Until recently I did not realized it would be hot here on Christmas. Call it suspension of disbelief, but in my mind it was a little chilly, if not cold, everywhere on Christmas. Fast forward to reality- here in Perth we are just entering summer, this is a wrench in my works.
We have a Christmas tree, and outdoor lights, and a to-do list a meter long, the liquor cabinet is stocked and still it does not really FEEL like Christmas. The stockings are hung, everyone in the family has a cold, we are out of tape, the egg nog is made, it's Christmas right???
Wrong.
It's 85 degrees outside, you have to wear sun screen- there's no sun screen on Christmas!
Imagine cooking a turkey on the Fourth of July. Imagine what bug spray and pumpkin pie smells like.
No frost, no fires, no Bing Crosby, no wassail- GAG! It's summer vacation for Pete's Sake! NO ONE HERE HAS EVER SEEN A CHRISTMAS STORY! There's no easy listening station pumping out Christmas Classics. THERE WAS NO BLACK FRIDAY!
So do Australians have it all wrong? Are they missing out on the "feel" of this amazing holiday because of the warm weather and the urge to head to the beach?
Short answer, No.
So, we are doing what you do in the face of adversity- adapt.
Turkey = shrimp
pie = fruit mince
Christmas Jammies = t-shirt and knickers, (Davis refers to them as "snickers")
cookies = pavlova
fire place = pool
eggnog = bourbon and water
pralines = icy poles
elf on the shelf = ...there is no Southern Hemisphere equivalent...thank you Jesus!
Actually it's liberating- the lack of glitter and pomp. The kids made every ornament on the tree, I'm not up pressing napkins and polishing silver, there is no bird that has to go in the oven before sunrise.
We will wake and open gifts and then maybe go to the beach or a for a bike ride. No smocked outfit you can't get dirty, no clip-on tie. Board shorts and beach towels. Shrimp and a dip in the pool.
Do I miss turkey and stuffing, my family and friends and Feliz Navidad? You bet! But I am hoping my kids learn a lesson this year that has taken me a long time to grasp. Christmas is a feeling- it is a state of mind and life is what you make it. Hot or cold, ham or lamb!
So... fingers crossed I will get a Christmas card post up in the next two days...if not...
Merry Christmas to you and yours! Enjoy the season and whatever it has to offer. We miss you all like a front tooth and hope this finds you happy and healthy.
Much love,
The Atkinsons
Fact- Christmas trees smell like taxi cab air fresheners at 35 degrees Celsius.
Monday, December 23, 2013
Monday, December 9, 2013
First Dance...School switch...O Christmas tree...Thanksgiving recap
SO in Australia primary school education emphasizes socialization, the cornerstone of this is the Christmas Disco!
Lock up your daughters- Davis is going to the disco- the Fiesta Disco, ole!
SWITCH-A-ROO
After a lot of consideration we are moving Vee from the International School over to the local public school. It will mean sacrificing a long summer break to Texas but, who knows how long we will be here and we cannot organize our time in Australia around three weeks of the year. Vee is excited and Davis is thrilled to have his sister back at his side. We will be able to walk to school and she will have loads more friends closer to home. We have found our local public school to be fantastic, plus it is a true Australian experience. Summer break starts in a week so Vee will bump up to the 4th grade in the "fall", February 3rd.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS
Because we fully planned on being in Texas for this Christmas we did not pack any decor from home. I have to admit NOT having to go to storage has been my secret Christmas wish, this year it came true! We purchased a tree through the school- it is a sad lopsided scotch pine, but it smells like the holidays and displays our homemade ornaments nicely. Most Aussie's have artificial trees, so a real tree is a treat. We spent the weekend stringing packing peanuts, fondly referred to as ghost poop- thank you Grandpa Ernie. Vee made paper chains and Kirk and Davis made the aluminum foil star. Its looking better but our crafting skills are being tested!
FOOTY ANYONE
In the photos you can see how green everything is. Plants that are shrubs at home are full grown trees here. I need to post a photo of the poinsettia tree down the street, it was blooming in July- AMAZING. During the day it is warm and the sun is really strong, but in the evening the Fremantle "Doctor" kicks in and the breeze cools things down. Pick-up footy in the back yard is a ritual- I cannot say who is better, Vee or Davis but it is a blast to watch!
Lock up your daughters- Davis is going to the disco- the Fiesta Disco, ole!
Vee's Disco was a tamer affair, dress in red and green...she looked like such a young lady it was hard to let her out the door.
SWITCH-A-ROO
After a lot of consideration we are moving Vee from the International School over to the local public school. It will mean sacrificing a long summer break to Texas but, who knows how long we will be here and we cannot organize our time in Australia around three weeks of the year. Vee is excited and Davis is thrilled to have his sister back at his side. We will be able to walk to school and she will have loads more friends closer to home. We have found our local public school to be fantastic, plus it is a true Australian experience. Summer break starts in a week so Vee will bump up to the 4th grade in the "fall", February 3rd.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS
Because we fully planned on being in Texas for this Christmas we did not pack any decor from home. I have to admit NOT having to go to storage has been my secret Christmas wish, this year it came true! We purchased a tree through the school- it is a sad lopsided scotch pine, but it smells like the holidays and displays our homemade ornaments nicely. Most Aussie's have artificial trees, so a real tree is a treat. We spent the weekend stringing packing peanuts, fondly referred to as ghost poop- thank you Grandpa Ernie. Vee made paper chains and Kirk and Davis made the aluminum foil star. Its looking better but our crafting skills are being tested!
FOOTY ANYONE
In the photos you can see how green everything is. Plants that are shrubs at home are full grown trees here. I need to post a photo of the poinsettia tree down the street, it was blooming in July- AMAZING. During the day it is warm and the sun is really strong, but in the evening the Fremantle "Doctor" kicks in and the breeze cools things down. Pick-up footy in the back yard is a ritual- I cannot say who is better, Vee or Davis but it is a blast to watch!
THANKSGIVING RECAP
After our valiant attempt a Fourth of July dinner we knew better than to try and piece together a Thanksgiving spread. It can be done of course, but its summer....who wants turkey and stuffing?!? So after much deliberation and realization we cooked what we would have for a summer party: Kirk's famous smoked beef brisket, cowboy beans and cole slaw! We invited some Aussie friends over and blew their minds, drank cold beer and sat by the pool! It was a great way to give thanks for this amazing experience.
This week is crazy with Christmas parties for both kids and the office. I cannot say it really feels like Christmas because of the warm weather but we are getting there. Sadly, I do not think we will be able to pull off a "mailed" Christmas card or a CD....but keep an eye out, we are going to do our best.
Love all around!
Evangeline
After our valiant attempt a Fourth of July dinner we knew better than to try and piece together a Thanksgiving spread. It can be done of course, but its summer....who wants turkey and stuffing?!? So after much deliberation and realization we cooked what we would have for a summer party: Kirk's famous smoked beef brisket, cowboy beans and cole slaw! We invited some Aussie friends over and blew their minds, drank cold beer and sat by the pool! It was a great way to give thanks for this amazing experience.
This week is crazy with Christmas parties for both kids and the office. I cannot say it really feels like Christmas because of the warm weather but we are getting there. Sadly, I do not think we will be able to pull off a "mailed" Christmas card or a CD....but keep an eye out, we are going to do our best.
Love all around!
Evangeline
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)