Best Christmas Ever!

I love Christmas, okay? I really do, the clocks go back this weekend, Halloween is next weekend and I can finally actually start to talk about it.

I must admit, I was a bit reluctant to enter this competition because hey, it does seem that Christmas comes earlier every year, but there's a trip to Lapland at stake and I think I can do this.


This is what you could call a bit of a late entry, despite knowing about it for a little while but better late than never... So, the wonderful (Oxford-based!), Transun are offering an exciting trip to Lapland for Christmas in return for talking about 'your best Christmas'.

A couple of years ago I was lucky enough to spend Christmas in Florida, we've been a few times before but I think this was the best and the first time I've really been able to appreciate it. With everything being so American and exaggerated given that you don't quite get the Winter Wonderland feel in that part of the world, there were still lots of times that I felt both lucky and super-Christmassy.


My absolute top Christmas moment was visiting the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at MGM/Disney Hollywood Studios, I hadn't seen the light show before and it was just perfect and despite the fact that it probably happens 200 times an evening, it felt really special.




Our Christmas meals when visiting Florida have been far from traditional, from eating at a pirate dinner show to sampling Asian fusion at Emeril's Tchoup Tchoup, I think that's the perk of having a Christmas away from home, making the most of what's around you and really giving your holiday the best you can.

Florida Flashback.

I've taken so few photos this year so far that I feel quite weird about it. I'm not necessarily a 'capture everything' kind of person, but it's fun and I enjoy it so it's definitely something I'm working to improve upon.
With a lack of new things to show you, I thought it might make me feel better to show you some things I haven't shown you before, so here is a small selection of snaps from my Florida holiday in December, it feels like an ages ago.

You might remember that I already shared a few when I first came back, getting the whole lot printed is definitely on my 'list of things to get around to eventually' as is compiling the video I shot into a short film because I think I got some really nice stuff. Looking through these again definitely makes me long for warm weather even more, how nice it will be to choose sunglasses over gloves.









Always any cat, but I do just love snapping away whenever I go to the zoo. ♥








I haven't really put any thought into any big holidays this year yet but I hope that I get around to a couple of minibreaks that have been popped into the suggestion box. We have a quick stop over to visit Moon's Dad's new house in Northern Ireland at the beginning of next month which I'm really looking forward to. It will certainly be nice to get a real change of scenery and get some fresh Irish air in my lungs.
It's pretty common at the moment that I find myself feeling a bit of wanderlust, I think the next few busy weekends will cure this though and I hope to feel back on track.

The Most Christmassy.

Was anyone else a little bit sad to see their Christmas tree go yesterday? It sure was nice to get the space back but our little living room sure is looking bare without the Christmas cards and decorations.

I definitely think it's important to say goodbye to Christmas once the New Year arrives, but it's been difficult for me to find the time to share things with you, I've actually been suffering a lot with jetlag since I got home, as well as major writers block - I want to get around to sharing my tacky Floridian adventure with you, I'm just not sure when I'll be able to do it, I'm looking forward to it though, it just might be mixed in with other stuff.

Anyway, despite my writers block, I thought it was important to get Christmassy talk of the way, as it seems like 'the season' passed such a long time ago. Forgive me for the odd Christmas tree popping up here and there in the future though, I can't really help being there during the Christmas period. Without having a traditional Christmas, with cold weather and turkey, I guess you could say it was a little difficult to really get into to Christmas spirit this year, even if - thanks to work - I've been feeling all about Christmas since September.


That said, one event sticks out the most as to what made me feel like it was Christmas, and it actually happened after Christmas was over, and that was seeing The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios - Celebration and their fake snow can jog on, but more on that another time. Christmas is meant to be tacky, over the top and cheesy and seeing these lights dance to Christmas tunes had Christmas cheer wash all over me.

I took a few videos but they're for a short holiday film I'm putting together for my family, so here are my favourite photos from being there. I perhaps had more fun than I should have playing around with the depth of field on my 35mm lens, it made taking photos in this environment genuinely feel a little Christmassy too.






This is one of my favourite photos I took of the whole holiday.




After getting a maximum of two hours sleep last night, which I'm placing blame solely on jetlag (still!), it's back to reality and the world of work tomorrow. Moon started his new job today so it really feels like this week marks a new start. It will be so nice to worry less about money, especially as it's horrid bill month and January is horrid anyway, we're already mentally planning where we'll be taking ourselves on holiday this year - and our new sofa.

It's so nice to start the year in a positive way, even if the January Blues do creep up occasionally, just to remind me that I can't hide in Christmas forever. It's so strange that I'm in such a different place to where I was this time last year. I hope I don't seem to be wishing the year away but it so exciting to make plans.

An Untraditional Christmas.

Hi there from Florida of all places, long(ish) time, no blog.
I've always said this is a record for myself more than anything and being out here sure has muddled up my days a bit, particularly with having 3 different cameras on the go and my phone all to keep records of my fabulous time out here - so strange that I've been here a week already. It's only a family holiday but everyone thinks it's a bit odd that we're away for Christmas - in my opinion winter sun is the best idea ever, especially considering how miserable the UK has been, erm, all year.

I don't even care that Florida isn't 'real America', the glimpses of patriotism through the park parades and shows do a lot to demonstrate otherwise, and I'm sure that I'm exceeding my daily calorie allowance ten fold just by sitting here so that's authentic enough. There's a pool and there's a bit of sun but it has been a bit cold. Still, there's magic in the air and oddballs a plenty, I'm having a great time.

It has been a bit strange not seeing Moon everyday and I'm looking forward to seeing him when I get back but you know what they say about absence etc, it's probably the most time we've spent apart since we moved to Newbury, with the most before this being about 2 nights.

I figured I'd share this in bits, but with Christmas being the most recent 'big' event I thought that would be the best place to start. We spent Christmas Eve in Magic Kingdom, it was rammed, we managed to get on a couple of rides but decided to head back to the villa and return in the evening for the parade and fireworks. The fireworks were a great way to see in Christmas, and they do amazing projections onto the castle now that are super clever. You'll have to excuse the photo-heavy post, as always I am rubbish at editing down, I suppose it's a sign of what's to come.


Isn't the popcorn detail on Magic Kingdom's Christmas tree super cute? ♥

The long lens for my DSLR has come in super useful for getting nice shots of the shows and parades through the crowds so far, I'm so glad I brought it.

The tacky gift shops up and down the main highway are one of my favourite things about visiting Florida. I've got my beady eye on a particularly hideous tie-dye Florida tee as a souvenir.

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Should have used something to show scale, this thing was a beast!











We were treated to a Santa hat and a Christmas tree among other things, so clever!



Christmas was a big hush-hush surprise but began, as per tradition, with smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, a great way to feel at home when not at home. After secret Santas and opening gifts, I'm drowning in bathing products as usual, we headed to the 'secret location' of Emeril's Tchoup Chop, an amazing Asian fusion restaurant in one of Universal Studio's hotels. I actually can't find the words to recommend it enough, it's some of the nicest food I've ever eaten, ridiculously good and as someone who's not a big fan of turkey, a great break from other Christmas traditions.



My first ever egg nog, I'd love it to have tasted like Baileys but it's more like watery cake mixture.

I got Lucy, my Gran and I tickets to see Cirque Du Soleil while we're out here, it was a total surprise, I'm super excited to go as I've always wanted to but never been before.

My sister kindly got me Rob Ryan's 2013 calendar, to go with two other calendars waiting at home, this will be taking pride of place.





Hawaiian Gingerbread House.



Fancy prawn crackers.


The tastiest oriental starter I've ever had, the egg roll, omg.


Every holiday I go on seems to be a lot more active than everyday life, and I thought I was meant to be relaxing! Truthfully, I am relaxed but heading out for park opening is tiring, so Christmas night meant a swim, maxin' relaxing and watching 100 Greatest Kids Stars on VH1, awesome.


Chinese 5-Spice Lamb Shank with Green Apple and Parsnip Cobbler.


Emeril's Special Banana Cream Pie.



A very noisy holiday squirrel.
Boxing Day has been intense I started writing this before we head back to MGM (Hollywood Studios) for lots of shows and a go on the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. We had the biggest downpour this afternoon but hopefully it will be sun for the second part of our holiday. I hope you're enjoying the festive season and that you got lots of great gifts and tasty food. Happy Holidays! ♥