Empress Wu Designs with Wilma

 from http://www.postscriptcomic.com For the last few days I have been sleeping in a bedroom decorated with prints of the Eiffel Tower, so  in the Christmas Countdown, I just had to include the three French hens - hence the delightful vintage print. There was a time, at least in my memory, when roast chicken was a dish for special occasions and the only poultry served for Christmas dinner. I still love roast chicken with roast vegetables, with stuffing and gravy and am happy with it for Christmas even though my husband makes the best stuffed turkey! I think that in more recent times, roast chicken has become less festive and more a family dinner favourite.  What is your favourite poultry for Christmas? roast turkey from taste.com.au roast goose from taste.com.au  These days, the humble "chook" has been overshadowed by Christmas turkey or even duck or goose. However, in Japan, chicken remains the top Christmas choice, but alas,  the Japa...

from www.cruisingdownunder.com.au It can't really be only 10 days to Christmas. although today I witnessed queues of children and their parents waiting to chat and be photographed with Santa in a shopping centre. The scene seemed a little incongruous. There was a traditionally dressed Santa,  woolly red suit and  heavy boots and fur trimmed hat sitting in a beach hut, in a tropical resort setting with palm trees decorated with Christmas baubles. I thought that this summed up perfectly how Christmas is celebrated in Australia - some tradition with adaptions  and changes for the climate.  Probably the most popular change to accommodate the summer heat has been the inclusion of seafood for Christmas dinner.  from www.abeachcottage.com.au  Why seafood for Christmas? I think the original reason was it was too hot  to light the oven in the kitchen to cook a roast meat and vegetables dinner  ( Christmas temperatures can be up to 40 degrees C) ...