Share Four Somethings - December

As I wrap up the year, it's time to think about how things were. It's been a really rough time in Sydney as you would expect. The shock and horror turned to a rage that flew around wildly, landing on whatever it could (for me, it was directed on predominately offensive and stupid jerks on Twitter telling us we need more guns).

However, there was a lot of comfort in time with friends. It grounded me. I've also had some nice moments with the kiddos and I've a lot to look forward to. So I will try to focus on that and save you the jumbled thoughts.

Something I loved I've written a few times about fading Christmas traditions and our annual trip to the Hunter Valley Christmas Lights - We just got back from what I am assuming will be the last time.

My youngest had her friend over to make gingerbread - they had Elf running in the background and she brought out her little Christmas tree from her room (as ours was not up yet). It was really sweet to see them enjoying so merrily these wholesome traditions. 

Something I learned Christmas carols are called such from the old French word carole, that in the 1300s mean "meant both a joyful song and a form of dance in a circle or ring." It's the joyful nature that makes them carols over hymns. (See post)

Something that went well  We couldn't get our normal accomodation in the Hunter due to late booking, but the kids had a great time at the Hunter Valley Christmas lights, and doing our other 'traditions' in the Hunter, even thought the weather was crazy hot. Bonus we discovered the Cold Rock ice cream place in the servo near Cessnock. Added a new tradition to the list. I pointed out to the kids that next year they'd be able to go own their own and go wine tasting and they both looked at me as if that was a terrible idea, which I thought was hilarious...if I get another year as chaparone, I won't complain!

Something I let go of  2025. It's been a good year personally but the whole vibe, globally and with the Bondi massacre, it's just a depressing state of affairs. Too many people are facing persecution, here and in other countries. Too many people are struggling financially. Or just struggling in general. Sorry to end on downer but it's how I'm feeling at the moment. I am trying not to read the news - everywhere seems to be in downward spirals, pending war and terrible treatment of citizens. Not that 2026 will change any of that, but it's mentally a fresh start.

To leave on a happy note, I have to say I've been watching Nazare Surf Competition and you can't beleive how amazing it is. Fabulous skill, extreme rescues and strangely mesmerising. Nature in ferocious beauty. Laura Crane may have ridden the biggest wave, Justine Dupont won the women's again, Lucas 'Chumbo' became everyone's favourite with some scorching surfs, some stacks and nail biting rescues and of course, James Carew, the Aussie.

Linking with #HappyNow #HappyTuesday #PictorialTuesday #TravelTuesday #WednesdayAroundtheWorld #MCoW #ThruMyLens #SundayBest

#WWOT  #CosyComfyChristmasLinky #PictorialTuesday

 

Travel post on past Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Light Spectacular overnight visit.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful and happy holiday break. I'll be back late January. 

My most popular posts of 2025

A few people have done this kind of summary, and it got me curious - what were my most popular posts? Some of my Little Loves and Book review posts were very popular but I don't think they need to be reviewed here. One of the Torschlusspanik posts made the most popular list too! My first time Boot Scootin'! 

For some reason I can't figure out, almost double the readership of my next most popular post, Tell us about...September was my most read post. 

Dry Smiles and Water logged were my second most popular posts. They were directly after each other so I'm not sure if there was a flurry of new readers that then got bored...

After that, the posts about ageing and my broken body were very high in readership, I guess that's my market. The girl I used to be and Feet don't fail me now! I realise I write a LOT about feet and shoes...opps!

This strange little art tale was one of my most popular. And I suspect a new audience of runners landed on my Sydney Marathon Weekend review to give it three times my normal readership.

The nature ones were also very popular: Beach Season, Spring, Moon, Whales

Paris - a love affair was very popular - but who doesn't want to read about Paris (and the OG Emily in Paris - me!) Paris is sort of also the subject of this post. Both written before I knew I'd be going back!  “Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere. ” ― Mary Schmich

Mum & Joey

We lost a couple of our blogging community and I think a lot of us felt the shock of the sudden loss of people we'd never meet. I still from time to time go to link up with one of them out of a 10 or more year habit...

Some of my photo feature posts were very popular -  There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in. Leonard Cohen (B&W) and "Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are" Bertolt Brecht. I'm guessing they benefited from the celebrity quotes.

There are a few I can't work out why they were popular - Waiting (about local street art) and the Drama of Dusk.

Instant lift was how photography can canchor you to the present and lift your mood - a simple and free pleasure.

What are we doing wrong? lamented where the Australian way of life seemed to fail in it's standards of community and consideration compared to in Japan, where items can be left in the street and not be stolen.

It's interesting to review like this - some of my favourite posts aren't there, others I completely forgot about. 

The pictures, are of the kangaroos I saw at the Hunter on our Xmas Light weekend away, lazing around at Villa Provence. I didn't have my camera and my phone is terrible so sorry aobut the quality.

Linking with #FIneWhatever #SaturdayCritters #GardenAffair and #NaturesNotes  #WeekendCoffeeShare #MySundaySnapshot #TheRandom #SeniorSalonPitstop #AwwMondays

Holiday listening....

 Last year I shared the lovely Truman Capote Christmas story  so I thought I'd share the lead up to Christmas break....

A couple of Agatha Christie Christmas stories are available to borrow on Hoopla.

A Poirot one, all about English Christmas traditions...and crime, obvs!

I did spend a bit of time worrying about teeth with that many bits of metal in the pud!

Not Christmas related, but also on Hoopla, I thought this very short story was quite fun. And for Agatha Christie a little easier to work out...rather than those insanely convoluted plots. (Don't get me wrong. I love her books, I just felt it had a different vibe).

This is one by Horowitz in the style of Holmes (I guess of Conan Doyle) and the plot is indeed as a Sherlock Holmes story would play out....this time Christmas cards of the less traditional style are in play. Available on Hoopla.

In preparation for his new book (on order) I was delighted to discover the Debutante. I got it on Audible. It's about Timothy McVeigh and Nazis (which maybe  a bit too soon to listen to for Australians, note Ronson is Jewish himself but some of what is said that he reports is offensive), but I listened before the weekend and found it interesting.

This one is not suitable for children for the political violence and racisim, and slurs quoted or recorded.

If you like Radio Plays there are some Graham Greene ones here. The New Yorker has a podcast that has short stories that are read and then discussed, like a mini book club. The Pulp Fury Radio plays are still available too. 

If you have a long car trip planned, there's plenty to listen to that will make the journey pass quickly.

Leaving you with The Fir Tree, read by Tove Jansson's neice, Sophia Jannson - if you are feeling the frazzle from the mad rush of things to do for Christmas, this lovely Moomin story is for you (pictures to if you want to watch it with the kids, but you can just listen to it). 

Linking with #IMWAYR #Bookdate #SundayPost #SundaySalon #SundayBookends #StackingtheShelves #MonthlyBookworms

Merry Christmas to you all

I have to say as I sit to write the last #XmasLinky for another year, I'm not feeling very festive at all so bear with me.

I'd like to thank you all for linking up each week. 

I'd like to wish you all a very merry Christmas or a happy holiday however you spend the break.

I hope that you reach out and offer people love and kindness. I hope that you help those worse off. I really hope that there is peace on earth, as far out of the realm of possibility as it feels at the moment.

Drive carefully and safe travels where ever you may go.

Have a happy new year celebration and may 2026 bring us joy and tolerance.

 

Linking with #WordlessWednesday

This is the last #XmasLinky for another year. Share your Christmas themed posts. Closes Christmas Eve. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Christmas Markets

Sydney has Christmas Markets - The Jolly Night Markets taking over Circular Quay and the Rocks. Food & gifts can all be purchased, while dazzled by lights and enjoying live music.

A lovely way to spend an evening. Running December 11th-21st, Weekdays 4pm -10.30 pm and weekends 11am - 10.30 pm. 

See the website here for full details of the locations. These pictures are of the Customs House location. There's also the MCA and Cadman's Cottage.

I've been getting about in my Christmas Tree dress, which is getting lots of laughs and compliments. It is very crazy, even for me!

Stay safe everyone (it is sad that when I say that I usually mean on the roads, however apparently I mean it from terrorists).

Remember, love your neighbour, give to the poor and hungry and show kindness to all. Invite those spending Christmas alone to join yours.

Have a wonderful Christmas break, enjoy the summer holidays and check out something new for the Festival of Sydney.

Happy New Year and may 2026 be better for us all!

Linking with #KeithsRamblings #TravelTuesday #TuesdayTwirl. #XmasLinky

This is the last #Allseasons for the year. The linky will be back late January.

#Allseasons linky runs  from Thursday to Wednesday each week. 

Link one post that shows something seasonal. Traditional weather wise, a seasonal nature marker or a seasonal celebration or event.  Please link relevant posts only.

Make sure you link back to this  #AllSeasons post. 

Please comment on the post before yours and the host. Don't dump and run. 

Housekeeping: This is the last #Allseasons linky for the year. It should be back late Jan, probably around the 22nd. Happy Christmas to you all. Thank you for visiting and sharing posts during the year. Hope to see you back next year.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Tell Us About....A Christmas Carol

Christmas is filled with the ghosts of Christmas past - those missing from the table for a myriad of reasons. Also Traditions, the spectre of things you started as a child and for some reason continue, even though the reason for doing so may no longer be ncessary, it's just 'what you do' at Christmas.

People often reach out to people they don't see throughout the year, send cards to people that were once a much bigger part of your life, or were important and you aren't quite ready to let them go unrecognised or appreciated.

So Charles Dickens was on to something universal about Christmas, even if it wasn't exactly his point.

Do you recognise the ghosts of Christmas past in your celebrations and traditions? Do you have some '

Christmas future arriving this year, with newly married kids or babies now to be accomodated?

I guess the most important thing at Christmas is to anchor ourselves in the present, however it might appear. Enjoy time with friends and family, make the most of time on your own, do whatever you need to get through a difficult time if it's not exactly a festive time for you.

Lydia, what the Dickens are you talking about? Too bleak for this theme!

Okay, okay, a little music.

I talked about my favourite Christmas carols here, and this crazy Jul song that makes me laugh and laugh. Be warned - it's pretty irreverant and some people might be offended. Definitely not suitable for work. Some clips from the singalong Christmas show I went to are here.

The Krampus were covered here....so I leave you with a song I've loved and played at Christmas since I was a kid.

Merry Christmas to you all!

For those that want to know why they're called Carols, see here - but the short version is from the old French meaning to dance in a ring, singing to joyful music.

Linking with #MondayMusicMovesMe #TalkaboutitTuesday #Wwwhimsy #ComfyCozyChristmasLinkyUp #TellUsAbout #FineWhatever #TrafficJamReboot

and #XmasLinky goes live on Friday here for another week!