Christmas memories

Certainly nothing to fancy in this post, but some good memories of some awesome friends. Our company held a Christmas party for the full time employees and their families. It was very American in someways, but Chilean in others. It was a great day with some great people.

A very nice outside setting. Fitting for the farm in summer.

One of the first activities of the day was a great opportunity to be a permanent part of this farm. As you may remember the farm is only about 4 years old. It is still growing and developing. As part of a future picnic/soccer(futbol)/party complex they had each family plant a tree for the picnic area. We got to plant our tree and there will be a plaque affixed with our name. We will forever be part of the farm.

Barbara with our palta tree. That is "avocado" for gringos.

 Here is a very Chilean part of the Christmas party. You just can't have a party here without a BBQ.

A 12 foot grill eventually filled with chicken, pork and beef.

Now for the American part. These have become a big thing here. We saw them all over for days before Christmas.

Blow-ups, Volleyball, Trampoline and Ping Pong,

And of course, in summer on a farm, how else is Santa going to come? A pick-up was fitting.

Now for a little more touring and shopping. It is the Christmas season. But, it seemed strange to only have to buy two gifts. I think Grandma had a hard time not buying and giving pajamas to her nietos (grandkids).

A great little town in the hills close to where we go to church is Pomaire. (pronounced Po my day) They are famous for a unique kind of soil they fashion into some great clay pots. A relaxing day of strolling down a little street looking at a variety of clay wares.

A great Pomaire find that brightened our house for the holidays was this little Chilean nativity. The star is complements of our little chalkboard, but it worked.

Worthy of a close up

We had our own little nativity on Christmas Eve. Our friends here invited us over for supper and their traditional reading of Luke 2.

With shepherds in the distance, a dumb ass sits quietly by the miracle.

Our complete cast, narrator and all.

This last Pomaire pic ended up being Barbara's Christmas. It is hard to explain what it felt like the first time we saw this hanging in one of the little shops. In Spanish we would say "tranquilo." Remembering your cognates you can probably figure out what we felt. It has a balance and softness that is hard to describe. We hope in a year we can transport it home without crunching it.

This hangs about five feet long and has a delicate sound when moving.