The gifts...

Among the many gifts the kids received there was several standouts.

Our budding artist Erin wanted the Pictionary Man game & has had us in hysterics with her very entertaining & surprisingly accurate depictions of things like 'gravity'.

We gave Hayley a tripod & she then went on to take approximately 500 photos on Christmas Day, mostly of others & a few of herself!

Coolest of the cool Cal got what he wanted ... cold hard cash

And everyone was very happy.

Christmas Day...

turned out to be a wonderful day with my family.


Kids under the tree...

Kids being silly...
And all of us squished into the smallest space in the house...

MIA...

Wow... it has been so busy in the lead up to Christmas I haven't had a chance to blog or post any photos, so here is a catch-up.



Break-ups, Christmas parties, end of year wind ups, & swimming on scorching hot days consumed my time. Shopping & working filled in lots of hours also, I barely posted out the few cards I'd made, in time. And a rearrange of the house moved the computer into Cal's room & I couldn't find the time or energy at the end of the day to fight for some blogging time.

Erin begged for a gingerbread house & all the kids helped to decorate it.

One year when I have total control the house of ginger will be pristine!

I love Christmas time... the decorating, the cooking, the planning & the celebrating. With Christmas Day being held at our place this year I made some new deco's & sweated over the weather report each day. A cyclone in the North west was threatening to dampen our celebrations under the leaky pergola roof, so I had my fingers crossed for a fine day.

I hope your Christmas Day was filled with joy & feasting, ours was & even though the lead up is hectic that's what makes it so special.

Some sadness....

so close to Christmas.

I went to a dear patients funeral today. Over the past 2 years he & his wife became an integral part of the Unit while he was battling his cancer. He had been so determined to win, desperately trying to be in the 5% of survivors. But it wasn't to be. Along the way the staff & fellow patients were drawn to his friendly caring manner, we too had become convinced he was going to beat whatever came his way. His funeral was a lovely tribute to him & his love for his family. We will miss them both very much.

And I have broken a piece off a back tooth & now need to squeeze in a visit to the dentist, when the advent calendar is telling us only 10 days to go, 6 of which I have to work!

Baking...

I think the baking is done.

Rumballs (liberally laced with Bundy)

Shortbread ( a new recipe from Donna Hay with nutmeg & cinnamon)

Panforte (Yum...with lots of honey, chocolate & glace fruit)

Fruit cake (Stained glass)

Almond & pistachio bread (an old favourite)

Cranberry & pistachio baclava (tried for the first time...fiddly but delicious)

My fingers are sore from shelling the nuts.

The gingerbread house is on the list for next weekend.
I might make something else...the recipe books are taunting me with treasures.

Last day...

Another ending today.

Erin has officially finished her primary school years. Our last child to do so. But just a hop & a skip across the playground & in 8 weeks time she will start her secondary schooling. There was no big teary goodbyes as the whole class will stay & move up to the senior campus, seems like just another holiday.

When they start back next year it will be the same school with some new faces & a bigger bag & heavier (more expensive) books.

They're back...

The Rode Rage crew pedalled into Ballarat yesterday afternoon after being dumped on with rain. Their only day of rain, luckily they were headed for their own showers & beds.

Today they ride from Ballarat to Parliament House in the city to meet some official people & on to the Children's Hospital.

What a fabulous adventure.

Shopping...

I went shopping with Chris today for some Christmas presents. Sure we got some but it was a very frustrating day.

What is it about men & the way they shop?

I was either rushed from place to place or I stood around in really boring shops like... the motorbike shop!

I didn't sniff any perfume. I didn't try on any frivolous shoes or gaze at really expensive cookware. I didn't get to point out any treasures that might find their way under the tree. I didn't even get any lattes or lunch.

I did get to spend time with my husband & find something for his birthday/Christmas, not quite the surprise I intended but something he really wants.

I'll have to get my proper shopping fix with Hayley another time.

Counting down...

The countdown has begun. The advent calendar has started, the lights are flashing out the front & a little Christmas spirit is creeping in.

I finally found the 2 Christmas gifts I bought months ago & hid in a very safe place. So safe I couldn't find them & was going demented looking & thinking of places to search. But now they are found & wrapped with others I more recently purchased.

And after poring over my many recipe books I have found a little inspiration, & I'm starting to feel a little organised. I made shortbread & cookies today & I've bought the fruit for the cake. Tomorrow I'm going shopping with Chris & will be able to whittle down the list a little more.

It will all be good.

How good is this...

Supremely good.

Erin found this on the shelf at the supermarket yesterday & implored me to buy it to give it a try.

Yummy little chips of peppermint crisp, perfect on top of vanilla icecream. Also would be good scattered over pavlova, easier than crumbling up the bar.

Don't think it will last too long in our household.

What new find can you share???

The graduate...

Last night we began the beginning of the end...

the end of the Primary school years. Not only the end for Erin but for our family as well.

Erin looked so gorgeous, not over the top as some girls were, just right.

The PFA gave the students a mug with the graduating class names.

She wore the dress that Hayley wore to her Grade 6 graduation, must be a timeless style as that was 10 years ago!

I didn't have to wear a 10 year old outfit.

Ness came along to help us celebrate the end of an era. We had a great time & we didn't need a limo, acrylic nails, fake tans, make up or stiletto heels, just letting 12 year olds be 12 for a minute longer.