is done by every one bringing something to cook in, this year it was turbo ovens.
suzeonline we all have relos like that, unbearable but we have to put up with it.
Strangest thing about it is they do not play by the same rules?
Why do we make that extra effort they will not?
Because I hope we are better than that.
I am heartened by evidence not every one needs old English traditions to enjoy this time of year.
Do not get me wrong, a roast can be great but such a massive one without any way out is annoying me.
New year will be sea food salads and beer.

We ate simply this year

Christmas day breakfast of waffles and fruit, with one on my daughters and then we were off to the Great Ocean Road

Actually we ended up at the Lorne Hotel, she having rib eye steak and me a succulent piece of skippy along with a quiet drink as we savoured the peace and tranquility of dusk on a balmy evening.

Boxing day we did a road trip to Port Campbell and back with the lid down… and me ending up with a face which matches the red of our SLK230. We again ate light stuff… working within the limits of our diets, fresh roast chook, salads and a home-made apple and rhubarb crumble, picked up at a market in Apollo Bay.

It was a different Christmas but a good Christmas –

And I trust everyone else had as an enjoyable one as we