Merry Christmas everyone!

I didn't really write a proper Christmas greeting post in my previous entry, so here I'd like to wish you all a very safe and festive silly season, with every happiness in the New Year...

Take care and stay safe at this busy time!

(image source)

Musing

It's strange that I don't really 'do' Christmas in a big way these days .... as a child I was always so excited at this time of year. Growing up in a very large Russian-German family, my sister and I were lucky to experience a mix of cultural celebrations when the family came together at my Omi's groovy little 1960s bungalow, just a couple of hundred metres from the beach.

In typical Australian fashion, we often relaxed outside in the garden as the temperature soared. A conifer in the front yard was adorned with the ubiquitous tinsely decorations, beach chairs were set out around the lawn and there was much singing and drinking of vodka (by the adults, of course!) - Nasdrovie! здоровью!

We also had a tradition of the children putting on a performance of some kind before opening the presents. My cousins, sister and I would prepare well in advance, making costumes, 'stage' sets and props. One of my earliest memories of these performances is of a poem that went something like this:

Lieber, guter Weihnachtsmann,
guck mich nicht so böse an.
Stecke deine Rute ein,
Ich will lieb und artig sein!

(translation: Dear, good Father Christmas,

don't look at me so agrily.

Put your rod/cane away,

For I wish to be good and obedient!)

The German Weihnachtsmann is a little more stern than his jolly British counterpart. As well as a book detailing the behavioural record of the world's children, he carries a tall staff or a bundle of twigs tied into a switch for punishing the naughty kids, which always worried me somewhat!

I really hope to live in Germany again some day, where Christmas decorations brighten the winter landscape, we can drink Glühwein at one of the kitschy Christmas markets, and later munch on spicy gingerbreads as we snuggle up in a candle-lit room, watching the snow fall gently outside.... ah, yes!

That said, it's also fun to celebrate Christmas in the hot summer sun. I love indulging in wonderful fresh salads, stone fruits, champagne and seafood, with bright decorations set against a backdrop of fragrant eucalypt trees. The dozy drone of bees and cicadas seems to mirror our post-prandial mood as we relax into the warmth of the summer evening and everything seems to have switched down a gear.

Bring on the sunshine!

Christmas is a-comin' ....

.

 

- beautiful covers from Vogue and Beauty Culture

(via Finsbry on Flickr)

'Tis the season ...

Summer!

Well, it's the first of December - the first day of Summer and not long until Christmas. I've been trying to steer our Christmas celebrations and gift-giving away from the crazy consumerist railroad for a long time now ...

My hubby and I have agreed to only exchange gifts that are home-grown, home-made or second-hand. I like this idea too, but some of my loved ones don't.

So perhaps I can compromise - if presents are to be bought and exchanged, let's celebrate beauty and creativity on a small, local scale!

Greetings!

Best wishes everyone, for a safe and happy end to the year.

Baking hot!

..... I'm not quite sure what possessed me to do Christmas baking on a 41° day (106° F) , but yesterday I managed to whip up lots of goodies for my neighbours. I had plans for many more but had to stop when the dough (and I!) started melting.

I bought a new rolling pin 'cause I couldn't find my old one. The manufacturers had labelled it as a 'Movable Stick'. I'm going to call it that from now on..... "Honey!! Have you seen my movable stick?!?! I need to make some more dough and I must find a stick that can be moved!!!".

 

I also printed up some Christmas cards using the stamps I made last year.

 

Tonight we'll have a small family dinner with my sister and mum. It's the first Christmas since my dad died and his absence wrenches my heart. I deeply miss his sparkling humour, his generous spirit and his quietly adventurous stories.

I guess a new year is approaching, and I'm looking forward to finding out what new experiences await me ....

Don't you dare.

(- the choice of unwise men at Christmas)

And so that was Christmas ...

We had beautiful, warm sunny weather,






lots of fine, fresh food and wine,



and fun times with loved ones.





Some willow branches served as a simple Christmas tree


next to a little nativity scene - baby cheeses in a manger:


I sewed some hand- and finger-puppets for two dear little boys


... and babysat my mum's spoodle.


So all is well here. Thank you for all your kind Christmas wishes, and may year's end be a peaceful one for you.

Merry Christmas!

I would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas....

It's been wonderful to make so many new friends in blogland, and as dodgy as it may sound to make friends online, I just love this new way of armchair-travelling and sharing ideas.

So, to my friends and family near and far, best wishes for the Christmas season and a safe and happy New Year.

Eat, drink, and be merry!

(pic from here)

Christmas traditions

One of my favourite Christmas traditions as a youngster was watching Bing and Bowie sing 'The Little Drummer Boy' on telly - it's so cheesy! (not sure if the ABC still broadcasts it?).



Although I've spent most of my life in Australia, my family still maintains some European traditions. We always celebrate Christmas on the 24th, and while I was growing up these celebrations were large, colourful family affairs, filled with delicious European dishes, exotic drinks and much singing in German and Russian (helped along for the adults by some old-style vodka ... Nasdrovje!).

My cousins, sister and I always performed some kind of song or play (often in German) before opening our presents... this one sticks in my mind for some reason:

Lieber, guter Weihnachtsmann,
zieh die langen Stiefel an,
kämme deinen weißen Bart,
mach dich auf die Weihnachtsfahrt.

Komm doch auch in unser Haus,
packe die Geschenke aus.
Ach, erst das Sprüchlein wolltest du?
Ja, ich kann es, hör mal zu:

Lieber, guter Weihnachtsmann,
guck mich nicht so böse an.
Stecke deine Rute ein,
Ich will lieb und artig sein!

The song entreats Father Christmas to hurry up and come and deliver presents. The German Father Christmas is a little more stern than the English/Aussie version - he carries a big stick to deal with naughty kids, so I was always a little bit nervous about the whole thing.


My wish for you is for a very happy, safe and cosy Christmas, and that the New Year brings prosperity and joy.

All the best ....

Starting to feel inspired ...

These lovely creations were all found on Etsy and Flickr (click on the pic for a closer look). I'll post the makers' details soon.