Need Help...

Grant has to do a report on a Traditional Australian Christmas.  For extra credit he can bring in a dish that is traditional to share with his classmates.  It seems to me in the little I have researched the Australians either one: Share in the English Traditions at Christmas time or two: They go to the beach or go camping because it is a long weekend and it is summer time there.  If you know of an "traditional" Australian Christmas dishes, could you email them to me.  I appreciate your help!

Random Thoughts by Me!

~As I was getting dressed today in my Arizona Winter Finest, Jeans, pretty new green sweater and my flip flops, I thought. "Ah today Arizona is good cause it is December, it is kind of chilly (like 50 when I took the kids to school at 7:30) and I can still wear my flip flops. Now I would much rather spend the Holiday season trudging around in boots and a coat ~not zipped up if you know me at all, and oh and I probably don't have socks on inside the boots. Just ask Bill's folks, they used to borrow me socks when I would come over and hang out cause I never had any on. :-) But for today I am happy to be in my jeans and flip flops.

~Not all children like Gingersnap cookies from a box. It was James' turn to bring snack for school today and he asked for gingerbread man. Well, we can't bring homemade things into our schools here and all I could find at the store were above said cookies. Most of the kids took one bite, turned up their noses and chose not to finish their snack. James on the other hand went...Yummy mommy those were great! Can you buy me more?

~Bill wrapped some gifts last night and put them under the tree. This NEVER happens. He likes to be the last one to bring out his offerings. I guess he decided they are "safer" under the tree wrapped then "hidden" somewhere for me, err the kids, to find. Now if only I could remember Betsy Alexander's techniques for rewrapping her Christmas gifts. :-)

Happy December!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

I love wrapping gifts, so I would rather put things in a box and wrap it up!

2. Real tree or Artificial?

The artificial-pre-lit tree is up,

but I would prefer tromping through the Montana snow to cut our own!
3. When do you put up the tree?

Last year I didn't put up a tree because we were traveling,

and this year it went up Monday night after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take the tree down?

I like to keep it up until New Year's Day then take it down.

If you don't even put one up you don't have anything to clean up.
5. Do you like egg nog?

Yum!Yum! I like making Egg Nog French Toast and Pancakes too!

(just substitue egg nog for the milk)
6. Favorite gift received as a child?

The set of Twin "cabbage patch dolls" my mom made me. One was a boy and one was a girl.
7. Do you have a nativity scene?

I have not found one that I just LOVE yet!

I do have a Precious Moment Ornament that is Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.
8. Hardest person to buy for?

Our Parents. I like to give them gifts with meaning

so I put a lot of thought and time and effort into their gifts.
9. Easiest person to buy for?

Bill! I usually have a list bigger than a budget

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

In the last couple of years neither! HaHa! I do have plans for Christmas cards this year, they have been started, but I don't know if I will finish them. I have really good intention!
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

I really can't think of one. I guess I truly believe it is the thought that counts. I do remember that a family friend one time made some Christmas goodies for us. She was a dear sweet lady and she smoked. All the food tasted like cigarette smoke. But again the thought that counts.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

White Christmas hands down!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

All year! I like to be done 2 weeks before Christmas so we can enjoy the season.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

I don't think so...
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

I love Bill's families tradition for having plates full of goodies while opening presents.
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?

One of our trees has pre-lit white lights.

The other tree is a fiber optic tree with colored lights.

17. Favorite Christmas song?

The Prayer...and new favorites this year: Silent Night and Noel sung by Josh Groban
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

I love to stay home, but it's fun to travel to family once in a while
19. Angel on the tree top or a star?

I have an angel!

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

Bill's family opens gifts on Christmas Eve, and my family opens one gift on Christmas Eve and the rest on Christmas day. I guess I won on this one...We open 1 gift on Christmas Eve and then we open the rest Christmas day. When we are home for Christmas we like to drag out opening the gifts all day. 2 years ago we started opening the first gifts at 7 am and finished opening the last gifts at 7 pm. It was such a fun day!
21. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

I don't like that you can buy Halloween and Christmas Decorations at the same time.
22. Favorite ornament theme or color?

I love traditional red and green especially on a nice plaid. This year I did buy tiny little navy blue stockings to hang off the back of the chairs to match the decor. I put red and green plaid bows above them and stuck red and white candy canes inside them too!

23. Favorite for Christmas dinner?

Ham, cheesy potatoes, green bean casserole, marshmallow yams, hot fresh rolls, pinapple casserole. Yum Yum