'Tis the season .. to make memories at Christmas

I have always loved Christmas with its sights sounds and smells .. bright lights, colourful decorations and the fragrances that make up memories of Christmas times' past.  Growing up with the Australian bush at our back door, the smells of Christmas featured earthy yet spicy aromas of eucalyptus trees in the brilliant heat of an Australian summer. 

Our Christmas tree was a branch from a row of radiata pines planted by my grandmother.  The spicy smell of the resin from the pine is quintessentially Christmas for me.

But the joy of celebrating Christmas is that we can create new memories for ourselves and loved ones.  It doesn't need to be expensive.  What wealth there is in one rose filled with hundreds of petals.  And being surrounded by the fragrance of heirloom roses blooming in the heat of December is an opportunity to build new memories for our grandchildren.

New traditions;  An Australian native casuarina pine as our Christmas tree;  Long lunches groaning with fresh Australian seafood and salads;  Cold plum pudding with cool, creamy custard.  And after all the day's excitement, a relaxing evening walk in the garden with Pop trialling new 'child-sized' watering cans left under the Christmas tree.    

And new games to learn; like smelling and sniffing the roses .. before plucking the petals and tossing them in the air laughing and giggling.  This last trick taught by a mischievous uncle!  

And enjoying the riches of simple moments in simple surroundings creating life-long memories for another generation.  Even if families are separated by miles, laughter and fun can still be shared with the magic of today's technologies.

Oh, the joy of celebrating Christmas .. 

Merry Christmas !!