For the record I'm Pagan so we celebrate on the 21st not the 25th, but that's tomorrow and I was going to write about yesterday .. You see it was our towns annual 'Santa Parade' which I've boycotted for the last 7 yrs, yet still feel guilty about .. I'm sure my son would enjoy it, and I think(?) it would be good to show support and connect with my little community, but at the same time I'm anti it on principle (as is my daughter) .. We both rather despise 'Christmas' in general actually, from decorations to carols - except candy canes .. Candy canes are good, lol ..
But seriously, I mean no offence to any Christians, I think it's great you have your faith and celebrate your holidays! But the commercial aspects, the hypocrisy of non-believers and families that hate each other getting together and pretending to get along for one day each year is just too much for me to witness, not to mention the greed, pressure, stress and expectations .. Christmas is the time of year when mental hospitals are overflowing and suicide statistics peak :(
And that's no coincidence ..
I know I sound like a Scrooge, though in all honesty, sharing the bounty or taking the time to connect and remind our loved ones how important they are to us has my total backing .. As does creating a bit of fantasy and magic for a child .. But making someone dress up in fur in the middle of summer and throwing candy so that kids scamper and push each other to eat it off the street - well it makes me shudder ..
Anywho that's enough of that, and again I really don't mean to offend anyone as I truly respect we each have our own perspectives on the matter and I'd like to wish each and every person who reads this a wonderful 'whatever' tradition YOU have this time of year!
Sooo, being that I was feeling guilty I always end up making sure my son has a super fun day while the parade is going on elsewhere .. Being that it was a hot and muggy one we headed to the school pool for a swim .. Well I swam, the boy practised his jumps, and the girl sat on a picnic table txtíng friends and playing with my camera (she took these):
Look my dreads are red again!
In the afternoon we played puppets (fantasy play with soft toys), watched Scooby Doo & The Addams Family, and I made pizza from scratch and tweaked another recipe, this time for Pineapple Sorbet:
60gm sugar (blitzed to icing sugar in THX, 10sec, speed 9)
add 3 thick (2cm) slices of frozen pineapple and 1 tray of ice-cubes, 20sec, slowly increasing speed to 10 and then add second tray of ice-cubes
again increase speed to 10 until you can hear ice is crushed - use spatula to scrape down sides - total time to make = less than 2min!
I didn't think to add mint until I'd finished but it tasted great sprinkled over top too :)
I am Christian and you have NOT offended me. I agree with what you have said, for me, the holidays are not what they are supposed to be anymore. It is all about the commercialism and politics in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteAnywho, I love your pics, your son is so cute. I wish that we could be swimming right now, it is about 15 degrees here in NY. So, no swimming for me, our pool is a solid sheet of ice. Hmmmm could ice skate on it though. LOL
I hope your having a great day. Billie
I'm so glad you read my little rant as it was intended Billie .. I just see so many miserable and stressed people around at the moment and can't help but be saddened by what has become of age old festivities ..
ReplyDeleteOn a positive note it felt great donating goods to my local food bank, which included treats such as the candy canes (my sons idea) and of course home-made soap etc that we all enjoy so much instead of the usual, albeit practical canned goods and packet food .. I really hope it puts a smile on the face of whomever gets them, and brightens their day a little to know others (strangers) do understand & more importantly care ..
Hope you're having a great day too - we're off to the pool again just as soon as I finish my coffee :D
I have been brought up in the Christian tradition but my family are not churchgoers Clare....I feel I am a spiritual seeker and relate more to pantheism than anything else. Christmas has always been about loving, sharing and giving to me, not so much the 'getting and eating' bits! Oh, and magic of course. I have seen in my husband's family how the spirit of Christmas can get twisted and for several years past I did dread Christmas. Now I sheild myself from others negativity and enjoy this time in my own way again :)
ReplyDeleteNever feel guilty for sticking to your principles...your son looks like he is having the time of his life so he definitely isn't missing out on anything! And your sorbet is making my mouth water....hubby says we can get one (a thermomix) - after all the kids leave home ;)
Indeed we had a great day .. Thanks for your support Tanya {{hugs}}
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! I'm not offended at all. I hope you enjoy the Solstice with your family. Christmas can be stressful. I don't want it to be. I enjoy spending time with friends and family.
ReplyDeleteYour pineapple sorbet looks absolutley delicious! How do you get the energy to do all this? LOL!
Happy solstice - hope you had fun on the longest day.
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