Gifts of the Season

This year I gave toasted almonds, decorated presents with red chillis, and well basically focused on food throughout the season. Fresh strawberries and in season tomatoes at Christmas has some advantages over holly berries I must say.

There were few gifts under our tree this year, however when I returned from rowing camp all that had changed. Christmas fudge and alcohol drenched bread had arrived from Trav's dad – one of my favourite Christmas traditions. Too bad shipping is so expensive to NZ, I really loved the dense boxes of fudge we received in Boston. I would drive home (all 1.5 hours of the commute) dreaming of the bite of fudge that awaited me. It often lasted until the spring. I'll just have to be in the Pacific Northwest some winter soon.

My mother also sent her traditional advent calendar, but as I age the little presents definitely get nicer. Or perhaps I am more appreciative.

Regardless it is so nice to hold something in your hand that your family touched, wrapped, and packaged to send you. Makes one a bit homesick.

Laura also sent us the coolest remote control winged toys. I know that the goats, creak, and our cooking would be a draw for most people, but now we have remote control winged toys. That must be a lure to come visit, eh?

So tonight we danced to random tunes I downloaded, made salmon, lite the candles, and just took it easy.   What did you do to relax after the holidays wound down?

Invitation - Christmas Eve

Hi wonderful people,

Traveler and I would like to extend an invitation to join us for Christmas Eve dinner.  If you actually know us in real life, please let us know if you would like to join us for a dinner round our holiday table by noon on the 23rd.

You do not need to bring anything, although a ribbon or something to add to the somewhat sparse tree would be welcome.

Peace and Joy to all,

Shannon & Traveler

Signs of Christmas

Although a huge part of my heart is longing to be home with my family and friends in Oregon who are enjoying a white Chirstmas and a bit of extra time off from school,

I also am enjoying the signs that Christmas is coming to Wellington.

The poutakawa trees are in bloom.

The road crews are out.

Kirks and Stains's windows are decorated, although I am a bit confused by the upside down tree...

I was thinking of creating Christmas cards of Trav and I hanging upside with a greeting of Holiday Wishes from Down Under.  Perhaps they were thinking along the same lines.  Except they clearly have more energy that I do this year as they actually followed through with their idea, whatever the reason behind the upside trees.

After rowing today I finally went and got myself a tree.  It wasn't as romatic of an experience as in years past.  I went to a Petrol station near Pak N Save, handed over $15, and helped myself to  a tree from the pile leaning against the wall.  But I tossed it on the car by myself and tied it down all BY MYSELF.  It was a different kind of good feeling, but just as memorable as previous years.  

Once home, I needed to cut off a bit of my tree to help it drink.  Really it is just a cheaper subsitute for the cut flower bouquets I've been treating myself to lately, but a lot harder to trim. 

For a Christmas stand I filled a paint bucket with water and gravel.

I also had my friends E and D over who kindly helped me decorate.  Dai came down too to admire it and get in the season's spirit a bit.  

Then to really celebrate life, I treated myself to a present. I paid off one of my student loans.  It was pretty small one to start with, but 7 years later I no long have to look at this screen.  

Too bad the Sallie Mae screen will be part of my life each month for many years to come.  Oh well, baby steps.