christmas holidays

Nigella's Italian Christmas Pudding Cake. Just like last year.

Violet's Christmas stocking made up with a little old wool, needlework doily, ribbon and a little appliqued Liberty.

Christmas came and went this year without too much of a fuss. Sure there was that dreaded last Christmas shop, a fair bit of cooking (but not nearly so much as in other years past), and many days spent at home both with family and just ourselves. There has been some adjusting and compromising along the way as we haven't had the liberty of time that we've had in previous years. Sad to say not much at all in the way of handmade. Though Violet did finally get her stocking on Christmas Eve.

Brown paper, stamps we already had, string, bark, black marker and gumleaves made for budget wrapping this year.

 It has taken almost three weeks to really get into the routine of holidays. Holidays should be easy, right? Well, it is nice to imagine that it will be, but reality often reveals a different story. Sometimes all that time together brings out the very worst in us. There were clashes (I felt like I did nothing but break up fights amongst the kids for 2 weeks straight), there was the annual analyze your life discussions, as well as stopping to count all the jobs that need to be done around the house.

So although I have a small pile of pretty fabric just sitting there waiting to be made into a summer wardrobe of sorts, my house is only half clean and I have a sore throat, I can happily say that we are just now beginning to get into the swing of the holidays and truly enjoy each others company.  We've been enjoying homemade ice cream, allowing a few more treats than usual into the house (anyone else love panettone?), changing rooms around, long talks and having movie nights at home.

Funny, isn't it, that the week full of swimming lessons that I had been dreading has turned out the be the best week yet? But life is like that. Swimming lessons have gotten us all into the pool, with a coffee, lemonade or ice cream afterwards. Followed by a few lazy afternoons.

Our bottle fed calf has kept us grounded at home this holidays, but I think this has been a blessing in disguise. It has been good for us to just be at home doing home things.

Sadly it may be the final week that we are together as Daniel may be back to work next week. But I'm hoping that we can bring just a little holiday feeling with us as we get back into the daily grind of life. The odd movie night and a few more ice creams may be just what we need.

I do hope you are all enjoying and have enjoyed your christmas and new years break. Happy new year!

meanwhile

Just to let you all know that we are still alive and kicking. A little tired, yes, at least on my part, but still here and well.

I wasn't intending to neglect this space for so long. But you know how life happens, and certain things just get put on the back burner.

So what's been happening in the meanwhile? Swimming lessons, soccer, sewing lessons, calf feeding, cow milking, two birthdays (Luca's 11th and Violet's 3rd), a gun license safety course, breastfeeding finished as well as bed sharing done with (yes I still can't quite believe those last 3 things). Plus all the other thousand and one things that you can probably relate to. You know how crazy it gets at this time of year right? All those things that throw you out of your normal routine?

 
I'm afraid I'm so terribly disorganized this year that christmas is going to be a last minute affair. I haven't done christmas shopping, I haven't sent cards out yet and I haven't even put in my christmas ham and pork order. I know, what is the world coming to? But I am optimistically hoping that it will all fall into place with minimum effort (perhaps a little too optimistic!) Please tell me I am not the only one!

While we see the end of daily swimming lessons today, and school finishes up next week, not to mention the extra hours Daniel has been working to wrap up his business for the end of the year, we are hoping that things will go down a notch in the next week or so.

Afterall, it can be easy to get caught up in the whole "getting everything done just right" before christmas, but what really matters is relaxed time together, some good, not necessarily complicated food and a few simple presents. I've let go of the online shopping for christmas this year and I will be shopping locally for presents. In the past I have thought it was the right thing to buy online from ethical companies, and I still believe this can be a good thing. But I have seen local small businesses struggle in our small town, with many closing, and while they may have the general Made in China products for the main part, it somehow feels right this year to be supporting the local shops.

Our christmas tree only went up this week, and although this is usually my domain, and I am sadly a little controlling about how the tree should look, I let Julia take the reigns this year. So yes, our plastic white (that is beginning to yellow) tree is decorated to the hilt this year, complete with tinsel and every decoration that we own, but I'm loving it in all it's tacky glory.

I had grand plans to knit dishcloths for teacher's gifts and gift fillers this year, but the cotton is still sitting there and I don't think I'm going to get that done this year. But you never know. Otherwise I guess it's not too late for a few biscuit batches?

In the world of craft I actually managed to finish a few things of late. Okay, only one actually finished. I have almost finished Luca's cardigan, bar the zipper, so let's hope it still fits come next season. I think it will. I will hopefully get to Ravel it soon enough. The other completed project is another Wiksten tank (the last one I made is blogged here, and I wear it to death), made up with some op shop cotton voile. I love this pattern. It is fairly quick and easy and such a great cut. I added the pocket this time. Certainly quite forgiving on muffin tops.

All three of our bovines are doing well. Bessie's steer calf is perhaps doing a little too well, and at 4 months now we are contemplating weaning him over the holidays. We're getting a little greedy for some more milk, especially since Shirley enjoys her little share every day, mixed with her milk replacer. Speaking of Shirley, she is doing quite well, and at almost 7 weeks now, has settled into our house and our hearts. Who knew cows could be so cuddly? She is still in her straw covered watertank/firewood pen, and she is being taught to lead and be tethered on the grass.

So that's about it. I promise I will try to get to this blog a little more often as I do miss it when I'm away too long.  I hope you are all well and coping with this considerably more busy time of year. If there is one lesson that I am learning myself of christmas this year, it is to let go of unrealistic expectations. Do what you can with what you have (I read that saying recently somewhere, but I can't remember where?) Christmas will still happen.

hello!

Why hello there! It has been a full and busy week here, as I'm sure it has been at your house too. Christmas has come and gone for another year. Roast pork and ham, trifle (Mum's) and a deliciously alcohol sodden Italian christmas cake (recipe here) ensured very full tummies on the day and for pretty much the rest of the week. But what is christmas without a little excess?

Presents wrapped in brown paper and bits and pieces cut up, were opened. We like to keep the presents fairly simple. Good quality art supplies, a handmade doll, books, sometimes lego, and sometimes secondhand. I was spoilt with a little reading pile of my own.

We took it easy for a few days. Then onto a few holiday projects. I sewed a dress in a day (I have yet to take photos) and I'm currently finishing off an old knitting project. Daniel built a pergola out the front. There is no stopping this man once he has an idea!

But that is the good thing about the holidays. Relaxing and working ebbs and flows depending on how you feel on the day. More time has been spent outside than in, and we haven't really gone anywhere. Just appreciating the togetherness and uninterrupted family time that this season brings (with it's usual ups and downs!).

I have missed this space, but due to having everyone home, visitors and visits to be made, blogging may continue to be a little sporadic over the next little while.

I do hope your christmas was an enjoyable one.

of christmasy things

As christmas rolls around this year I'm feeling good about things. The kids are home, happy that school is finished, and enjoying all the anticipation that is the build up to christmas. The tree, which now has it's lights turned on. is highly exciting for our littlest one, and I admit that it brings me back to that glittery, fantasy land of childhood with their vivid imaginations.

The kids made their first, and my first ever, gingerbread house. I know I go on about making things from scratch, but this house wasn't. Not this year anyway. For the grand price of six dollars in the local Aldi. We made up the icing which went in the new piping bag (that cost far more than the cake itself, thus making it not quite so economical afterall) and I let the kids put the whole thing together. It wasn't so scary and perhaps next year we will attempt our own, from scratch.  We joked that it looked like our old house, a little A-Frame. Perhaps I will show you some pictures one day.

I received some lovely mail (beautifully wrapped too, I might add) in the form my second ornament from the swap. A beautiful rustic rose dusted with what I can describe as a "frosting" and backed onto red crochet. Traveling over the ocean and lovingly made by Christina of From the Hearth Room. Thank you Christina! It will adorn our tree for many years to come.

As I prepare to make some grocery lists, and conjure up some last minute gift ideas (while letting go of other ideas for perhaps another year), I'm feeling more happy and relaxed than I have in the past few weeks. I'm hoping to hold onto that feeling as other preparations are made, guests come and go and we are all together, uninterrupted by the usual demands of work and school. We can only hope!



Hoping that your preparations are going well for you.

gifting : biscuits and mugs

The kids finished up school yesterday, so we are spending the day a little lazily, still in pyjamas as it drizzles outside. But such is the beauty of the school holidays, not really having to be anywhere or do anything. Though of course there are plenty of things I should be doing.

Quite unlike the past two days, which have been a kind of frenzy of buying ingredients and bulk biscuit making, mug decorating and with the finale being the annual school presentation night. Whew! Though I thoroughly enjoy the process of gift baking and making, it is a good feeling to know it is done.

I made three types of biscuits this year :

Melting Moments : I have made these before, but it was the first time I'd tried this recipe. It was good, but personally I preferred my old recipe which had a vanilla, rather than lemon icing.

Rum Balls : The beauty of these is the simplicity of making them. No baking. I added more rum, rolled alternate batches in coconut and cocoa. But next time, I would probably add even more rum for a more adult taste.

Minty Cocoa Fudge Sandwich Cookies : This is the third christmas I have gifted these, and they never seem to disappoint. Though I did notice the difference using an inferior cocoa this year, as opposed to the Dutch one I used last year. These contain a positively sinful amount of butter, sugar, chocolate and condensed milk, particularly when you double up the recipe as I did. But I think that's okay once a year.

The mugs were plain cheap white ones I'd bought and I googled botanical line drawings and based my porcelain pen sketchings on some of these. It was quite good fun. Something I'd been wanting to try for ages. I finished them off with a little related drawing on the back and the recipients name up the top left hand side.

I popped clear celophane inside, filled them with biscuits and tied with some twine.

Most went to teachers and a few were saved to be part of food hampers for family members. Some excess biscuits went in the freezer, for later christmas gifting, and I also managed to fill up our large cookie jar. I'm trying to keep my hands out of that. There was a little too much taste testing or "quality control" along the way.

But I'm happy to say that is one more thing ticked off the list.



Sending happy christmas crafting, gifting wishes your way.

makings

My christmas organizing seems to finally be kicking into gear. The menu is almost done. The all important rolled pork and ham are to be ordered from the local butcher today. Beads have been baked (inspiration here) and are waiting to be strung for presents, christmas cards stamped and more flowers picked (not that that has anything really to do with christmas, but it does put a smile on my face). My blouse is coming along slowly (three muslin versions later!).

And my first little ornament from the swap arrived. The cutest little wreath from Rochelle of Rockmelon Recycled. Isn't it lovely? Thank you Rochelle.

I'm afraid all this crafting hasn't left a lot of time for blogging. So, while it may not be quite as regular these holidays, I will still be stopping in as often as I am able.


Hoping that all well in your world.