The month of Christmas began with appropriately themed cooking classes run throughout our district, and finished with fabulous family gatherings…
Cooking classes for kids were all about Christmas treats,
and for the adults there was a meal that was budget friendly, various Christmas dishes from around the world and, of course, the Christmas hamper.
Gosh – we even had a poli in the kitchen for a chat at one of our sessions!
Having a chat with Tim Bull MP – Member for Gippsland East
At home biscuits, cakes and puddings were prepared and packaged, jars of various preserves selected from the larder, and boxes were packed and sent to family that we could not be with at this special time of year.
More food was prepared – rabbit rillettes, salmon rillettes, chicken ballotine, Christmas pudding, traditional trifle as my mum and nana used to make, Tuscan vegetable lasagne, creamy custard and gluten free baguettes.
Then the ingredients for the Irish liqueur cream (an absolute must to serve with the plum pudding), cauliflower for cauliflower cheese – one from my garden to be served with one from Sonnie’s garden, and ingredients for salads – Krautslaw; Red Sauerkraut and Apple Salad; and a Finish Christmas Salad, were packed.
Finally gifts for the children were put together – this year I had decided to include a cooking kit with all of the ingredients, and recipe, for each of them to make during the school holidays – Crispy (Christmas) Treat Bars.
Then on Christmas eve afternoon, with the car packed full of food and gifts, we set off to my sister’s home in Melbourne, where we were to stay for two nights. I must admit that it was wonderful to just sit and relax in the car for that two and a half drive.
When we arrived at Sonnies’ she was a tad stressed, the toilet cistern wasn’t filling – her neighbour was in the bathroom, on the phone to her son, as they both tried to fathom out what the problem was, and how to fix it late on Christmas Eve afternoon! There was another toilet in the house, but the family dog, recovering from major surgery, was penned up in the area blocking access – a quick turn around the yard with Sonnie, while those that needed to, used the loo, then we were off to the shed in search of a small wrench. Finally the loo was deemed usable, just needed to use the wrench to turn the water off and on, after you used the facilities, until it could be fixed properly.
Time for a cuppa, a catch up, my other sister Jan was there too, and to catch our breath. Then bags unpacked, food stashed, and I realised that I had left the chicken ballotine in the fridge at home, ugh! So our great nephew, Aussie, took family members for a ride in his new car and pick up a cooked chicken for me, so not a major drama, really. Finally with grazing platters prepared, it was time for Carols by Candlelight on the TV, with a picnic set up on a pretty table cloth on the floor, as we chatted and relaxed.
Picnic & Carols on Christmas Eve
Christmas morning was relatively relaxed, Sonnie got her veg cooking and filled one of her amazing pavlova wreaths, Jan carved meats, not sure what I did, I think I was in charge of managing the stove… We all kicked in and kept on top of the dishes.
There were phone calls, and texts, and then our nephew, Sonnie’s son, John, and his adult children, arrived – we were so excited that they were all coming. Our Christmas feast was laid out, photos were taken, and it was time to eat! There was soooo much food, roasted lamb, pork, chicken, slow cooked brisket, and John’s baked ham looked, and tasted, an absolute treat. We had cauliflower cheese, roasted potato and pumpkin, Jamie’s carrots, and parsnips, peas and corn, vegetarian lasagne, gravy and all the condiments too!
For dessert, yes, there must be dessert no matter how much you’ve already eaten – we did have a nice break before indulging though! Plum pudding, custard and Irish Mist cream, Sonnie’s stunning Summer Berry Pavlova Wreath and the Bûche de Noël that I had made, using our friend, Yannick’s, recipe. Needless to say that the evening meal was very light that night!
Boxing Day and the feasting continued! We prepared salads, cold meats were plated, and leftover veg reheated. Our other nephew, Sonnie’s other son, arrived with his family and again we laid out the food, cold meats, a huge bowl of potato salad, a delicious mexican salad, red sauerkraut and apple salad, krautslaw and a Finnish Christmas Salad – Rosolli, oh and the leftover lasagne as well!
Again, there was dessert! The same as yesterday, plus my traditional family trifle!
Eventually it was time for us to load up and hit the road. Our son and his family were coming for a couple of nights and we needed to get home and get organised.
As we finished our last jobs Chris and his family arrived. We had the house organised, beds set etc. But I hadn’t had time to do the shopping, so Chris and I went to the supermarket, where he helped me to select foods that everyone would like, and while searching for local bacon, and Maffra cheeses, suggested that we should see what had been reduced… When we got to the fridge I think that they must have emptied the entire deli, packaged it up and reduced the price by 50%! With frozen fingers from sorting through the pile of packages, we ended up with a fabulous selection of cold cuts, roast chicken, sausages and kransky – this would be great for picnics, pizzas, platters, and even a roast chicken meal. I hadn’t planned on doing too much cooking while they were with us – I just wanted to spend as much time as I could with them – these times are precious.
At home, Chris put together a grazing board, and it was pool time!
In just two short days, they packed in time at the beach, loads of pool time, games, and Chris and Olivia even got to sneak out for a quiet meal together while we looked after the four children. Not too difficult, really, the older boys were fabulous, I had most of dinner prepped, with Chris and Olivia’s help, and there was promise of chocolate cream cake and sorbet for later in the evening. I showed Samuel how to make pineapple sorbet, and whipped up the cream, filled the sponge, and supper was ready!
The final day, they had a quick breakfast and headed out for milkshakes at the Milkshake Shack in Stratford.
Morning Milkshakes at the Milkshake Shack in Stratford
Then it was home for a little more pool time, lunch, pack the car and head home! I hate saying goodbye, but I know that we will be together again very soon.
New Year’s eve was quiet, and here we are, now in the third week of January 2026!
So to all, from our home to yours, may 2026 be a year of peace, tolerance, good health, happiness and a bit of fun and adventure too!
Until next time…
Treasure your loved ones, and
Bon appétit!
Links:
- Chocolate Sponge
- Crispy (Christmas) Treat Bars
- Gluten Free Baguette
- Maffra cheeses
- Milkshake Shack Stratford
- Rosolli – Finnish Christmas Salad
- Sorbet
- Traditional Trifle
If you have a moment, I would love to hear your thoughts on what you see on
this page – just pop a note in the comments box below.
With many thanks and kindness,
Julie.
Looking forward to 2026 and lm hoping to get to another of your classes. I have great memories of the cheese making class in Drouin ❤️
It would be wonderful to have you in the kitchen again, Marlene, I remember the trips to Drouin with great fondness.