Beach Cottage Christmas

It was that time again, who was having Christmas at their place this year? And looks like the whole family decided it was going to be my place. So I thought I better get planning, and get organised.

My place was only a small beach type cottage, enough room for my daughter and I, and Daisy the dog. The cottage was built in 1952, on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. A nice little old lady lived there until she passed on, the neighbours told me. It did have an old type concrete front verandah, with curved painted metal verandah fencing, out the front of the cottage. But the yard out the back was huge. And a small cute front yard. I do enjoy entertaining, but I had to get creative, as the whole family was coming and whoever else was dropping in.

I decided that I would set up a small table inside my small lounge room, as there really was no dining area. I would then put some picnic tables on the front verandah, I already had some cane loungers out there, so that would suit perfectly. And I had another fold up table ready for extra people and some old odd chairs round the place to use if necessary.

Christmas was only a few days away, so I had planned tables, seating, table cloths, decorations and all the non-food things. Now just had to go food shopping, the others were bringing snacks and drinks on the day, but I do the main cooking.

Back from the shops, I put everything away, and put everything in order, to make things easier on the day. I prepared some things the night before, so just need to cook them on Christmas Day, and the aromas will waft around for everyone to get their tastebuds going.

The day arrives, I wake up at 5 am, and start setting up furniture, table clothes, Christmas decorations, and all the other stuff. It is a fine sunny day, with a slight breeze coming in through the old push out heavy wood framed windows.

I start organising the food, cooking, planning, and it is all going well. Eventually, family members start arriving, some friends joining in too. The more the merrier I say, luckily I bought a huge amount of groceries. It is about 10am by now.

My very tall nephew arrives, and I ask him to set up my large garden umbrella onto the front verandah. As everyone arrives, they bring their eskies with ice, and their drinks, snacks put on the snacks table. Lunch would start around midday, and all going great.

Midday now, looks like all is here now, enjoying the Christmas spirit. Socialising inside and outside. I take some photos, and then start putting the food out, it is a help yourself type of smorgasbord, and sit anywhere you like. Everyone is happy, eating and talking, I am grateful for it being a wonderful event. I take more photos, so beautiful.

Just as we are all about half way through lunch, some worrying looking big black clouds wander above us. I was worried because this is Queensland, and we have unpredictable sudden weather changes, all in one day. Others were saying not to worry, the wind will push them away. No sooner as that was said, those big black clouds opened up, and just dropped buckets of rain on us.

I started screaming out to all my family and friends to gather as much as they could and get inside. We took in food, drinks, esky ice boxes. They were bringing in verandah furniture, we were getting soaked with the rain, and it was hot this Summer day. I said don't worry about the floor, it was solid wood and, easily cleaned later.

We all squeezed in, around 15 of us. It was a sight to see, wet, crammed in, food everywhere. I said, all we can now do is make the most of this, find a spot, and keep eating, drinking and having fun. So much for my perfect party, but as I thought that, they all started to laugh, and said it was fun. Maybe their Christmas cheer they were drinking helped, I started to laugh too. And also the family brought their 3 dogs too, all inside aswell, we will remember this day.

I bought out the many deserts from the fridge, and we ate well. They put music on, and started singing and dancing. The place looked like a huge mess, but the vibe was happy and awesome. I joined in and didn't worry anymore. Neighbours arrived to join in too, it was quite crowded. Well, I did say, the more the merrier. The family did get into some hijinks activities, playing tricks on others. Using my table cloths as super hero capes. Even running back outside in the rain to fly, pretending to anyway. Games were played, more food and drinks consumed, what crazy fun loving group I have here. I do love them all. Everyone was good.

Night fell, the rain stopped a little earlier, and the full moon was coming up. That was a beautiful sight. Some of us moved back outside onto the front verandah. Still trying to finish of what was left of the smorgasbord. All starting to quiet down, conversations, all over the property. It was getting late, and people started leaving, some catching taxis to go home. All my people here tonight commented how it was one the best times they have ever had, and how delicious all the food was, I was delighted. My young daughter said she had the best time. I was pleased, it was a big day. I looked inside, it was so messy, muddy and wet in places, food plates around. I did do some cleaning that night, to the music they left playing. I didn't want to wake up to all of it in the morning.

I was happy, because everyone kept their good spirits up, and it was fun, and crazy. I will never forget that day, it was big, in a small cottage. Very cosy too.

I will remember it also, because it was one of the best times ever with my handsome tall nephew, who was only in his early twenties. He passed away a few years later, leaving everyone in a living coma for a long time. It was sudden and tragic, no one could have seen coming. We have the memories, and makes me smile thinking of the good times, and hang on to that.

So it has been few years now, and never had a party like that since. But as my daughter grows older, I am sure there will be many family hijinks to be had soon. Coming soon. I can see that glint in her eyes, waiting for the party days to return, and be cheeky.

And now, my cute little beach cottage is back to the way it was, as in the photo here. Time for a movie with a cup of tea and cake with my little girl, and Daisy our dog. By the way, Daisy had an aweome time too, four dogs running around with everyone all day.