Saturday, December 26, 2015

AND SO THAT WAS CHRISTMAS


Christmas Morn dawned slightly cooler, and with gentle rain.
Perfect in a hot Australian Summer.
I caught these two love-birds/lorikeets, having a Christmas snuggle.
Well, Christmas is all about love and family, after all...


I took few pictures.  Christmas is for experiencing first and foremost...
We enjoyed the Christmas Eve Mass, with a children's Nativity play.
Much like this:


Our play had a similar enthusiastic donkey, and the best pair of sheep being shepherded in to see the manger.  Two tots, aged one and two, in long white tee shirts.  Priceless.

It reminded me of Little Aussie's Dad when he was small:


As he said at the time, he was 'Jophets', and so Joseph has been named in our house ever since...

He went on to further acclamation the next year, as a gift bearer to the kings:


He is the one in blue.  He can't remember if he had the Frankincense or the Myrrh - but it doesn't look like the gold...

But I digress.
We enjoyed, as always, the familiar carols - beginning with 'O Come all Ye Faithful', and ending with 'Joy to the World'.
They have joy and meaning in the right context.
Which is not in the local mall.

And later that night, as stockings were filled..

egg nog and Christmas cake:


The pretty green plate is a gift from a friend.


As is our tradition, Christmas morning means ham and eggs.
I glazed the ham two days before, and it was Good...


Little Aussie was here, and loved his gifts.




We had been to see the new Star Wars movie a few days ago...and really enjoyed it.  But can't give away the Spoilers...




We moved on to our Rocket Scientist son's for lunch.
The table setting was so elegant..
and the food superlative.
Our Daughter-in-law is the best cook.  Ever.

I have been thoroughly spoilt by my family.
It was so nice to have four days of house-guests, action and activity, enlivened by the presence of Little Aussie, who has become The Young Jedi (at least for now).

He has lost his two front teeth.
The lisp is adorable...

We did Skype with Canada, where there has been no snow for the children this Christmas.  


He will always be the Little Bebe to me...
standing forlornly with his new snow toys...


And on to the leftovers....

XXXX






24 comments:

  1. Ooh, what a busy Christmas. It's certainly been a full time for you. You are right, the table setting is beautiful - your daughter-in-law must have worked very hard - on the table setting alone, let alone the food. A cook Sarah Liz is not! Glad you had such a wonderful family time, and little Oz is growing up, isn't he?

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    1. Ah, one of my gang, a cook I am not! The little Oz is growing up like a weed, and his increasing sophistication is mind-boggling :)

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  2. Your Christmas sounds perfect, Patricia. Full of traditions and meaning. Just lovely.

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    1. Thank you Val, it was lovely, and the tradition is good. Happy new Year!

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  3. Such a lovely Christmas post, Trish. Those lovebirds are so precious!

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    1. Hi LInda Kay, it was a sweet unexpected touch to see those birds together like that. Most mornings they are simply shouting for food!

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  4. Patricia, those Lorikeets DO look like love birds. What an amazing picture. Oh, you got to see the children's nativity play also at Christmas Eve mass. Ours was so beautiful. Your son's pictures from Christmas' past are treasures. Little Aussie looks like he's having a blast playing with his presents. Star Wars is really big with the kids right now.

    It sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas with all your family. May you have peace and joy in the new year, Patricia.

    love, ~Sheri

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    1. Hi Sheri, the children's nativity play always brings us back to the meaning of Christmas. And always so charming. Peace and joy to you too, Sheri. x

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  5. Lovely to make new Christmas memories and remember old ones...looks like yours was wonderful. There was a fair bit of Star Wars action under our tree too....however Peppa pig and Minnie Mouse managed to get a look in as well xx

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    1. Ah, yes, the Star Wars action - so much fun. But glad to see Peppa and Minnie are still around. Paws Patrol is big in Ottawa, so I hear :) xx

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  6. It was a really nice Christmas, with family here for four whole days - great fun to have the kid around :)
    I will email you. Happy New Year!

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  7. Oh Tricia, Little Babe looks so sad with his snow toys and booties, but no snow. Ahh, precious.

    On a guilty note, I have so enjoyed our warm Christmas ths year. I know it's not good for the environment, so thus the guilt for my enjoyment of it. On Christmas day, I had dinner at a restaurant in Midtown in New York City and walked back to the Upper East Side because it was warm like early summer. The Rockefeller Tree was beautiful! BTW, we also had the misty rain, but light so with an umbrella, you didn't get wet.

    Little Assie looks so much like his dad, and his mother sets a pretty table.

    Lovely lorikeets. Enjoy the rest of Christmas week!

    Debbie

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    1. I'm sure you have enjoyed Christmas without trudging through the snow Debbie. It is beautiful to look at, but hard work to live in on a daily basis. The Rockefeller Tree is so famous, and how special to go see it.
      We noticed the boys look so alike at the same age - I'm glad I found those old photos. Enjoy the holidays and New Year - we always see Times Square on the TV.

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  8. Happy New Year Patricia!
    Love having you as a peep♥️
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. Happy New Yeeeeaaaar!! So pleased to see you have a bit of snow :)

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  9. "Standing forlornly with his new snow toys." I laughed out loud, sorry. That was so funny. Poor thing, I really hope they get some snow up there soon. I enjoyed reading about your Christmas, Patricia. The photos of your son are great, thank you for sharing them. I wish you all a happy New Year.

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    1. Love that you laughed out loud - we aim to amuse at the Red Cardinal! I hope they get some snow too, so I can look at in on the Skype. Happy New Year!!

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  10. So fun catching up on all of your holiday festivities Trish!
    Love the 2 snuggle birds and the goodies all around. Looks like you covered all the truly important elements: Jesus, and family and friend togetherness. ;)

    My kiddos used to participate in the church pageant at our old church. But the one we've been attending for a few years now doesn't do the mass that way...but it's equally as lovely.

    Wishing for snow for your sweet Canada family!! That photo of your grandson with his toys was so sweet (& funny). Lol!

    May 2016 bring you and your family abundant blessings dear Friend. xoxo

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    1. Aren't those birds the cutest? You rarely see them like that, as they are usually very noisy and often fighting each other, in a very social way.
      Happy New Year, and may you have a wonder 2016 Carrie.

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  11. So enjoyed reading your post and seeing your photo's ... it looked like you had a wonderful time.

    All good wishes for 2016

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you, and a Happy New Year to you too Jan.

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  12. Happy New Year, Patricia, if somewhat belated. :-) I'm glad you had such a lovely family Christmas and hope that by now Little Bebe has some snow to play with!

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    1. Happy New Year, Perpetua. Little Bebe now has snow, and in fact told us so on skype yesterday. He is clearly impressed. Family Christmases are very special. All the best to you for 2016.

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  13. Happy New Year, Patricia, if somewhat belated. :-) I'm glad you had such a lovely family Christmas and hope that by now Little Bebe has some snow to play with!

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