Merry Christmas

Like many households this holiday period is all about planning, preparing, organising, baking, making, decorating, wrapping, shopping, sorting, decluttering but most importantly its about just being...being with loved ones, family and friends and cherishing these special days and special moments together.  This is what we have been doing.  I hope you had a lovely Christmas too. 

 See you back here tomorrow

xo

Christmas...(3)

Well we know why this time of year is called the 'silly season'.  My list of things to do is getting longer not shorter.  Nevertheless, it's always nice to steal a few moments of solitude amongst the chaos even if it is until midnight.  This year I decided to make our own advent calendar.  This is such a good activity that everyone can be involved in and heaps of ideas can be found on the internet.  Here is my simple home-made version.  I just have to find a spot on the wall and fill the envelopes with some goodies or tags that reveal a surprise/activity.  

Something sweet for Christmas…

Advent Calendar

Supplies:

For this project I raided my craft box.  Some of the items above are very (very) old and some are new. 

1. Paper - Amy tangerine (6x6) a recent purchase from 'Spotlight'.
2. Wooden pegs - small packet from discount store 'Waynes World'.
3. Scissors with edging - discount store 'Waynes World'.
4. Tags, string and envelopes (seed packets) - from local newsagent.
5. Wooden stamps - (featured above) scavenged through discount bins at craft shows many years ago.
6. Other wooden block stamps (featured on advent envelopes) are mostly from 'Stampin up' my friend is a demonstrator. These stamps are quite a few years old now. 
7. Sparkle emblishments - from discount store 'Crazy Prices'.
8. Paper with typography on it - from packet that bought tags, string and envelopes in from newsagent.
9. flower press cutter - from discount store 'Crazy Prices'.
10. Typography rub ons - from discount store 'Crazy Prices'.
11. Date stamp - I have had this for many years but I think I just picked it up from a newsagent.

I bought Amy Tangerine 6x6 paper stack, the seed envelopes, string, tags and pegs recently.  The other items I have had for many, many years.  I always wash/clean my wooden stamp blocks after use and dry them thoroughly before packing away. 

For a project like this you don't need to spend a fortune.  There really is a lot to be said about searching in discount stores and just use materials you have around your home; pens, pencils, printables/templates from the internet, magazines, photos, stencils, crayons, glitter, stamps, stickers, paints, watercolours, leaves, sticks, gumnuts, post it notes etc. 

Keep it simple and enjoy the process.

xo

weekending...

xo

moments from the week...

time flies...

It's amazing how quickly time flies.  Around this time ever year we attend our local Daycare Christmas party.  There's food, fun, plenty of mama chatter and of course, Santa.  Looking back to 2011, I found this shot of my two little ones. 


Daycare xmas party, 2011



I had to actually check the 'properties' tag on the photo to make sure it was last year. 

Now look how much we have grown!



Daycare xmas party, 2012

I am so glad to be witnessing these moments and I'm also glad that blogging has given me even more of a reason to use my cameras.  Just to make sure I continue to capture memorable moments, Santa's present to self (shhhhhh...) also arrived. 

Thank you Santa, you spoil me. 

Somehow I don't think this one will make it under the tree.

xo

heartfelt...

Please forgive my absence from our space in blog world. Little miss flutterby has been struck for the second time with that nasty bug we all experienced the other week.  Despite some tears, she really is a little trooper.  So sometimes even the best plans have to be put on hold because there is nothing more important than just being with the one's you love or for them to be with you.  A gentle cuddle or hug is a true gift for those you hold dear to your heart.  Somehow the day or hour doesn't seem so bad after all. 

Hmmmm, 'heart'... now there is a symbol I have been noticing a lot lately.  In my photo assignment I was asked to keep an eye out for this motif/symbol and ever since then I have seen so many hearts come by my way (see previous post), or maybe they have always been in front of me the whole time and I just needed to pay attention, it truely is amazing.

On a very rare outing tonight with colleagues from work...look at what was gently placed in front of me.



just in time shot: taken on camera phone



love, hugs and happy heart searching to you

xo

hello december...

Hello December

May this holiday season bring you…

happiness…good food...laughter and love

 xo

weekending...

I can't believe that I forgot to bring my camera on our trip to our local farmer's market.  Here are a few candid shots from my not an iphone phone (hint, hint).   Kids can't go past a popper ($1) and a puzzle ($1.50) each.  I also couldn't resist snapping a few shots of this gigantic tree that we were sitting under too; she's a beauty and were so grateful for the lovely shade she provided.  Happy weekending to you...I am off to celebrate a 50ish birthday in my pj's!

moments from the week

library days...

My little ones just love visiting the library.  It's especially exciting when enormous sliding doors open instantly and invite you in to discover...

a gigantic Christmas tree. 

There are also toys for you to play with...

...and new books to find.

There are quiet areas for sitting...

and...

...spots for you to show off your new talents! 

baby love...

Not so long ago I signed up to do a self paced e-course on photography.  It's the first time I've paid money to do an e-course, so even after all the research and the 'will I?', 'should I?' there's always that voice in your head...'I hope it's worth it'.  Well I am so glad I signed up and I hope that explains some random 'about the house' shots you may be see in my posts.  It's all to do with some photography basics... otherwise known as 'homework'. 

It's also been quite easy to justify to the other half.  'Oh I can use this for work,' 'thank you for my early Christmas present'... Welllll, he doesn't know it yet but he's actually bought me two things the other one is a secret that I will share with you when it arrives.   

Christmas...(2)

Something sweet for Christmas…

Peppermint Bark  

Serves 8

50g mint-flavoured candy canes

200g dark chocolate melts, melted

1.       Break canes into pieces.  Place in a plastic bag.  Squeeze bag to expel air.  Wrap bag in a tea towel.  Place on a hard surface.  Pound with a hammer or rolling pin until canes are crushed into small pieces.

2.       Spread chocolate on a large lightly greased baking tray until about 2mm thick.  Sprinkle with crushed cane.  Set aside for 20 minutes or until set. 

3.       Break into pieces.  Serve. 

Tips and Notes…

Store bark in an airtight container in a cool place for up to 5 days. 

Place bark in the fridge to set if room temperature is too warm.

Enjoy!

Tuesday's routine...