Friday, December 24, 2010

CHRISTMAS IS A TIME TO LOVE!

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!!
MAXMOM here...

‘Tis the day before Christmas and everything in our household seems calm, peaceful and prepared! I suspect that the next couple of hours will send our city into an unprecedented shopping frenzy, as folk try to procure that last minute, special gift for a loved one. I am staying clear of the shops!

The sun has risen and the day looks beautiful.

As to be expected, we don’t have any snow here.
(anyone want to join us?)
 We do however have beautiful skies which are dotted with fluffy grey clouds and the promise of thunderstorms. The environment is adorned with green foliage, pretty flowers, a chorus of twittering birds and an anticipatory household. Everything looks festive (in a natural kind of way).

 I had some manual help in the garden yesterday, so our garden is singing out an invitation to the small gathering of people at our home tomorrow.

Both “King Toffee” and Toby received a “Christmas” bath yesterday whilst ‘Aunt Tam’ was granted reprieve. Toffee was more than happy to oblige the summer haircut and the pampering which followed. He looks delightful and very cuddly!

Toby however put up great resistance to the event and this resulted an in an entire transformation of our bathroom into an indoor swimming pool. Thankfully I’d donned my bathing suite at the time and joined him in the confined space where desperate yelps echoed across the roof panels of our home.
He has discovered some brand new forms of communication so a mothering ‘Aunt Tam’ moaned pitifully outside the bathroom door, while I tried to finish the job as soon as possible. Thankfully both of us came away relatively unscathed and it wasn’t long before he was back in the swimming pool again. Oh dear!

He looks beautiful and fluffy this morning however and I couldn’t help but invite him up onto our bed. Sometimes he’s simply irresitable! He looks so much like Max that I often thing I should have called him “DITTO”. But he’s “TOBY” and will stay that way....I hope ?

I’ve been buzzing around my house in preparation for tomorrow.
It’s tidy now...Whew!
(Wiping the perspiration off my forehead).
The Gammon is currently on the stove and the salads are being prepared.

We have decided to do the typical South African thing for Christmas this year -  which is to reap our good weather . So we will be celebrating Christmas outside with a “Braai” and a small gathering of close family.

There are various kebabs on offer too and a numerous salads too. If there is still space in people’s bellies after the Champagne and nibbles, they can enjoy some light Jelly and custard. Nibbles include Christmas cake, Christmas mince pies, nuts, caramel popcorn, biltong (beef jerky) and so much more! I’m already salivating!



The Christmas Tree looks less bare now and is advertising some interesting looking gifts as its lights flicker out their seasonal spirit.

We will be taking Christmas really casually this year, so we haven’t as yet decided when we’ll ‘open presents’. Perhaps it’ll be this evening, perhaps tomorrow evening. Since there are no small children around, there seems to be a general, light-hearted challenge emerging amongst us all:
”Let’s see how long we can wait!?”
 Either way, our focus is on each other and to enjoy the fellowship which that the season has to offer.

So to all my beautiful cyber-friends around the world:

Thank you for being such wonderful folk and for sharing your lives with us all. I want to wish you all a magical Christmas. May your day be filled with love and companionship. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing remember to simply enjoy the day with the firm knowledge that there are friends around the world who hold you – dearly - in their hearts!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
With lotsaluv...

31 comments:

The Life of Riley said...

Have a wonderful Christmas Day.

Love from
Riley and his mum

Angus said...

Calm, peaceful and prepared ? Not words I would use to describe the rickety old farmhouse now the gannets have returned.

Toffee as always looks wonderful.

Molly the Airedale said...

Have a wonderful Christmas - all of you! We treasure your friendship!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Cocorue said...

A wonderful Christmas to you Caryl and your family

love you lots Toffee, Tammy, Toby
coco and tiffy

kks said...

and a very beautiful christmas to all of you...
xoxox

Dexter said...

Have a wonderful holiday!

Slobbers,
Mango

Anonymous said...

It sounds most festive at your house. I hope you all have the very merriest Christmas that ever was! (Oh, and tell Toby I'm sorry about the...you know...B.A.T.H.)

Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie

Milo and Alfie Marshall said...

Greetings at Christmas to yoo ALL ~ may you have friends at your fire, blessings in your home, and joy in your heart. Merry Christmas dear friends.

We are remembering MaxDog with love. We think believe he is with you in spirit. RIP sweet Max.

Unknown said...

Merry Christmas to all! We met some South Africans on the beach yesterday and told them all about our "good friends in South Africa." They probably would be shocked to learn we've never actually met! But dear friends nonetheless!

Happy holidays from Jane and Petey

Kari said...

Thank you for sharing little Toby, the family and your beautiful country with us. God bless you. A joyous Christmas to all. ( Can't wait to see Toby with his gifts!) We know Max's presence will be strong.

Mrs. JP said...

Isn't that funny? Hates a bath, loves a swim. Toby is so complex! LOL.
Have a wonderful Christmas from all of us in the holler.

George The Lad said...

Its nice to see some sun shine.
Have a Great Christmas to all your family
Catch up with you soon
George and Jan xxx

Nubbin' Tails said...

We would love sun for xmas. We will see what happens here in Colorado. I crawled in bed with mom and dad this morning, that's the best!

Wags!

Mr. Nubbin'

verobirdie said...

Funny that a dog that likes water does not like a shower :-)
Merry Christmas to the whole family!

Ina in Alaska said...

Merry Christmas to YOU ALL from the land full of snow!! The snow is so beautiful, it looks like diamonds are sparkling on its surface...

Got your lovely Christmas card yesterday, brought such a smile to my heart! ....thank you so very much.... and we will toast all of you this evening with Champagne. Looks like a wonderful Christmas in South Africa.... From Alaska to South Africa, love you lots!!! xoxoxo

♥I am Holly♥ said...

We wish you and your family and wonderful and very Merry Christmas! Lots of love, Holly and mom

Pip said...

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Anonymous said...

Hope you have a Great Christmas! Its sunny here, too. I WISH we had snow :-(

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Happy HOWLidays to ALL!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra and Her Golden Khousins Merdie and Harley

How Sam Sees It said...

What a beautiful post! We hope you all have a very nice Christmas!

Sam

Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu said...

Wishing all of you a Very Merry Christmas!

sprinkles said...

May you and your family have the merriest of Christmas'!

Anonymous said...

Dearest MaxMom and Family!

Sounds like you are having a wonderful time with family, friends and furiends!

We hope that you and your family ALL have a Very Merry Christmas!

Have a Happy New Year too!

woo woos, Tessa

MySpecialDoggies said...

Dear Caryl
Wishing you a Blessed Christmas too!

Neeli can't believe that Toby doesn't like baths!!!

And once again, if you want to trade weather with us experiencing 0 degrees C, it's a deal!

Love & woofs
Nadine & Neeli
Angel doggie Apples (1994-2010)

Two French Bulldogs said...

Oh Toby we love seeing you and Auntie playing
Happee Merry Christmas
Benny & Lily

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Your Christmas sounds festive,,
fun,, happy and loving..
We hold you close in our hearts as you celebrate Christmas on your half of the world..
Merry Christmas
love
tweedles

Jacqueline said...

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas filled with love and joy, precious friends!

Unknown said...

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

ZOOLATRY said...

Dear Caryl and Les, we wish you and yours the very merriest of Christmas time, a day filled with love, joy, peace and friendship.
Thank you so much for your lovely card and the very special note written inside... we are blessed to share our daily lives and our love of animals with friends such as you. May your new year bring all good things...
Merry Christmas from the Zoolatry Girls, Maggy and Zoey... and Ann

Clive said...

Merry Christmas from all the gang here in Dublin!

We hope you all had a lovely day!

with best wishes
Clive and Murray

Scout and Freyja said...

What a beautiful day in preparation for the 'big' event!

Each and every time I see Toby and Tammy playing I see such joy and love between the two of them. Their relationship is idyllic. Our world should be filled with humans who have their happiness, affection and caring for each other. That is my Christmas wish...