Christmas - in lights

There's a bit of a theme running through my Christmas photos this year - light.

The bright white light of an Australian Boxing Day cricket match...

Warm evening light on cousins blowing bubbles...

Then the cold midday winter light on an English out of season beach....

Shadow self portrait. With Turkey Hat...

Out of focus Christmas lights...

And an adventurous silhouette!

Australian Advent Calendar - 24 days of attempting to feel Christmassy!

So it's Christmas Eve, the sun is still insisting on shining although it's not going to be ridiculously hot tomorrow. (Apparently..)

I've done quite well this year - I've had to let go of some old traditions and we've tried out some new ones. 

When it comes down to it, although it may not feel like the Christmas I grew up with, one thing will always be the same - as long as you're with people you love, Christmas will always be perfect.

Oh, and it helps that we're flying to the UK on Friday to be with all those other people we love!

Wishing you all a happy and love filled Christmas xxx

Australian Advent Calendar Day 24!

Well, you don't get more Australian than brilliant blue skies, yellow grass and a sheep's backside in the background...

Happy Christmas everyone!

(Yes, and that is a toilet being used as a flowerpot..)

Australian Advent Calendar Day 23

Australian Advent Calendar Day 22

The council building in Perth lit up like a ... Christmas Tree.

Australian Advent Calendar Day 21

                     

Australian Advent Calendar Day 20

Some summery Christmas decorations at the in-laws - beginning.... slightly... to feel like Christmas.
A little tiny bit.

Australian Advent Calendar Day 19

                       

This is my favourite Christmas book from when I was little - Tom likes it too - it's the story of Santa Claus when he was a little boy.

Interesting fact- the illustrator Victor Ambrus is the artist on Time Team who draws all the amazing pictures: http://www.timeteamdigital.com/the-team/victor-ambrus

Australian Advent Calendar Day 18

                         

Australian Advent Calendar Day17

                      

Australian Advent Calendar Days 15 and 16

There are three things you shouldn't do on the hottest weekend of the year so far-

1. Lay new lawn in the front and back gardens

2. Select, chop down, cart home and decorate a Christmas Tree

3. Offer to go and help on your six year old's class trip to the park...

But of course we did all these things.

I'm just back from the park- watching seventy-five six and seven year olds running around in 35 degree heat is not fun...

                     

                     

Australian Advent Calendar Day 14

                      

Just made my annual Christmas wreath- it's a bit wonky and dangly but it'll do.

Itchy all over now from all the tiny creatures that crawled out of the greenery...

Australian Advent Day (unlucky for some) 13

It was one of those days today that reminds me that I do quite like summer - swimming at the beach after school, fish and chips in the garden, another gorgeous sunset...

Australian Advent Calendar Day 12

Just before my camera died at the Christmas Pageant I managed to get a snap of the first Wise Man...

Here's the first twelve days of Christmas!

Australian Advent Calendar Day 11

It was the local Christmas pageant last night which is a big deal around here - lots and lots of great Christmassy photo opportunities, but of course my camera battery went flat....

So here instead is a sketch of one of the Canine Rescue's dogs, trotting along in the parade dressed as an angel.

Australian Advent Calendar Day 10

Hoping if I post my Christmas cards tomorrow they'll get to England in time?...

                           

Australian Advent Calendar Day 9

    

                       

I bought this little tin at the local swap meet - it says A W Allen Ltd, Melbourne on the bottom -chocolates I'm thinking? I love the way the little girl carol singer is giving the two boys a sideways glance... I reckon they're up to no good with those lamps,

Australian Advent Calendar Day 7 and 8

A teeny tiny bauble hanging by our stairs... 

(I love how big our house looks in this photo - it isn't really!)

And some ginormous baubles hanging in a fig tree in Freo...

Australian Advent Calendar Day 6

I received a parcel from my mum yesterday, mysteriously marked 'Ox and Goat'...

I've set up our newly expanded Nativity scene beside a blackboard stable.

Australian Advent Calendar Day 5

Blue skies and banksias.