Looking for snow!

Growing up I loved to sing, but I have 3 brothers who were never polite in telling 'the foghorn' to be quiet. I never imagined that one day I would belong to a choir. My dear friend Jayne belongs to the Beenleigh Theatre choir - A-chord.

 Jayne, Rachel and I after singing carols with A-chord on Friday evening.

One Sunday afternoon in 2009, I went to a performance of A-chord at the local sports centre. I was so thrilled by their presentation, that I commented that I wished I sang well enough to join them. The reply was 'Anyone can sing. Come and join us singing Christmas carols at Kaiser Drive.'

Kaiser Drive [2 k's long] Windaroo, is where almost every family in the street, 'lights up'. 

On Christmas Eve, the street is closed to traffic. The road is lined with candles in paper sandbags, families gather on their lawns and share food, wine, laughter and friendship, while up to 8 or more thousand people promenade the length of this incredibly beautiful street, beneath a starry sky and the A-chord carollers [on this night] sing from the back of an incredibly, slowly, moving truck. The scene is quite different however, when thunderstorms decide to show their might.

It is now 4 years since I joined the choir and Christmas for me is carolling at Kaiser Drive on 4 or 5 different nights, with Christmas Eve being particularly special. We sing all the traditional carols, as the sweat drips from our faces. The following carols always have me longing to see snow falling.
                 Winter Wonderland
                 Silver bells
                 Frosty the Snowman
                 I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas!!!
We do sing carols that relate to the Aussie conditions, but they don't give that warm fuzzy feeling.

Six White Boomers
Early on one Christmas Day, a Joey Kanga-roo 

Was far from home and lost in a great big zoo

Mummy, where's my mummy, they've taken her a-way 


We'll help you find your mummy son, hop on the sleigh 



[Verse:] 
Up beside the bag of toys, little Joey hopped 


But they hadn’t gone far when Santa stopped 


Un-harnessed all the reindeer and Joey wondered why


Then he heard a far off booming in the sky 



[Chorus:] 
Six white boomers, snow white boomers 


Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun 


Six white boomers, snow white boomers 
..

 On his Aus-tra-lian run 



Pretty soon old Santa began to feel the heat 


Took his fur-lined boots off to cool his feet 


Into one popped Joey, feeling quite OK 


While those old man kangaroos kept pulling on the sleigh 



Joey said to Santa, Santa, what about the toys 


Aren't you giving some to these girls and boys 


They've all got their presents son,

we were here last night 


This trip is an extra trip, Joey's special flight 





Soon the sleigh was flashing past,

 right over Marble Bar 


Slow down there, cried Santa, it can't be far


Come up on my lap son, and have a look around



There she is, that's mummy, bounding up and down 


Well that's the bestest Christmas treat that Joey 
ever had 


Curled up in his mother's pouch all snug and glad 


The last they saw was Santa headed northward
 from the sun 


The only year the boomers worked a double run

[chorous]

And this is our take on Jingle Bells.

Dashing through the bush,

in a rusty Holden ute, 

Kicking up the dust, 

esky in the boot, 

Kelpie by my side,

singing Christmas songs,

It's Summertime and I am in

my singlet, shorts and thongs.

Oh!Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,

Christmas in Australia

on a scorching summers day, Hey!

Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut,

Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden ute.

Engine's getting hot;

we dodge the kangaroos,

The swaggie climbs aboard, he is welcome too.

All the family's there,

sitting by the pool,

Christmas day the Aussie way,

by the barbecue.

Oh! Jingle bells................

In 2006 Frank and I went looking for a white Christmas and flew to a small village in Switzerland, near Interlaken, called Wilderswill. Sadly this was the year of a very mild European winter and the only snow was on the mountain tops.

 Our cloud covered view of the Jungfrau, taken on Christmas day, as we enjoyed our sleigh ride through 'The Snow'.

In November 2009, my friend Jenny and I flew to Banff to visit our sons. Both had been away from home for several years. We arrived at night, but were quite aware that no snow had fallen. This is what we woke to.

Sheer magic!

Several days later, we were visiting Lake Louise, when snow began to tumble from the sky. I was ecstatic! To me it was - CHRISTMAS!!!

I now hang this very special decoration on the front door each year, hoping at least for a cool day.

Kim and Stuart continue to add to my collection of snowflakes.

Last Tuesday evening, Jenny and I took the bus to the city to experience its festive air.

The theme of the parade and City Hall light spectacular was the Nutcracker Ballet and I just managed to snap some fast moving snowflakes.

It was a joy to watch faces of young and old, as the City Hall light show cast its spell.      

                                           

                                           

We then enjoyed a brisk walk to Riverside, to watch a more subdued light show on the arches of the Story bridge, made all the more special by the brilliance of the rising full moon.

32 C / 89 F is the forecast for tomorrow Christmas Eve, with Christmas day cooling to 28 C / 82 F. Can't ask for better than that. Now that I know the direction for snow at the North Pole, I wish you all a safe and very happy Christmas with family and friends.

To my Northern readers lucky enough to have snow, make sure you enjoy it for me - throw a snowball, build a snowman, make a snow angel, take a walk and then snuggle up beside your fire. Have fun!

Thank you for visiting. I really would love to read your comment.