It seems a little unfair that so many do so much work, preparation and cooking, with so much anticipation, joy (sometimes angst!) and excitement for it all to be over so quickly. The build-up to the festive season (whatever the reason for celebration whether Christian or not), seems to have so much more in it these days than the actual day. Maybe it is why we need to think of it as a true “Festive season” and not focus on just one day. Let it be one month long, I declare …… as I do enjoy the feeling of good will and warmth that seems to build before the “big day”.

This year was interesting for me. I just wonder did the universe want me to receive yet another message???? I was able to register my Italian citizenship this year and now have been duly recognised with dual citizenship. When I was born, Maurie Cerasa (yep – my Dad) was not naturalised so it was always known to me that I could apply and have my dual citizenship recognised – so I have finally done the paperwork and had it all finalised….. Yes … the clichés jump to mind quickly about the ol’ country etc! However, it does bear some fantasising about living some time in Italy and some time in Aus ….. Yeah fantasies going wild right now.

Anyway, back to the festivities of this year…..Tez was on day shift so I arranged to have Christmas lunch with Andrew and Ike, at Ike’s family home. Yep, full on Italian feast finished with my Tira mi su!! Before settling in to get too comfy in the afternoon, I took my self over to Mick and Li’s (Tez’s eldest son and wife). Li is also Italian and her family come from down south. Tez met me there after he finished work and another feast was enjoyed with seafood, duck, pork, chicken, ham and heaps of vegies and Italian flavours! Finished with a duo of plum puddings, Li hade made one and of course I had one from the PCH cooking class (one that Max did not get to eat!!!).

Inspired by the movie Julie and Julia, I have decided to start working my way through two of the classic Italian cookbooks that I have on my shelf in the Plough Creek Kitchen. I need to decide what my favourite type of cooking is, I do such a mixed bag right now – so I thought I would take off in 2013 with the Italiano food trials and see if I am able to manage some decent Italian meals. Guess they will give me some good material to include in my blogs.

Of course the end of next week is the next PCH Cooking Class with Lloyd Morse who is very strongly influenced by Italian cooking.

All in all it is just about my heritage at the moment!! BUON NATALE x DC

So the second week of December 2012 has been a big week for the folk at PCH. It has suddenly become apparent that I live in approximately six parallel universes and the power jets have been re-boosted!!

I commenced a new role (part-time), based between Melbourne, Sydney and home, a great position as CEO of a not-for-profit organisation which will allow me to continue to develop my “professional life”. Very pleased with the opportunity and have met some very impressive people in my first week.

Also I returned from a quick trip to Perth the week before, after attending a workshop and conference in relation to my PhD. Satisfactory trip and it has reassured me I am doing OK with my work so far.

Some discussions have commenced for possible consulting gigs for 2013 with DYC Consulting. This is pleasing, as there is scope for some really exciting work to be undertaken that will stimulate my brain cells.

AND of course, the first guest presenter has visited PCH and delivered our first cooking classes. YAH! Plough Creek Cooking School has had its very serious take off …..  Jane Webster, author of “At my French Table” and owner of Chateau de Bosgouet in Normandy, France has visited PCH and delivered 2 classes out of our kitchen.  Although we promoted substantially – Neither class was full to capacity. December is a very “time competitive” time for everyone and this time of the year is so busy.  Never the less, the people who did attend went away suitably impressed and inspired, I am sure! Her two menus were so delicious and the mystique and fear factor of making soufflés is now removed, the brilliance of why butter and cream make such a taste difference was clearly articulated and the simple delight of realising that we could all do it was fantastic.

The most nerve-racking part of the weekend for me was cooking dinner for Jane on Saturday night!! You know the feeling of angst that occurs when someone you admire and aspire to be like is your guest and you are cooking for them??? Well I simply had to suck it up and put dinner on the table. What a fitting time to have Wilma Weber make her debut. So Wilma assisted me in cooking Greek lamb fillets and char-grilled vegetables and they were quite satisfactory!!  Dinner started off with calamari done “DC a la Greek” and then followed with a cheese and salad course. Did not quite make it to dessert….too full and too tired!!

Have to make mention of dear Tez doing a sterling job of taking off to market to shop for all the supplies for me last Thursday. He was sent off to Prahran Market with a very specific list …. Thorough instructions to purchase only exactly what was on the list ….. And…under no circumstances was he allowed to offer suggestions on what changes should be made! His shopping expedition was very successful and he completed the task without forgetting anything.  He was a bit frazzled by the fact that it took him six hours to complete the task on a very hot day of 34 degrees. I really wanted to point out that stopping for breakfast at a café and visiting his favourite wine shop in Carlton should not be included in the “OMG today has taken sooo long” category! I figured that was a comment that could be better delivered at another time!

DC