We'll be Home for Christmas

It's already the -BER months and for most of us, it means that Christmas is just around the corner! This Christmas will be more exciting for the three of us because it will be our first Christmas in the Philippines. It has been more than three years since we visited our homeland and going home during this season is just the perfect time to come home!

Oh, there will be lots of things to prepare before our trip since me and my little girl are staying behind a little bit longer. I am giddy with excitement though! I guess I miss the way we Filipinos celebrate Christmas and how we always celebrate it with the family. What I miss about celebrating Christmas in the Philippines was the gift-giving. How those who have more to share willingly give to those who have less. It is indeed a good reason to shower our loved ones with gifts of love.

I haven't started my Christmas list yet but I could include sterling silver jewelry for the cousins. And my nephew has been asking for a gadget. I wonder if I should buy him one... And what of my siblings and parents and nephews and nieces and the entire clan? I don't know what I should give them but just thinking about being able to share the blessings we received is more than enough to give a smile on my face.

Yup, being home for Christmas this year is a well-earned gift indeed!

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A Garden Full of Pumpkins!!!

Yesterday, we went to the Blühendes Barock Schloss in Ludwigsburg to tour some friends from Goettingen, Germany. We did not go to the Märchengarten or the botanical garden or toured the castle but followed the pumpkins until it finally led us to the garden full of pumpkins!

Schellenursli, a famous character from a famous Swiss  children's story.

Der Alphornbläser: The Alphorn Player 

Heidi's little cottage. Heidi is a famous character that I love as a child.

The Rütlischwur: the legendary oath of Old Swiss Confederacy.

Yes, the Kürbisausstellung (Pumpkin Exhibition) at the Blühendes Barock (BlueBa for short) is still ongoing! It's the Swiss' turn to impress this year as the pumpkins depict anything Swiss: the Swiss knife, the Swiss Alps's highest peak the Matterhorn, the Swiss Alphorn player, the Rütlischwur (the legendary oath of Old Swiss Confederacy) and Heidi's hut to name a few. 

Cute animal pumpkins! Which animal is your favorite?

Pumpkins anyone?

It was very impressive indeed, with so many pumpkins in different colors, shapes and sizes. The garden was even packed with people, since the weather thankfully cooperated. :-) There's more special events lined up in the coming days for the Pumpkin Exhibit so if you haven't been there, visit it! The exhibit runs until the 4th of November 2012.

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Backpacking Around Europe

Why not?

It has always been hubby's dream to go backapacking around Europe. Problem is, he can't find the time. Not yet. Our daughter is still small and he just cannot drop everything at work and go on vacation for a few weeks. It needs some planning too, at least for the order of countries that he would like to visit. He also needs good kelty backpack and perhaps some camping gear too if he wants to stay in camping sites along the way.

I think backpacking is exciting and a whole lot of fun than the regular sightseeing trip that we do every now and then so maybe I can tag along too. Maybe even our little girl can tag along too, when she is older and can take care of herself. It would be a beautiful family bonding experience...

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