The rain has not stopped in a month (I am taking a deep breath). A small river has formed at the back of our house and our clothes are starting to smell like blue cheese. Hopefully this will not put Santa off because he is highly expected, by Leila, at least. She actually has no doubt that he will come for we have a fireplace in the house. How he manages to come down such a narrow path has puzzled her in the past but seems to be of minor importance lately. I sewed some Christmas stockings for the family and hung them up in front of the fireplace only to remove them shortly after and start a fire. Well, I thought I was starting a fire but gave up after I found out that all our small wood, newspaper and matches (!) were too damp to light up. Cris got his way using alcohol (needless to say, dear South African friends, that even if we wanted to use some, firelighters are not an option here) and we gathered all our bedding to try and dry it up a bit. This is not my dream tropical Christmas or summer holiday. A lot of DVD-watching has been happening, generally to cool down the spirits that are missing some outdoors energy release. I am so grateful for our veranda, not just to dry the amazing collection of umbrellas (all of which were gifts from visiting friends / family / colleagues!) but for the bike-riding, valley watching and umbrella-house building that has been happening there in spite of torrential rains.
The girls have easily taken in the idea that although Santa brings some Christmas gifts, it is totally fine and necessary to count on the participation of all parents and community. They were pleased to deliver themselves some presents to the post office in Ouro Preto, which will deliver them to some children from around here who wrote a letter to Father Christmas. And then on Saturday, as we went to visit their cousins in Belo Horizonte we were invited to join Cristiano's cousin on his own initiative to deliver presents to children of the neighboring favelas. Some exciting times!
Who knows who will be dressed up as Santa next year...
Ici nous n'avons pas encore vu le Père Noël aujourd'hui, ni depuis qlq jours, car il fait trop de pluies et de vents...He wouldn't like his coat to carry him in the sky !
ReplyDeleteLet's hope that when you come, the weather wil be nicer!
For the matches, to protect them from dampness, Dad suggests to put the box in a sealed jar, in glass or plastic, and I suggest an electric radiator to dry them, and the clothes before using them or putting them in a plastic bag...
Courage for the next year Father Xmas and we wish you a wonderful time this year, love and kisses,
MC+D.
What a beautiful collection of umbrellas ,
Olá Gwen, passei por aqui para diminuir um pouquinho as saudades que sinto de vocês! Sua casa na montanha é liiiinda e as meninas estão aproveitando bastante. E o Papai Noel, passou pela lareira? Posso imaginar a alegria da Leila e Coline com todos os preparativos para o Natal. Espero que 2014 chegue cheio de alegria, saúde, paz e muitas conquistas para vocês. Um grande abraço para Cristiano, beijo para você e beijinhos de borboletas para minhas eternas e inesquecíveis princesas Leila e Coline. Saudades!!!!!
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