Family Christmas 2014
On the weekend, we got together for my family’s Christmas barbecue by the river in Bassendean. Just like last year, Jac and I got there early to secure a nice shady spot by the water.
We commandeered two of the free public barbecues in the park (surprisingly, as it turned out, no one else in the vicinity was picnicking or barbecuing). My younger sister Juji cooked the sausages on one barbie, while my brother Mark cooked the tomatoes and mushrooms on the other. When the sausages were done, my eldest sister CW cracked the eggs right onto the hotplate and fried them in the sausage grease – over easy with soft yolks. But there was more: my sister-in-law Angela’s homemade tomato sauce and baked beans, and my mum’s homemade wantan and chicken congee with all the trimmings.
After brunch, the kids couldn’t wait to put on their life-jackets and get out on the water with Jac and the other keen kayakers (Juji, Mark, Angela, my brothers-in-law Jay and Mike), while the less sporty among us watched from the bank, took photographs or played with the dogs. Jay had brought his fishing rod but the fish weren’t biting. The strong wind cut the kayaking session short, but the timing was just right for dessert – CW’s trifle, and fresh summer fruits (watermelon, strawberries, nectarines, cherries).
We had fold-up chairs to park our bums on, trestle tables on which to lay out the feast, eskies loaded with ice and cold drinks, and the kids even made Christmas decorations to hang on the trees (don’t worry, we removed them before we left) – the only thing missing was somewhere to lie down for a nap after all that eating. Banana lounges next year, guys?
Juji cooked the sausages, which she and Jay purchased from Mondo Butcher in Inglewood. There were three varieties: pork, herb and honey; chorizo; and BBQ beef.
Mark and CW got the mushrooms and tomatoes cooking on the other barbie.
Ruby and Zoe helped season the mushrooms.
You’d be smiling too, if you knew you’d soon be eating these juicy beauties!
Caleb wanted to have a job too – he helped his dad flip the tomatoes
Tomatoes and mushrooms
This is not the first time I’ve wished this blog had Smell-O-Vision.
Frying eggs on the barbie
The homemade baked beans were a big hit 
Mum’s chicken congee with all the trimmings – fresh ginger, fried garlic, fried shallots, spring onions, soy sauce, sesame oil (in neatly labeled jars). Oh, and crullers (yow char kway) too. 
My mum’s homemade wantan. She brought chilli sauce for dipping, of course.
This was our Christmas tree, shady tree and climbing tree.
Kayak time! Caleb rushed to put on his life jacket.
“Caleb, turn around so I can take your photo,” I said. “No!” was the response. Oh well… I took the photo anyway (the girls and I had a giggle).
Ruby on the river
River traffic
Phew, kayaking wears you out!
Time to get dry and ready to eat dessert
Caleb waits for his second helping of trifle. He was unsure about the trifle initially but after a taste, couldn’t get enough.
Ruby goes back for a third bowl of porridge – AFTER eating dessert! We are DEFINITELY related.Happy Christmas!
Thank you for reading. I hope your festive season is fun, delicious and not too stressful. What’s on your Christmas menu?
New Travel page
This time last year, Jac and I were in Hobart, Tasmania – Christmas lunch was a wonderful buffet at the Salamanca Inn. You can read the stories from that trip, plus my other travel blog series at my new Travel page.