Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

At this time every year we look forward to reconnecting with friends and family via Christmas cards. It is one of my favourite holiday traditions. From 1 December onward I love hearing the clank of my door's postal flap and the sound of cards slapping the floor below. It is so fun hearing from so many wonderful people from various phases of our lives. Interestingly before the postal act of 1840, which brought the Penny Post to the whole of the UK, postage was charged by distance AND was charged to the recipient! So Christmas cards would have been a luxury for sure, and I can't imagine the recipient was always glad to receive them! Well, I wish postage was still a penny, but nevertheless I really enjoy sending cards and receiving them.



This year we rallied the troops for yet another self-portrait. While I love seeing an idea I have for a family photograph through, it is stressful being both the photographer and a subject! One year I'm going to break down and hire a photographer! This year I wanted to do something fun and something that hinted at our return to London. So we found a willing cabbie with a classic black taxi and hired his cab as our prop. Aside from the fact that Trevon was more interested in playing around in the cab than taking family photos, I think it turned out pretty well. And per usual the cabbie was a delightful fellow. I love British cabbies!

Ice-skating

Ice-skating rinks pop up all over London during the holiday season. Below the London Eye, near museums, beside grand halls and next to palaces. Such magical backdrops for a fun holiday activity. We live very near to Hampton Court Palace, which also hosts a Christmastime ice rink. It was a fun holiday family outing, and pretty cool to skate in the shadow of King Henry VIII's palace.




By the end of our session Dallin and Madeleine were doing well making it around the ice without the aid of me or the wall!


Trevi didn't last long on the ice, but he enjoyed the festive atmosphere and hot cocoa all the same.


This is kind of a scrappy photo of me, but I really surprised myself at how decent I was on the ice. I haven't been ice-skating in probably over a decade, and probably only ever twice in my life. I loved it! I'm no Peggy Flemming, but I'm not bad if I do say so myself :)

So This Is Christmas

I adore London at Christmas. There is simply no other place better at Christmastime. Evidence of yule tide merriment can be found throughout the city. It is glorious on all levels, from flashy gorgeous store fronts and stunning street light displays to carol singers in local grocery stores and rich English Christmas traditions. Although I wish we could be spending Christmas with family, I have loved savouring this season here this year.



I even took an English Christmas class in which I learned about the history of Christmas, how it's been observed through the ages, and all of the components to the traditional English Christmas celebration and where these traditions come from. It certainly got me in the sprit and gave me impetus for trying to capture more of London at Christmas on camera, much neglected in years past.



OXFORD STREET
The main shopping drag in London is a regular haunt for me, and it really comes alive around Christmas.

















SELFRIDGES
It's the department store in London. Their storefront windows are always beautiful, but at Christmas they are truly works of art.



















COVENT GARDEN
Always a lively shopping, dining and entertainment venue is full of grand Christmas cheer.













JERMYN STREET
Where modern shops make the traditional English Christmas possible.





KNIGHTSBRIDGE
Classic big high street shop glam, and its shining star, Harrods.






A photo of a photo since Harrods doesn't allow personal cameras, visiting Santa at Harrods.

MARYLEBONE
My favourite high street in all of London becomes a Christmas wonderland, and in the heart of the city still makes you feel like you're in a small village.

















ST. CHRISTOPHER'S PLACE
An oasis of calm, this secret alley offshoot from Oxford Street opens into a cheerful shopping lane.















OXFORD & REGENT STREETS
Nothing compares to these streets shining bright at night.























SOUTHBANK
The London Eye and surrounding plaza becomes a festive German style Christmas market.





HIGH STREET
Greater London is really a conglomerate of small neighbourhoods that truly feel like villages. Our town of outer London is a great example. With a charming high street at its core our village was the perfect backdrop for our village's own Christmas tree lighting ceremony. It was such a festive evening. Shops were open late passing out sweets and balloons. The town became a fair with pony rides, Father Christmas visits and carol singers before the mayor switched on the lights. Joining the choir on the steps of the town hall in singing Christmas hymns gave me goosebumps. I love where I live.



























TRIMMING THE TREE
Time to bring Christmas home.









OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY
It's very uncommon here in the UK for spouses or families to be invited to any office Christmas parties. Scott had to attend three (one black tie!) parties that I was not invited to! So when we heard the firm was hosting a Christmas party for children, I was pretty shocked! It was a nice party, and nice for me to get meet people Scott associates with daily (i.e. people who see him more than I do!), and the kids loved seeing his office.


At the station heading to "work"


Scott's building




Not a great shot at night, but Scott has a pretty sweet office with nice corner views!






Dallin would not have dared sit with Father Christmas, but he changed his mind when he saw all the little kids receiving gifts straight away!

TRAFALGAR SQUARE
One of my favourite places in London at Christmas. With a huge Norwegian Christmas tree as the focal point, the whole square emphasises one thing I love most about Christmas in this country. On this night the Jewish choir and a crowd of Jews were gathered in the square enjoying a wonderful concert of Jewish carols in honour of Hanukkah. And not only is there the giant Christmas tree here, but there is also a massive menorah and a huge nativity scene in the square. I hate how a loud minority of people in the US have tried to neutralise any notion of religious celebration at Christmas. Anything relating to or even using the word "Christmas" has come under fire. This all in the name of religious tolerance, or non-religious tolerance as the case may be. It infuriates me! And yet here in this land Christmas celebrations are uninhibited, and I feel the spirit of Christmas flow so much more naturally. Here in the land where religious oppression sent droves of people to flee and begin a new life in a land with religious freedom in America. So ironic.