We are home just in time for Christmas. There's been rain while we've been away, the grass is long and green and the Poinciana trees in our little pocket of suburbia are covered in their showy red flowers. I think I will pick a spray of them for our Christmas table. So gorgeous and festive!
A Poinciana tree in glorious bloom decorates our neighbourhood.
As I write, a fluffy pavlova is baking slowly in our oven, dollops of meringue dotted around a circle to make a wreath shape. I made it the way Fiona, over at Stay Home Instead does. I can't wait to decorate it tomorrow with lashings of thick cream and slices of fresh fruits. In many hours time, when I can take that pavlova out of the oven, I'll roast the chicken and the root vegetables for the salads that we'll share with our family for Christmas lunch tomorrow. It's simple, homemade food made with lots of love, baked with plenty of time and seasoned with much gratitude. There'll be leftovers too!
A cluster of Poinciana flowers.
I am looking forward to setting the table out on our verandah tomorrow, with a spray of those Poinciana flowers in the centre, and then sitting down to share the delicious meal we've made along with all the laughter, storytelling, memories and joy that comes with being together.
Wherever you are, and whether or not it is a day of celebration for you, I hope you can spend time tomorrow with the ones you love and that love you.
Merry Christmas to you.
Meg Xx
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Meg.
ReplyDeleteWe have those flowers in Sri Lanka. I didn't know they were called Poinciana. They are truly beautiful, aren't they?
In Sri Lanka they bloom around April, May.
I hope you had a nice vacation. 😊
I think they are very beautiful too, Nil. Such a stunning colour! We did have a lovely holiday away but it is nice to be home again too. Merry Christmas to you too, Nil. MegXx
DeleteEnjoy your Christmas...the Christmas Slice is made, the table is set, the lawn is mowed, a trip to bunnings and now have nice potted flowers in my empty pots. Just need to mop the floors and clean the bathroom and watch Polar Express tonight...have a great day tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day tomorrow, Kathy. The weather looks like it's going to be much like today's ... warm and breezy and thankfully not too hot! MegXx
DeleteHave a lovely day tomorrow with your loved ones. Once all the cooking is done you can relax. I am cooking the meats today as we are having a cold lunch and tea here as it's going to be 35C tomorrow. I am almost finished now, just another salad to make up but I'm running out of room in the fridge, some has already gone into the caravan fridge. I will be happy tomorrow when everyone gets together and I will relax then as they can all help themselves.
ReplyDeleteMerry Xmas.
Have a lovely day tomorrow, Rosie. Cold roast chicken and a variety of salads followed by pavlova will be our lunch tomorrow. We are expecting a cooler day here in Brisbane, 29C, compared to your 35C. Stay cool and have a wonderful xmas day. Meg:)
DeleteThat sounds like a delightful day planned Meg. More restful than ours as we will be having brunch at home then travelling to be with more family in the evening. Raining here in NZ with more expected tomorrow, so a typical Christmas day here. Merry Christmas Meg, and a great 2019 too!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you too, Anne. Enjoy your day with your family even if it is raining! Meg:)
DeleteLove the colour of the tree,Meg. All the best to you and your family and I hope that you have a very relaxing Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a lovely Christmas day, Chel. I loved the milder day we had here. We had lunch out on the verandah which was really nice with the breeze coming through. Not long now until the new year! Meg:)
DeleteWhat a beautiful tree! So neat to have those growing! Merry Christmas! Andrea
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you, Andrea. These trees are huge and very beautiful. They are flowering later this year I think. Meg:)
DeleteYour Christmas festivities sound joyous for sure, and with that gorgeous tree decorating your property -- what could be more spectacular! I have never made a pavlova but the wreath shape is very appealing, so maybe next year. I have already collected so many egg yolks left over from my baking so far, I'm about to go on a search for a Christmas egg-yolk cookie recipe :-)
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
I'm sure you made something delicious with your egg yolks, Gretchen Joanna. I use up egg yolk in homemade ice-cream or in pancake batters. The wreath pavlova turned out nicely and was very delicious. It was quite simple to make as long as you are patient while beating one spoonful of sugar into the egg whites at a time! Merry Christmas to you! Meg:)
DeleteThose are gorgeous, and will be beautiful on your table. Have a very Merry Christmas, and many blessings in 2019!
ReplyDeleteThey looked really pretty on our Christmas table, Kath. Free flowers! I hope you are having a lovely Christmas time and that you are looking forward to the new year. Meg:)
DeleteDear Meg,
ReplyDeleteWelcome home! I know you would have had a fabulous time on the Island!
Wishing you and your family a very happy Christmas, I hope you had a lovely day!
Cheers Cheryl
Thanks, Cheryl. We did indeed have a lovely, relaxed day. I hope you had a wonderful time with your family too. May your 2019 dawn with bright and happy days and much to look forward to. Meg Xx
DeleteIt sound wonderful, Meg. Those flowers are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a lovely Christmas time in your little pink cottage, Stephenie. MegXx
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