Brisbane, QLD


Sunday, January 4, 2026

FAMILY CHRISTMAS

 I should catch up with myself and get into 2026. The older I get the lazier I get. I'm ashamed of myself. Anyway we had a disjointed Christmas because half the family were going away. The grandsons are on Summer Holidays and Sonya wanted to get them out of the house and away from screens. So she planned a road trip to Rye in Victoria. It is 1858 km so they hooked up their ancient caravan and headed off for a three day drive stopping at beaches on the way. Then they would stay at Rye where Bernies family have a beach house and celebrate Christmas there. So it was decided that we would celebrate Christmas early before they left. Carol and David flew from Melbourne to be with us and also to spend Christmas Day with David's family and Christmas Eve with us (Like he Swiss celebrate on Christmas Eve). 

So we had a family Christmas on 19 Dec. The young ones prepared the lunch. We had prawns and salads, it is too hot for traditional English fair but David's English parents still do the traditional turkey lunch.

When Carol arrived she baked us a Swiss breakfast bread (Züpfe). We ate it with cheese and cherry jam like  the Swiss do.

 

Gruyere Cheese and Camembert.

Carol also cooked us an Apfelkuchen (apple pie). She enjoys keeping her Swiss heritage alive.
A few days later we celebrated Christmas at lunch time. Sonya, Bernie and the boys arrived with caravan in tow so they could depart early the next morning for Rye in Victoria. They all helped put the lunch together.

Then we played secret Santa.

Sonya and Fox

After lunch Banjo played Santa and gave out all the presents. Here he received a potato from his make believe cousin, Virgil. Carol and David chose not to have children but they invented make believe children, Ruby and Virgil. They are in juvenile detention (so the story goes).

Carol received a gardening book. They have just bought a country house with a huge garden. It was fun to have all the family together. The next morning Sonya and family left for their road trip. Carol stayed until Christmas Eve and then went to stay with David's parents on the other side of Brisbane.We are so blessed that they all come to celebrate with us even if it was before Christmas Day.

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9 comments:

  1. HelsJanuary 4, 2026 at 4:51 PM

    We eat challah/zopf every Friday night and Saturday lunch. Delicious!! Both are plaited and contain egg but challah bread is made with oil and zopf is made with butter.

    I put the challah in the oven 15 mins before sitting down for dinner, then cover the warm slices with butter and entree eg camembert cheese, herring, smoked salmon or mashed eggs and onions. Did I mention it is gorgeous !!!

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  2. AndrewJanuary 4, 2026 at 5:13 PM

    Wow, 1900 kms towing an old caravan. How brave of them, but clearly they made it or you would have said otherwise.
    Swiss bread with cheese and cherry jam...interesting.
    The apple pie looks delicious.
    Ruby and Virgil are hilarious. I bet there is a lot more to their story than just being locked up in juvenile detention.
    A country house with a huge garden sounds like there would be plenty of space for ageing parents to visit.

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  3. eileeninmdJanuary 4, 2026 at 8:36 PM

    Hello,
    I would love Carol come stay with me and do some baking.
    The bread and apple pie look delicious.
    Looks like a fun time with the family and Christmas.
    I wish you and yours all the best in 2026, a happy and healthy New Year.

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  4. MadSnapper n BeauJanuary 4, 2026 at 11:51 PM

    Christmas day is just a day chosen by humans, the real Chrismtas is whatever day you choose. so glad they were there and everyone had fun and food. I love Carols dress.. and the pie is a work of art.. hard to believe your boys are now young men. wow, how did that happen

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  5. jennyfrecklesJanuary 5, 2026 at 1:31 AM

    Your daughter seems to be a fine baker. The bread and pie look wonderful.

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  6. Lowcarb team memberJanuary 5, 2026 at 8:26 AM

    No matter that it was before Christmas, it was lovely to have this time together.
    Great photographs.

    All the best Jan

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  7. HelenJanuary 5, 2026 at 8:46 AM

    So wonderful to have all the family together, even if it wasn't on Christmas Day.

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  8. Margaret DJanuary 5, 2026 at 2:49 PM

    The pie looks amazing Diane. Everyone having a great time, isn't it good and also to be together just before Christmas. At times it's a bit difficult with partners family as they have as much right to have their children there too - it's a time for family and sharing, we all do it.
    Christmas Day this year we had everyone home for Christmas lunch including the great grandchild!
    Take care and lovely photos of everyone.

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  9. Fun60January 5, 2026 at 4:46 PM

    Great to be able to celebrate with the family whatever day you choose. That apple pie looks delicious. Ruby and Virgil sound like fun inventions.

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