It would be good to find some quiet inlet where the waters were still enough for reflection. where one might sense the joy of the moment, rather than plan breathlessly for a few dozen mingled treats in the future…
Kathleen Norris
It would be good to find some quiet inlet where the waters were still enough for reflection. where one might sense the joy of the moment, rather than plan breathlessly for a few dozen mingled treats in the future…
Kathleen Norris
valeriedavies 
What gorgeous photographs! Very summery AND Christmas-y. Thanks for sharing.
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Debbie, thank you, so glad you enjoyed our antipodean take on Christmas – happy Christmas to you..
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beautiful.. c
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Thank you dear Celi… familiar to you no doubt… thinking of you in the exact opposite, happy happy Christmas to you and the All – especially Bo and Marmalade XXX
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What a beautiful spot to reflect and enjoy the moment. Lovely flowers, sunshine and fruit. Is the tree a Pohutukawa tree? I looked at the tag to see. Very unusual and showy. Merry Midsummer Christmas to you, Valarie. 🙂
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Hello Lynne, lovely to hear from you…yes, it is a pohutakawa tree… they grow huge – the size of a full grown oak .. that’s a close-up of the blossom…A merry Christmas to you Lynne
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The beauty of these images uplifts the spirit. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Valerie. It is a distinct pleasure to be in this blogging journey with you. All my best, Dee
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Dee, thank you for your beautiful words, I’m so glad the pics meant something to you…yes, our little band of bloggers is good company, isn’t it…Merry Christmas to you and yours, Valerie
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Beautiful, and so different. Cold, snowy, and dark here, lots of candle light and Christmas lights.
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I have to say, I rather envy you the Northern Christmas, the bells and the lights and the bitter cold !! I still miss it after forty years of midsummer Christmases !!!
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Thank you for such lovely photos Valerie… the beauty of simple domestic details like baskets of plump plums, roses against a wooden wall, sunny nasturtiums on a plate… they gladden my heart. Have a peaceful and beautiful Christmas and thank you for your inspiring blogs throughout the year. I am looking forward to more in 2014!
Very warm wishes
Elly x
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What a lovely perceptive comment Elly… lovely that you noticed all those things..and I’m glad they gladdened your heart, they do mine…
May you too have a happy and fulfilling Christmas Elly, and thank you so much for your warm encouragement, I really appreciate it,Valerie XXX
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Oh, my gosh! Your photos are so comforting on a cold, dark day here in the northern hemisphere. When we lived in Vanuatu, we enjoyed every sun-soaked moment.
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Lovely to hear from you… Vanuatu would have been beautiful…but I actually miss the cold dark candle-lit Northern winters, bells ringing, Christmas trees and lovely winter clothes !!!
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Dearest Valerie,
I can see it all now.
Amazing.
Merry Christmas!
Kia Ora,
Doug
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Gorgeous! I feel nourished, revived. Oh, the plums, the flowers, the shrimp and cucumber, the peaceful inlet. Thank you, Valerie, and wishing you a blessed Christmas.
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Josna, lovely to hear from you, thank you, and so glad that you enjoyed the pictures…I really appreciate the things you say, and may you enjoy a happy and peaceful Christmas XXX
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Glorious! Wishing you a joyful and peaceful Christmas, Valerie x
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Thank you Michele – joy and peace to you and your loved too, Valerie XXX
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Beautiful Valerie, just beautiful. The rich roundness and fulfillment of our summer Christmas carefully displayed for us all to enjoy.
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Thank you Gallivanta – so glad you enjoyed it… you create such evocative pictures of our country, that it’s a real pat on the back to know that you enjoyed my pics.Merry Christmas…
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It’s still odd to see proof of such bounty at Christmas when we expect the foul weather we’re often stuck with. I’m happy to see such beautiful pictures and think of you enjoying the weather even though there are twinges of nostalgia for the Christmas card days of our hemisphere.
I wish you a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year Valerie.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
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David, so good to hear from you. Glad you enjoyed the pics, and hope you enjoy your wonderful Northern lights and Christmas fun.
No doubt having a grandson present will add a special feeling to it. – Happy Christmas to you and warm wishes, Valerie
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I love summery feel in all your photos as I read this on our shortest and darkest day! Thank you for the sunshine! Happy Christmas to you and yours. 🙂
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Thank you Sally – and a Happy Christmas to you and yours….
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Lovely to see sea
so peaceful to be;
not being a pretender
of being in a blender!
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Dear Valerie,
I would gladly trade the bitter cold and snow for a midsummer Christmas. Lovely photos. My favorite is the stack of letters tied with a bow.
Merry Christmas
Kia Ora,
Rochelle
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And, at second glance, I see that it’s a package. Still my favorite. 😉
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Hello Rochelle,
Lovely to hear from you… glad you liked the photos… I still don’t know what’s inside that delectable looking parcel that a dear friend gave me at lunch the other day ! I promised her not to open until Christmas day !
I am in-undated with three lanky, larky grandsons, ranging between six foot two and six foot four, plus huge son of the same ilk, his step-children – smaller, and a stream of friends. The house is full of glasses, either filled or waiting to be cleared away, incoming presents, and the smell of various cakes, tarts and other goodies maturing in the oven !
I hope you have a lovely family- filled festive time, love Valerie
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I love these colorful, cheerful photos! So beautiful to see the flowers when is wintery here… Thank you for this beautiful post, Valerie!
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Thanks! I needed that after our bitter cold. We are basking in sunshine today hoping for a balmy 60 degrees with a very unusual warm spell coming through to melt all the snow. I would trade with you in a heartbeat!
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Your photos warmed me, which I needed very much at the moment. The wind is nasty here…24* with wind chill. Side blowing snow and a wood fire when I come in. But your tropical beauty is more peaceful and warming than any wood stove!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
¸.•*¨*•♪♫♫♪Merry Christmas ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥
˜”*°•.˜”*°•.˜”*°•.★★.•°*”˜.•°*”˜.•°*”˜”
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Dear Valerie, what a glorious, midsummer Christmas feast for the eyes! Thank you so much for this extra festive treat; such beautiful treasures from the other side of the globe!
Wishing you and your loved ones a magical, very happy Christmas – which approaches ever faster as midwinter dusk falls here… (so much truth in Kathleen Norris’s words!) Hope you find plenty of still water moments to enhance the festivities!
Melanie xx
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Dear Melanie, I’m all over the place with Posts and comments. Don’t waste time reading this is you’re busy – I KNOW you are – who isn’t on Christmas Eve? I’ve had fifteen people through the house to be fed and watered in the last two days, and now must slave over a hot stove since I volunteered to do the whole Christmas dinner this year ( mad, but happy! ) Glad you enjoyed my midsummer madness, and hope you’re enjoying your midwinter wassailing ! Love Valerie XX
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Lovely, absolutely stunning really. Maybe I should come visit you in the winter!
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So different from ours, but so lovely. Have a blessed and joy-filled Christmas, Valerie.
janet
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So gorgeous, Valerie! Have a beautiful Christmas indeed…in the quiet of your inlet 😉 xo
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Thank you Alarna dear, hope you’re having a happy time – love, Valerie
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Beautiful photos Valerie – in contrast to the gales and floods in the UK! Have a tranquil Christmas Valerie.
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Thank you Andrea, happy Christmas to you. I hope you’re not too affected by all the storms and floods – it all sounds horrendous..
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Fortunately not, I’m in the north and it’s mostly the south west that is suffering. Happy Christmas to you.
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Merry Christmas!
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What a wonderful feeling of fullness and celebration in these photos, Valerie. I’ve been out at the bach for solstice, not able to view photo-rich posts and having frustration trying to comment as I have only dialup out there. But I’m briefly back in town for a few hours, restocking. Am loving your book and so glad I kept it till I was at the bach. I am reading a little each day, savouring your wisdom and insightful reflections. Happy Summer Solstice and Christmas.
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Dear Juliet,
How simply lovely to find your message here, happy happy solstice and Christmas to you too,
Hope you’re having a lovely Christmas day. Thank you so much for your kind words about my book… I’m so looking forward to seeing you in the new year, and hoping to inveigle you up here for lunch, love Valerie
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I like the idea of being inveigled!
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visit, read the article and thanks for posting your article is quite good and we hope that all our friends all success and thank you all, greetings Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year to you and yours. 🙂
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Hi Valerie. Just dropped by to wish you all the blessings of this wonderful season. Peace and Love from Izzy ♥
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Lovely to hear from you Izzy – thank you so much, and I hope this lovely time of year brings you many blessings too, love Valerie PS Looking forward to more of your poetic posts in the New Year !!!
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Thank you for sharing these beautiful impressions of your Midsummer Christmas Valerie! – Hope you had a beautiful one. (It sure looks like it…)
Much love,
Steffi
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Thank you Steffi, lovely to know you enjoyed my pics, love Valerie
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