Christmas breakfast came bright and early - with an emphasis on the bright. It's hard to sleep in with the strong NZ sun beaming in through the picture windows. On the menu this morning; Te Papa Cakes (NZ version of Papa Kay cakes), fresh fruit (possible since it's Summer!), homemade Hala bread (courtesy of our dear friend Revital), and TRIX of course!
Opening gifts - a hand-painted silk scarf for Linda...
Wellington artwork for Steve...
A beautiful green scarf for Callie...and a wearable remembrance of a particular loved one back with NomiAnn and Papa Kay...
And a Rudolph nose for Adam!
It turns out that Steve and Linda brought absolutely gorgeous weather with them from Napier - so we had little need for Adam's bright and shiny nose. We did, however, sneak down the Plimmer Steps to "Yarn Bomb" Mr. Plimmer's pup with a homemade scarf.
After our clandestine operation, we scooted up Mount Victoria to take in the beautiful Wellington views...WITHOUT WIND!!!
Father son bonding time with a Haka face!
It's not every Christmas Day that you can spend your afternoon touring a National Museum. We spent a few hours enjoying the beauty (and air conditioning) of Wellington's Te Papa Tongarewa.
Upon return home, we got busy making Christmas dinner. Our little oven just didn't seem fit to bear the burden of a full Christmas turkey - so we settled for a tasty chicken pot pie instead. It turns out that Filo dough isn't quite the same as pie dough...but we made the flakes work for us. Also on the menu; apple cranberry salad, homemade cranberry sauce, Kumara rosti, and baked apple dumplings for dessert.
While our day was almost perfect, our thoughts were never far from home...
We hope you all had the merriest of Christmases and are wishing you all the very happiest New Year!
More terrific photos of wonderful people in a bright and beautiful place! Your blog entries really help me visualize your NZ home. No worries about Zoe ... She is fine. However, your plush toy replica ... just isn't the same. What an angelic tree topper!? Please attempt to save some sunshine for our visit in late March
ReplyDeleteOh, your Christmas looks so FUN! You all look so happy together. :) What great adventures--we hope you're having a MARVELOUS time doing some extra exploring right now.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, we opened your box when we got home today. I'm positively speechless--it's MARVELOUS! I can't believe you finished the afghan. It's so beautiful--I'm snuggled underneath it even as I type. We loved the crackers, and the kids book is so adorable! We laughed 'til we cried. Popcorn balls, too--you spoil us rotten. :) Thanks, and happy new year!