Sunday was the Rasmussen’s carolling party, during which I consumed many deserts and breads and cheeses. Chatted comics, movies, science fiction, and other nerdy things with a cartoonist family friend guy. Learned just exactly how poorly versed I am in the world of traditional Christmas carols as I recognized about 3 of the twenty-some odd carols that everyone sang. (True to Eddie Izzard’s proclamations, about the only point I was about to join in was “fiiiiiiiiive gooooooold riiiiiiiiings!”) Talked to Mr. Fiddleman about how he is super cool and about his often being followed around by small children believing him to be Santa Claus ‘round this time of year.
Then Tuesday, Christmas, the orphans all took the train out in the early afternoon and were greeted with freshly squeezed mimosas, assortments of bready cheesy things again whilst opening up presents (including a Cadbury green goo-filled frog of some kind, festive soap in the shape of a fortune cookie (“whaddrya trying to say, I’m dirty and Asian?”) a cookbook of Aussie recipes, and other odds and ends), and some ways to be helpful like shelling shrimp and setting the table. We sat down to a glorious luncheon including mango and prawn salad, roast duck, and potatoes. Dogs came and visited…it was great.
Then came preparation for dinner! On the menu: yet another duck, beetroot and ricotta, more salads, couscous and asparagus, ham, and deserts including leftover pistachio cheesecake from carolling night and mango tarts over more guitar/banjo/piano playing and singing.
Went to bed well fed and feted; awoke to the chooks crowing and sun dawning. Lazed around for a bit over fruit and yogurt, juice, tea, etc., before heading back down to Melbourne. On the advice of Mr. John, went out front and finally saw some kangaroos.
I love the house in Eltham.
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