For several reasons, we decided to spend Christmas in Victoria with family. It’s always a different experience spending Christmas away from home, but I think it’s important to make the effort to share time together. My daughters were not able to come home for the holidays so we visited with them on Skype. That’s not as good as being together, but it’s the best we could do. Here are a few shots with impressions of Christmas in a fair weather city.
Kush knew something was up as soon as the suitcases were laid out. She jumped into the available space, but unfortunately she had to stay at home. Hope she’s not too mad at us for leaving her in the care of a friend. I know Christopher will take good care of her so I don’t have to worry.
Our hotel is on the ocean. The large building in the distance in the second photo is where we are staying – the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. Our room has a great view of the hotel driveway, but that hasn’t stopped us from enjoying the area. A little rain was followed by a magnificent rainbow. Christmas day has been rainy and cool, but we’ve been far too busy to let that bother us.
My sister-in-law, Janet, puts up a beautiful tree. We share a similar taste in ornaments so it makes me feel very much at home. We both love hand-made ornaments as well as special ones picked up on our travels. The whole house is beautifully decorated and festive. Janet is an excellent cook, and we have eaten like kings – really well fed kings – since we arrived. On Christmas morning there were freshly baked cinnamon buns for while we opened gifts, followed by an outstanding brunch of tortilla pie with guacamole, salsa, sour cream and yummy corn bread. I’ll try to list some of our other meals, but now I’m too full to be thinking about any more food. Think I’d better sign off as we have a full day planned for tomorrow. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.
Time To Be Inspired 
It is my dream to spend Christmas in a fair weather city on the coast again. I grew up in Florida so I am no stranger to a tropical Christmas, although for the past 17 years I’ve lived in snow-land.
One day I hope to spend the holidays in AU.
LikeLike
Good luck with a tropical Christmas, and best wishes for 2013!
LikeLike
The photographs are beautiful.All that food looks tempting. We had a great Christmas eve with our good friends.All the best Terri, thank you .
LikeLike
Thanks, Ranu. My sister-in-law is a fantastic cook and we ate too well while we were visiting! Best wishes for 2013!
LikeLike
Lovely tree… beautiful ornaments!
LikeLike
Thank you. I know my sister-in-law reads this so I’m sure she thanks you as well. Best wishes for the coming year!
LikeLike
How nice to start the day with a rainbow
LikeLike
It certainly was. At least I wasn’t up early enough to experience the rain. We did enjoy a lovely day! Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
Glad you are in full swing …it all sounds lovely Terri . Skype has made alot families apart for Christmas feel a whole lot closer 🙂 Nice to see some unusual tree ornaments too ! Enjoy the rest of the holidays .
LikeLike
Thanks, Poppy. Wonderful Christmas celebration, but really nice to be home to beautiful blue sky and sunshine, and it’s warm now – 0 degrees! All the best to you too!
LikeLike
Home away from home. When you are with family it always feels so good. Glad you were able to visit with the girls on Skype. Happy holidays. Enjoy!
LikeLike
Almost afraid to ask how your holiday is going, but I did see K’s photo in the cold on facebook. Hope your visit is going well.
LikeLike
Great photos, looks wonderful but i especially love the rainbow!
LikeLike
Thanks. It really was so big I didn’t think I’d be able to capture it!
LikeLike
We were driving up the coast with a beautiful rainbow for company this morning too. Love the tree ornaments.
LikeLike
Thanks, I’ll tell Janet. Looks a little overcast here for rainbows today, but I do love them. I don’t care what the scientific explanation is – I think they are magical!
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing these images! In the one that shows the full tree, I noticed a photo hanging on wire from near the ceiling. Very cool!
LikeLike
Thanks for pointing that out. The house is very “arts and crafts” and my brother is obsessed with keeping things authentic. The picture rail is part of that plan. Even the paint colors were researched to make the house as close to the original as possible.
LikeLike