Christmas Lights, Gingerbread and early nights

I am worn out and it's not even Christmas Day yet. You can tell as there have been so few posts this past week. The reason being that I have a special visitor and the computer is coming off second best.
I come from an emotional bunch of women and when my little sister arrived into Hobart airport I quite simply burst into tears. To have a little bit of family with you at this time of year is very special, especially when you live so far away from them all. The poor girl didn't quite know what she was in for when she thought a trip to Tassie to see her nephews MIGHT be a relaxing holiday. I apologise in advance little lady, we'll try and give you some peace!
Needless to say, we haven't quite managed any late nights at all and are quite pathetic in our ability to stay awake past 8.30pm. Just as well as we'd hate to bump into Santa and interrupt his busy schedule...

Chasing Calm

So how many of you are enjoying the Christmas chase right now? The chase to get cards written and posted, presents bought, wrapped and sent interstate and overseas, menus written and shopping lists completed, houses scrubbed for Christmas guests, while maintaining a calm and festive composure with oodles of energy to craft with the kids? Hmmm, I thought so...
I have had an 'ínteresting' few days, almost causing traffic chaos when my full shopping trolley rolled out of the car park (thankfully the boys weren't in it!), and causing utter chaos at the post office when the boys threw themselves and the shop contents here, there and everywhere while I tried to calmly write envelopes to my nearest and dearest.
So to you all I wish you, quite simply, Calm... and Peace. Something I relish and will strive for over the holidays.
This post is dedicated to my special friend who is returning to England next week with her precious family. There are people who pass through your life and leave an indellible mark on your heart. This gorgeous woman is such a person and I will miss our late night Skype's and Friday catch-ups. Safe travels dingoes x

And finally, Option 3!!

My ever so clever friend has just helped me create my CV. Staying up until midnight, while pregnant, is above and beyond the call of friendship duty, so I am eternally grateful. It was in the creation of my cover page that my latest title emerged and I think it's kinda fun! So it's staying for now, and I have a variation that I might change in a little while, just to keep things interesting.

Ghost of Christmas Past

I am undergoing the task of updating my CV. Selling myself on paper is not one of my favourite pastimes. However, I decided it would be clever to include some images of projects I have been involved with over the years, to allow future employers (hello out there....) a clearer understanding of what I do.

Anyway, as I trawled the archives I came across this souvenir. Back in my days in Ireland, I worked on a TV show called 'Beyond the Hall Door'. It was a weekly roundup of the latest looks, trends, designers, much like the zillion shows that are on the Lifestyle Channel today. As researcher and stylist I was in charge of the Hot Props section, mmm catchy title, but hey it was the '90's.

When a designer dropped out at the last minute, I was called in to fill her spot, and handed the gig of making a cheapo flat pack kitchen look 'fabulous'. Talk about swimming in merky water. I blagged my way through the entire experience and even had my Mum sewing buttons on my little blind the night before. By the end of the shoot I was beyond tired, but when I saw the other two designers efforts, I have to say I was pretty chuffed with my little citrus makeover. The interview was a complete blur, and still to this day I haven't seen it. Thank goodness You Tube didn't exist back then...

The only thing that bugs me still though, is that the tablecloth is hung backwards on the table.

A new tradition

I was beginning to wonder why there were no live trees for sale around Hobart. Is it still too early, am I just too keen to decorate? After some detective work I finally solved the big mystery and took the boys on a Christmas tree quest yesterday afternoon.
Just metres from the beach and for a tidy sum of $5, you can choose your very own Pine and cut it down yourself. All this and close to the airport where you can squeal and point and squeal some more at all the incoming and outgoing traffic. Yes, so, the planes were far more exciting than the actual tree cutting, but I  kept the enthusiastic flag flying and just loved the whole notion of this as a new family tradition. I'm sure the kids thought I was a nut, especially when I told them how much fun it would be to sit in their car seats with the tree poking them in their ears. They survived the journey, of course, although the tree did lose quite a few needles thanks to some nimble fingers. It's now sitting pretty and the boys have been very well behaved, not pulling it down yet, or ridding it of it's decorations. That will come, I'm sure.

Mmm surprises...

It's always when you think you've done something well, that you find something even better and wish you could start over. This is me a lot of the time. My Christmas wreath is my current craft obsession and today, while strolling the beach in Swansea I found these super spiky, star-shaped fronds. They of course found their way back home and have added a new dimension to my organic, recycled, creation. A little more lavender and I am finally happy.
I need to let it go now and move on to something else! The quest to find someone in Hobart to sell me a live Christmas tree.
Anyway, back to my post headline. I got a lovely surprise today, from the tax department of all things... a juicy little tax return cheque that I had almost forgotten about, arriving just in time for the festive spending season. See there IS good in even the most reviled sections of society. Hoorah!

Satisfying Sunday

Finally, a family day today. Husband...check, children...check, me...check. Delicious lunch in heavenly location, warm weather, bubbles as a little treat, and happy faces all round. There is nothing more glowing than a day which simply flows, everyone is on the same path and bounces off each other with smiles and contented sighs. Little cherubs sleep soundly as we journey through the countryside and allow us to relax our minds and simply cruise.
I made our Christmas wreath too, all with goods from the garden. Sticks and lavendar, weaving through...while listening to neighbours chattering and glasses clinking. 'Tis the season...

My new logo part 2

So, here is choice No. 2 on the all important, logo decision-making saga. This one is very clean, lends itself to a more hand-written approach, which is a little more intimate?
Comments please!

Bah Humbug...

When stressed or feeling a little below par, you either eat, or you don't. I eat. It doesn't help of course. It just makes you whinge more that you ate what you shouldn't, then drank what you shouldn't, then thought more about what you thought about in the beginning, that made you eat in the first place.

Today however I had the fortune of ridding my melancholy in the rolling garden of a lovely friend. Surrounded by fresh air, sunshine and an energising babbling brook, it did wonders for my soul. The boys were in their element; a super cool tree house, impressive sandpit, and endless supplies of cars to oogle over, I couldn't really have asked for more of a relaxing Friday. Add to that endless cups of tea and an exceedingly good Mr Kipling mince pie (note mince pie is in the SINGULAR), said melancholy was replaced by some of that well needed Christmas cheer. Ho ho ho...

What's behind the door today?

As a little girl, I loved to see what was behind the door on our Advent Calendar. I now have a good excuse to continue my little thrill and every morning before our 'Meetamix', we open each door and learn about the new picture. We thought we'd share what we found, so have a look on the column on the right each day and join us in our countdown to Christmas.