Reviews from

The Aussie way

Christmas meals ...

31 total reviews 
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Thank you for sharing this contest entry with us. I always enjoy learning of other countries Christmas traditions. I taught a unit of World Christmas traditions in first grade. Of course, it's always better learning from a person from that country than it is from research.

 Comment Written 02-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 02-Dec-2022
    Thank you Barbara. Lovely review. Yes, you are right. And our approach to Christmas is still evolving as we also incorporate suitable international foods from our migrant population. But we are comfortable enough in this generation to develop our own festive style to suit our produce and climate.
    Wendy
Comment from Sarah Robin
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I loved this post! For my first Christmas in Australia, I made a traditional American dinner. It was hot that year and our condo had no air conditioning. I learned to have cold meals for the next 4 years. This year, I will make the traditional American dinner with Pavlova for dessert. Sarah

 Comment Written 02-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 02-Dec-2022
    Thank you so much for your super review! Yes, Aussies are now comfortable enough in their own skin to not feel obliged to follow Northern Hemisphere customs. It's better to adapt to what suits our climate. I'm glad you have adopted pavlova for dessert!
    Wendy
Comment from Sherry SG
Excellent
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This is such a refreshing account of Christmas with an equally refreshing Christmas recipe. I can totally relate to a "hot and rainy" Christmas because I live in Singapore! Here, they market it as "Christmas in the Tropics." I think that's a very cool idea :)

I love Australia and Aussies. I was visiting Melbourne around Christmas a few years ago, and it was very charming.

 Comment Written 02-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 02-Dec-2022
    What a lovely review! Thank you so much. I am glad you enjoyed Melbourne. I would love to visit Singapore one day (apart from plane stopovers). Various friends have been, and greatly enjoyed everything about it.
    Wendy
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
Excellent
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I think this is an excellent entry for the holiday recipe contest, as it not only gives us a recipe but explains the minor differences in how we celebrate the holiday. Although you are doing so in summer temperatures, we will be celebrating in much the same way, for the same reason, and with the same basic traditions. A happy holiday season to you!

Minor thing - you use the word "frequently" twice in the first two sentences. Maybe "often" substituted for one.

In the paragraph that begins "Fresh, healthy and delicious", you state "You can't go wrong!" twice when once would be enough.


 Comment Written 02-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 02-Dec-2022
    Thank you Pam for your careful review, and I will attend to your suggestions. I appreciate your time and thoughts.
    Wendy
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Perfect. Great work.
While your work may lack somewhat in the traditional 'story' sense, it more than makes up for it with interesting detail directly related to the contest requirements.
And it all sounds very appetizing, especially the pavlova (which I've never had).
Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 02-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 02-Dec-2022
    Thank you Wayne. I might have to edit it to make it more a "story". Some contests insist on a proper beginning, middle and end, although the description of the requirements would seem to preclude much "action". I greatly value the honour of six stars, and am very appreciative.
    Wendy
Comment from lyenochka
Excellent
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Thank you for showing us what an Aussie Christmas feast is like! I appreciate how you even gave us a recipe and lots of options as well. I grew up in Hawaii which is tropical and so we really didn't do the traditional Christmas meal either. I could never relate to those pictures of fireplaces.
Best wishes in the contest!

 Comment Written 02-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 02-Dec-2022
    Thanks so much Helen, also for your good wishes. Yes, Hawaii would have plenty of sea-food and tropical fruits at Christmas too, I imagine? We still give and receive Christmas cards showing a Northern Hemisphere Christmas as well as the Nativity ones .... Somehow our Christmas cards showing Australian scenes haven't taken over from the "fire-place" type of card yet.
    Wendy
    Wendy
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
Excellent
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I have spent Christmas in Australia in the past and it has a completely different atmospheric in the heat. It sounds like you will make the most of your Christmas and I loved the menu choices here Wendy. All those fresh fruits and summer sun, you lucky girl! Love Dolly x

 Comment Written 02-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 02-Dec-2022
    I love our fruits, and the sun (if it's not over 35) and the long days. Some people think salads are cvery plain, but there are thousands of different combinations of fresh foods and dressings. Thanks so much for reviewing.
    Wendy
Comment from karenina
Excellent
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The fun is in getting out of our time worn traditions and welcoming a whole new idea of Christmas celebrations and food!

Of course the reason for the season remains centermost--but what delicious sounding dishes!

That Sweet Chili Dressing is making my mouth water...

So nice to see your traditions! If I awakened Christmas morning to an ocean swim my wishes would be fulfilled!

Still...if you ever want to freeze and teeth chatted your way through a New England Christmas you are most welcome to join me!

Love this, Wendy!

Karenina


 Comment Written 01-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 02-Dec-2022
    Thank you so much Karenina! Super review. Likewise, if you want to be very radical some Christmas, come and visit Australia! I don't like the cold very much, and your winter seems so LONG. Our winters are quite short, and generally mild, more like summer in England. Some parts of Australia get snow, but not where I live. It's what one gets used to .... Thanks again.
    Wendy
reply by karenina on 02-Dec-2022
    If only we could tow our continents closer....

    (smile)
Comment from Tom Horonzy
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

The writing is superb. The menu recipes better. It's hard to imagine a Christmas in weather made for water skiing not snowboarding. Strange, not to have envisioned what Christmas would be Down Under, especially with a ten-year stint as a weather geek in our armed services. Do you ever eat Roo? If not, have they a purpose? Curious in Carolina. Night!

 Comment Written 01-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 02-Dec-2022
    Thanks for your super review - and also for the six shining stars. Greatly appreciated. Yes, we can get roo in some supermarkets, but we don't have it for Christmas. It is healthy, being lean and not fatty, and is rich in iron. It goes well with roasted beetroot and other root vegetables and garlic mashed potato. But the purpose of the roo? Simply to bring us pleasure, probably. They are amazing animals, very strong, and can be aggressive in the wild if frightened. Not pets, but we love them. (Some farmers don't as they can destroy crops and have become too numerous. That's undoubtedly the ones we are eating!)
    Wendy
reply by Tom Horonzy on 02-Dec-2022
    I am here to learn whereas you?re here to find the waifs of the world and lift them their imbecilic lives. 👀🙈😜
reply by the author on 02-Dec-2022
    I'm definitely here to learn too, but I did enjoy yhe image of finding the waifs of the world. You always make me smille.
Comment from Theodore McDowell
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Thanks for giving the Aussie perspective on Christmas in terms of celebrations and menus. I would love to have some seafood during the Christmas season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
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 Comment Written 01-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 02-Dec-2022
    Maybe you can visit Australia sometime, but you would probably find it a very strange sort of Christmas! Certainly very different. Even taking the little ones around to see the Christmas decorations in the houses and streets, they have to stay up past their bedtime, because it doesn't get dark until 8 or so! And the sun is up again at 5:30. Thank you so much for reviewing. Always appreciated.
    Wendy