On the fourth day of Christmas ...

I didn't receive 4 calling birds thank goodness ... who knows what calling birds are anyway?  I figured in Australia we have the loudest birds calling out to each other (or is it screeching?) and they're called Cockatoos, hence my "4 calling birds" picture for today.

The present opened today as part of the 12 days of Christmas Exchange through the Art Sisters Yahoo Group comes from Samm Menzies (http://sammiam.wordpress.com/).  The packaging was so wonderfully put together and inside is an ornament ... have no idea what it's made out of, but next year when I have my own tree, all these lovely handmade ornaments will definitely be on it.

On Sunday I was working away in my office and I heard a rustling noise outside the open window, which is nowhere near my desk.  Normally it's my dog, Beau, begging to be let in, so I went and had a look and this huge ancient lizard (probably a goanna) was skulking around in the undergrowth.  I decided to to outside and take a picture, but that thing was up a tree faster than I could click the button.  I love living on acreage with all the animals around, although, I was a bit disturbed when I entered my office tonight and a huge cane toad jumped out in front of me ... eeeeeek ... how did that thing get into the house!!! Forever a mystery ... enjoy the christmas spirit.

"Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest festival of the revolving year - and yet, for all that, when it speaks, its voice has strong authority."
~W.J. Cameron~