Friday, December 16, 2011

Square peg meets round hole

Our sense of the familiar has been challenged as we try to 'get into the Christmas spirit'. This is the second year that we are spending the weeks leading up to Christmas in the balmy south. For all of those previous years we had grown accustomed to the weather turning cold and blustery, and we literally meant it when we hummed along with "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas". In our experience, there's something incongruous about standing on a street dressed in shorts and sandals in mid-December looking at palm trees adorned with bright Christmas lights.

Good thing that the joyous message of Christmas - the birth of the Saviour of the world - remains the same without regard to geography or weather.

"May all your Christmases be bright."


24 comments:

Ruth Hiebert said...

Wow! I thought I had seen houses with lots of lights,but these take the prize. I sure hope the neighbours love them,too.

Amelia said...

Hi Rick, wow...this is amazing and spectacular, very glittering and beautiful from the roof top to the garden plants. :)
The 3rd picture I spotted the Santa clause, is he waiting to give out presents to me? LOL

Have a nice weekend and regards to you and family.

Elizabeth Grimes said...

Love the palm trees! But I think I would be a bit homesick for a white Christmas as well. I guess you never know with the crazy weather these days...hey it could happen!

Carolyn Ford said...

we just came back from Australia and were keen to notice their 'laid back' attitude toward holiday decorations...almost 'nil'! But, the churches are not forgetting the meaning of Christmas...!!! actually, i like their non-commercial (the economy doesn't depend on it) philosophy for holiday spending...something to think about!!! love your pics, Rick! Happy Holidays to you and yours!

BlueShell said...

heheh, yessss…I see!
There’s no sense in singing I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas when you are dressed in shorts and sandals…LOL…
Here it’s raining, and it is cold…But we do not have snow…and I like a little bit of snow!
Last year we had snow…for 3 hours…not enough for me…
This year, as it is so cold I hope we have at least 2 days snowing… (please)!!!!

Have yourself a merry christmas, ok?
Gob Bless you and the one you love.

BShell (ISABEL- true name)

ju-north said...

Now that's what I call Christmas decorations! Have a great Christmas!

magda said...

What a wonderful Christmas decoration Rick!
Glad as a child!
Wherever you are you, I wish you happy Christmas with your family!
A hug and kisses

Lúcia said...

I've never seen a house with so many lights, what a decoration!
Have a good and sunny weekend Rick! ;-)

Marty said...

Hello in your far far world! yes étrange de voir des décorations of Xmas on palm trees ! but all is so bright, si lumineux, so beautiful !
I think that the Père Noêl doit avoir très chaud avec sa barbe et son manteau ! but l'essentiel is that he has des cadeaux pour tout le monde !!!!
I wish you too wonderful fêtes de fin d'année, you au soleil, moi dans le froid !!
je t'envoie the last bisous of this year !!!

Saz said...

Wow Rick! Now that is one incredibly decorated house!! Fantastic shots too. ;-)

My name is Riet said...

Prachtige kerstversieringen Rick en ik zou ook wel een beetje warmte willen. Fijn weekend.

Patrick's Garden said...

Hey Rick,

What a great way to end the year. I just love palm trees bedecked it lights.

IF I had but one present, it would be for a better garden season next year after the disastrous year I had to enjoy this season .

imac said...

Now - thats certainly some light you sent my friend.

May the stars shine - just as bright for you and your family Rick.

Soraia Brito said...

Wow! Awesome decorations :D

Leslie said...

I well remember the first Christmases we spent here in Florida - how weird it felt to be buying and decorating a Christmas tree in the 80 degree weather. After more than 30 years, I guess I'm used to it... but sometimes I still wish for a white Christmas!

Unknown said...

Reminds me of our time back in Florida, but as I hoped back then and hope still now that the owners of these homes have as much x-mas spirit in their hearts as they have lightened up bulbs on their homes ;-)

And not just hungry for another "Best-X-Mas-Decorated-House-Award" . . . :-D

Season's Greetings,


Joseph

Betty Manousos said...

oh my word!

that is a really, really amazing decorated house! thanks so much for sharing:)

Rick said...

Ha ha Ruth - I noticed that across the street no one was home, but homes on either side were also quite lit up. The show is on only from 6 - 10 in the evenings.

Good eye, Amelia ! It took me a while till I spotted him too (once all the lights came on). I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family !

I sure hope they don't get a white Christmas THAT far south, Elizabeth ! That would be really wacky weather !

I think they have the right idea in Australia, Carolyn ! That's great to hear. (and now I know where you've been but I likely won't be able to come look at your photos till I'm back down south). I wish you and yours a blessed Christmas !

Rick said...

Hello Isabel ! LOL - yes, I'd never want to be in the snow in shorts and sandals ! I think you should keep singing that Christmas song - "Let It Snow, Let It ..." - perhaps you'll get your 2 days' worth ;-) If not, I still wish you a wonderful Christmas and all the best in 2012 !

Ha ha, I agree Julia ! Thank you, and I wish you and yours a great Christmas !

Thank you, Magda ! I hope you too have a beautiful Christmas, and a prosperous new year !

Hi Lúcia ! I had never seen that many either (my wife had seen it on the TV news). We spent our weekend driving back home (2,500 km) - I hope your weekend was very good; thank you.

Rick said...

Marty - you make me rire with votre belle langue bilingue ! It's been un plaisir commenting across l'océan with you cette année ! I wish you a joyous Noël and much bonheur in 2012 with many nouveau bisous !!

Thank you, Saz - I'd never seen one lit like that !

Dank je hartelijk, Riet. Ook prettige kerstdagen en veel geluk in het nieuw jaar !

Hello Patrick, and thank you for your visit and comments ! I wish you all the best in your gardening efforts next year - may it be an outstanding one !

Thank you kindly, Stewart. I wish you a wonderful Christmas and all the best in the new year.

Rick said...

Thank you very much, Soraia !

Not sure we'll be there for 30 years, Leslie, but it will certainly take some more getting used to (we're back up in the cold for Christmas - getting a tree tomorrow). Have a blessed Christmas and may you experience relief, peace, and joy in 2012 !

Great sentiments Joseph, and I agree. All the best to you and Inga at Christmas and throughout the new year !

Hi Betty - my wife saw it on the news so naturally I had to get some shots ! Have a great Christmas !

ioan moldovan said...

Dear friend Rick,
I wish you Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Teté M. Jorge said...

How cool, honey!!!
I'm sorry I have not been before... I missed here.

A big and warm hug.
Beijos and love.

Rick said...

Thank you very much, Ioan - I hope you and your family also had a wonderful Christmas; best wishes for 2012 !

Hello teca - I understand; it's Christmastime; thank you for your friendship over this past year and I hope it will continue into the new year. Many warm beijos for you !