25 December 2011

Christmas day.

Today is Christmas Day. It is 1:16 am and I can't sleep.
The presents are wrapped.
The kids and husband are sleeping.
The world is quiet.
The house is clean.
The fridge and pantry are full of yummy goodness.
The day awaits.
What will today bring???

Here is a video that shares the wonder, peace and hope that is Christmas.  It was written, directed and produced by Laura Pennell.  It stars our 4 kids and and one other girl.




17 December 2011

Experimenting with wearable art.

As I was thinking about gift giving this Christmas I decided i would experiment with wearable art. These jewellery pieces are now available for purchase at Homespun, Aratula, QLD.  It has been fun making jewellery. Something different. What I like most about the handpainted pieces is that they are unique and one of a kind.


Handpainted,  backed with canvas.



Handpainted

Handpainted rings

Handpainted earrings

Handpainted ring

Handpainted


Handpainted
Handpainted
Handpainted


16 December 2011

15 December 2011

Reflections at Christmas


In 10 sleeps it will be Christmas day 2011. I still can't quite believe that another year is almost over. I can remember this time last year so vividly. I felt rushed and pressured. I felt like I would never get eveything done that I needed too.
This year though I feel quite relaxed and peaceful. Why? Not sure. Maybe because I am just really organised this year. Or maybe it is because of where I am in myself.
This year has challenged me to live everyday moments.
To stop often and look around me.
To breathe deeply.
To soak in the goodness that surrounds me.
To notice the little things and the big things.
To love.
To cherish.
To forgive.
To create.
To show grace.
To see what is and not what it is not.
I am excited about 2012 and what this new year will bring. However I am also excited to live out the rest of 2011 relaxed and at peace.



13 December 2011

White Christmas

I live in the southern hemisphere meaning Christmas here is hot. No white Christmas's where I live. Instead of heating it is air-conditioning. We do however enjoy eating White Christmas and so I wanted to share my recipe.
1. Line a 18 x 28 cm tin with foil

2. Mix 1 1/2 cups of Rice Bubbles, 1 cup of powdered milk, 1 cup of icing sugar, 1 cup of desiccated coconut and 1 cup of mixed glace cherries/sultana in a large bowl.


3. Melt 250g Copha in pan over low heat, allow to cool slightly.


4. Pour into dry ingredients and stir till ingredients moistened.



5. Spoon into tin, smooth surface and refridgerate for 30 mins or until set. Cut into slices.


I used mine for teacher gifts. I cut the white Christmas into slices and placed in a jar. Cut out a piece of linen, tied with bakers twine and attached a gift tag. 


A yummy, beautiful, easy gift.


7 December 2011

What does Christmas really mean??


"And the Grinch stood puzzling, 'How could it be so? It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!' Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. 'Maybe Christmas,' he thought, 'doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!' "   Dr Seuss.



6 December 2011

Good vs better

Our family recently went on a mini holiday to the NSW central coast. It was very relaxing, peaceful and fun.  We were able to catch up with my Dad and his wife and just spend a few days enjoying one another's company and the beauty of the coast.






It wasn't the best time of year to go away. There was lots going on here at home. Activities to attend and business's to run. However taking this opportunity to have a mini break before the silly season was very worthwhile. And of course spending time with my Dad was even better. In life sometimes we have to give up something good for something better. And this is exactly what we did.