Tuesday, December 20, 2011

It's beginning to look a lot like...

Christmas. Somehow, this year, I've had a pleasantly extended and not too frantic lead-up to Christmas. I'm visiting Brisbane for Christmas and so other than buying (yes, buying - shameful) a Christmas pudding, I haven't (yet) been involved in shopping for or baking seasonal food. Anyway, we'll have a small, very informal family lunch so there won't be too much fuss.

QVB Christmas tree

There's been a number of Christmas parties and gatherings which have all been pleasantly low-key and fun. Gatherings with knitters; parties at work including a yummy yum cha in Chinatown yesterday with my immediate work colleagues where we found lots of vegetarian and vegan friendly foods to enable everybody to participate; and the annual year's end party for the building I live in where the courtyard was magically lit with candles and lights in the shape of Christmas trees.

Watertower Christmas lights

And I've also caught up with old friends with whom I spend noche buena (on Christmas Eve) when I'm in in Sydney. We had a wonderful lunch of pumpkin and ricotta ravioli with fresh tomato sauce, salad, and cheese - all locally grown and produced courtesy of the Eveleigh produce markets, Veuve Cliquot I'd saved from my birthday, and pavlova with mango, berries and passionfruit sauce, courtesy of my guests.

Even though I'm going to be away for Christmas I did feel the need to make a nod in the direction of a Christmas tree. I bought some twisted willow and have hung it with the few Christmas decorations I kept when most of them migrated to my daughter's house.

Twisted willow Christmas decoration

This year I'm not knitting any gifts. Maybe that's added to the lack of stress. Whatever the reason, it's so far a very enjoyable Christmas season.

7 comments:

Rose Red said...

Yay for a lovely Christmas season for you! I am feeling a bit stressed, mostly because I haven't done much yet, apart from thinking about what I need to do. But that will change today, as I will be heading up to the shops soon!

Wishing you a very merry Christmas (hope there will be no BOTTLED salsa anywhere near your mouth this season!)

Anonymous said...

i love your tree! and the not knitting gifts does help a lot i think. hope you have a lovely time up there in brisvegas, and look forward to catching up again in the new year!

Lynne said...

Have a wonderful time with your family. It's so much nice when the lead up to Christmas is not stressful but fun!

jp said...

Sounds like a relaxed christmas season. Your tree is inspiredand elegant (as always).

But what I really want to know is...
How did the flash mob go?

LynS said...

The flashmob was rather sabotaged by our Director who called on us to perform. But we dressed in vaguely 'French' clothes - lots of striped t-shirts and berets and valiantly sang the UTS Model of Learning to the tune of Frere Jacques - in a two part round. Very Spicks and Specks. Well-received. I must admit it was great fun.

Brendaknits said...

Sounds like a relaxing season for you. Your willow Christmas tree is lovely.

1funkyknitwit said...

A bit of a delayed read up on my part on this post but I will say I love your tree, there is something pleasing about the simple. Probably because it is so easy to take down..lol It looks beautiful too :)
Merry Christmas Lyn and Iook forward to catching up with you for more knitty stuff :)