There was no boxing here on Boxing Day

I think I have only been to the Boxing Day Sales once and if my memory serves me correctly I went and sat in the car.  Funny how when the shops are closed for ONE DAY how people seem to go into madness and mayhem overdrive and go in the masses to the malls to push and shove and possible Box over something on sale.  

Not for me no siree!!  

Today was all about chilling out at home.  Hang on, don't I do that most days?  Well why stop doing something you enjoy I say!!  And I am extremely good at it to.

We have so many lovely fragrant flowers growing in the garden, so today I picked a small bunch of colourful perfume to go inside.  I also picked peas, strawberries and found one egg!  The elusive layers are still at it, I may have to go under cover and do some surveillance.

How pretty do they look in a little jug?

The girls are seriously being sneaky about the egg laying, they watch me watching them, and they follow me when I go looking, I know they are laughing on the inside!!

Loving my Pink Hydrangea.

Must get me a white one.

Look what Uncle Google told me.

What better way is there to end a day but with a nice cold Beer.  I thought they were Jaks as they were neatly stacked in our fridge getting nice and cold. 

Turns out they were his mates!  

Ooops!!  

Well if they are in my fridge they are mine aren't they? 

Now for a bit of good advice.

Christmas day went a little like this.

It started at a very leisurely time of the morning, roughly round 9am when our eldest Max arrived.  How I remember those early morning wake ups when the lads were wee and full of excitement about Santa, such great fun and good memories.  But now we get to lie in for longer and still enjoy the day but in such a different way, all good.

TOF cranked up the BBQ and cooked bacon, sausages and his favourite Tattie Bread, or Potato Bread for those that do not know what Tattie Bread is.  At our local Farmers Market there is the nicest Irish lady that my Irishman can purchase his Irish treats from.  His mother used to cook these for him, she has since handed me the cook book and that is the end of that story.  Bless you Irish lady at the Farmers Market saving me from attempting to cook as good as his mother.  Back to breakfast, all the BBQ stuff was joined with poached eggs, toast and hot drinks.

The one gift each gig worked really well and everyone was happy with the resulting gifts.  My gift-er was Max who labeled my gift with 'Old Gal' in marker pen because we are way flash in this house.  He got me a cook book I wanted, yes I know I say I don't cook but I can be inspired.  He also gave me some sterling silver hoop earrings which I have worn since getting them.  The gift on the left was from my sister Helen's boss and his wife.  Totally unexpected and truly appreciated.  This is because I take stock over to the beach for them when going to visit Helen.  Such lovely people, and as I said to them, delivering stock means spending time with one of my favourite people.

Max went home to kick back at his with mates, Jak kicked back on our couch with treats and booze, so TOF and I took the dogs out to Raglan.  Our NZ Christmas Trees are in full bloom everywhere out at the beach and looking spectacular. 

I want to be a Sea-gull,

I fancy flying over everything.

Imagine the view.

imagine the photos!!

Sheba and Astrix had a meet in the ocean.

 Oscar tried his very best to keep up with Sheba.

Those little legs let him down!

Sue and her hubby Joe and son Michael and their dogs met us on the beach.  It was overcast but warm and we chatted while the dogs ran in and out of the water.  I shared some bubbles with Sue, as you do and we ate Christmas Minces.  People were surf casting, swimming, walking, even BBQ-ing on the beach, it was marvelous to see so many people taking advantage of the outdoors.  Why wouldn't you, not a drop of snow in our hemisphere!!!

Borrowed photos taken by Sue W of us enjoying the beach.

Snapped!!!

Searching for treasure you may well think.  Actually it was Michaels wallet and phone, both fell out of his pocket, he found his phone in the drink but not his wallet.  Anyway, my mission when the op shops are back open is to find him a man bag, a bum bag, a fanny pack!!  I shall have to put a Willie the Waiter on it somewhere if he is to sue it tho', Michael ain't the man bag kinda guy!!  Sue thinks shorts with zips on his pockets might be an option, but the thing is, would he do the zips up?  Lets see, he is a male, hmmmmmm!!

 Dear old Max, the dog, not my Max, he is a bloke, not a dog!!

And of course when we get together

we make it a SuesDay,

and ham it up for the camera!!

We parted company with the Webbers, loaded our wet, sand laden dogs into the back seat of the truck.  Then we did our standard drive along Cliff Street which will mean nothing to you if you don't know Raglan but it is a street that runs along the edge of the harbor.  I fancy a place in this Street I do.  Heaps of people were having picnics, it was all so casual and relaxing and looking very stress free and enjoyable.  Not a pissed of face was to be seen.  The chilled out option to Christmas seems to be catching.

I nearly nodded off on the drive home, that is what fresh sea air does to me, lucky TOF didn't nod off until we were home.  While he recharged his battery (slept) I threw together desert. TOF had already cooked a leg of lamb and a chicken yesterday so dinner was pretty much sorted. Just roasted spuds and a salad to do which was done later on.  One of Max's old flat mates called in to visit and Max arrived too and some drinking happened.  Beerzies!!!

So our day started with a BBQ and finished with my home made pavlova.  The girls donated some of their eggs and the strawberries came from our garden, and believe me it was delicious!!!  I grated a crunchie bar on top as I didn't have a flake bar, this might be my new topping from now on.

Our little country celebrates Christmas in Summer so no snow down here for us.  I hope to experience a White Christmas one year, but in the mean time I.....

...put a Nordic Blonde through my hair, so this is my White Christmas for this year!!

(PS: Diana you can tell Marge)

Are you ready??

So in my part of world it is now Christmas Eve.

 

Preparations

for the festive season

in this house go a little like this.

 

This is a must and should be done daily even after the big day.

This way you have the very best time!

Make sure you have plenty of delicious supplies on hand.

This is essential!

So our gifts are under our tree

one each

because that is all we need.

What ever you end up doing, go to, and be with on the 25th, make sure you enjoy yourself.  If you don't then it is time to make a change because this day should be about being happy and relaxed.  I want to thank all you people out in Blog land that follow my blog, especially those who comment.  There was a fleeting moment where I nearly stopped, but I am glad I didn't. Life is too short, so laugh at yourself, not others, have an opinion, your own, and never be afraid to try something new.

The last word goes to......

It is only madness and mayhem if you subscribe to it.

This time of the year can bring out the worst in some people.  Just go for a drive and see how many times you nearly get cut off and/or hit!!  Unfortunately Christmas isn't always about giving and being kind to those around you.  A few years back this household opted out of the 'family' get together where you all get together and exchange gifts that you pretend you like from people you pretend to enjoy being with.  I am glad our Christmas is simple, with no expectations, hassles or pressures.  We chill out before, during and after Christmas, we just revel in being on holiday.

Today was TOFs birthday so after giving him his birthday parcel I cooked him Bacon and Eggs.  We faffed about most of the day at home in the garden.  The lads were here with dad when I went for my last Physio.  Yes I have been given the all clear and good to go, just keep up with my foot exercises and basically I am tickety boo and jogger foot free.

Down the back in our plum tree is a nest high up in the branches.  One baby was in the nest while the other was being ever so brave and sitting in a branch near the nest.

Mum bird was hovering about with food for her babies,

making noises to let them know she was near.

I keep finding new places the girls lay their eggs.  Yesterdays surprise was the tiny egg that had been laid.  I bet who ever laid it put as much effort into it as any other egg.  Does size really matter?  I still appreciated this tiny egg.

I called in on Dawn this morning as I was out her way.  The paddock next to their house was full of cows and two bulls.  They had a job to do, that is all I will say.

Such beautiful girls.

There is a pair of Swallows that have nested under the eaves but trying to get a good photo of them is difficult, they move about constantly.  Aggies are out in full bloom adding colour to the countryside.

Tonight TOF and I went for a drive in a neighborhood that goes all out with Christmas lights each year.  We parked the truck and went for a wander with every other Hamiltonian.

Some people go all out, some have smaller displays and then others do nothing.  We were laughing at the amount of houses up for sale, and decided they probably had to sell as they hadn't 'subscribed to the madness'.  Light up your house or leave!!

Fairy lights in their trillions all glittering away.

Inflatables seem to be all the rage.

It was lovely walking in the cool evening air.

Pimped up our selfie as we had no lights behind us.

Good advice!!

The best job and nicest boss ever.

So yesterday was my last day working at the Sign writers, and what a day, it was long.  I did 9 hours but everything is done for the year, their pays are all set up for the next four weeks, all the IRD things have been sorted, bills have been paid and set up to be paid, and all the invoices and statements went out.  I left knowing that things were indeed tidy and they can all go on holiday and not have to worry about any office thing at work.  It wasn't sad saying good bye as I know I have made some new friends and who knows I could end up back there if things change.

They gave me this lovely bunch of flowers and a thank you card.  As if I needed thanking, I loved working there.  I never once got up in the morning and thought, crap I have to go to work.  This was the best place I have ever worked  with a bunch of guys that just all got on, we had so many laughs.  In fact the night before the entire staff, partners and children went out for dinner, there was 17 of us and it was lovely.  So nice to meet the ladies that partner these guys.  They welcomed TOF and we had an enjoyable evening out with them all.

Before I left my lovely boss handed me an envelope and told me to open it at home.  Hugs all round and I was off.  When I got home this is what he had put in the envelope, $200!!!  How amazing is that?  I am employed by an agency who they have been paying so I didn't think I would get anything.  The flowers were more than enough.  So I phoned him and thanked him and said it was very generous and was he sure it wasn't too much.  He told me they had had a good year, it is Christmas and thanked me again.

This just proves that there are great jobs out there and awesome, generous and appreciative bosses.  So now it is time for me to kick back and enjoy the summer holidays (summer has yet to truly arrive but she will eventually) and think about getting another job in a few weeks.

Now just for a good laugh...

There are a lot of hilarious photos doing the rounds at the moment of people re in-acting a childhood photo so here is my attempt!!  

You should give it a go!!