A summertime Merry Christmas to you!

There's no snow. No sleigh rides. No Jack Frost nipping at your nose.

There are sunburns. There are barbecues. There's plenty of sweating while wrapping Christmas presents.

One benefit of a summer Christmas is the ability to spend an entire evening on a picnic blanket eating sausages and singing carols in the tradition of carols by candlelight. From the professional production in Sydney to the local elementary school grinches and asipring Santas join together for some holiday cheer.

 Every Aussie loves a good sausage sizzle, especially when it's a fundraiser for scouts.

I don't think the Mystic Seaport carol sing has a tug of war...

From O Come All Ye Faithful to Jingle Bells and some Go Tell it on the Mountain inbetween we filled the hills with song while the natiity was painted on a truck. Yes, that is correct...

Because it's Australia, and the entire country is combustible, we had battery operated candles which fr an extra 50 cents, you could get the color changing ones. Hours of entertainment for young and old :)

And while every one back home is waiting for Santa to arrive with his reindeer and sleigh, Santa came in  a ute. Because after all, this is Australia...

Wishing everyone a warm, bright, and very merry Christmas from down under!

Hotel Howie

***This entry is at the request of my little brother, Doobie, who turns 24 today. He is accepting gifts.***

Stay in the heart of Perth

Overlooking the Swan River and riverfront parklands, Hotel Howie features a state-of-the-art fitness centre, personal kitchen, and chef.

All rooms feature cable TV, and a private bathroom with hairdryer, rubber ducky shower curtain and any soap, toothpaste, or sunscreen you may have forgotten. Accommodation options include queen bedroom with ensuite bathroom, single couch, or ample floor space.

Free WiFi and free fireworks are available. The fully equipped fitness centre includes rubber resistance bands, pull-up bars and playground. See concierge for customized holiday itineraries and private tour guides.

Offering international cuisine in a relaxed setting, Oh-Kay Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Cocktails, wine and beer are available on the second floor balcony.

Located in heart of the city centre, Hotel Howie is a 30-minute drive or bus ride from Perth Airport.

Seasonal rates
Queen bedroom w/ensuite...........1 lb. Dunkin Donuts french vanilla coffee per week
Single couch.................................1 bottle of Hidden Valley Ranch light dressing per week
Floor space dormitory.................1 extra large tootsie roll per week

*All prices in US prices and include meals

Enquire within for availability.

Santa found me in Perth

Santa Claus came a little early to Perth this year.

 Packages are a little sweeter when they travel around the world and are sent with a lot of love :)

Get Lucky

I come from the land of casinos. Both Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods are within a 10 minute drive from the house where I grew up and still call home.

 Yes, Foxwoods does resemble the Emerald city of Oz coming out of the trees.

The casinos were a bit controversial in my town growing up (yes of course I have read Without Reservation), but I don't think there was anyone who hadn't been there for roulette, Bobby Flay's burger bar, a night at MGM Grand, or as an avid fan of women's basketball to watch the WNBA Connecticut Sun play.

I have never gambled. I'm not morally opposed, I just like my money where I can see, eat, or drink it. When I first started going to the casino to see the Rainmaker and eat at the buffet, I wasn't old enough anyways. I couldn't cross the famed change in carpet colors for those who were of age. By the time I was willing to put in a couple of quarters into the slot machines, they had switched to tickets and the lowest amount of money you could put in was a $10 bill. Pshhh! No thank you.

Perth has it's own casino. Formerly known as Burswood, it is now Crown Perth. It's a pyramid of a fixture along the river.

 And just like my hometown ambling goliaths, this one is complete with gambling, shows, clubs, and restaurants. I went to see Lee Kernaghan there (aka Australia's Garth Brooks).

I've been to two of the restaurants so far. One, Merrywell, is American themed. How could I not try their trendy lollipop chicken wings, mac n cheese bites or corn dogs? The Aussie who accompanied me had never had a corn dog, and I believe was impressed. The lollipop wings were exactly that: tiny lollipops, but they get a shout out for the effort.

Of course there's gambling (though no pictures allowed so I was super sneaky, obviously trying to scam the system and win big). Staying true to my "morals" no gambling for me. Though I did see a new game, Casino War. Yes, it is the childhood game of War. That requires absolutely no skill.

We did try Club Eve, but instead of the R&B through the halls of Mohegan Sun, true to Perth form, this one had duff duff dance music. So we went back to the rock cover band in the Irish Pub for a little Brown Eyed Girl. Much more our style. After all, I had my dancing shoes on.