It's been a busy two weeks but most of the activity has been down to lots to do at work which has meant quieter weekends.
Holidays are comin' but unlike back home when the nights turn midnight blue by the time the working day ends and there is snow and ice and temperatures drop so low that even our bones feel the cold. And the TV adverts show Santa at the North Pole or flying through a star crusted sky and drinks like hot chocolate and mulled wine warm the soul and log fireplaces and central heating keep out the cold.
Christmas this side of the World is about sunshine and salads, cold drinks and ice cream. There are bright colours and blue skies, sandals and skimpy dresses, sunburn and aircon. It's much more low key for us and whilst there was some shopping to be done it was pretty straightforward. I spent last Saturday afternoon setting up my wrapping work station and busied away taping and cutting and making bows. Those that know me know that I take my gift wrapping pretty seriously. Steve likes to tell people I even completed a course on it which makes it sound so much more than it really was! I did a half day craft workshop which was fun and I learnt some stuff but it's not exactly an accredited course!
Holidays are comin' but unlike back home when the nights turn midnight blue by the time the working day ends and there is snow and ice and temperatures drop so low that even our bones feel the cold. And the TV adverts show Santa at the North Pole or flying through a star crusted sky and drinks like hot chocolate and mulled wine warm the soul and log fireplaces and central heating keep out the cold.
Christmas this side of the World is about sunshine and salads, cold drinks and ice cream. There are bright colours and blue skies, sandals and skimpy dresses, sunburn and aircon. It's much more low key for us and whilst there was some shopping to be done it was pretty straightforward. I spent last Saturday afternoon setting up my wrapping work station and busied away taping and cutting and making bows. Those that know me know that I take my gift wrapping pretty seriously. Steve likes to tell people I even completed a course on it which makes it sound so much more than it really was! I did a half day craft workshop which was fun and I learnt some stuff but it's not exactly an accredited course!
This Friday was Christmas party day for both Steve and I at hosted by our respective employers. Steve spent his at the National Gallery Victoria and I was with EnergyAustralia at a function centre just outside of the city. My employer knows how to throw a good party - that definitely has to be said. There was free flowing drink, an antipasto bar with huge wheels of cheese and legs of prosciutto, a hot dog stand, dumpling corner and pizza deliveries! There were singers and dancers and a runner up from Australian Idol did a set. I didn't really know who she was, Jessica Mauboy, but apparently a pretty big deal so I'll go with it! She upped the party ante for sure and there was a lot of dancing. You can see the pretty ladies I work with and the theme was glamour so we fit in well.
Saturday morning and a parcel arrived. From party times to melancholy and tears as I read notes from my dearest sister and cousins as they share their special moments from 2012 with me through photos.
Steve has done special things with lamb for weekend dinners recently. We had his special Parmesan, sundried tomato and olive crusted rack of lamb with beans and pine nuts and roasted potatoes. Always a winner. This weekend he roasted a lamb shoulder all afternoon which we had in sandwiches. I went Asian style with coriander and chilli and a Thai dressing and he went with goat's cheese and caramelised onion. So delicious!
On Saturday, Steve and I met up with Karly and Cam in South Melbourne for brunch / lunch. They were very sympathetic to our party hangovers from the night before and waited patiently for us. And thanks to them we actually had a purpose and reason to leave the apartment and get some fresh air and sunshine otherwise I think we'd have festered indoors all day!
Here is super cute Indy in her Christmas frock. She is the most well behaved baby ever. She happily sat in my arms all still and quiet for a good half an hour before she got a red face and tried to do a poo at which point I gave her back to her daddy!
Here is super cute Indy in her Christmas frock. She is the most well behaved baby ever. She happily sat in my arms all still and quiet for a good half an hour before she got a red face and tried to do a poo at which point I gave her back to her daddy!
Today Steve and I caught up with Stef and we had a super seafood Sunday and a gift exchange. Perfect Sunday afternoon what with presents and sunshine as well as delicious food.
And I leave you with two beautiful pictures of the delightful AG (Amelia Grace) or Asian Graeme as she is also known as!
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