Because Christmas is not polite enough to fall on the same day of the week each year, I am Always mixed up. I need continuity. Without a TV or radio to remind me of the day – a muddle happens. Two of my children are on my side of the globe but three of my children and their loved ones celebrate Christmas in another hemisphere (or is it me who is in the other hemisphere), they get Christmas the day before I do. And sometimes I have to think terribly hard to keep up.
I am not a christmassy person, (here is why) I have no decorations up, no tree, I send presents in the mail for the wee children, nothing more than that. I bought John a special hoe and I am not telling you what I bought The Matriarch because she is one of The Fellowship and I don’t want to spoil the surprise (but I told everyone NOT to get me anything at all – I say this every year – I cannot bear money being spent because people feel they have to) but my main focus is to make sure I get the timing right for the phone calls to all five of my children – to wish them Happy blah blah blah, glad they are with people who LOVE christmas and get off the phone again before I say something awful or Weep. But I love to hear their voices. 
However it seems to me that today is Christmas Eve here in my neck of the woods and so Merry Christmas to those of you who are celebrating Christmas Day on the beach in the other neck of the woods.
I hope you have a gorgeous day.
Focus is over-rated I think. 
Good morning. I hope you are going to have a glorious day. Christmas Eve or Christmas Day or just Ordinary. Every day deserves to be as glorious.
Love your friend on the farmy
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
63 responses to “Christmas Eve/Day”
I was going to save you until I’d finished all I have to do… but couldn’t wait. You have such immense and glorious skies; this run of pics is wonderful. But, oh, it can be really hard time of year, but, but… there’s also something special about it. So I am focussing on the special, and trying hard to come at it with the best perspective for my son. So, am baking and putting up lights, and wrapping gifts, and missing all my family, who are mostly no longer with us, or far away. Sending you, Celi, your family, and all the Farmy Fellowship, whose company I enjoy so much (although I don’t often contribute from my shy Glasgow corner), the sort of Christmas you want and need! x
Already Christmas here, already hot. It’s early, barely 6oc but I could hear the family next door up and opening presents when I went to feed the chooks. it was lovely to hear their laughter and the little girl squealing with excitement. First there’ll be dog walking…can’t miss out on that….. then I’m off to breakfast and present opening, mostly little things we’ve made each other, then later out to do some ‘dropping in’ whenever I feel like it. My children and grandchildren are far away so voices only. I’m looking forward to pleasing myself how this day goes. Love and light to all however you spend the day. xxx
Darling Celi: hate to tell you you are not the only Grinch in the universe! Yesterday was ‘party time’ as will tomorrow be . . . today is mine, all mine and for quite some years I have loved it so . . . it is a day of reflection and nature and memories of days past for much the same reasons as yours . . . these are the hours and days in my [hi]story during which I live in utter peace with myself . . . . love . . .
We’re not Grinchy about it, but we don’t give gifts to each other at Christmas. We make it the occasion of a large donation to Aussie Helpers, which provides feed, fuel and grocery vouchers to farmers doing it tough in outback Australia, after 6 years of declared drought. If we can prevent a farm or two being repossessed, and keep a farmer or two from the tragedy of suicide, our Christmas job is done. Our families know we don’t accept gifts, and instead make donations to either the Salvation Army or the St Vincent de Paul Society. It makes for a stressless, wasteless and constructive Christmas season! Tonight the immediate clan descends on Chiconia and we will feast and laugh and celebrate the excuse to get together and talk about our year. Stay warm, stay well, stay happy, dear Celi and warm seasonal greetings to all the Farmy Fellowship from hot, dry north Queensland.
Amen Kate! Agree a thousand per cent!! Have a fun filled and happy evening!!
And you too!
absolutely splendid.. farming in the outback is such a tough choice.. thank you and yours for giving what you can.. c
These guys feed us, it’s time to give back, and do it properly. It’s our pleasure to try and make a small difference in a hard world.
The Farmy has a particularly festive feel in the photos today. Blessings to you and yours, C.
a’ite Grinchy. How ’bout you come up with a lipstick color and call it “Grinch.” It can’t be green … too easy. You need something non festive that pairs with a nice Champagne.
OK. Well now I feel this little “niggle” to go on an absolute mission to make sure that next year’s Christmas is your BEST Christmas EVER! LOL