28
Mar
2010
Even though we are rich and famous, I still think about the small things. Like why I love London.
So, in case you missed it, we recently became very famous and embarrassingly wealthy after a guest post on Mia Freedman’s wonderful blog, http://www.mamamia.com.au/ . The post was about making friends in a new place and was fairly cynical in tone. I know – shocking. Anyway, in the subsequent comments amongst all the lovely and amusing ones, someone suggested we had very bad attitudes and we should be more positive and we’d probably have more luck finding friends. Frankly, I’m not sure – I’m quite bossy and Jacqui is mildly annoying – but there’s always hope I spose. In the same vein someone else suggested that maybe we should be more appreciative of the life we are leading. Basically everyone hated us. Or maybe that was just our husbands commenting.
24
Dec
2009
Nativity Scene and Pine Trees
Christmas Tree
We may have laboured the Christmas theme a bit but I wanted to:
a. Have the last word on it and be able to sign off before holidays saying “Merry Christmas”.
b. Show you my nativity scene and Christmas tree (the true artistic genius of which I think may not been captured in these photos) and
c. Write a post with bullet points/an itemised list so that I could demonstrate that while I may never surpass Kate in the lists department, I too can throw an alphabetised list together when necessary.
So, how good is my tree? One might say it represents my understated style. Certainly I do. To anyone that will listen.
And my nativity scene — sure, I am not sure how many stocky, short dairy cows there were in Bethlehem in those days. I’ll admit they look a bit incongruous next to the desert palm tree.
Nativity Scene
Right. I’m off to glaze a ham, which is carrying more than the usual pressure as I am representing the British and Commonwealth’s traditional Christmas dinner to the Spanish family.
9
Dec
2009
An Expat Christmas
Christmas time is when expats often miss home the most. Australians at home might take this opportunity to count their blessings and appreciate being home with family. Or perhaps not. Perhaps you are filled with envy and wish that you too were separated from your family by a 22 hour flight and thousands of miles of ocean on Christmas Day.
For Kate and me, Christmas abroad and with our husbands’ families, the festive season, as for everyone, has its highs and lows. Here we each share ours with you.
Kate’s London Christmas:
Brussel sprouts – those horrible green balls that feature on every mother’s threat list, pretty much sum up Christmas in England for me. They have these on Christmas Day. On purpose. They also have weird mini sausages wrapped in bacon. Not on the barbecue as some homage to their colonial cousins – no, just because well, it’s Christmas. And then there is the hideous sounding three bird roast. Chicken, goose and turkey. All in one. Yes, I realise that conjures up odd visions of a freakish looking giant bird with three heads (is that just me?) but it’s actually a supermarket creation – quelle surprise.
