Christmas Day here on the beach was nice, well, nice indoors.. as we were receiving a bit of a walloping from the cyclone in the south. All of the beaches down the coast had to be closed due to the rough seas and all the erosion those said rough seas were creating. Saw some spectacular waves from our balcony though, of a size I'd never seen before.
After we opened our presents my parents arrived and we all stuffed ourselves with yummy lunch. We had home made potato salad, pasta salad, roast chicken, roast pork, smoked ham, Greek salad...washed down with lots of champagne..no wait that was just me... For desert I made a fiendishly yummy Cherry and White Chocolate Pavlova, with a cherry reduction sauce. After my parents left we were going to go for the traditional Christmas Day Nanna Nap.. but ten minutes later Hubby's Dad and his GF arrived and we had to do it all over again.. especially the champagne and the pavlova. Couldn't let the Champagne go to waste no could I?...
Love my pressies. The recipe book I wanted, full of yummy macaroons, and chocolates and pastries.. and a little craft caddy filled with lollies. And Mum bought me a Terry's Chocolate Orange because she knows how much I love them :) Hubby's Dad gave us his traditional "card with money" gift :) All in all it was a nice Christmas and Hubby got his wish of hosting. I was happy for him :)
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| MF this year.. |
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| Craft caddy from my son :) |
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| recipe book from Hubby :) |
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| Yummies made by me! those little tarts are white chocolate ganache tarts. |
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| Cookie tree. Did NOT like the recipe on the box.. See the Karate Bread men? I made them for my son...lol.. |
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| Cherry and White Chocolate Pavlova |
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| with a cherry sauce reduction... mmmmm.... |
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| Jewel White...YUM! (I'd already drank the Pink..hehehe) |
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| My Dads beer.. BROO! LOL! |
So if your Post Christmas Day sales are anything like ours, you know what I mean when I say the shops were crazy busy! I went to my art shop and finally bought myself another easel. It's not the big free standing one I would have liked, because it would have been impractical in our apartment. I got instead the French Box easel I wanted.. a nice Winsor and Newton one for only $129, with three FREE canvas's. Artutopia! I also picked up a marked down "Do it Yourself" advent calendar. Which I will work on when I find the rest of my craft supplies..which means..yes..another trip into the garage.....
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| ready to carry anywhere! |
Love the easel. I am getting used to working upright with mine and I love it but I probably have more room for a standing one.
ReplyDeleteLove the Pav. Mine is usually covered in Strawbs and crumbled flake although sometimes I do a peppermint and banana one.
Spent most of my Christmas day sipping bubbles too. Seems the right thing to do lol
Yeah I was going to buy the winsor and newton standing easel.. it was only $99..but decided to go the table one instead. I usually sit when I paint anyway... I like to have my paint set up on another table..all spread out.. so I sit on a desk chair.. and wheel myself between the paint and the painting..lol..
ReplyDeleteAll that food and Pav too!
ReplyDeleteNow I know why you didn't invite me along.
I have a bottomless stomach!
Hope your headache has buggered off now.
All the best (champagne) for the New Year!!!
I've never had a French easel although I know many artists who couldn't work without one. I have an enormous easel out in the garage that holds canvases up to eight feet across. I bought it years ago from a supply shop that was going out of business. I hope to dust it off and get back to painting one day.
ReplyDeletebubbly and such lovely desserts sound wonderful!
ReplyDeleteSounds perfect seasons greetings
ReplyDeletePavlova? I want to make that.
ReplyDeleteI love Pavlova. We always have it in the summer. Loving the easel!! I am thinking of taking up art in 2012. Always wanted to learn watercolors.
ReplyDelete@Symdaddy haha.. we had lots of food to share..even a slice of Pav!
ReplyDelete@Stephen yeah lack of room is my problem...otherwise I would have bought the bigger one..
@Sherilin it was :)
@Frosty same to you!
@Dbs it's so yummy :)
@Nubian I still haven't started my watercolour..even though I have all the supplies.. Guess I am a little nervous to start.. I was looking around for a good teacher, to take some lessons..
A little Sprite fell into a glass. Or was it the whole bottle?
ReplyDeleteThat Pavlova looks really good. Karate bread.lol
That's a really nice easel, they're so versatile.
Need a nap.
WV: Whetabab. *grin*
Cool gifts and delicious looking yummies! You just gotta love Christmas!
ReplyDeletePat
Critter Alley
what a fabulous post!!!! OMG!!
ReplyDeleteI want that cherry dessert!! It looked exquisite!! You are such an accomplished baker!
I smiled when I saw your easel...I know how it is to be "space challenged" and I think you made the perfect choice! It has great compartments, looks super sturdy and is portable!
Oh and your other desserts looked INSANELY delicious!
@Ant um.. two bottles.. ehem. :)
ReplyDeleteIt tasted really good :)
I thought so to.. handy...portable..
@K9friend I really do, it's my chance to bake yummies!
@Caren OH it was so so good! I think I made the right choice with the easel to..love it :)