Santa's little helper.

So after singing carols and eating chocolate it was time for all little kiddies to be in bed, ready for Santa to come and do his thing. We had picked some grass for the reindeer's, and left out some food and a beer (I don't drink, so you can imagine who the beer was for), and we even had some glow sticks to help light the way!

Lucky we had a Christmas tree, it might have been from a box but it did the trick!

Merry Christmas.

One of my favorite things to do at Christmas each year is to watch and sing to the 'Carols by Candlelight' on the TV, it always reminds me of my Nannie. 

I really miss her more in occasions like these, especially now that I have my own children, she would love to see the kids opening their presents Christmas morning. 

I loved Christmas growing up, all the excitement of opening presents, the table setting with it's bon bons, and a fresh tree with the decorations, actually - I still do!

To carry on tradition I've made sure we put the biscuits and beer out for Santa, a plate of grass for the reindeer and a few glow sticks to light the way (just in case they get lost). I think I may have even converted my scrooge of a husband to get into the spirit for once, normally I'm the only excited one.

So here's to a very Merry Christmas with lots of love, laughter and cheer!! 

Here's to homemade mint jelly, shortbread and chocolate truffles Nannie used to make.

And here's to a safe end to 2008, and the welcoming of the new year ahead.

Now off to bed before Santa comes and sees you still awake!!!

tis' the night before Christmas.....

Don't eat all the ingredients just yet.......mini marshmellows, gummie bears and peanut M&M's - yummo!

Don't get sidetracked either, melted chocolate does set at some stage, so move quickly!

Pheew, all done. Breakfast maybe?

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse!

Well actually, I am the one that is stirring. I am trying to whip cream with a potato masher for my trifle tomorrow.

This year we are spending Christmas with my husband's family, and this year we decided to make a holiday of it. So here we are, in self contained apartments on the NSW coast, for 2 weeks of fun and festivities!

The first activity has been to try and put together a meal for 19 people on Christmas day without an oven. My contribution for the meal is to make rocky road and a trifle for desert -hence the need to whip the cream for the trifle! Of course we only have the basic of utensils in our little kitchenette, so it's turning it into a bit of a challenge to get things made. It's amazing what you make do with, who needs an electric beater! 

Ho, ho, ho

Singing carols....

I spent 5 hours today at the shopping centre finishing my Christmas shopping. I really don't mind the shops at Christmas time. I really enjoy listening to the carols being played, I even have a little sing along to myself and to get into the spirit of things. 

My trip today consisted of - 3 levels of shops, wobbly wheel on pram, 2 kids, 2 feeds, 3 nappy changes, a few tears at different intervals, 2 tacos, 3 donuts with pink icing and coloured sprinkles, 1 weak latte, 1 baby chino, photo with Santa, ingredients for trifle, bags tied to the pram on every angle, presents done, then Maca's for dinner. Pheewwww, time to go home and finish my wrapping.....only to then realise the store left a flippin' tag on one of the tops I was giving as a present - (insert scream here!!!) 

So now I have to tackle the shops again tomorrow morning to get my metal tag removed!!

And so the day begins again!

Ho, ho, ho

market find.....

I purchased these lovely cards and fabric from pippi joe last week when I attended the Magnolia Square market. She makes beautiful screen printed textile pieces that were so gorgeous I could have kept buying! It's so nice to actually meet, and speak with the makers themselves at events like this, the only problem is the cards are so nice and fresh looking now I don't want to write in them! 

My new years resolution a few years back was - to start wearing my favorite perfume everyday, not to just wait for special occasions. 

So this years one is -  to actually start using my beautiful cards, and not leave them sitting in my drawer. 

So count yourself lucky if you receive a fancy card from me in the upcoming year!!

aawwww!

What a cute little couple. 'Happy' tunic (jeans models own - ha ha) and 'I'm sailing too' kaftan in white with 'Pango pants'. 

Mice I like!

I have to show you the most beautiful little set that I just brought from the Magnolia Square market on Saturday. It's the"Fun box of mice clothes". It comes in a little wooden box, with 2 mice to dress up into 8 little outfits! You get shorts, aprons, hats and little dresses - you can even put on a little tie on them!

I love wooden toys, especially something like this with the little bits and pieces to play with. And no, it's not for me, even though I will probably play with it too, but it's a Christmas present for my little boy for quiet play time - if there is such a thing!

You can find them at twig kids - check out their website for details along with some other lovely little treasures for Christmas.  

Smile it's Christmas!

Its a very little over 2 weeks until Christmas!!! Oh my goodness I have so much to do...... there's presents to pick up, presents to buy, then wrap, a trampoline to be delivered and then hidden. 

I must admit though -  I do love the Christmas carols in the shopping centres, and the hustle and bustle of it all!

I finally picked up my tree on Sunday (actually my husband did), so it is sitting like the Lone ranger in the lounge room, dressed only in lights, with all the decorations in the box below. I promise to be more organised next year.

Fresh for summer

Stay cool for summer....icy poles....yummy watermelon....freshly cut grass....jumping in the pool....31degrees today.....woo hoo....bring ooooonnnnn the nice hot days!!!

Now I just need a pool to swim in!

Bangle tree

It is the 4th December and I still don't have my christmas tree! I am usually so good with having all decorations and the tree up by the 1st December, but time has just run away with me this year. I refuse to be a scrooge like my husband who thinks we don't need one, but fitting a live tree in my car, along side the 2 kids doesn't seem possible at the moment!!

Here is a beautiful tree that I found in one of the swanky hotels in India. It was made of glass green bangles. It was so amazing to look at, there were thousands of them. It came with a lovely mesaage that read....

"Jingle Bangle Xmas tree"

Celebrating the festive holiday season with a living tradition of India - The Bangle.

An inseparable part of Indian women and an epitome of feminine grace where no festivity is complete without adorning these circles of glass.

The richness of emerald green of the pine forests comes alive as the festive light gets reflected in layers of hundreds and hundreds of handcrafted glass bangles in this 

"Jingle Bangle X-mas Tree".

They jingle together to fill our hearts with warm feelings of love and to remind us to protect our children and strengthen the fight against child labour.

"Merry X-mas and Happy New Year"

The bird lady

I think I'm going to try and fill this tree with birds! 

From L-R - 'little bubble and tree' birdie, 'brown birdie' made from cork with a stamped motif, 'pink sequined bird' - made in Africa and 'white stencil cut birdie' in white all available at Red hill house. (sorry they don't have a website to list)
A beautiful little felt brooch from Red hill house. 
Another cute find from the Mornington twilight market last Saturday night - by nog ' piep. 

They had a beautiful collection of linen and silk goods, all hand printed and hand made - I could have kept shopping for sure! (sorry they didn't have a website to quote)

I have been having a little obsession lately for buying birds!

Not real ones of course, but anything handmade, carved, sculptured or drawn. I keep them hidden away in my bag, the wardrobe or car boot... wait for a opportune time... then whip them out, and whack them in position as if I have had them for ages! Apparently I buy too much stuff! Ha ha ... but can you blame me, there is so many lovely things around to buy!