the skies

it's beginning to feel a lot like christmas around here and we're loving it. christmas tree is up, lit and decorated, the lighted trees down the driveway shine and twinkle each night, christmas cards arrive daily, advent calendars are in full swing and there have been plenty of trips to the post office sending loving wishes off to friends and family for the holiday season. 

paul has been in new zealand the past week or so but before he left, he made a fresh batch of biltong leaving it to dry and cure while he was away. i finished up the process and cut a few slices for myself, thanks paul. tastes like south africa......lekker.

this year, i have made a point of learning the names of and observing the full moons each month. they have unique qualities to their names given to them by medieval europeans and native americans based on the behaviors of nature: animals, plants and weather during that month. there's strawberry moon, worm moon, hunter's moon, etc. december's full moon is the cold moon and this year was particularly beautiful because it was a super moon as well which is when a full moon coincides with the closest distance that the moon reaches the earth in its elliptic orbit. a supermoon looks larger than normal, it's amazing. lately has also been a time of unique and extraordinary sunsets and sunrises altogether creating masterpieces in the heavenly skies. the photo of the horses is just after sunrise as they positioned themselves to be warmed by the morning winter sun.

paul sent loads of photos to our family (we have an ongoing group whatsapp chat that keeps us all in touch when paul or anyone travels and makes ben and kensey now residing in prague feel closer) which made us all jealous for the beach and summer and the foods we love and miss from our time in australia. thanks paul :) who arrived safely home yesterday and brought some of the long missed treats home to share with his kids for christmas. can't wait!!