So Christmas in Australia is a bit strange... it is the middle of Summer, it is HOT, you're walking around in a skirt/shorts, the Sun is up late... and still, you can come across a Santa Clause here and there, the centre of Sydney has got a huge christmas tree that is lit up end of November with fireworks and all and shops have got christmas decorations all around and play christmas carols all day long... so people do put in the effort to bring the christmas feelings up in you, but that doesn't mean you'll feel like eating a proper christmas dinner with Turkey and all and drink mulled wine in that heat!!! Maybe Sangria with loads of ice-cubes, but nice and warm mulled wine... :-/ i don't think so!
That is one of the reasons Australians came up with Christmas in July! :) forget about celebrating the little man's birth, midnight mass, etc.... NO! this one is pure for the fun of it! :) and because in July, it is actually cold here in Australia! and you do feel like a hearty meal and you do feel like warming yourself up with nice and warm mulled wine :) especially in australian houses that don't have any heating!
plus, for once, you get to celebrate christmas with your friends instead of with your family :)
Christmas in July might sounds strange to us Northern hemisphere people, but when you think about it, you realise it is a brilliant idea! :) this year, Micheal was as nice to host 24 of us thinking the same way about this feast!
Our host Micheal, preparing the méringue for the Pavlova desserts
and patting the Turkey :) and let me tell you, it is not an optical illusion, that was one BIG Turkey! 6.5 kg!
I joined Micheal early to help him prepare. I was in charge of the Turkey stuffing! :D a
Happy Micheal and me with our delicious looking Turkey
The feast: stuffed Turkey, extra stuffing on the side, glazed Ham, Cranberry sauce, roasted vegies, garlic potatoe mash, danish red cabbage, mmh mmh mmh!
dinner, everybody is ready to attack the buffet!
The Turkey drumstick had my name on it since the start! not sure how i'm going to eat it though... :-/
ah, just put your teeth in it! ;)
pretty happy with the result :)
I think we did pretty well on the food...
but no Christmas party without dessert! Amy and Hannah preparing the Pavlovas in secret. A typical australian dessert, méringue, whipped cream and fruit (strawberries, kiwi and passion fruit), yamieieieieieie!!!!
short-bread star christmas tree, nearly too beautiful to eat!
Our dessert buffet: Pavolva, minced pies, shortbread stars, christmas pudding, warm custard and vanilla ice cream :d and without forgetting the mulled wine of course!
Dessert aftermath
Cold weather, good food, a lot of good food, good people, great atmosphere, same after-dinner feeling as normal Christmas (=having had way too much to eat, but feeling very satisfied :) ) Christmas in July was definitely a hit! Can't wait for next year's :)
