Christmas Down Under

In my life I have spent two Christmases in the Northern Hemisphere and loved them both. To shop in the freezing cold adds a certain air of excitement to the experience it has to be admitted.  Having said that, I was raised to expect the season to be hot and in my heart that's what really makes it Christmas.

We attended the children's vigil Christmas Mass on Christmas Eve, so we were able to sleep in a little before the family gathering with the gift unwrapping frenzy followed by lunch.

Of course there was Christmas Bush - what respectable household wouldn't have a vase of it on full display?

On such a beautiful day, al fresco was the only way to dine.

Model planes were discussed in detail - they transcend all generations, male generations that is.

After lashings of turkey, ham, vegetables and salads liberally washed down with Moet and wines of the red and white variety, there was the traditional pudding which our daughter made using my mother's recipe.

Or pavlova and fresh berries for those who preferred a lighter end to the meal.  All the more pudding for the rest of us!

Tony admits to having five helpings.

Miss E had been lusting after this style of hat for some time, so when she finally had one of her own, it stayed firmly on her head until she was water bombed by her brothers.

And why wouldn't they be smiling.  Our daughter and son-in-law are off to Rome for three months in the second half of 2015, one to paint and the other to write.

 Our other son-in-law, the father of our grandchildren, enjoys the challenge of me not catching him on camera.  He has it down to a fine art, ducking behind something at the last second, but I am a patient woman.

There was time for a few quick games of Angry Birds before the boys decided enough was enough.

Time for a quick change of garb and to bring out the big guns.

No one was safe - not big sister ...

... nor Aunty Maz.  Grandparents were considered untouchables, as it's not much fun water bombing slow moving objects.

The local water dragon sensibly camouflaged himself until it was all over. 

We really missed our Queensland family and one of these Christmases we will celebrate together, with all seven grandchildren and their parents.

Goodbye winter

You could not imagine two more differing days if you tried.  Yesterday (Sunday) was a perfect late winter's day; cloudless skies, temperate weather.

Which was just as well, as we gathered for a family lunch to celebrate my brother's birthday.  

The boys amused themselves reading and drawing, waiting patiently for their favourite food ...

Dessert!

In contrast, Saturday began for us at two in the morning when loud hammering invaded our bedroom.  It transpired that our apartment neighbours had a wee problem with their plumbing which necessitated the emergency services of a plumber. With a big hammer.  You can imagine how thrilled we were to discover a few hours later that we were the recipients of their excess water.  

At least it prepared us well for the day ahead, which included joining our granddaughter's cheer squad for very soggy netball semifinals.  Thank goodness for the pop-up coffee vendors who kept us warm on the inside at least.  I felt so sorry for the poor little pets playing their hearts out in such atrocious conditions. 

Available here

 However, it was perfect weather for sewing.

And here

Spring will be arriving in a week (doing the traditional End of Winter Dance of Joy) and I will be busy between now and Christmas with new stock for the summer months ahead and for the Christmas season.

Image: Sara Sprague

Bring it on!

Homecoming, Part II

At the risk of awakening the jinx pixies, Tony is finally home.  We pulled off the escape early yesterday afternoon in the rain.

As seen through the eyes of our 9 year-old granddaughter this morning.  Note my hanging glasses.

It will take a few weeks of cardiac rehab for Tony to regain strength - we are taking it one step at a time.  He even managed a trip to the barber this morning for a much needed haircut.

Next stop was coffee and Anzac biscuits straight out of our daughter's oven.  The children had each composed a Welcome Home Granddad card for the occasion.

Grandma through the eyes of a four year-old is a bit of a worry.

Spoken from the heart of a seven year-old

We are all going to visit the park if our nine year-old granddaughter's installation is anything to go by.

It was so strange today not to make the daily pilgrimage to the hospital. It's really good to have our lives back.

I remember Four

Four years ago today our youngest grandchild decided it was time to enter the world, albeit two months early.

Today he's a delightful little boy who charms everyone he comes in contact with.  Isn't four a wonderful age?  The world is yet to be discovered and your life is full of great expectations.

What must it be like to be the envy of your big brother and sister with a Lightsaber all of your own?

 

This is our second autumn back in Sydney and we are still surprised at the beauty of the season after so many years living in a sub-tropical climate.

Not only are we delighted at the vivid colours of the trees, but suddenly there are sasanqua camellias blooming everywhere.  It almost makes the cold weather worthwhile.  Who am I kidding?

The week has flown by and I can't believe it's the weekend.  On Monday I met up with some old school friends at the home of one of our classmates and her sister.  Their unit is in a building constructed in the late Thirties and I was fascinated by the stained glass window in the stairwell.  

We were thoroughly spoilt as our classmate's sister is a gourmet cook, and a girl can't have too much lemon delicious.

I fell in love with their TV room and am secretly hoping that they will leave their home to me in their wills, but that's not going to happen.

The next day we drove our daughter and son-in-law to the airport and bade them a happy three months in Europe.   Not in the least envious. 

We know they arrived safely because this is their latest image on Facebook.  What a marvellous time to be living in.  They are on the other side of the world in London, yet we can see within seconds what they are drinking.  It's good to know they're looking after themselves.

As are we.

Happy birthday Dan.

Christmas Wishes

Conversation with my seven year-old granddaughter last night.

Grandma, when are you picking up your new glasses?

On Monday.

What will they be like?

Oh, they will be brilliant.  They will be multi-coloured and they'll have fireworks shooting out in all directions.

They're going to be black and boring, aren't they?

Yep.

It's a bit depressing when you are outwitted by your grandchildren, but in another way it brings a glow to the heart.  These are smart children with a keen sense of the ridiculous, an essential ingredient to being part of the Fudge Family.  I mean, how many three year-old boys want a street sweeper for Christmas?  I have a horrible suspicion we are talking full-size here.  And he assures me that he's going to get it because he told Santa.

At last the tree is up.  In true fashion it did not happen overnight, but it did happen.  It all started here.

Mr Tangles goes through the yearly ritual of wondering who on earth packed the lights away last year so thoughtlessly.  

Poor tree.  

After four hours of sighing, cursing and swearing, finally some light.

Yes, it was worth all the pain and sweat.

We are looking forward so eagerly to seeing our Queensland family which has increased alarmingly over the past few days with the addition of four new kittens.  No matter how cute they look with big red bows adorning their necks, we will resist all offers of a Feline Fudge to bring back to Sydney.

May you all have the most wonderful Christmas, and watch out for a three year-old driving his street sweeper crazily down your street. 

Tuesdays

What a time to be in Sydney.  I know it won't last, but it's a stunningly beautiful day today, clear blue skies, warm temperatures (mmm ... warm ...) and blossoms everywhere.  It's also my quilting day with St Ives Quilters which is always fun.

Today had an extra bonus - three parcels were waiting for me at the Post Office.  I can't show them all, because two of them were early Christmas gifts (I know - I can't believe that we are starting so early this year.  No doubt it will all end in tears and panic on Christmas Eve, but our intentions are good). 

 However, I can show you the third parcel.  I did the traditional Fabric Dance of Joy when I opened it, as it had one fabric re-order I had been waiting on and several new ones which I will use as samples for my new summer/Christmas range.  And there's another fabric bundle somewhere out in Australia Post Limbo waiting to land in my Post Box - hopefully tomorrow.

It's been a good week all round, starting off with Fathers' Day on Sunday when we joined our daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren for lunch at a delightful restaurant.

I think the children would have taken the cow home if there had been room in the car.

Most importantly, today is our granddaughter's sixth birthday, but as she is far away in Queensland, we will save up our hugs for our next visit.

Good things happen on Tuesdays.