Pre-Christmas activity

Our tree is up and decorated, and due to popular demand this time we have gone for a traditional yet streamlined approach. For years, each Christmas I would make the children decorations which were added to the tree with the expectation that when they had their own homes they would take their decorations as a collection for their own tree. In recent years our tree was looking quite 'overloaded' and even though dear daughter has hers, we still decided on a simple tree with the extra decorations placed around the house.

The baking is done with mince pies ...


shortbread ...


and gingerbread ...


as well as brownie, fruitmince slice and Christmas cake all being happily consumed. Cards and gifts have been posted and all that is left is to spend the next few days quietly at the cottage.

With all the bushfires in Victoria, it is hot and smoky and my darling took this as the sun rose this morning.


In the city we have water restrictions and lawns are dried and brown, some shrubs are struggling even with our washing water being put on them. At the cottage it is usually lush and green, only drying off in February, if at all, so it will be interesting to see how it is when we arrive tomorrow. We have tank water there and until a few years ago the tanks always seemed to be overflowing with the constant rainfall. Not so now.

Anyway the forecast is for cooler weather at Christmas. Lovely. If I don't get to write again before Monday, greetings to you all and may this Christmas be a time of blessing for you and your family.