Yes, it must be a real pain to be without power for so long. I get twitchy if the electricity is off for just a few hours!
Last cards distributed today, along with CHOCOLATE for the Arkland Office staff. Friend Mr D has visited, and brought me a very welcome present of CHEESE, and some of his home-made Chutney.
I went to Tesco earlier, but lost the will to live whilst trying to find their slabs of Christmas CAKE amongst all the rest of the festive Stuff. Plan B is to visit the Co-Op on Monday...
All cards posted, all gifts wrapped, all food shopping done except for sausages (being collected tomorrow), plus bread and milk which will need to be bought on Monday
A great deal of tidying up needs to be done tomorrow, and bathroom & kitchen need a proper clean, but probably not before Monday.
Final batch of mince pies to be made today to take to a party; all cakes, puddings and previous tarts distributed. No other presents apart from gift to son’s and daughter’s partners. Son & partner flew out to UK last night and will do Xmas with #2 daughter who lives there. Will catch up with # 1 daughter & partner tomorrow who fly out to Thailand Xmas Eve. I head south Tuesday; just need to have house in order for cat sitters.
A great blessing not to endure OTT Xmas with mother, in-laws, cousins and their assorted screaming kids not to mention fussy & increasingly cranky spouse. He is much better when everything is kept low key.
I have been pleasantly surprised not to miss the equally OTT choral scene which was a big part of life for 20 years; now 11 years since I resigned from 2 liturgical choirs (one RC and one AC). Nice to listen ( sometimes) but the offerings in Hobart Town are ordinary at best.
This might change the direction of this thread a bit, but I am told there are differences between the countries on how to celebrate Christmas.
For instance, Ausies celebrate Christmas on the beach
Brits wear funny little hats--crowns during Christmas Dinner.
Americans usually put up trees right after their thanksgiving, and then immediately take them down before New Years (not all, we will have ours till epiphany, but it is an artificial tree).
There's boxing day, and then there are the after Christmas sales.
I know the Brits have a royal message on Christmas too
I would love to hear about some of the idiosyncrasies surrounding our Christmases too.
I’d say a tiny minority of Australians do Xmas on the beach; more likely to be British backpackers!! In the far north saltwater crocs and box jellyfish make ocean swimming dangerous and Tasmania can be pretty damned cold at that time of the year. Also remember that the inland is huge and people DO live there ( admittedly not so many as on the Eastern coastal fringe); even in suburban Sydney you can be 50 km from the coast. If there is a backyard pool some will congregate around it, with sincere hopes that at least one adult stays sober enough to keep an eye out for toddlers at risk of falling in the water.
That would be our experience @Sojourner , we would always watch the kids like hawks when celebrating with the rellos who had a pool and I was a bit relieved when they got rid of it. All my life we've lived a minimum of 200km from the beach and sometimes further than that.
I remember suggesting to Mum after she spent a very hot day cooking a roast lunch, that perhaps we could incorporate some cold items into the menu next year. I think she thought we all had expectations of an English style lunch, when I think we just wanted to share a meal together. My mother in law always used to make a plum pudding and Christmas cake and I was quite unpopular in the first year of marriage that I suggested we try an icecream Christmas pudding. I am a huge fan of the Christmas cracker with the hat, joke but less a fan of the useless trinket included.
We would not attend the first day of the Boxing Day sales, but wait until the end of January when there might be additional markdowns on summer stock. I don't know if these sales are such a big thing now that Black Friday has been adopted and sales seem to be on from that date, through Chrismas and into the New Year.
I wrapped some presents this morning and will do some additional baking so that I have some fresh bikkies to give to friends as part of their gift.
I know I've asked this of our Australian friends around here before but never mind: in the northern hemisphere we have Christmas and New Year to help us through the long dark days. But in the south you have about the same length of darkness in June, how do you cope without a festival to get through it?
I know I've asked this of our Australian friends around here before but never mind: in the northern hemisphere we have Christmas and New Year to help us through the long dark days. But in the south you have about the same length of darkness in June, how do you cope without a festival to get through it?
Are Australian winters all that dark? They're only around 40 degrees south, after all. That's an equivalent latitude to Spain, Turkey, Greece, the sort of places Brits go for "winter sun". Maybe I'm just not sympathetic being at 56.5 degrees north!
I overslept this morning, so didn't wake Mr RoS in time for him to eat breakfast before driving to the garden centre to collect the sausages.
Why I have to wake him when he has an alarm clock I do not know.
I tidied away all the Christmas card/gift wrapping detritus, had breakfast, emptied our elderly vacuum cleaner and changed the filters while he was out.
Sausages now in the fridge. Mr RoS shocked at the price - works out at a smidgeon over £1 per sausage, but "Frank" does make exceedingly good sausages!
Now having a tea break, and will try out the refreshed vac shortly.
I know I've asked this of our Australian friends around here before but never mind: in the northern hemisphere we have Christmas and New Year to help us through the long dark days. But in the south you have about the same length of darkness in June, how do you cope without a festival to get through it?
Are Australian winters all that dark? They're only around 40 degrees south, after all. That's an equivalent latitude to Spain, Turkey, Greece, the sort of places Brits go for "winter sun". Maybe I'm just not sympathetic being at 56.5 degrees north!
God, yes.
In Tasmania in July sunrise is about 7-45 am and sunset about 4-45. Here is Sydney 1200 km north it is about 7 am and 5 pm.
Hmm! Here (NW England) today sunrise was at 8.30 am, sunset will be 3.48 pm. On the other hand, in six months time sunrise will be at 4.37 am, and sunset at 9.50 pm.
This might change the direction of this thread a bit, but I am told there are differences between the countries on how to celebrate Christmas.
For instance, Ausies celebrate Christmas on the beach
Brits wear funny little hats--crowns during Christmas Dinner.
Americans usually put up trees right after their thanksgiving, and then immediately take them down before New Years (not all, we will have ours till epiphany, but it is an artificial tree).
There's boxing day, and then there are the after Christmas sales.
I know the Brits have a royal message on Christmas too
I would love to hear about some of the idiosyncrasies surrounding our Christmases too.
There’s a whole lot of generalization going on here.
We’re Americans, and our live tree was decorated yesterday, and will stay up until Epiphany. We’ll wear funny little paper hats/crowns at our Christmas dinner, and given the sale of Christmas crackers in these parts, I doubt we’re the only Americans who’ll do so.
And I never thought in terms of after-Christmas sales being part of celebrating Christmas.
This might change the direction of this thread a bit, but I am told there are differences between the countries on how to celebrate Christmas.
For instance, Ausies celebrate Christmas on the beach
Brits wear funny little hats--crowns during Christmas Dinner.
Americans usually put up trees right after their thanksgiving, and then immediately take them down before New Years (not all, we will have ours till epiphany, but it is an artificial tree).
There's boxing day, and then there are the after Christmas sales.
I know the Brits have a royal message on Christmas too
I would love to hear about some of the idiosyncrasies surrounding our Christmases too.
There’s a whole lot of generalization going on here.
We’re Americans, and our live tree was decorated yesterday, and will stay up until Epiphany. We’ll wear funny little paper hats/crowns at our Christmas dinner, and given the sale of Christmas crackers in these parts, I doubt we’re the only Americans who’ll do so.
And I never thought in terms of after-Christmas sales being part of celebrating Christmas.
I admit I was generalizing. But it is a way to get more specific responses, as our Australian friend have shown. The hats for Christmas dinner is a relic of Great Britian, though. We don't see that tradition carried on around here.
One thing I do remember fondly was Grandmother's soda biscuits, especially if they came right out of the oven. That came from Tennessee.
Post-Xmas sales have been common in the UK for many years, though there are sales all the time these days, it seems. Black Friday is just one instance...
The hats for Christmas dinner is a relic of Great Britian, though. We don't see that tradition carried on around here.
Not a relic, but an import that caught on. Christmas crackers were rarely seen here until US maybe the last three decades. I attribute the import to Americans having seen them in British movies and TV shows.
We mailed one package out this morning. The other packages went over with our son when he was here last week. I also bought two gifts for Mrs. Gramps this weekend--one from me, the other from our cat.
I've lost my husband's presents due to hiding them. Eeeek!
🤣🤣
If it makes you feel better, we recently found what we think must have been Christmas 2020's presents in the bottom of the wardrobe. Luckily none were perishable!
In other news, today is Solstice and this SAD-afflicted household is most grateful for it! Unfortunately we couldnt make a trip out to see sunrise from anywhere exciting (eg Uffington White Horse) as we will be ringing for service in just a few minutes, but that gives me an excuse to post this: https://youtu.be/XJS9TjjHxx8?si=eyYAwKEh9rKDRYqX
It is very foggy here so I doubt our local pagans saw much if they were out and about this morning.
I don’t mind the dark evenings but I really don’t like dark mornings.
Funny, isn’t it. I came to enjoy dark mornings some years back when working at Liverpool ( southwestern Sydney on Georges River not Mersey) when an 8 am start meant catching 6-30 train (35 km from home). Unless pouring rain it was quite nice to trot 1.5 km to Museum station & watch sun rise while riding through inner western Sydney. Mind you the knees were better then. Hated catching train back at 5 knowing it would be pitch black by the time I hit Central station ( then 2 km home by bus).
The foie gras land Christmas tree has just been decorated. We don't have a lot of decorations here (they're mostly all in Paris) but it has twinkly white lights, bronze, silver and gold baubles, little bells and some lacy things crocheted by my Mum.
Husband en rouge is working on the foie gras. I brought a mince pie tin and a jar of mincemeat in my suitcase but have unfortunately forgotten the cutters. I'll try the kitchen shop tomorrow when it's open, and failing that I'll have to use a glass.
Well, today is last shot at cleaning up and finishing decorating. I've got tons to wrap. And- wait for it!- sunny California is finally getting a portion of the atmospheric river that has been plaguing the Northwest. Rain is starting Tuesday night and continuing through Friday with the biggest part being on Christmas Eve. We are in continuous drought but the timing sort of sucks.
Yesterday I had a welcome boost of energy, and made 6 Christmas cards for neighbors, and also baked them five little pies in the form of Christmas trees. ( One is on a sugar-free diet, so I left him out of the pie treats. Today I have zero energy. So happy I was able to feel productive for the day.
Comments
Same here, alas! One of them will be sent an email letter, though.
Last cards distributed today, along with CHOCOLATE for the Arkland Office staff. Friend Mr D has visited, and brought me a very welcome present of CHEESE, and some of his home-made Chutney.
I went to Tesco earlier, but lost the will to live whilst trying to find their slabs of Christmas CAKE amongst all the rest of the festive Stuff. Plan B is to visit the Co-Op on Monday...
A great deal of tidying up needs to be done tomorrow, and bathroom & kitchen need a proper clean, but probably not before Monday.
A great blessing not to endure OTT Xmas with mother, in-laws, cousins and their assorted screaming kids not to mention fussy & increasingly cranky spouse. He is much better when everything is kept low key.
I have been pleasantly surprised not to miss the equally OTT choral scene which was a big part of life for 20 years; now 11 years since I resigned from 2 liturgical choirs (one RC and one AC). Nice to listen ( sometimes) but the offerings in Hobart Town are ordinary at best.
My beloved would agree with you.
For instance, Ausies celebrate Christmas on the beach
Brits wear funny little hats--crowns during Christmas Dinner.
Americans usually put up trees right after their thanksgiving, and then immediately take them down before New Years (not all, we will have ours till epiphany, but it is an artificial tree).
There's boxing day, and then there are the after Christmas sales.
I know the Brits have a royal message on Christmas too
I would love to hear about some of the idiosyncrasies surrounding our Christmases too.
I remember suggesting to Mum after she spent a very hot day cooking a roast lunch, that perhaps we could incorporate some cold items into the menu next year. I think she thought we all had expectations of an English style lunch, when I think we just wanted to share a meal together. My mother in law always used to make a plum pudding and Christmas cake and I was quite unpopular in the first year of marriage that I suggested we try an icecream Christmas pudding. I am a huge fan of the Christmas cracker with the hat, joke but less a fan of the useless trinket included.
We would not attend the first day of the Boxing Day sales, but wait until the end of January when there might be additional markdowns on summer stock. I don't know if these sales are such a big thing now that Black Friday has been adopted and sales seem to be on from that date, through Chrismas and into the New Year.
I wrapped some presents this morning and will do some additional baking so that I have some fresh bikkies to give to friends as part of their gift.
Having stopped bothering some 10 years ago - we have little in the way of family in any case - it's an inexpressible relief.
Happy Solstice to you all.
Are Australian winters all that dark? They're only around 40 degrees south, after all. That's an equivalent latitude to Spain, Turkey, Greece, the sort of places Brits go for "winter sun". Maybe I'm just not sympathetic being at 56.5 degrees north!
Why I have to wake him when he has an alarm clock I do not know.
I tidied away all the Christmas card/gift wrapping detritus, had breakfast, emptied our elderly vacuum cleaner and changed the filters while he was out.
Sausages now in the fridge. Mr RoS shocked at the price - works out at a smidgeon over £1 per sausage, but "Frank" does make exceedingly good sausages!
Now having a tea break, and will try out the refreshed vac shortly.
God, yes.
In Tasmania in July sunrise is about 7-45 am and sunset about 4-45. Here is Sydney 1200 km north it is about 7 am and 5 pm.
No sympathy expected; it is what it is.
We’re Americans, and our live tree was decorated yesterday, and will stay up until Epiphany. We’ll wear funny little paper hats/crowns at our Christmas dinner, and given the sale of Christmas crackers in these parts, I doubt we’re the only Americans who’ll do so.
And I never thought in terms of after-Christmas sales being part of celebrating Christmas.
I admit I was generalizing. But it is a way to get more specific responses, as our Australian friend have shown. The hats for Christmas dinner is a relic of Great Britian, though. We don't see that tradition carried on around here.
One thing I do remember fondly was Grandmother's soda biscuits, especially if they came right out of the oven. That came from Tennessee.
If it makes you feel better, we recently found what we think must have been Christmas 2020's presents in the bottom of the wardrobe. Luckily none were perishable!
In other news, today is Solstice and this SAD-afflicted household is most grateful for it! Unfortunately we couldnt make a trip out to see sunrise from anywhere exciting (eg Uffington White Horse) as we will be ringing for service in just a few minutes, but that gives me an excuse to post this: https://youtu.be/XJS9TjjHxx8?si=eyYAwKEh9rKDRYqX
I don’t mind the dark evenings but I really don’t like dark mornings.
Found whilst looking for something else which is lost - and remains lost. My lovely red velvet Christmas dress.
Husband en rouge is working on the foie gras. I brought a mince pie tin and a jar of mincemeat in my suitcase but have unfortunately forgotten the cutters. I'll try the kitchen shop tomorrow when it's open, and failing that I'll have to use a glass.
I take it you are expecting lots of visitors?