Christmas 2013 Queenstown, New Zealand

Who would have ever imagined how many Xmas and New Year Celebrations we have enjoyed in this wonderful place on the planet earth!!!

1990 we celebrated Xmas at the Hermitage Lodge at Mount Cook.  There was SNOW and it was cold.  The Christmas tree was a REAL PINE TREE.  Instead of lights it was decorated with colorful balloons!  The Christmas Fairies passed out Lolly's and we sang carols.  Karyn and Michael had packed a small artificial tree and decorations inside a suit case so we could have a tree inside our room!   Talk about innocent, simple magic.  We had a Christmas I will forever remember.

Now, all these years later we still put up a tree, decorate the house, invite friends in for food and laughter.  Watch the Christmas Gala for the Royal Family in England, then a movie.  This year Channel One broadcast a wonderful film:  Bucket List.  Last year it was the original Sound of Music.  Year before that was Willy Wonkers and the Chocolate Factory... every year they choose a good flick.

I hope these photos down load properly.  First one will be my snacks before dinner.  Second the Nativity we have arranged on a beautiful wooden table.  Third one of my favorite decorations in the world.  SHE IS MY MUSICAL ANGEL!  If I could I would take her every where I wander.  Fourth the dining room table and last of all my perfect home made bread I had just taken out of the oven for the meal.  Dinner was baked ham with a pineapple glaze, new boiled baby potatoes from the garden topped with real butter and fresh parsley a carrot raisin salad, then a gorgeous garden green salad all natural items from our land lady's garden... and my warm bread with lashings of sweet butter and cherry jam.
We topped it off with a very KIWI TRADITIONAL DESSERT.  Pavlova.  Real whipped cream and mountains of fresh raspberries!

We did miss having some friends with us that have crossed over, but they were here in spirit.  Best gift: we are able to enjoy and even find excitement at this time of year.  NO GIFTS WERE EXCHANGED THIS YEAR!  I LOVED IT.  NO STRESS, NO CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT IF THEY WON'T LIKE THIS?  Alas!  a card and money always save the day!