Christmas has taken up residence in our humble abode. In the form of lights, snowflakes and crocheted stocking Advent ornaments (filled with chocolate treats for each day until Christmas). The warmth inside is a stark contrast to the extreme temperature outside, as are the colours – the red, greens, golds reflecting off the bright white snow that accumulates against the outsides of our windows.

So many cliches associated with this season – hot chocolate and apple pie, woolen socks and “someone-a-rathers” christmas album ringing through the house, chestnuts roasting and snowmen appearing in the neighbours backyard. But these cliches are realities that we never expected to experience. Except perhaps the Christmas music – that exists in New Zealand too. And there are no outdoor fires.

Although we expected to become super home-sick over this season, quite the opposite has happened. We are just so excited for this change – our first white Christmas – that we are happy to simply admire New Zealand entering another glorious summer of BBQs and summer cocktails on the verandah (and yes, wish we were there with our friends and families), yet remain content with being here, smitten with this season of snow.

We’ve endured a trial or two over the last month. Temperatures below zero – like, 37˚C below zero. Trudging to the grocery store with snow up to the knees. Many ill-attempts at starting our ice cube of a car in the mornings. Driving into, and becoming lodged in a roadside snow bank (me), and landing a plane on a snowpacked runway behind a wolf (Jesse). Oh and did I mention it’s like -37˚C outside?

We’ve just come out from two weeks apart, semi-expected, but no easier none-the-less. Jesse (proudly) spent four consecutive nights in four different communities (from Inuvik down to Yellowknife). Although the flying has been a buzz for him, this doesn’t lend well to restful nights and nutritious meals!

Daylight is dwindling, with the sun hovering above the horizon from 11am to 4pm with very long, and very beautiful sunsets and rises. Fortunately my office has floor to ceiling windows granting at least a few hours of sunlight to provide a short hit of vitamin D (deficiency is pretty common around here) and a killer view of these twilight periods.

While it’s freezing outside, we are soaking up the joy of central heating. Although we are supposed to be craving pecan pies, hot cocoa, and slow-cooker meals, there is a small part of us that remains in New Zealand’s summer. We lounge around in shorts and t-shirt, enjoying light fresh salads (I have a good one coming your way) and chicken fajitas, white wines (from Marlborough Sounds!) and smoothies, homemade frozen yogurt and… little tasty sweet treats – unique to NZ, hinted with freshly grated ginger, to be enjoyed with the beloved in the warmth of the decked-out abode, with the appropriately seasonal background music.

Wholemeal Ginger Crunch
Recipe by Jo Seager as found on NZ blog, Lovely Wee Days

Base
150g butter
2 tablespoons golden syrup (but we’re in Canada so maple syrup it is)
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup coconut
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup wholemeal (wholewheat they call it here) flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger

Preheat oven to 180˚C (350˚F).

Melt butter, golden syrup and brown sugar over a low heat. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl and pour in melted ingredients. Mix well and press into a lined 20 x 30cm slice tin. Bake for 20 minutes.

Icing
100g butter
1 cup icing sugar
2 Tbsp golden syrup (again, maple syrup works a treat)
2 tsps finely grated fresh ginger (use powder as alternative)

Melt butter and golden syrup, grate in the ginger and beat in the icing sugar. Pour over still-warm base. Leave overnight to cool, and slice into small squares.