My plan a few days ago was to celebrate Christmas by posting an image each day for a week here on my blog. Well, I have survived four days now, so all is good. Think of it as a graphical interlude to my recent efforts of blog silence.

Today is the day to ponder on the meaning of Boxing Day. Boxing Day is a Commonwealth holiday celebrated in the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. It officially falls on December 26th, the day after Christmas, or the first weekday following Christmas if Christmas falls on a weekend. This means that today most of Australia is at home or sports events, instead of back at work.

There are a number of theories about Boxing Day and its origins, but all I can tell you is it’s a traditional day of sorting out presents and tidying the house for our household.

Photo: Pancake Stack, Mt Lawley Cafe.

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I grew up with natural Christmas trees, ones cut down from some plantation, sold at the local Petrol station and brought to our home for the month of December, dressed up and treated well for a few weeks, and then discarded on the trash heap at the end of December. I have vivid memories of pine needles stuck in our carpet for months afterwards, and that delicious smell of a freshly cut tree.

Nowadays, we’re using fake trees (see image), wiped for dust and then dressed in the lights and trimmings, then quietly removed to a box back in the shed for the next eleven months. It sure doesn’t have that romance or reality as the real trees did, however I solace myself with the thoughts I am saving the environment.

So, what was your Christmas Tree?

Photo: Christmas Tree 2006.

After my recent purchase of a Canon EOS400D, I’ve become reluctant to spend time writing, and over eager to spend time taking photographs instead.

Here’s my 3 year old daughter, Leia, after an hour of painting pictures on her easel in our backyard. The hands tell the story.

Image: Leia’s hands after painting.