Hello luvs! I’m writing to you by the light of my Christmas tree, sipping ginger berry tea and listening to the frogs outside. I know Christmas is long gone, but I was so sick over the holidays that I didn’t get to put my tree up until Christmas Day, so I’m breaking all holiday rules and keeping it up for as long as I like. 🙂
Although I’d never choose to be sick over the holidays, it did guarantee me my wish of a quiet Christmas. It was really nice to have time to curl up with old movies from the library, read more from the endlessly interesting “At Home” by Bill Bryson, and listen to Old Time Radio mysteries while playing solitaire.
Bear took good care of me and when I had stronger moments would take me for drives in the gorgeous countryside. From my comfy seat on the passenger side we explored side roads and small country towns, discovering whole fields of cheery sunflowers and tidy little farmsteads. I loved it. One night he took me to a nearby town and drove around showing me wonderfully gaudy Christmas lights while we nibbled on pretzels and dark chocolate and sang along to Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.
One of my favorite holiday memories is from Christmas Day. Bear and I donned our wellies, called Fletcher (the lovely Belgian Shepherd who keeps me safe) and went for a Christmas Bush Walk.
The weather was perfect, gorgeous blue sky and brilliant sunshine with cool breezes rustling through the gum trees.
The meadows abounded with wildflowers and as we strode through the tall grasses we startled more than a few kangaroos and wallabies having their afternoon naps. It was grand fun to see them bounding along only a few feet ahead of us.
We found all sorts of interesting thing on our bush walk:
A tree struck by lightning, its hollow trunk providing a cozy nest for various creatures.
The old grave of an unknown settler.
And a nearly perfect circle of trees we dubbed The Sacred Grove.
One day soon I’m going to go out there again with a blanket, my journal and Fletcher for some peaceful reflection and maybe a nap.
Now, dear ones, tell me all about YOUR holidays! 🙂 What is your favorite memory?
Hope you’re feeling better, Krista! I love Bill Bryson’s At Home – that man knows everything! Looks like a gorgeous walk. Enjoy your journal and blanket time 🙂 My favorite memory from the holidays is making little felt stockings with Youngest Brother for all the family and opening them together on Christmas Morning 🙂
I am, darling, thank you. 🙂 I’m SO glad you recommended that book to me. I am enjoying it so much. Now I’m chock full of all sorts of useless information. 🙂 I love that you made felt stockings!! I hope you’ll post pictures soon. 😉
Wow – those are some serious light displays! Happy New Year!! =)
Aren’t they fun, Andrea? I was rather impressed with our small town displays. 🙂 Happy New Year to you!
Beautiful photos! Love the pasture scenes.
Thank you, William. 🙂 Those are my favorite too. So lush and peaceful. 🙂
It is certainly not fun to be sick over the holidays, or anytime for that matter. Get better soon and keep on sharing in 2012. I love to hear about your life downunder.
Thank you, dear Val. 🙂 I’m doing much better now. A VERY Happy New Year to you!
So sorry to hear you were ill Sweets. Hope it was nothing too serious. Your images are GORGEOUS!
I’ve never read Bill Brysons At Home, so off to check it out now. Here’s wishing you health and happiness and that you be intoxicated with love this 2012 xx
Thank you, luv. It was pretty bad but we’re figuring things out and I’m getting stronger again each day. 🙂 XO Thank you for such wonderful wishes!
Loving your Australia posts, Krista! I well remember the variety of “Christmas tree” shapes and Christmas light displays! When I was a kid we could drive around and play “guess what this is!” I get teary-eyed from your posts more times than I’d like to admit. Still an Aussie at heart, dear Krista, especially at this time of the year …
Oh Vaila, I could hug you so tight. 🙂 I love your Australia so very, very much and promise to keep posting pictures for you. You share my Canada with me and I’ll record your Oz for you. 🙂 XO
You live in a beautiful place! It looks wonderful!
I’m so glad you love it too, dear Zita. 🙂
Krista, this was absolutely precious to walk through that lovely land with you! Your photos are gorgeous… I miss the frog song(see my blog) I am so sorry you have not been well and will pray exuberance returns to you and much needed strength … Good that Bear and Fletcher can give you sweet companionship. How wonderful you could take a hike with them. Be rested, be strong.
My favourite memory of this Christmas was simply the presence of friends and loved ones… two of our three children were home and we had a lovely peaceful,and holy Christmas celebrating God’s precious gift to us through His Son. We had hikes and healthy meals, song and laughter… and just each others’ presence. A real joy! Also, news of my daughter in SA is always sweet
http://addingjoyandlaughter.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-season-fun.html
much much love dear friend
My dear Susan, your Christmas sounds absolutely wonderful. 🙂 SUCH good memories you have. 🙂 Thank you for the blog links. Now that I’m feeling betterish I can get back to reading your posts again and I can’t wait. You ALWAYS inspire me. 🙂 xo
What a beautiful post, Krista. Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring photos with us and a few of your favorite memories. Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year!
Thank you, dear Faith! I’m so glad you like them. 🙂 Very Happy New Year to you too! xo
love this!! so glad you are better, but it sounds like you were able to just curl up and relax a bit, and that is lovely! merry christmas 🙂 darci
I really was lovely, dear Darci. 🙂 At first I was so disappointed, but then I put my Big Girl Pants On and decided to enjoy every bit that I could. It made all the difference. 🙂 xo
Oh my Krista, I just loved this entire post! Happiest of New Year to you and I wish you many travel opportunities. Vickie
Thank you so much, Vickie! 🙂 I hope our travel opportunities will allow us our paths to cross soon. 🙂
Your photos are consistently edifying, Krista! I can still see you wrapped in blankets on your brother’s couch in Amsterdam… was that last year, or the year before? I know this past year I have not been around, and as I have said, I am working at changing that. I get so much from your work.
🙂
Valerie
Happy 2012
Xo
Thank you so very much, Valerie! You are so kind and encouraging. 🙂 Amsterdam was this Fall so you aren’t far off at all. 🙂 No worries about not being around much. I know you’ve had heaps of very important and time-consuming things on your plate. But I’m very happy to know you’ll be around more! 🙂 Happy New Year to you!
i love the christmas baubles & good to know you’re breaking rules 🙂 wishing you a fabulous new year !! always look forward to your pictures….they put a smile on my face
Krista, I am nominating you for the Kreativ Award… check out http://thefisherlady.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-favourite-things-blessed-by.html
I am so glad you fit some cozy moments into Christmas even when sick… I know what you mean about how it’s sometimes “good” to be a bit sick so you slow down…although very sick, or sick on Christmas is never, ever good! Hope you are feeling 100% so you can get out there again in the beautiful colors! Happy New Year:):)
What a beautiful way to spend part of Christmas, Krista! Such beautiful photographs, the colors of the balls are stunning! That said..I’m so sorry you were sick (I got sick New Years Eve, but not from drinking…food poisoning the day befoe!) and I hope you’re feeling better! What a change from about 8 mos ago to now, and I’m so happy for all the love, experiences, sense of safety and freedom you’ve shown us since *hugs* Wishing you the BEST 2012 – full of more travel, love, health, happiness and laughter!
Happy New Year Krista! 😀 I had a great time at home! It sounds strange but as I travel so much I loved the idea of being home and cooking and baking 😀
Hope you’re feeling better now – it’s no fun being ill over the holidays… Love all the wood panelling in your house – and gorgeous pics as always. Such an interesting walk!!
Hope you’re feeling better now – it’s no fun being ill over the holidays… Love all the wood panelling in your house – and gorgeous pics as always. Such an interesting walk!!