The summer solstice passed this week in a flurry of rain and gale winds.  The kitchen garden was battered by the elements and by some small miracle seemed to have survived.  We’ve been busy harvesting broad beans and freezing them for later.  The peas, beans, carrots, cabbages, brocolli have been bursting forth in a race for a place on this year’s Christmas Table.

We decided to have our Christmas feast on Christmas Eve this year.  A break from tradition but a way to kick off the festivities and allow us maximum time to enjoy what is promising to be a bumper kiwi summer Christmas Day.  It was quite a buzz to dig out the new potatoes and pick out some vegetables just minutes before they arrived on the table to eat.  We even managed a small bowl of strawberries and raspberries which tasted all the sweeter and more delicious for their short trip up the garden.