A White Christmas, made to order

A White Christmas with my penpal, Olivia Lynn Bottum! This week's humidity and 40+ degrees C (aka 105 degrees F) temperatures have been enough to remind me I'm very definitely in the Southern Hemisphere this December! Thank you to all my wonderful Blogger readers and, increasingly, my Facebook Friends. Thanks for sharing your (and my) moments of triumph, joy, hilarity, irony, frustration and sadness throughout 2013. This is a great (still-newish), supportive and growing community. You make me laugh, commiserate and think deeply every day!

After the continuation of the dusting of snow from the afternoon of December 24, Christmas Day in Ann Arbor, Michigan, delighted me in that every time I looked out a window or door, lovely, feathery snow was falling. I think it fell for about three days non-stop. Delightful, and as if it were made to order.

Day 3 photos:

An Andorian sock monkey enjoys the snow while it lasts.

Olivia's Peruvian-themed Christmas tree, complete with... Peruvian Barbie.

A meeting of two traditional desserts: American pumpkin pie shares a plate with an Aussie Christmas pudding.

The vacuum packed plum pudding, from Itha's Puddings & Gourmet Foods, Sydney, traveled with me in my hand luggage and is from a 100-year old English recipe from the maker's own family.

The sock monkey cavorting with the angels. The Christmas angels were made by Reed's Mom,
Dorothy Lenz, using pine cones, acorns, milkweed pods, long wooden golf tees and pipe-cleaners!

After lunch, we investigated screening times for "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey", which had been running in the US since my birthday, but was about to premiere back home in Sydney. Luckily, the venue we chose had the 3D (and HFR) version of the film plus the 3D trailer for "Star Trek Into Darkness". Later, we discovered that our alternate choice of cinema venue was not running the "Star Trek" trailer. Lucky! Serendipitous!

"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Andorian Sock Monkey"

And lo, it was good. But long!

It was a dark and foggy night...

Walking back home from seeing the animated movie, "Cars 2", last night, Penrith was becoming blanketed in an eerie fog.

By the way, the best things about "Cars 2" were the hilarious "Toy Story" vacation short that ran before the movie (Barbie and Ken are such dorks), and the closing credits. Not a good sign for "Cars 2".

Who is more futuristic?

Both inspired by the 1960s, who is more "futuristic": NASA Barbie or Sydney Opera House Barbie?

Brrrrrm! Bye Bye Bathurst!

Miss Playtrek is still with Playtrekker Sammy in Bathurst, Australia, but her time with him is coming to an end. Since Sam did promise Miss Playtrek a chance to do some car racing at famous Mount Panorama, they headed there last Saturday... There were actual races going on, so her plan to "do a circuit" were nixed. But Sam did snap a quick pic:


"Bye Bye Bathurst!"

Intent on having some racing fun, Miss Playtrek took to the streets below The Mount to show what she can do behind the wheel of the "Playtrek Porsche". Unfortunately, Sam wasn't the only one watching:


Miss Playtrek meets Officer Ken.

Now that Brisbane's floodwaters have subsided, Miss Playtrek will be heading off to fellow Aussie John M, in Queensland... That is, provided she and Sammy have finished their ten hours of community service by next Wednesday!

Miss Playtrek's return Down Under

Miss Playtrek is back in Australia, albeit temporarily, recently arriving in Bathurst. After a few weeks of looking out rainy Bathurst windows, Playtrekker Sammy's doll collection finally decided it was time to throw the visiting Miss Playtrek her official welcoming party.

Miss Playtrek arrives at "La Grande Maison Rose" (the big pink house) in her hire car, a magenta Jaguar:


(Nothing but the best for Miss Playtrek!)


Granny Barbie goes a little overboard with Miss Playtrek's "light" lunch.


Just enough time for some sun by the pool.


And a luxurious bath... in Bathurst!


... before everyone arrives to party!!:

Some celebrities joined in for the occasion:


Scully & Mulder of "The X-Files"...


Swept off her feet by Jacob sometime around "Twilight"...


Meeting "Charlie's Angels"...

An awesome night for Miss Playtrek! For now, it's time for bed... and sweet dreams:



Soon, Sammy and Miss Playtrek are believed to be headed to the famous Mount Panorama to see how she handles the Jaguar.

Miss Playtrek's triumphant return: the journey continues

Aussie Playtrekker, Sam English, was getting a little worried about Miss Playtrek, but she arrived today. Sam has big plans for her brief sojourn back in Oz.

Bye bye Puerto Rico

Miss PlayTrek farewells the sunny days on the warm, sandy beaches of Puerto Rico. Next stop - Australia, and a bit of racing on chilly Bathurst's famous raceway, Mount Panorama, Down Under. Perhaps a stroll through the park - and Sammy English hears that his other Barbies have a pretty wild party planned for her arrival! Luna Park Sydney is also on the agenda.

Jurassic Uhura

Playtrekker Steve Kelley says:
"I should have some great pics of Miss Playtrek at the Arecibo Observatory in a few days. I am just trying to find time to get there when they are open and when it is not raining... aaargh! Then I will pack her up to ship out to the next person on the list.

"In the meantime, here is a picture of her as a cave woman.. sort of. I think she named the tyrannosaurus rex 'Fido'. Go figure."


Miss Playtrek poses with Steve's 1974 Aurora "T-Rex Prehistoric Scenes" model.

Click here and scroll to see her other adventures on her world tour.

The Puerto Rican adventures of Miss Playtrek

Miss Playtrek is ready to go and check out the beach in Puerto Rico, in the Caribbean!


Here is Miss Playtrek passing the Taino Indian Chief head rock in Isabela!




Hot tubbing, while enjoying the view
of the beach and the ocean.

Farewell Pennsylvania!

Miss Playtrek has waved goodbye to chilly Pennsylvania (and Chuck) before heading off to sunny Puerto Rico.


Here is Miss Playtrek visiting a local school house built in 1837.
Hopefully before the end of the week she will has the proper clothes
for this climate.

"1837: Quakers Richard and Mary Edge Pim construct a stone hexagonal schoolhouse to begin the early education of their 9 children. The unique 75 ton structure is located along Edge Lane until it is relocated to Municipal Drive in 1968."

Chester County was very fortunate to be blessed with many creeks and steams that the early settlers use to power grist mill, paper mills and even steel mills.


Miss Playtrek is along Dorlin Forge, which had a
paper mill as long ago as 1830.


Along the Brandywine.

Despite the hazards of fire, flood, and foreign competition Chester County's infant paper industry of 1800 has in 150 years, become an important segment of our contemporary economy. The Brandywine can still be a quite and tranquil place even during the winter months.



Before Miss Playtrek took up accommodations in her selected mode of travel, she had a last look at part of Chuck's collection. She kept asking, "Who is that person?", pointing at TOS Uhura - and Chuck really didn't know how to answer her.

Posing in Pennsylvania

Miss Playtrek arrived in Pennsylvania, today, and was definitely not dressed for the weather. She did consent to a quick photo session with Chuck before retiring for the evening.


"JJ, is that lens flare?"

And here is Miss Playtrek exploring the delights of Valley Forge:


Getting directions at the Valley Forge Visitor Center.


At the National Memorial Arch, "to the officers and private soldiers
of the Continental Army, December 19, 1777 - June 19, 1778".


At a replica of a solder's cabin used during the encampment.


At Valley Forge National Historical Park.


Getting a hot cup of coffee.