A Boxing Day tradition

It seems the Aussie tradition of heading to the beach on Boxing Day exists for Kiwis too. After lunch we took a short drive to Mirawai. The girls and I had a pleasant afternoon on the black sand - the girls played 'cat' games on the large rock in the middle of Maori Bay and I got engrossed in Just in Time to be Too Late - Why men are like buses which Steve gave me for Christmas. Steve disappeared in the waves and we didn't see him for some time. Some things never change.


The following day we ventured further north but were a little slow leaving the house and before we knew it were crawling alongside hundreds of others on the highway. It was a bit like the traffic jams you get heading up to the Sunshine Coast from Brisbane, minus the blazing heat. Did I mention we've got a DVD player in the car? Before we got it I used to make snide remarks about parents who would stoop so low. Well, it seems it is not beneath us and never did we imagine it would be such a hit - the kids like it too. We didn't hear a single complaint. The only whinging was when we actually reached the destination (Pakiri) and turned it off!

Begin with coffee, end with coffee

Hopefully you all received our Christmas letter. The girls were really looking forward to a visit from Santa and he did not disappoint. I was reminding them just yesterday that it is never to late to start being good.

Before I could start preparing breakfast I had my obligatory two cups of coffee and another thrown in because, well, it's Christmas! We had waffles with mango, strawberries, bananas and mascapone. It's the first time we've actually had to pay for mangoes - ever!


With some inspiration from Maggie Beer, I am baking a turkey with apple and prune stuffing. I got a free-range, corn-fed turkey from the local butcher and in return gave him all the money in my Christmas account. I only hope I do it justice. The butcher said the secret to the perfect turkey is a good butcher and an excellent chef. Well, he's done his bit, now the pressure is on!

Note: The pic above shows Steve attempt at looking 'festive'. I think those shorts have been around longer than me! Nice clashing Steve.


We are sticking to a good ol' Aussie pavlova for dessert because everybody here loves it. Did you know that the Kiwi's claim the pav' is theirs? To be honest, we Aussies are notorious for adopting anything the Kiwis do well as ours, so there could be some truth in that. I will research and get back to you!


I hope you enjoy the Christmas music selection - it really is hard to find 'good' Christmas music.

When you've got nothing to say...

Just send a cute pic and a hug.

Original picture source.

Softies

Yesterday the girls and I made some softies. The girls drew their designs and picked the fabric from left over bits and pieces I've kept over the years. I made the pattern pieces and did all the cutting and sewing. The girls then stuffed them. We had lots of fun telling each other to "Get stuffed!". I was inspired by some of the cute things I've been looking at on other blogs and the local craft markets. I think they're not too bad for a first attempt.

Acronyms

OK, I've been told I'm a bit slack with my posts - sorry.

I found these little letters at the Crafternoon Tea market last weekend. Using the first letters of the names of our family members we can come up with some cute ones:
STARE, DREAM (using Dad and Mum), SMEAR (not so cute).

Mad Men

I've put Mad Men back on my list of favourite things to look at on the web. I love, love, love it!

I have Seasons 1 and 2 on DVD and was only half way through S2 when I discovered Season 3 was screening on telly in NZ. Who would have though the Kiwis would be ahead of the Aussies?! Actually I don't know where you are up to in Oz, maybe S3 is finished but in case it's not I won't spoil it for you, just to say that the episode I watched the other night was a bit weird, even by MM standards. Clue: take a look at Joan Harris' blood stained dress above!

Happy Jandal Day

A jandal is a thong of course and today is National Jandal Day here in NZ. The idea is to raise money for Surf Life Saving. And the forcast is for nice jandal weather, yipppee!