Bubbles and Badminton

Backyard bliss.

Traditions

I am not sure when it started but it has become a tradition for us to play Wayward Son by Kansas loudly as we drive home from Christmas mass. How did it begin? I have no idea. Does it make it feel like Christmas? Absolutely.
This year we added a couple of new cocktails to our 'things we can make' list. An elderflower martini and a whiskey sour. They were both delicious, although I am more of a martini girl than a whiskey drinker. Hopefully, new cocktails will also become a Christmas tradition.

Far From the Tree

I am reading Andrew Solomon's book, Far From the Tree. What a book!

Christmas 2015

What a crazy few days that was. Crazy but beautiful. When I took the photos off the camera this afternoon I was surprised to see that I had almost no photos of the actual parties and just a few photos of the set up for the Christmas Eve party and for lunch on Christmas Day.
We cooked, we ate, we played, we swam, we ate some more and today we napped. Bliss.
Aunty S gave the best gifts. An illustrator she works with drew these portraits for us. One for Mr Duyvken and me, one for Aunty B and Uncle Tyler and one for Cupcake Oma. Thank you Aunty S!
How lucky we are to have such a big family to celebrate with.
***
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Heart full.
***

Final Make for the Year

The AG2R quilt top is finished. I am thrilled to have this completed, I completely lost confidence with it a few times through the process of making it but I just kept plugging away at it and eventually I figured out the best way to make the blocks and I am pretty happy with how it looks like that it is done. Very happy, actually.

Gifts for the neighbours

Gingerbread

So much fun.

Day 21

This morning the weather was beautiful and this looked like a sure thing but a big weather system moved across this afternoon so we might have to skip this one.

Day 20

Leunig's Christmas Poem

Well, one of his Christmas poems. Isn't it wonderful?

Wonderful Things from Wonderful Friends

An origami orb which perfectly matches the rug. Such a clever woman, that Mary.

Day 19

Just the right speed for today.

Day 18

Making gingerbread cookies using a recipe we tore out of a KikkiK catalogue several years ago. Always delicious. Always fun. Happy Bumpa's birthday to you, wherever you may be.

Happy Birthday Sweet J

Your birth 11 years ago brought us more joy than you can imagine and you continue to delight us and bring us joy every day. Happiest of days to you, dear sweet gentle boy,

Day 17

Day 16

The first thing on the list is that we are grateful for another great year at school and that we are so happy it and it's challenges have come to an end and the holidays have begun. So begins 6 restorative weeks.

Day 15

Sunshine Nativity

Made by C.

Day 14

Day 13

We are remembering my dad today. 11 years since he passed away. We had a party yesterday for mum's birthday and in amongst all the noise and fun I took a moment to think about how much he would have loved to be here with us, surrounded by grandchildren and happiness. He is still so keenly missed.
We loved you. We love you still. We were so lucky to know you and we will always remember you.

Bumpa and G. Their last Christmas together. xx

Border Force

Take that Possum.

Day 12

Trimmed

One of my favourite times of the year. Yes, there is a ribbon wrapped stick hanging on the tree. C made it a couple of years ago and it is one of her favourite ornaments. She always makes sure it is hanging front and centre.
We broke quite a few ornaments this year when we were setting up the tree. At one stage it felt like hang one, break two. I will have to buy a few more things to fill in the gaps.

Day 11

Day 10

We have strawberries, chocolate, malt and milk and are ready for a cracking afternoon tea.

A Memory Catcher

Shell grit from one of our favourite beaches up on the NSW north coast near Papa and Farm Oma's place. Collected on a trip in July and finally taken out of the plastic bag and put in a precious container. Happy memories sitting in the hall.

Christmas Cards

A quirky little card from one of C's classmates.

Day 9

Day 8

Day 7

Renos

Sometimes you decide when you are done for the day and sometimes your equipment decides for you. Mr Duyvken was at the top of this ladder putting the gutters on the beautiful new shed when it buckled underneath him. Thankfully he is in better shape than the ladder.

Day 6

I don't know if we'll be able to find the t-ball set so we might have a totem tennis tournament instead.

Day 5

Face painting and throwing birthday parties that turn into dinner parties. That was a very fun Saturday.

Day 4

Day 3 - Read a Christmas Story

Some favourite Christmas story books for the little duyvkens and a new cookbook for Mr Duyvken. A very pleasant advent activity indeed.

Day 2