Have a Very Merry Christmas!! / 'Six White Boomers'...

Well, I'm all blogged out. So that just leaves me to wish family, friends, fellow-bloggers (and the computer-illiterate - hi dad), and everyone else a 'Very Merry & Safe Christmas'
from all of us!!

Cheerio for 2007 - see you in 2008!

Or as they say in Wales (!!!)....(amazing what you can find out through the internet).......

'Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda' !!!

(..that better be 'Merry Christmas' in Welsh!!)

The pressies are wrapped; the kids are watching 'The Grinch' and I'm off to make gingerbread men now. (of course...recipe to follow)
I'll just leave you with a great Aussie verse/song that's become a classic in the Land Down Under.....and one that we had a great time singing at the Jenolan Caves Christmas Concert. (OK, I'd had a few glasses of wine so I did the actions aswell...no, definately no photo)...

Six White Boomers

One of Santa Clause's favourite songs. By Rolf Harris & John D. Brown .

(Introduction)
Early on one Christmas Day, a Joey Kanga-roo,
Was far from home and lost in a great big zoo.
Mummy, where's my mummy, they've taken her a-way,
We'll help you find your mummy son, hop on the sleigh.

Chorus:
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
.. On his Aus-tra-lian run.

Verse: Up beside the bag of toys, little Joey hopped ,
But they had'nt gone far when Santa stopped.
Un-harnessed all the reindeer and Joey wondered why,
Then he heard a far off booming in the sky.

Chorus: Six white boomers ...

Pretty soon old Santa began to feel the heat,
Took his fur-lined boots off to cool his feet.
Into one popped Joey, feeling quite OK,
While those old man kangaroos kept pulling on the sleigh.

Chorus: Six white boomers ...

Joey said to Santa, Santa, what about the toys,
Aren't you giving some to these girls and boys.
They've all got their presents son, we were here last night,
This trip is an extra trip, Joey's special flight.

Chorus: Six white boomers ...

Soon the sleigh was flashing past, right over Marble Bar,
Slow down there, cried Santa, it can't be far.
Come up on my lap son, and have a look around,
There she is, that's mummy, bounding up and down.

Chorus: Six white boomers ...

Well that's the bestest Christmas treat that Joey ever had,
Curled up in mother's pouch all snug and glad.
The last they saw was Santa headed northward from the sun,
The only year the boomers worked a double run.

Chorus: Six white boomers ...

Right...where's the Berocca.........

Jenolan Caves Christmas Concert 2007

We had a wonderful time at the Jenolan Caves last weekend - exploring the Imperial Cave followed by an incredible carol concert in the Grand Archway with friends.

The children were from Lapstone Public School Choir - they did an amazing job despite being very tired by the end of the concert!

It wouldn't be a Christmas celebration without the story of the nativity; it doesn't matter how many times I watch it - it's just so beautiful.

Recognise Bonita from Play School?? (And some funny old guy in red...)

You can't get better acoustics anywhere in the world than at the caves - the sound is awesome. (Except if I was singing...)!

Caves House. Just being at the Jenolan Caves always reminds me of Matlock, in Derbyshire for some reason - a place I always enjoyed visiting.

It's hard to capture the wonder of the caves and all the incredible rock formations, and underground river which glowed a pale blue due to the chrystals. Our guide was very informative and told us some fascinating stories....don't want to spoil it for you - just visit the caves!!

The performers at the concert appeared in various spots right up in the grand archway - and with the special lighting and sound, added to the surreal atmosphere.

There was even a little Christmas market & musicians during the day which they are hoping will get bigger & better each year.

Donna Hay Magazine

Here's one magazine worth buying - the Donna Hay Christmas magazine. There's some great festive treats including the special icecream recipe on the cover - great for Christmas 'down under', as well as some yummy macadamia cookies and heaps more....

Christmas Table

I love setting the table nice for special occasions - especially Christmas this year, as its the first one we've had at home for a few years. We're usually camping by the Hawkesbury River.

It doesn't have to cost the earth - I like the challenge of looking for alternative ways of doing things while pinching idea's from the glossy mags. (Then I put them back on the shelf!! - I'll be banned from the newsagents sooner or later)

A piece of old lace (read net curtain) plain white tablecloth and a piece of blue & white fabric - Spotlight sales are great for these.

An old teapot and some foil wrapped chocolate hearts & coins, sugared almonds and candy canes complete the setting with some scented candles, and wired -blue -beads (check local $2 shops) wrapped around some napkins.

Scents of Christmas

This was my Kris Kringle pressie from work - so of course, I had to make a special trip... to the candle shop in Leura. (one of mums favourites too)!

Vanilla & Nutmeg candles for the table.

...And these lovely Berry & Honey Sorbet candles for the glass votive.

Oh Little Drummer Boy

Little Drummer Boy!

The words and music to the Christmas song Little Drummer Boy was composed by Katherine K. Davis, Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone in 1958. The lyrics of Little Drummer Boy consist of 21 rum pum pum pum' - a major part of the song and therefore presenting an apparently easy task for the lyricist! However, Little Drummer Boy has been a huge hit for several artists. The most notable rendition was created by the most unlikely combination of Bing Crosby and David Bowie. This version of Little Drummer Boy was a massive hit for the artists and was in fact Bing Crosby's most successful recording since the legendary White Christmas.

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.

Salvation Army

As they say....thank God for the salvo's. They play carol's every year in our street - I even got to put a request in this year! My absolute favourite carol - 'Little drummer boy'. It was a real treat to sit on the kerb and listen to them play. They do an incredible job though, and are always there to pick up the pieces for those whose lives have fallen apart - no questions asked. They should be acknowledged for being the real heroes in our society....

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree...

The day I stop getting excited about all the little joys of Christmas is the day I'll keel over...!! (Just wish the kids would stop rolling their eyes)

More Fah la la la la....la la la la.....!!

Bec's Hand-crafted Christmas Wreath!

The house looks lovely all lit up - I just followed Bec's orders and hammered nails in where she decided they needed to go.... she's turning into a regular little bossy britches!!

Excuse the crap photo's - too many folks borrowing my camera me thinks...

We have a stocking each..

I love our little collection of Christmas books; 'An Aussie Night Before Christmas' is my favourite.

And of course...we each have our Christmas hats - 2 elf one's for the boys, a crown - of course, for me, Bec has a santa hat with 'I believe in Santa Clause' embroidered on it, and Gavin has this hilarious santa hat about 4 foot long that doesn't quite fit cause his head's too big.