Christmas Wishes...

 

 Okay. This is supposed to be our Christmas card. Except Shutterfly failed to deliver (on time, as promised) so I won't be sending any out until AFTER Christmas. : (

Regardless, I think I have pretty great kids to pose for this photo. And it wasn't even my idea. This year, their father came up with the idea and I was SURE they would revolt. But, they know it is pretty much all I ask of them at Christmastime, so I am still amazed that this one goes down in history as the easiest Christmas card shoot of them all.

Go figure... 

Our holiday table:

Oh, and I know you have all probably heard me bemoan my camera and the lacklustre quality of the photos it produces. Well, this year the handyman gave me such a surprise! We, who normally don't exchange much in the way of presents, actually surprised each other. I made a photo book for him commemorating his Ironman achievement and he gave me this sweet beauty:

So, after many hours trying to figure out how the heck it works, I should be able to shoot some better quality images for this old blog.

Just remember, I'm a slow learner, so don't expect too much too soon!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. 

And for your listening pleasure. This one gives me chills:

Christmas Wishes...

 

 Okay. This is supposed to be our Christmas card. Except Shutterfly failed to deliver (on time, as promised) so I won't be sending any out until AFTER Christmas. : (

Regardless, I think I have pretty great kids to pose for this photo. And it wasn't even my idea. This year, their father came up with the idea and I was SURE they would revolt. But, they know it is pretty much all I ask of them at Christmastime, so I am still amazed that this one goes down in history as the easiest Christmas card shoot of them all.

Go figure... 

Our holiday table:

Oh, and I know you have all probably heard me bemoan my camera and the lacklustre quality of the photos it produces. Well, this year the handyman gave me such a surprise! We, who normally don't exchange much in the way of presents, actually surprised each other. I made a photo book for him commemorating his Ironman achievement and he gave me this sweet beauty:

So, after many hours trying to figure out how the heck it works, I should be able to shoot some better quality images for this old blog.

Just remember, I'm a slow learner, so don't expect too much too soon!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. 

And for your listening pleasure. This one gives me chills:

O Tannenbaum...

 

Remember when I vowed to recreate this beautiful tree garland from Pottery Barn? 

Only I wanted to do it for a fraction of the cost? Well, I have been on a bit of an organizing, decorating, crafting frenzy and made them. They are not quite the quality of the Pottery Barn version...but they only cost me the price of a spool of ribbon: $4. One difference: I stamped out the verses from The Night Before Christmas:

(Oops! I think I forgot to add the word through!)

 

I have also been up to some other creative endeavours. I made something really great (at least I think so) for my sister's new kitchen and I will show it to you after I gift it to her on Friday. Again, it was a very budget friendly remake of an expensive find from a well-known store. As long as she can look past imperfection, she should like it!

I am having a lot of fun changing up my decor this year. 

I decided to go with a vintage Santa theme in the dining area this year. 

Because Christmas should be fun...and appeal to kids of all ages!

And when I look at that last photo, I wish I could ask Santa to bring me a decent camera!!

*************************************

Head on over to Kate's to see what others are crafting!

O Tannenbaum...

 

Remember when I vowed to recreate this beautiful tree garland from Pottery Barn? 

Only I wanted to do it for a fraction of the cost? Well, I have been on a bit of an organizing, decorating, crafting frenzy and made them. They are not quite the quality of the Pottery Barn version...but they only cost me the price of a spool of ribbon: $4. One difference: I stamped out the verses from The Night Before Christmas:

(Oops! I think I forgot to add the word through!)

 

I have also been up to some other creative endeavours. I made something really great (at least I think so) for my sister's new kitchen and I will show it to you after I gift it to her on Friday. Again, it was a very budget friendly remake of an expensive find from a well-known store. As long as she can look past imperfection, she should like it!

I am having a lot of fun changing up my decor this year. 

I decided to go with a vintage Santa theme in the dining area this year. 

Because Christmas should be fun...and appeal to kids of all ages!

And when I look at that last photo, I wish I could ask Santa to bring me a decent camera!!

*************************************

Head on over to Kate's to see what others are crafting!

A Merry Little Cottage...

 I had a lot of fun decorating Sophie's playhouse this year. I am  not sure why, but this is the first year I have decked its halls! I found these adorable BIG colored lights for its eaves. They are actually pathway lights that stick in the ground but not anymore! I went with a candy cottage theme and the giant lollipops look so sweet in the tiny window box. The garland over the door resembles frosty icing and I added a Seasons of Cannon Falls bottle brush candy cane to the door. The frost and snow is courtesy of my favorite photo editing service, Picnik.com. Sophie loves it, but I think I love it more!

A Merry Little Cottage...

 I had a lot of fun decorating Sophie's playhouse this year. I am  not sure why, but this is the first year I have decked its halls! I found these adorable BIG colored lights for its eaves. They are actually pathway lights that stick in the ground but not anymore! I went with a candy cottage theme and the giant lollipops look so sweet in the tiny window box. The garland over the door resembles frosty icing and I added a Seasons of Cannon Falls bottle brush candy cane to the door. The frost and snow is courtesy of my favorite photo editing service, Picnik.com. Sophie loves it, but I think I love it more!

At last I have a big Christmas tree! We've had tiny trees everywhere we've lived, firstly for financial reasons, then because the kids were little and the tree had to fit in the playpen. Last year we had a pot plant tree, but this year the kids were adamant that we needed a decent sized tree. They call it a 'real' tree, but that's because they don't realise that fake trees are not the norm everywhere.

The wreath is made from Kaffe Fassett yoyos and ribbon. I am very satisfied with how it turned out.
I have stolen this meme from a good friend, Kristin. I thought I'd do it because Australian Christmas celebrations are so different from northern hemisphere celebrations.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper, gift bags if it's a hastily bought gift on our way to someone's place.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. It's hard to find a real tree in our sub tropical environment, and they don't really stand up to the heat.

3. When do you put up the tree? December 1st, unless unavoidably delayed.

4. When do you take the tree down? January 6th

5. Do you like eggnog? Never tried it, though it sounds like something I'd like.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? It's a tie between the chemistry set and the teensy Kodak camera. Or the wooden ornaments the Christmas we spent in Germany.

7. Hardest person to buy for? DH, he's so darn contented with what he has, it's hard to get good ideas for him.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Pretty much every female on both sides of the family. We share our good taste ;)

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Not at the moment. The last one was too popular with the kids, and the ones I love are a little too spendy.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I am a Christmas card failure.

11. Worst Christmas ever? None have been disastrous, though we still miss Dad every Christmas.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie(s)? Does Love Actually count?

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?Not soon enough!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't think so ...

15 .Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? The whole turkey roast thing. It's the best dinner of the year!

16. Lights on the tree? Yes, multicoloured led's. The kids had them set to random flashing, but I really hate that!

17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night, though Christopher's choir has restored my love of carols.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? One or the other, some years we travel to Mum's, some we go to inlaws. This year we will drive down to the inlaws just for the day.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes, because it impresses the kids.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning, but not before the coffee and tea are made

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The number of gifts people feel obligated to give their children. Also how everything seems to hinge on the illusion of Christmas Day needing to be perfect.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I lean towards gold.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Turkey, roasted potato, pumpkin and carrots, greens (usually brussel sprouts), stuffing, plum pudding and custard for dessert.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Peace and quiet!


Our room decorations are made from magazine pages this year. The older two made the stars while Josh created a mile long paper chain. Fun and it looks great!

At last I have a big Christmas tree! We've had tiny trees everywhere we've lived, firstly for financial reasons, then because the kids were little and the tree had to fit in the playpen. Last year we had a pot plant tree, but this year the kids were adamant that we needed a decent sized tree. They call it a 'real' tree, but that's because they don't realise that fake trees are not the norm everywhere.

The wreath is made from Kaffe Fassett yoyos and ribbon. I am very satisfied with how it turned out.
I have stolen this meme from a good friend, Kristin. I thought I'd do it because Australian Christmas celebrations are so different from northern hemisphere celebrations.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper, gift bags if it's a hastily bought gift on our way to someone's place.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. It's hard to find a real tree in our sub tropical environment, and they don't really stand up to the heat.

3. When do you put up the tree? December 1st, unless unavoidably delayed.

4. When do you take the tree down? January 6th

5. Do you like eggnog? Never tried it, though it sounds like something I'd like.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? It's a tie between the chemistry set and the teensy Kodak camera. Or the wooden ornaments the Christmas we spent in Germany.

7. Hardest person to buy for? DH, he's so darn contented with what he has, it's hard to get good ideas for him.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Pretty much every female on both sides of the family. We share our good taste ;)

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Not at the moment. The last one was too popular with the kids, and the ones I love are a little too spendy.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I am a Christmas card failure.

11. Worst Christmas ever? None have been disastrous, though we still miss Dad every Christmas.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie(s)? Does Love Actually count?

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?Not soon enough!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't think so ...

15 .Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? The whole turkey roast thing. It's the best dinner of the year!

16. Lights on the tree? Yes, multicoloured led's. The kids had them set to random flashing, but I really hate that!

17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night, though Christopher's choir has restored my love of carols.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? One or the other, some years we travel to Mum's, some we go to inlaws. This year we will drive down to the inlaws just for the day.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes, because it impresses the kids.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning, but not before the coffee and tea are made

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The number of gifts people feel obligated to give their children. Also how everything seems to hinge on the illusion of Christmas Day needing to be perfect.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I lean towards gold.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Turkey, roasted potato, pumpkin and carrots, greens (usually brussel sprouts), stuffing, plum pudding and custard for dessert.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Peace and quiet!


Our room decorations are made from magazine pages this year. The older two made the stars while Josh created a mile long paper chain. Fun and it looks great!

A Tennessee Vintage Christmas

Tennessee homeowner Genia Gilchrist shares her tips for decorating a Southern home for the holidays in the latest edition of Southern Living. I hope you enjoy some of her wonderful decorating ideas.

For more pictures go to Southern Living Magazine.

A Tennessee Vintage Christmas

Tennessee homeowner Genia Gilchrist shares her tips for decorating a Southern home for the holidays in the latest edition of Southern Living. I hope you enjoy some of her wonderful decorating ideas.

For more pictures go to Southern Living Magazine.

Decorating a beach house for Christmas

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, so get in the spirit with these ideas to decorate your home with a coastal twist.

Punch up your palette with color or keep it white and delicate. Fresh green sprigs will always add that holiday touch.

Adding some sparkling silver will make a festive statement.

Decorate a Christmas tree outside.

Make your own Christmas Wreath with treasures from the beach.