Last night was the kick off to our Christmas party season. Somehow, they always fall on one week. So it was the first of four events.
It was thrown by the Swedish Ambassador at his home. I enjoyed peeking at all the great Swedish furnishings and decor. The big event of the night was the Procession of St Lucia. The carolers sang for a good 10 minutes, mostly in Swedish, but there were a few numbers in English. The selection of traditional carols was magical. The group consisted of spouses and staff. They performed magnificently .

This really kicked off the true spirit and meaning of the Christmas season.  I've got  English carols playing in the background now. Filling my head with thoughts of cold  weather, roaring fires, glug to drink, I wish you and yours a very, Happy Christmas!

Late inspiration....

Better late than never, it dawned on me to "import" a little of American holidaysclassics to our place here in Singapore. So I downloaded the best of each holiday season....

Charlie Brown Seasons!! Thank you iTunes.

I've missed two already, but am ready to go this afternoon with Christmas. I so love Linus monolog.

Happy Christmas Everyone!
Roll the film...

Tis the Season....

To polish Silver!....
Yes, after pulling out the CHristmas decor and trying to get motivated to decorate, I realize I will have to polish the silver. Oh not all, but just what I want to use. I like to place glass ornaments in a tower and set them on tables and such. But the drama that is decorating gets only worse since I need to crank all the A/Cs on full blast just to get into he "spirit". Christmas music is blaring from the ipod as well (currently Toby Mac) to help get me "there".
So I pull out the silver polish specially purchased in London. Why?? Cause yet another thing I "love" about Singapore is that all my silver tarnishes so quickly. I keep it in a silvercloth lined drawer, which slows the patina slightly, but it's still insane.

the one shiny bowl has a plastic liner keeping the air away.

I've even packed away my silver jewelry as I can't wear it due to tarnishing so badly between wears.
So let's start a pool and guess how long the two pieces I did clean will last. No, really??
Enter your guesses below

Good luck to you....and to me!

He's there, and I'm not....

My grandson has arrived. After 9 months of anticipation, and showing up a week early (yeah), Baran has rocked my world.  Oh, it sounds so simple now, but that fated day, waiting by the ipad, hoping for news as the labor went on.....excruciating.  Mom and dad even left the hospital without settling on a first name. But after some weather in their town, they decided on Baran, which means rain in Persian.
So, no onto the adorable photos....

a few minutes old and 21" long.

Mum & Dad

Their little Monkey

All wrapped up and ready for Oma to take him away

It's that "little Old man" look

yes, it's gas, or a happy dream, but oh so cute

Styling already....what a Fox

Grandpa got to take "home" for a conference and is getting to spend a week with him. I'm good with that. It's Grandpa time. I like them when they're about 6 months old and more communicable. But I'll take him now too.
Hugs from Oma Baran