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...

Around here...

My flegeling Peanuts mug collection!

A grumpy face in the kitchen...

 A paper pompom I borrowed for research purposes and which is now hanging above my desk...

The new bumper edition of Frankie...

Stripes...

The balcony beckons!

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!

My Sunday

Last Sunday I went for a wander around Fremantle - on my own - heaven...

First I had a mooch around the Fremantle Arts Centre Christmas Bazaar, some of WA's most creative people had stalls selling some amazingly lovely stuff.

My favourites included Beau est Mien, a Freo based printmaker and Fleur Schell's beautiful ceramics.

Here are some snaps from my walk back into town.

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,

Jack Johnson in the park

We went to see Jack Johnson in Kings Park last night and it was really quite magical. 

As the sun went down he started to play and you could feel everyone around chilling out and smiling.

Mum - look - an accordion! He was pretty good too.

The first song he played was 'Better Together' and I did cry a little bit.. I love this song.

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.

Australian Advent Calendar Day 4

Just opened the gate to find an exciting looking parcel - I know exactly what it is because I buy my own Christmas present each year - that way I know I'll get what I want and like what I get...

Australian Advent Calendar Day 3

For some reason the boys hop out of bed a lot more happily during Advent...

Australian Advent Calendar Day 2

Australian Advent Calendar - Day 1

I don't know where November went? Anyone?

I don't think I'll ever get to grips with the first day of Advent also being the first day of summer - it just isn't right...

In an attempt to boost my Christmas spirit I've decided to post a Christmas themed photo every day until Christmas Eve - I really need to embrace an Australian Christmas instead of moaning about it every day. 

(Some people have subtly hinted that this is getting annoying... especially since I am going back to England for New Year!)

So I'm thinking this little project will force me to get out and about, searching for signs of Christmas, however strange and summery they may be!

So - No.1 of my Australian Advent Calendar - my lovely Woolacombe poster complete with fairy lights.