It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas

Well, not really in the traditional sense of cold and snow. We are having very temperamental rain and wind today and for the next couple of days as a low front moves in. According to the TV weatherman, Jim, we are experiencing "a anti-cyclone" off the Tassie (that's Tasman Sea). All I know is that we are in the Public Library (yes, I have a flash new library card), it is raining and Jon is in the cookbook selection while I am at the computer blogging to all of you.

It is Christmas-like with the carols in the Cathedral and the few Christmas trees and some of the music we here in the department stores and on the public buses. Yes, we are riding the buses, and frankly, loving, well enjoying it. You meet alot of interesting people on the bus and so many of the drivers are as nice as can be, and our stress level at finding our way around the town is so much better than last year's experience. Jon actually can relax and gawk out the window while we travel. I'm off task here, but will tell you all about the public transportation later.

We just came from Farmer's (local dept. store) where we bought sport socks for each other for Christmas! We went all out this year. It seems that we are wearing out our walking socks, with our daily treks around the park and our walking back and forth to catch the bus!

Electricity is very expensive here (another Public service I will write about later) and so we are not seeing alot of Christmas trees with lights on them or yards with Christmas light displays. We attended a concert in the Christ Church Cathedral last week and that was glorious. The concert was by the senior choir and brass orchestra. They were excellent and to stand and sing Christmas carols with them in the Cathedral with the acoustics and the large pipe organ was very exciting. We certainly could have done with one of Rebekah's Christmas programs, but have heard that Jeremy did an excellent job at Grace this year.

The food is another part of the Christmas tradition here. We have found that the best fruit mince tarts are at the Copenhagen Bakery, the best shortbread is there too (Jan Herman's excluded) and that the best Christmas cake/pudding is at the Backstage Cafe. They have a Dutch baker there and he is very interesting and we have enjoyed talking with him about his recipes.
For Christmas dinner this year we are going to have a roast lamb (close your eyes Joycey K), minted new potatoes, fresh asparagus and of course pavlova for dessert with FRESH cherries, strawberries and kiwi fruit. It is so hard to get used to seeing new fresh produce in season for Christmas. We keep forgetting that we are in the middle or beginning of summer here.
I have been enjoying the fresh produce and our apt. has a community veg garden. I've harvested a couple meals of fresh NZ broadbeans (similiar to limas) and several meals of silver beet (swiss chard). I planted some basil and a tomato plant last week, we are nuturing strawberries, green or spring onions, lemons, rhubarb and various other herbs. It's really fun to go to the farmer's market, pick up fresh produce and then come home and pluck fresh herbs from the garden to supplement our "market find". Just like summer at home!
I'm going to attach (hopefully) a couple of pictures to this blog so you can get an idea of the "spirit" of Christchurch during the holiday season. The Cathedral tree is much prettier than my picture, and the trolley's have wreaths and tinsel trim on them!
Birthday greetings this month to aunties Nadya and Leigh, and friend Wayne. Congrats go to Aunt Debbie and Uncle Dennis on 2 new grandbabies (boy & girl)in less than 2 months!!!!

Our Christmas wishes and the heartfelt spirit of the season to all of you. Though we are far away, we wish for all of you the love and grace of our sweet and precious baby Jesus. Jesus really is the reason for this season of celebration.

We are happy and healthy and so very grateful to be here.
Christmas love to all,
Jon and Joyce