This year we went camping for Christmas.
On the beach we made a candle runway for Father Christmas and his sleigh, although it was too windy to actually light the candles.
On Christmas morning we woke up to the water lapping just metres from our swags, strong billy tea and breakfast cooked on the fire, complete with mini croissants. I have officially borrowed this tradition from you, thanks Kate.
Christmas lunch included yabbies we had pulled from the water just hours earlier.
In the afternoon the swimming went on for hours.
It was a relatively simple Christmas spent with family in and around the water. I was free from housework, table decorations and the need for a Christmas outfit. This year it worked for us.
How was your Christmas day?
Did you break from tradition?
Jess from Vintage Pie
This is just gorgeous. I am not a natural-born camper, but I love how relaxing this day must have been for you. Lovely.
Kate @ Kate Writes
What a great way to have croissants Jane. Your Christmas under the trees looks magical. Kx
Missy Piggy
That looks SO relaxing…I wish that we had been by the way. I didn't realise you were so close to water – is this on your property or down at Menindee?
Jane S
This water is about 2 hours drive from us Mel, it is sort-of part of the Menindee lake system, the exact location is top secret 🙂
Lizzy (Good Things)
Jane, how wonderful! Beautiful images captured from your Christmas, thanks so much for sharing! xox
Melissa L
I have never had yabbies before, but they look so plump and amazing! Sounds like a fantastic (and very Aussie) Christmas.
leaf (the indolent cook)
What a blissful Christmas! I'm really digging that beachside campfire breakfast and lunch.
katiecrackernuts
Sounds beautiful. Really beautiful.
Kylie
Christmas as it should be Jane. Lovely. Really, really lovely.
Zara
Looks like my type of Christmas. x
Lucent Imagery
Oh my goodness, the light and moments you have captured! Just beautiful photos. And I adore that it simplified things for you so that you could enjoy those moments more fully rather than run around hecticly. (I didn't get to try the trifle given I'm gluten free but everyone was raving about it!) x
Anonymous
I just discovered your blog. I live in Broken Hill, but have only been here about ten years. I have nursing friends in the U.S and Canada so am going to send your blog address to them. It really captures outback life. I admire all that you manage to do and know life is tough out in places like yours. You are an inspiration. Thanks for sharing these parts of your life.
Janine
Jane S
Thanks Janine, it is really lovely to hear from some one local!
Emilie@theclevercarrot
Your Christmas looks absolutely lovey. What a wonderful way to spend the holiday, especially with kids. And no housework or Christmas outfit- good for you Jane!
JJ - 84thand3rd
What a perfect way to spend Christmas 🙂
Shanshan Lam
This is a beautiful way to spend Christmas, esp when you get to 'fish' for yabbies!
Anonymous
Beautiful photos. I love that big sky with it's super wide horizon and the way you have captured the passage of light through the summer day. Just gorgeous!
I live in the Blue Mountains. Your photos have reminded me, that I need to head down over to the other side. Go west!
All the best for the New Year, Jane. I look forward to stopping by your wonderful space in 2013.
Nada
Catherine
Wow beautiful shots, and those yabbies, oh yum, happy new year!
e / dig in
jane, i'm catching up after christmas… i love your christmas. this is how christmas should be – not one bound up by old-times traditions that mean nothing to our way of living. where would turkey and brussel sprouts fit here? this looks much more meaningful and wonderful – your children will have fabulous memories of the sligh runway in the sand.
The Food Sage
A true Aussie Christmas – totally jealous, sounds divine! Our picnic plans were rained off in Sydney! Love your blog. Will be following your adventures in 2013.
Georgia
Jane, your christmas looks like it was wonderful- full of all the simple, joyful things that makes life great! We had a pretty simple one too – at my parents place with loads of gingerbread, laughs and champagne, pretty good! x
Catherine Bedson
What a wonderful Christmas day Jane, just heaven. I LOVE your photos they are fantastic and all the food looks pretty yummy too. We've broken with tradition once and had Christmas with just our family of four in Noosa which I enjoyed very much..Christmas lunch then lots of swimming, just like yours perfect.
Fiona Bris-Vegas!
This is a lovely post. It sums up Christmas in Australia very well. This will be wonderful to look back on in years to come when the kids don't 'want to do Christmas' with you…because it will come!