This series of blog posts is part of the A to Z 2019 Blogging Challenge in which I will write snapshot memories of my early married life in the then Territory of Papua New Guinea.
Every year the Christmas food
Includes my grandmother’s pudding
And her Scottish shortbread
My mother’s Christmas cake
A traditional hot Christmas dinner
In the tropics! Were we mad?
—
On our first married Xmas
We visited the trade store
Bought a Mouskouri LP
And some baubles for our gum tree
Rain had socked us in
Alotau expats desperate for Xmas treats
Arriving at the last minute – PMF’s meat
Dinner with the Strangs.
——-
On our second married Xmas
On leave in Brisbane
Our baby’s first Christmas
Lots of small gifts and fun
With her grandparents
Sadness at a family death.
——–
On our third married Xmas
Now in North Goroka
The little one is enthralled
Her eyes sparkle at the tree
———-
On our fourth married Xmas
Our family has grown larger
A sad little chicken greets her first Xmas
With very sore ears
A drive is needed to calm her down
Before gifts can be found
—-
On our fifth married Xmas
We’re in another town now
Our tree another gum
Smiles are seen all round
——
Our sixth married Xmas
Two sets of grandparents are now in town
A larger family Christmas
With our friends from all around.
—–
Our seventh married Xmas
We’re on our own again
Santa has brought a dolls house
Oh what fun!
—–
Our eighth married Xmas
Will be our last here
New T-shirts proudly state
Ima Gerehuligan
Friends come from Brisbane
Escorted by our little travellers
Fully confident flying solo.
Our turn for Xmas lunch
The Gerehu-ligans bring their share
Sitting round the garden
The sangria is well received
The peach daiquiris are a treat
Fruit sent up from mum and dad.
Three women in matching dresses
In a local printed design
(where did that photo go?).
The kids play games
The adults chat
An excellent day all round.
Family history across the seas 
I remember Nana Mouskouri of the 1970s as a child in Australia, I cant think of or remember the songs. She wore the thick glasses like my sister at the time. 🙂
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No wonder you remember Nana Mouskouri with the familiar glasses:) We really liked her songs but over time she’s disappeared from our music collection. That LP was the first time I’d heard the Little Drummer Boy and I loved it.
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Your little one in the first picture looks so serious about chewing that piece of paper.
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She was forever putting things in her mouth and is a total foodie now.
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As someone in North America, I am always surprised to see people picnicking on Christmas Day.
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And Down Under we are only recently appreciating the Christmas doesn’t equal snow. However, with end of school and academic years, hot weather, and Christmas together, it can get manic.
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Love the pink glittery lipstick. I had a few of these.
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And I hadn’t even noticed it 🙂
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