DECEMBER 1st CHEERS: Last night we attended the opening of the “Glimpses of a Fragile Paradise” with photographs by Solange Bland. They were taken in the 1960s of both Angkor Wat and Cultural Revolution China. This image of Suzhou really ignited my imagination as we were very familiar with Suzhou when we lived nearby in the 1990s. I can’t imagine what it must look like now
*This shot was selected for the Fab 4 on the day
DECEMBER 2nd PEACE: My favourite quote about peace with a background of a photograph I took of the Atomic Bomb Dome in Peace Park Hiroshima, Japan during the time we lived there in the 1990s. “May peace prevail on earth”
DECEMBER 3rd LAST THING I READ: was the menu of my favourite breakfast eatery in order to order and although I could have done a scan to order online I chose not to. The healthy omelette was every bit as good as the description suggested
DECEMBER 4th STAR: The only Xmas decoration I have is this star made from recycled paper and this prompt finally made me go find it and hang it in our apartment today
DECEMBER 5th CANDY CANE: I actually thought this would be impossible to find today and then after arriving in Siem Reap and having to kill time until our hotel room was ready, the first little stroll down an interesting laneway had this on display. Xmas tree decorations hand crocheted in Cambodia. I wasn’t tempted to purchase but I did snap a quick pic
DECEMBER 6th OUTSIDE: on the balcony of our hotel with sugar palms and the pool tempting us to stay put for the day but we did actually venture out onto the streets and the 32° heat anyway. Now however it’s pool time for me
DECEMBER 7th JOY IS: watching the Cambodian Circus Phare Ponleu Selpak perform in the big top to capacity crowds
DECEMBER 8th THIS MAKES ME MERRY: Today as we were almost at the end of our five and a half hour journey returning home from Siem Reap we got a call about a parcel delivery, which promptly arrived moments after we walked in the door. We don’t have a Xmas tree so I placed the beautifully wrapped gifts under the dried lotus pods, where they will remain until the appropriate day. Many thanks to my secret Santa from the FMS gift exchange
DECEMBER 9th CHRISTMAS TREE: A distinctly Cambodian take on a Xmas tree with Hanuman the immortal and invincible monkey god in the background. Cultural balance is the thing
DECEMBER 10th SOMETHING RED: Those red, red lips are a detail of the advertising for Madam Butterfly which we will see in less than an hour
the whole image from which the detail was taken
DECEMBER 11th ‘TIS THE SEASON TO: celebrate. We have two international guests visiting and one of them is celebrating a birthday in addition to all the seasonal celebrations, so sky bars with a view and cocktails are certainly on the agenda
DECEMBER 12th DECORATION: I have always loved the way lotus flowers are folded to be used as offerings and also as decorations. They do add a lovely touch to interior decor especially when displayed like this
DECEMBER 13th SOMETHING GREEN: This lovely wall mural inside a new to us cafe is not only green but also done by one of my favourite artists here. I have run into her work accidentally three times lately and it is always striking. This is also the place we had a final farewell lunch with my great mate, who has been visiting for the last twelve days
DECEMBER 14th I HEAR: We have seen hornbills many times now and they never disappoint. This evening they were so close in the temple compound that we could hear them chirping as they devoured the ripe berries on this palm and the incredible helicopter sound of their wings when they flew past
DECEMBER 15th DECOR: Today’s day trip took us to one of our favourite spots, where every aspect of the decor is creative, calming and tasteful. Though we only went for a decadent lunch it was the decor of the pool zone that caught my eye
DECEMBER 16th SHOPPING: The early morning market shopping this morning required three of us to haul home the goodies and baking and roasting is the order of the day now. Dinner guests tomorrow and decadent December continues
*This shot was selected for the Fab 4 on the day
DECEMBER 17th CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Look carefully and this wreath does have a few lights. It didn’t help that we were there during the day but since we are having guests to dinner tonight and the options here are limited, that’s as good as it gets for this prompt
DECEMBER 18th SOMETHING CUTE: We have hardly left the house today but this popped up on memories. An archive shot taken on this day after we had just started teaching the cute little monks of Kep. We continued to do so for the next four and a half years and we got to see many of these boys turn into teenagers and mature young men
DECEMBER 19th FESTIVE: We have begun gifting the traditional Xmas cakes and chocolate chip shortbread we baked, to friends but we couldn’t be certain they were up to scratch without an official taste test. Today’s afternoon coffee break was very festive if I do say so myself
DECEMBER 20th SANTA: image adorning the glass doors to one of the businesses we were in this morning. I actually haven’t seen a single human version here this year yet
DECEMBER 21st I DO THIS EVERY YEAR: Keep an envelope of memories. As the year progresses any day that brings a special sense of joy, contentment, achievement or fulfillment we write up on a coloured slip of paper and fold it up and put it in the envelope. Come New Year’s Day we sit down and read them aloud to each other and recall and reflect upon the details and blessings of the year that was, as a part of my gratitude practice. This year the envelope is not as full as usual but there is still plenty to be thankful for
DECEMBER 22nd WRAPPING: I absolutely love wrapping gifts and yesterday I was so happy to be part of a volunteering group who helped pack and wrap school supplies and gifts for vulnerable and disadvantaged school children in Phnom Penh. Tomorrow we pack food supplies and snacks for families
DECEMBER 23rd GIFT: The Sisters Missionaries of Charity Xmas Event was today and it was so lovely to help out and see the joy on the children’s faces. There were wonderful prizes, a new set of sports clothes, a backpack with stationery and hygiene products as well as a packed lunch, snack pack and Xmas decorated cupcake for every child. They left with arm loads of goodies and gifts.
DECEMBER 24th TOGETHER: time for a little Xmas cheer and celebration at a newly discovered location with all the feelgood vibes of a green outdoor setting and fabulously delicious food and cocktail options
DECEMBER 25th MY CHRISTMAS DAY: celebration begins now with bubbles
DECEMBER 26th ON THE SHELF: of our local refill store as much liquid cleaner or shampoo, conditioner or body wash as you could possibly want. You can even leave clean jars there for recycling or take one for the product you need. Love the simple and ecofriendly system in place so we purchase there
DECEMBER 27th HALF FULL: The bottle might be empty but the glass is still half full. A gratitude attitude goes a long way
DECEMBER 28th THIS IS HOW I RELAX: Well this how I ensure I can relax in two days when my sister finally arrives. It took two of us but two homemade and healthy meals and sliced homemade sourdough in the freezer and snacks, treats, lotus root, baba ganoush and flat bread ready for the meal on arrival so we get quality time together. Too excited to relax today that’s for sure
DECEMBER 29th ON THE WALL: The beautiful Bhutanese scroll we bought in 2011 on our first trip to the Zorig Chosem Arts School in Trashiyangste. First wall out of Bhutan it has hung on we absolutely love it. Memories of the kingdom of happiness
DECEMBER 30th A FUNAL SELFIE FOR 2023: After so many cancellations and delays over the last few years my gorgeous sister finally made it to Cambodia this morning. An amusing selfie with a background of our guests in hysterics after so many failed attempts through the day
THE PROMPTS
