Countdown.

We were in the car and off to the grocery store by 6.30 this morning. Not my idea of fun but when we were driving out and cars were grid-locked in the car-park trying to find a park I was more than happy we'd made the effort. It took ages to pack all the goodies away - I'm sure, like everyone, I could feed a small country out of my pantry. Tonight Kim is having some friends over for a spa party and stay-over so I doubt the house will be quiet enough for an early night. They'll all be gone by lunch-time tomorrow so I can do some early preparation. :)

 I can remember as a child my mother and Nana in the kitchen from early morn until lunchtime "slaving over a hot stove" (no air-conditioners in those days) and it seemed to me everyone had a relaxing time except them! I'm very blessed that when I asked my daughter recently about perhaps having a traditional baked dinner she said "No way, how is that family time if you spend your Christmas in the  kitchen?" Having said that I'm doing 6 different salads, 3 meats plus prawn skewers and 3 deserts. I use to put the weeks menu on the fridge to avoid that "whats for dinner" question 4 times over and have just put up the Christmas Day one. I think there's more on it than there use to be  for a whole week. :)

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve here in Australia. I'll make the ice cream pudding - vanilla ice cream, mixed peal, glace cherries, almonds, pistachios, white choccy, brandy, cranberries etc. Top with fresh berries, bit of icing sugar and away you go. I can also do the Parmesan vinaigrette for the chick-pea salad and lemon caper butter for the prawns and cook the rice. On the day we have canapes mid-morning - this year simple ones  - smoked salmon, philly and chives and roast beef with a nice mango and mint chutney on bruschetta and then just before lunch I put the salads together (there's a bit of fiddling with prosciutto, pears and mango for the various salads but I usually have a few willing hands to help.)

This year, though 2 of my 3 kids don't live here, they will be staying overnight, as well as Scott's lovely partner Raeleigh. There's the spa if it gets really hot (first Christmas in years without a pool - surprisingly not missing it at all!) as well as some new inter-active electronic thing that promises to move a few of the recently acquired kjs! Karaoke for the brave; or inebriated. A game of soccer or tether tennis or just hang about watching sat. TV. Perhaps a few calls to our O.S. rellies. Chatting over a drink and leftovers. ( can we really fit another thing in?)

I love a stress-free Christmas! I've learnt  it's a choice. I'm sure we all have obligations that we don't really enjoy around this time of year ( yep!!) but I think its up to you  how you handle them. I adore my husband and family and am really grateful to have the kids come home for Christmas. For me that's what its all about; anything else doesn't really matter.