Christmas 2008 Post... At Last!

I know, I know... I've really needed a boot in the backside to get the Christmas 08 post on my blog, and I do apologise for the tardiness. Things have been getting busy here on Keswick Island, with lots of development happening. So finding a few spare hours to resize photos for a post has been difficult.

Making enough money to keep us fed and watered has been upmost in most of our minds... But with all the work that KILM's been getting lately, we should be able to eat and drink ourselves silly for the next few months! lol

Most of us have struggled to keep afloat out here, but we love the place, and we're passionate about living here forever, and not returning to the mainland and 'suburbia'. Once you live in such an ideallic location, you just don't want to go back -- but forward.

Well, it looks like the time has come for our men to be busy whippersnipping, building, driving trucks and plant machinery etc. We were hoping it would happen one day... we just weren't sure when that would be! But I can tell you, that KDPL are getting things done, and having extra money coming in is a true blessing. We'll always be very grateful to keep living here in the Whitsundays.

Now onto last Christmas!

Imagine my surprise when Brian came home with a small gum tree to use for our chrissy tree this year? Well it looked terrific done up in my purple decorations. Here's our Aussie bush Christmas tree below...


We all gathered at the Keswick Island Guest House to open our presents, like a gaggle of noisy 10 year olds! There were some brilliant gifts exchanged this year, and the all-day lunch is a wonderful way to spend the day with friends and loved ones. We were lucky enough to have 16 yr old Jessica with us this year.

There were 15 people sitting down to Lyn's delightful dishes this time, and the table was beautifully set as always. Notice the pieces of ribbon winding their way from each place setting to the basket in the middle? They're all intertwined, and we had to unravel them to find gorgeous little keepsakes to remember the day by. We truly are spoilt aren't we?


Here's a close-up of the goodies basket with the gifts, which we all had fun opening. Brian and Lyn put a lot of thought into their table gifts, and we're always delighted when we open them.


Here's a shot of a heavily preggie monitor that tried and tried to join us all on the day. Here she is sitting pretty, like a meerkat on the front lawn. It was a really hot day, so we tried to give her some water... but I think it was the delectable aroma of yummies that were enticing her to come inside!


First course was tray after tray of fresh oysters; some with lemon and cracked pepper, others with gluten-free timari. Delicious! Even young William, a guest from Dawson's house, tried them... but wasn't all that keen!


Next on the menu was barbequed red claw in honey and lemon. Finger lickin' good!


Here's some of us. From middle top is Jessica, myself, Verna, Lyn, Mike, Peter, William and his mother, Nicola.


Another shot of the red claw cooking on the barbie. Look good don't they? (So does the view!) I tell you, they were literally to die for!


Here's the only shot of Lyn that we got on the day... She was that busy cooking up a storm and serving us in great style. Here she is barbecuing the red claw, and yes, wearing the dreaded apron! lol


Here's Pish & Treat -- I mean, Trish & Pete who joined us on the day. ;-)


Karen & Craig also joined us. Here's Karen with Trish having a laugh.


Here was my contribution on the day. Smoked trout with avocado and potato, & fennel, watercress salad with creamy horseradish dressing. Lubly! (Many thanks to Jessica & Brian who helped me on the day. Now I know what Lyn goes through most days to serve a crowd!)


What? Can't see it close enough? Here it is again... Mmmmm, can you smell that smoked trout? ;-)


As the day progressed, we had some entertaining interludes... The first was young William's idea, and he roped in Jessica and his parents to join in the fun and games.


Brian & Peter regaled us with some funnies as well!


But wait... there's more food! Here are 4 dishes that were all served together cold.

Fresh citrus salad.


Chicken roulade stuffed with spinach.


Fresh beans and snow pea salad with sprouts.


And pork & pistacchio terrine!

Phew! After all that, do you think we had room for anything else? Of course we did! lol. Pears stewed in red witn with camembert cheese! A gorgeous, light dish, which was followed by Lyn's hand-made Christmas pudding. A few of us found the threepences in the pudding, and dutifully gave them back. ;-)


We were amazed that young William lasted as long as he did, considering it's a mammoth day. But he did quite admirably before those lashes started to droop.

As always, Brian & Lyn were the perfect hosts, the guests behaved themselves, and a wonderful time had by all. You can be sure that we all slept well that night!

New Year's Eve post coming soon!

Until then, take care and keep smiling!

Warm regards
Eva Browne-Paterson