...as it wooshes closer by the second and gathers momentum at unimaginable speed.
Several thoughts...
I have just responded to the Yarn Harlot's plea for donations to the great cause of Medecins Sans Frontieres/ Doctors Without Borders. This is as a gift to my Norris family for Christmas.
As Stephanie points out, none of us (those reading this blog) is without shelter, food or a choice of clothing, however badly off we might think we are in this materialistic Western World/ Lucky Country. Just by forgoing a few little luxuries we could save enough to make a real difference to someone's life. I believe MSF is a good way to do this as they have projects world wide and direct their help to the areas of greatest need at the time. As well they are all volunteers devoting their time and expertise and I applaud them.
With regard to gifts I have also been trying to make some this year, a bit of a struggle but I hope to get there on time! ( I may be knitting in the car on the way to Melbourne on Xmas morning!!!)
On the other hand I have enjoyed several Xmas celebrations - Our Staff night out this year at Cafe Silk in Pakington Street where we ate a variety of yummy things including Antipasto, Steak with porcini mushrooms, seafood ragout and rack of lamb. To follow we tried the desserts - summer pudding, chocolate almond torte, orange panna cotta and a deliciously presented "jam doughnut" parfait with berry liquer sauce.
The BREAST group had our annual Xmas breakfast on Sunday at Finnigan's Place. It was a perfect summer morning, as it has been for the last 3 years, and we looked over the bay as we ate our Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, juice and coffee. (well that was my choice anyway!).
After those indulgences I tried to redeem myself by attending with my father not one but two church services.
The Nine Lessons and Carols service at St Pauls in the afternoon - beautifully sung and a lovely mix of traditional and more unusual carols.
Then on to the Christ Church Nine Lessons and Carols in the evening. The organist Gary Cowling had worked hard with the choir and presented a very enjoyable program.
I did my singing for the year with gusto. A bit croaky today but I did enjoy the old carols and my father still manages to sing in harmony for a lot of the hymns.
This service originated at King's College Cambridge on Christmas Eve 1918. King's seen here in wintry (Xmas) splendour. It has since made its way around the world and is a wonderful introduction to the spirit of Christmas.
