It's been a tumultuous year. What with the pandemic,
lock downs, federal and state elections, a change of
government, the Queen's Jubilee and then her passing,
King Charles III, the ongoing war in Ukraine, the
craziness happening in the US, and the list goes on.
But, we've survived. Surely it must get better?

Still, hard as it has been, I for one am determined to
look to the future with optimism. With that thought in
mind, I would like to wish you - much Joy all through the
holidays, the love of family and friends
and happy days that never end.

Here's something to make you smile:

I made myself a snowball
As perfect as could be
I thought I'd keep it as a pet
And let is sleep with me

I made it some pyjamas
And a pillow for its head
Then last night it ran away
But first - it wet the bed!

Merry and Bright!

HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND A SAFE, HEALTHY
AND INCREDIBLE NEW YEAR !

Share your thoughts as we go towards a new year.

'Tis not the season yet, Foxy!

Dear Aidan,

This year I'm getting in early. Besides -
I thought with all the doom and gloom being
espoused at the moment, especially here in
Victoria, - we might turn our thoughts
to some warm feelings of good-will and cheer.

Here's something of what's happening in Melbourne
quite early:

http://fedsquare.com/events/christmas-square

I have to admit I've never really been a fan of the 'festive season'. Even as a kid I was put off by the commercialism attached to it and that was nothing compared to these days.

Over the years I've taught my kids and grandkids that I'd prefer not to receive the obligatory gifts and they are now on-board.

I have in the past tried to get into the vibe by quietly celebrating Festivus and/or Sol Invictus but its just not the same.

But I try not to be a kill-joy for other's celebrations and heartily partake in the family get-togethers. We also have a process where we go to my son's home very early on Christmas morning to watch the grandkids open their gifts from Santa. The joy and excitement that the innocence of kids get on that day and the surrounding days is enough to reinforce one's faith in humanity for the rest of the year.

"Surely it must get better?"

I admire, even envy, your optimism, Foxy. But I don't share it.

Still that's part of the history of the period, at least as far as the northern hemisphere is concerned. One last fling and knees-up before the hard times of winter kick in. In our case, a reason to forget that 2023 is going to make 2022 seems like the good ol' days.

For me Christmas celebrations exist for the kids and as our brood of grandkids grows, I find myself enjoying it more and more.

Thank you Foxy, I had a good laugh and I’m unashamedly stealing your little poem.

And all the best to you and your family for the "festered season", whenever that begins.

As Frank Spencer said; "I'm a failure!"
The psychiatrist replied; "Mr Spencer you must be positive."
Frank said; "I'm positive I'm a failure!"

Just a catch up, been down in Sydney for the past week visiting with family. Brought our 2 year old moko (grand niece) back with us (mum will fly up on Thursday next and pick her up). Cleo is a "special needs" child so this gives her mum and dad a rest before they all return permanently to NZ in December. Cleo is actually a very quiet child, so far so good with us, her Nan is over the Moon at having her for the week. Its the children who are the future and all we can do is hope for the best.

"Surely it must get better?"

Why would you even assume that it will?
I hate to rain on your parade, but no Foxy,
It's going to get worse, and probably a lot worse.

Not even sure why people celebrate New Years anymore.
- It never gets any better anymore.

Thank you everyone for sharing your views.
Christmas has always been a very special time
in our home. Growing up, my parents stuck to the
old Lithuanian traditions - where Christmas Eve (Kucios)
is more important than Christmas Day. It's a holy night
where families get together during that evening - with
traditional food - predominantly seafood, and customs.
There's more at the following link:

http://whychristmas.com/cultures/lithuania

I learned all the recipes from mum and all the traditions
and they were repeated year in and year out. The most
important thing was spending time with family and
enjoying the excitement of the children, and maintaining
the old traditions. This is passed on to each generation.
And is strongly supported by each family. Christmas
without Christmas Eve would not be the same.

Christmas Day Lunch - we celebrate with the Aussie traditions
of roasts, pavlovas, and summer fruit. So we get the best of
all worlds. Plus the seafood left-overs from Christmas Eve
as well.

I'm hoping that as I'm getting older - that my daughter-in-laws
will take over some of the traditions - or make their own.
I don't mind because my health is not what it used to be and
doing everything as I used to do is becoming harder. Still,
I'll have to wait and see, I guess. No one's volunteering just
yet. Maybe we'll have to just stick with Christmas Lunch.

The gifts that I will leave beneath the tree
Aren't ones that you can touch and see
They're not wrapped in Christmas red bouquets
But rather gifts to bless you every day

There's the gift of friendship warm and true
It's one that I'll leave for you
Good health and happiness and cheer
To keep you smiling through the year

The gift of peace that comes from God
With prayers to guide each path you walk
And when your heart has lost its song
The gift of hope to cheer you on

These are the gifts I shall leave for you
'Cause the love and joy in my heart is true!

Hi Is Mise,

You might also enjoy this one:

"'Twas the night before Christmas and Santa's a wreck
How to live in a world that's politically correct?
His workers no longer would answer to "Elves"
"Virtually challenged" they were calling themselves
And labour conditions at the North Pole
Were alleged by the union, to stifle the soul

Something special was needed a gift that Santa might
Give to us all without angering the Left or the Right
A gift that would satisfy with no indecision
Each group of people in every religion
Every race, gender, and hue
Everyone - even me and you

So here's that gift, it's price beyond worth
May you and your loved ones enjoy -
PEACE ON EARTH!"

Something from Chevy Chase; 'tis the season....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxGkcC1VrhU

Thanks for the link Paul,

Chevy Chase was great in that movie.

Well Christmas is edging closer.
I've done my overseas cards and am now
looking for something for the grandkids
as stocking fillers. I've come up with a list of
Aussie Christmas books:

1) Wombat Divine by Mem Fox.
2) Tea and Sugar Christmas by Jane Jolly
3) Christmas Always Comes by Jackie French
4) All I Want For Christmas is Rain by Cori Brooke
5) Santa Loves Australia by Collette Dinnigan

Anybody got other names that they would suggest
for children?

Hi Foxy,

Bought the Moko, 2 years old, we are having stay with us till Thursday a 'Jingle Bells' book, with a button she can press to play, you guessed it 'Jingle Bells'. She loves her story books read to her. I like those books with sounds, it get the little ones attention. Popa is watching her this morning while Nana vollys at the 'Pantry'. Might put her in the stroller and walk up, have a cuppa, lots going on there Mondays, its about a km away.

Dear Paul,

Thanks for that. Kids love music - and especially
if its inter-active. They also love being read to.
The wonder of books - and what they can achieve is
quite wonderful. Especially when shared with someone
they trust and love - like grandpa.

Dear Paul,

I've just come across another book for your little one:

"The Christmas Bum Book!" by Kate Mayes.

"The only book about bums you'll need this Christmas.
This is a book for anyone who has a bum or who likes
Christmas or anyone who has a bum AND likes Christmas!

It's a celebration of Santa's bum and Rudolph's bum
and tinsel, twinkle and turkey bums. From best-seller
pair - Kate Mayes and Andrew Joyner comes "The
Christmas Bum" book - a book you'll want to deck the
halls with - fa,la,la,la,la bum!

Hi Foxy,

Thanks for the book suggestion, looks a good one. We lose our little darling tomorrow, Mums coming from Sydney to pick her up.

This looks the place to ask the following;

Dose anyone have cheap meal suggestions that freeze well in 'Chinese Containers'. Generally ones that are appetising involving some meat of sorts, mince, chicken, sausages, pork sometimes nothing expensive. Combined with the meat can be pasta, rice potato and other veg like sweet potato, carrots pumpkin. We do the regular stuff, spag bol, chicken curry, bangers and mash, soups like beef and veg, pumpkin is a cheap soup. This weeks challenge was what to do with a couple of 2.7kg caterers cans of baked beans, 'Mexican Chilli' was the answer. Generally we like the cost to be less than $1 per meal. All suggestions are welcomed

Hi Paul,

This might help:

http://taste.com.au/quick-easy

http://taste.com.au/dinner/galleries/cheap-dinner-ideas-2/4p7qr7nc

Hi Foxy,

Thanks for the heads up, all is helpful. Our Coordinator is a go-go person, and she has some good contact/deals, like 20kg mince from a friendly butcher for $200. With a days notice he'll knock it up, its 3 star but good stuff. We have a lot of use for mince and chicken, what would the poor do without the humble chook. We also work well with 'SecondBite' here in Brisbane, a charities charity. We appreciate everything we get including from the big supermarkets in our local area. Its scandalous what food the shops have to throw out, bread is a shocker, at one time up to 1/3 of bread went to waste, after it was no longer allowed as pigs swill. Ozhavest and Foodbank to name another two who do a terrific job with food rescue.

p/s A sign of the times, we have over 100 people signed up for Mondays Xmas lunch, up from 70 last year. Will cater 120.

Glad to help Paul and Congratulations on doing such
a great job. There's other recipes on the web -
including ones from famous chefs like Poh and
of course Gordon Ramsay.

Thanks Foxy, but its all a community effort, and there are those like Richo who do far more than me. Our ' Xmas Twilight Market' was a success last evening as far as I can tell, with a good roll up from the locals. "Te" runs the Xmas Stall (donated decorations, Xmas bric a brac etc) Its run with a difference, the buyer determines the price/donation. Take what you like, and make a donation to the big 'Santa Cookie Jar', it works well, people generally donate more than you might expect them to pay if you priced the items. Have lots of other stalls as well, plants, books, cakes, knitted things, jewellery BBQ, etc etc. We also have "commercial" sellers who are charge a site fee. Got to thank the local pollies, council and state, for their support with things like gazebos, we have lots of tables and chairs and parking which is a bonus.

Dear Paul,
we are so lucky as a country to have such fabulous
volunteers who work so hard
in our communities. They're absolute angels. You
and your wife included.

God Bless you, everyone!

I've sent out all my cards. Including donations to
charities - to help out.

Hi again Foxy,

We have a very innovative group, that's what I like. Our next project is "Xmas Tree" in the hall. An individual or group decorates a Xmas tree, you can supply your own tree, of any sorts, but of reasonable size, we do have a few trees if you don't have one, supply your own decorations. Then you decorate your tree to your hearts content, we have power for lights etc. Folks pay a gold coin donation at the door to come in and view the "spectacular" (the hall is also decorated). On entering you receive a voting token, which you place in the "ballot" box in front of your tree of choice. The tree with the most votes wins the donated Xmas Hamper on Carols Night we have second (donated $50 dinner voucher) and third (donated wine and chocs) prizes as well, and I believe a box of chocs for all the other great efforts. We have a door roster for night time viewing. "Te" and two of her friends are entering a tree, their theme is "rainbows" I think, not sure. Tip, those who create an interactive tree always have an advantage.

p/s Guess where we get a lot of our Xmas stuff to sell at next years Xmas market, most people donate their tree after the competition. One of the local real estate's did a fantastic tree last year, outstanding but they only ran second, to a local primary school class, me thinks their mums and dads voted for their tree.

Dear Paul,

What great ideas you guys have come up with.
We have Carols by Candlelight in the Park
on December 9th. The pre-show entertainment kicks off
at 6.00pm with one of Australia's most entertaining
children's groups - Team Dream, and the Italian Club's
Choir.

The main concert gets underway at 7.30 pm and will include
Chris Sebastian (winner of The Voice - in 2020) plus other
celebrities. And Santa of course will be coming and there will
be a spectacular fire-works display at 9.30pm.

This is a Council sponsored yearly event and is fully packed
out.

We've also got the recognition of our city heroes - people who
have made exceptional contributions to our community
through volunteer unpaid or paid work.

These inspirational winners have shown leadership or
dedication to a cause and contributed to the well-being
of our city's residents.

Hi Foxy,

The Community Xmas Lunch went off without a hitch yesterday, with 16 or so vollys involved. A bit of a military style operation, with the hall functioning as the outlet for food parcels from 8 to 10am, also it was "Haircut Monday", "Laundry and Shower Bus Day", "Mobile Food Truck" and the Op Shop decided to put on a half price sale day (always a busy day), and to cap it off the mobile clothing van mob turned up, and I forgot the govvy rent advisers were there as well. Early clear out at 10am, set up 14 tables with 8 place settings at each, white and red table cloths, very Xmas like. The lunch, roast chicken and ham dinner, plum pud and custard for desert, all supplied by a local club. Food delivered with clock-work precision. Doors opened 12 noon, get everyone seated, a few announcements, and thank you's followed by dinner serving in an orderly fashion, 2pm clean up and put away, then those involved in getting the hall ready for "Xmas Tree" can do their thing. The wife tells me the first tree is up, more today and the rest by Friday. The only thing outstanding is, tablecloths to the laundromat. The next event for us is 'Xmas Hamper' giveaway on 21st and 23rd., bag them up on 19th, only given out to those with name on list.

Dear Paul,

It's really beginning to feel like Christmas - Thanks
to people like you and yours.
Bless you everyone!

Hi Foxy,

'Xmas Tree' is up and running, about 26 trees and a couple of displays, including a display of Xmas items from countries of the world. Some very innovative "trees" from individuals, organisations and businesses. Many convey a message, like the one made from food cans and packets, another is made from photos of locals and the local area, another made from knitted Santa's, all sorts of themes and ideas, including the traditional. Some people have a very good imagination.

I hope that everyone had a lovely Christmas Day.
Just by way of interest - Aussie Lithuanians are celebrating
a huge Festival this year in Sydney. It had been postponed
in the past due to COVID. Here's more for those interested:

http://australianlithuanians.org/dienos-sydney/

King Charles delivered his pre-recorded Christmas
message in St George's Chapel in Windsor where
the Queen and Prince Philip are both buried.

Video footage of the royal family appeared on
screen while he spoke.

In his message King Charles paid homage to his mother.
He also paid tribute to the public sector and health
care workers, charities as well as religious organisations
praising the latter for their work during the UK's ongoing
cost of living crisis.

King Charles ended his speech by referring to a previous
visit to Bethlehem the town where Jesus was born and
"the power of light overcoming darkness."

"It is this life-light and with the true humility that lies
in our service to others that I believe we can find hope
for the future." King Charles said.

"Let us therefore celebrate it together and cherish it always."

His message ended with a rendition of - "O Little Town of
Bethlehem" performed by the choir of St. George's Chapel.

Hi Foxy,

Was a good Xmas, the lead up was extremely hectic, particularly for the wife, she involved herself in everything. She was even a shepherd at 6pm service on Saturday, and back again at midnight, and 8am yesterday.

Got "work" this morning, at 7.30am, unpacking and putting away, heaps of groceries, which were spontaneously donated last week by folks. We have quite a few children's toys wrapped, leftovers. Coordinated made some phone calls to other charities late on Friday to see if any were short, all were ok, so we'll have to store them somehow, I think off site, might be the answer. Although we do have an off site shipping container available at a yard, maybe. I believe its back to normal from next Monday, with a skeleton crew on board, due to several being on hols, and we've had a couple come down with Covid last week.

I think there is a meeting with Padre Pete later this week to discuss Xmas, what went well, what can be improved etc. I can tell him, labour (the lack of) is a problem. some people are working virtually every shift, while others are on the 'roster', and not turning up, not even a phone call. Unfortunately, some see it as voluntary, and for them turning up is also voluntary. One woman stormed out in a huff vowing to "never return" because the Coordinator spoke to her nicely about not turning up twice in a row (no phone call) for her shifts. Sorry, love people volunteering, but not turning up is worse than useless.

Dear Paul,

It sounds like you guys really celebrated in the true spirit
of Christmas. I imagine you made a lot of people happy
so well done!

Our Christmas was family-oriented. Lovely food, good
atmosphere - (very noisy) the grandkids were very excited
and loved everything. Today, hubbie and I are both tired -
but will slowly get back to normal. I've still got a few
overseas phone calls to make. We went to church on Christmas
Eve - Loved the Mass. We have a new priest who's great.

Today's going to be a day of rest at home. I had swollen
ankles yesterday - so I'll try to rest today.