Christmas dinner at my daughter’s home today was special. I realized that not only generations of family come together at Christmas but also generations of traditional Christmas cooking.

My daughter’s mother in law made the rich fruit cake and the traditional Christmas pudding and it reminded me that firstly my own mother had made the cake, followed by me taking on this role for all the family get togethers and my sister in-law, Shirl had always made the pudding.   This became part of our families tradition until my children grew up and assumed the role of the Christmas meal provider. 

For a while, it had been my role to provide the crayfish regardless of who was the host. That was back when I was exhibiting art, up until Christmas eve and lol J, could afford to buy crayfish for everyone.

This year my daughter Leanne and the littlest granddaughter made their first ever gingerbread house.  I was very impressed with itJ..

We had a great meal and I loved that it was not just a dinner but a meal brought together by the efforts of three generations. This extended family and tradition surrounding the food made the experience of eating a little of the festive fare, even more special. I skipped the cake and gingerbread house as I had custard and cream on the pudding and was well satisfied.

Thank you Leanne for a perfect Christmas dinner. J xx

Now lucky senior that I am, Reg and I head to our youngest daughter’s home tomorrow and on the 27th we repeat our Christmas meal with her and our eldest daughter and family and Carla will surprise us with how she and husband Sean, will  host the family Christmas dinnerJ.  Maybe it will be a BBQ, or one of Carla's spectacular roasts, with Pavlova or even ice cream as dessert instead of Christmas pudding.

This is the beauty of Christmas dinner in Australia, 'anything goes,'  it is all about celebration with family and whatever suits.