Christmas at my place

Christmas with two is pretty quiet but we still got our Christmas spirit on.

We decorated the house and most importantly, to Mr Sparky, the tree was up and sparkling.

 

I managed a little Christmas crafting, something that has been planned for years and is now done.

Our city was brightened by poinciana trees in bloom.

To match the inside of our place.

Sweet Christmas time snacks were made for our work places and for some friends.

With rain around for days and days, Christmas Eve saw me out trying to get my Christmas wishes photo of pretty red flowers.

Christmas Eve saw carols on t.v and Mr Sparky working late. Gifts were wrapped and placed under the tree with care.

Christmas day dawned as close to sunny as it had been all week.

There were even other little friends out greeting the day.

The possible Christmas cyclone never came, instead preferring to drag its feet as a tropical low across the top of the Northern Territory. Some in the NT got plenty flooding rain and some way down south had devastating fires. My thoughts were of them this Christmas. 

Gifts were opened and tried out.

A roast chicken meal was cooked with mini pavlovas for dessert that were never eaten.

There were loose plans for visiting others that sleep took the place of instead.

There were phone calls and messages to family and friends.

It might have been quiet but it was a nice day, with just us two, enjoying each others company and relaxing.

How was your Christmas?

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from me to you.

I hope your day is wonderful, however it is spent.

Ours will probably be a fairly quiet one.

Glowing

The city was glowing last night.

We headed up to the Copperlode Dam lookout last night and the city had turned on some magic with sparkling and glowing lights. You could even spot people's Christmas lights from afar, adding extra lights and colour.

Way in the distance, along the coast, we could spot the top of the casino and a cruise ship in port.

It was so nice up there with a cool breeze but you could see the humidity reflecting the lights. 

It was a pretty popular idea to head up to the lookout last night. Not only was Mr Sparky there, who I managed to drag up the hill again, but so were many families who came up for the view.

To see the view of the fireworks that heralded the end of the city Carols by Candlelight. 

Mind you fireworks that were meant to be on at 8:30pm didn't start until after 9pm. Gotta love things running on 'Cairns time'.

It is things like this that get my Christmas excitement going. That little fuzz of Christmas excitement that starts small and fills your body with joy and happiness.

It was a great view, although a long way from the fireworks.

It was unforgettable too, not for the fireworks but because of that family beside us whose child had the need to empty the contents of their stomach and then had the very strong need to describe the contents while waiting for the fire works. Gotta love kids. It turns out they had been into the choc chip biccies.

I hope that little story didn't turn you off your food.

Other than that it was a perfect way to spend the evening.

I am still swinging up and down in my feelings about another Christmas away from family but this, this kind of thing helps a little with the cheer part of the season.

Do you love fireworks?

What brings you Christmas cheer?

Neither of us are even slightly organised Christmas wise and have yet to decide what to do. I guess we better decide on that soon. 

Don't you just love the repeated question 'what do you want for Christmas?' It is like a broken record.

We haven't really made any Christmas traditions together yet but that will come with time.

What are some traditions you have?

 Oh, my pet photo stint has lead to assisting with Santa photos close to where I live in the lead up to Christmas. I am excitied to have something else to do. I think I'm just printing photos but that is still fun.

I hope you are finding joy and cheer this silly season ... and a little bit of glow and sparkle.

Cairns from the lookout at night and during the day.

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Pops of Red

Cairns, my town, is turning red at the moment. 

It is just in time for Christmas with the perfect colours for this time of year.

Around this time last year the poincianas were putting on a real show. 

This year the show is a little half hearted. 

My guess is the weather hasn't quite been right.

These are exactly the same trees I recall taking photos of last year, in fact my post was only a day later than this one. Funny that, and it wasn't even planned.

Today I tried doing some photos for a Christmas card, using a decoration in the tree. 

I needed a shorter tree or one with flowers down low.

Ah well, another day.

These trees remind me of The Station where there was a large, old poinciana beside the house.

The house is gone now, with a new one being planned to be built. One day the poinciana will shade it too.

There was also one at the horse yards, picture perfect and shady.

 

These trees and their bright pops of colour are so cheerful.

Do you have anything red and green around your place?

How is your festive season looking?