Kiwi Christmas

Christmas kiwi style, like pretty much much else here, is a low key affair. Certainly the shops don't get angsty and over the top with the commercial push and since there is a pull in many households as whether to go traditional or not the food shops have schizophrenia.

We've enjoyed traditional with the First family which was a lovely way to be amongst our new whanau. I have to admit to a small panic when charged with the responsibility for desserts we couldn't find a Christmas pud as a suitable alternative to the anglo/italian trifle speciality of MT. All turned out well in the end and we were as stuffed as you ever are after Christmas dinner.

There is no doubt though that the key missing ingredient this year was family who are enjoying their festivities 13 hours behind us back in Europe. It's been great catching up and exchanging Christmas wishes by phone. For all those family readers - we miss you lots!

As always MT and I are spoiled with lots of lovely presents which we put under our poinsettia plant as we haven't a tree this year. Look forward to enjoying them over the next couple of weeks off work. I was especially spoiled and am now the proud owner of a shiny silver iPod which will come in handy for listening to on my cross trainer when I have to do double time to work off the Christmas excesses!

Happy Christmas to all - and thanks so much for the cards, pressies, texts and emails.