Holiday Snaps.....

At the lake:
Swedish cousins came to visit, kayacking, jetty cricket, icecream and balancing on the kayak.........

Digging in the sand, windsurfing and the lake painted by a cousin....

Rescue and Fishing.... Sailors took refuge on our verandah and had coffee and milo. We had hail.

On the Twenty Fifth Day of December....

Before we entered the room with our gifts, we remembered the greatest gift-the birth of Jesus. We read Luke 2:1-20 and Matthew 2:7-12.

My sister in law made this tree from gingerbread stars.

Festivities at the lake.....

I kept forgetting that Ouma would not ring for Christmas...

Herald the New Born King....

As the 24th became the 25th day of December......

Earlier in the day.......

Present opening at husband E's family's house. There is a bauble for each member of the family. We begin the gathering by remembering family members who are not with us.....

Off to church at 11pm to herald the "newborn king."

Christmas Cards.

Christmas Eve.

And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!"

Luke 2: 9-14

On the Twenty Fourth Day of December....

In its early hours, we were wrapping presents.

Bobotjie.

I have just made a Cape Malay dish that we enjoyed in South Africa. Husband E's brother in law was born in South Africa too, so I make it once a year for his birthday. I make enough to share around....

Bobotjie:

mince

onion

bread soaked in milk

apricot jam

chutney

curry powder

tumeric

mixed herbs

sultanas

nuts

milk and eggs to pour over

bay leaves.

I have just done the grocery shopping as well and now we will wrap presents.....11:08pm

Flannel Flowers .....

were in my wedding bouquet. The Mad Aunt often brings me one.

The Twenty Third Day of December.....

More drawing, I am running out of time......Not sure that this one is what I am after.......

Agapanthus.

Flowering at Christmas time.

On the Twenty Second Day of December.....

Readings: Luke 1:1-23, Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:39-80

We are in holiday mode. All woke at 9:30am (except poor husband E who is at work). The cat is enjoying all the company and now breakfast at 11:30am. Beds are made, chores are waiting. the children have eaten! I have posted a photo of myself, inspired by A Woman of Notes. I have a few family members from overseas who look at this blog, so thought I would say "Hello" in person.

Before the 24th I need to draw four more items for cards. In husband E's family, when children start high school, we do not buy gifts for Christmas. Instead we make a special card with encouraging messages and hand it to them on Christmas Day. E's sisters write limmericks or poems or other ideas that inspire. Every year I draw something small......I have done one already.....

On the Twenty First Day of December.....

We relaxed at the lake and then returned home to enjoy supper with some good family friends of ours. We had sausage sandwiches and dip and cut vegetables. Then some cake, chocolate sauce and strawberries. My kind friend brought a very festive plate of goodies to enjoy. We then walked around a local street and looked at the beautiful Christmas lights.

On the Twentieth Day of December.....

We went to the lake to make beds for the holidays and meet a plumber. Fish and chips whilst looking at the water. A lone wave that started from nowhere continued into the shore, perhaps a little earth tremour? We also decorated the tree there.

7 year old daughter enjoyed her birthday cake, in the shape of a balloon....

Profiteroles.....

For a seven year old.

On the Nineteenth Day of December.....

My snow, well the washing still has to be done doesn't it?

We celebrate our eldest daughter's seventh birthday. Today is the last day of school for the year. 7 year old daughter and 10 year old son have taken special ham and salad wraps for lunch. Also 7 year old daughter has chocolates to hand out to her class. Tonight we will go out for dinner. I will bake a birthday cake today and we have profiteroles for afternoon tea. She had her birthday gathering on the 6th December.

On the Eighteenth Day of December.....

A lovely card from a dear friend, perhaps you know her; A Woman of Notes.

Our selection of Christmas books that we read this season....

On the Seventeenth Day of December......

I made fairy bread this morning for class parties at school. I am enjoying these beautiful flowers that a friend gave to us last week. They leave to visit America tomorrow.

Tonight I hope that the festive season will move the hearts of councillors in our local council as we bring an issue before them.

Fairy Bread:

White bread, buttered. Sprinkle hundreds and thousands on top. Simple.

On the Sixteenth Day of December......

2 year old daughter and I went to 4 year old daughter's preschool concert. Cute little things, jumping everywhere, singing songs, playing instruments and presenting us with their art and craft. Morning tea afterwards under the trees: watermelon, shortbread, popcorn and juice.

Pure joy as 2 year old daughter started in the stroller, but is usually free and easy at preschool. So we tried my lap, then a little chair, then the floor right in front of the children performing. Before I knew it, she was up and dancing in front of the children. Then she went into their group, it was percussion at this point, picked hers up and followed all the actions etc. The teacher nodded happily at me and an elderly American gentleman next to me told me it was all lovely, so I just left it. 4 year old daughter hugged her and guided her and it was wonderfully gorgeous.

4 year old daughter has made a Christmas decoration for our tree.

The Father Christmas (Santa Claus) above was always on top of our Christmas tree when I was growing up.

On the Fifteenth Day of December.....

I enjoyed stollen and coffee, caught up on some washing and gathered with my sisters in law, father in law, aunt in law and fourteen cousins for the weekly afternoon tea gathering.

This wire Christmas tree is from Africa. My parents carried it home for us to enjoy.