Well very late yesterday we found out Christmas is cancelled!! Oh dear , family member is not good at all . So I have a ham and ice cream plum pudding! It’s was overwhelming but we decided to opt for having Lunch out , just happen to see a very special place had just had an opening for 4 ! So after tons of logistics especially for DD work , I booked , never have not been at home for lunch . Strange and overwhelming. So now I’ve gone into clean mode ! Front door back door bathroom completely top to toe clean ! Washed sheets , aired DD room . Really I haven’t even started wrapping presents. Also it’s cold so fire going . Boys gone to Ballarat to do Christmas shopping , this could mean we all get tools , hehe . Now I best go have a shower wash my hair and start on the present wrapping . Also work out dinner as will be going to those pesky Christmas Eve carols , oh dear I also have to dip DD shortbread in chocolate! Oops .

Yesterday had a lovely Christmas picnic in a Rotunda while it rained!! We ate chatted and relaxed . We had smoked salmon in mini sliders . I brought some cherries and put them in a small round Lindor chocolate Xmas tin ! We had florentines ( the best made with fruit Melady ),  Baileys fudge , melting moments , shortbread , brownie , Aldi Christmas trees ( they have a white chocolate version too) and some fresh strawberries . Think we all indulged . Home to pizza .

Well I did a shop and managed to get some Christmas presents except I’m stuck for the boys . Tonight was like a yo-yo . DH said all good no need for any help tonight!! Let’s just say I made the mistake of getting tucked up in bed , then DH came in to say we need you please ! Oh my .. well not for a few hours… all good canola done and machinery away ready for the storm rain tomorrow!! And we are meant to go to Christmas picnic!

Chookie I brought the Grandmothers ham , as this one has the lest ingredients in it ( also no msg as I’m allergic) , did you try that one it’s normally moist . Yesterday I chopped golden raisins added the other dried fruit added the brandy to soak . This is for ice cream plum pudding that I make each year ! Double batch . Hopefully I’ll make two small ones so DD can have it later . Went to bake pistachio and cranberry shortbread, double batch and no raw sugar! I was so organised.. had visions of preparing it then cook it the next day . Oh well .

Salmon and potato tart with salad and cucumber.

Chookie congratulations for your GD . It’s always hard when family members fall ill together.
Been very busy . Appointments with skin specialist went ok , just back to have a the look at one patch . Dinner out with DD . No sleep one night , thus long drive was not easy , might have stopped at Wilson’s to get hams and food . Boys out harvesting to 3.30 am ! DH cooked Birthday breakfast for me ,DS had some too . Extremely hot 40 degrees! Back out harvesting this arvo . Made dinner yummy Barra fish . Power went out so had to cook dinner on gas stove top . Paddock delivery this is late . Great time on harvester with DS , then short tip with DH on chaser bin . Great day night . Home power back on and had dinner at 11pm oops . DS did share his shortbread stash .

Crumbed chicken thighs and pan cooked them . These are a family favourite. Sliced them up and added steamed green vegetables plus steamed wedges of potatoes. Put into containers then my trusty yeti lunch boxes . Added a nectarine. Packed up to paddock dinner delivery!! Beautiful evening. Boys appreciated it . My dinner was late added mango chutney Shawards ! Boys had cranberry sauce.

Mab that’s so what the TMX is all about , never ending new things to try , yes rice is super easy . Chookie are they the large apricots , we all love apricot jam . Better get my cooking mojo on soon .