Christmas is almost here...

I'm not really back from my blog/online hiatus but I did want to wish all of my bloggie friends and their families a Very Merry Christmas. May your festive season be safe and filled with love, laughter and precious time, making cherished memories with loved ones. For my friends who will have an empty place at their Christmas table this year I wish for you peace and healing. May precious memories of times past comfort you in your grief.

I am not sure why but my Christmas spirit is sadly lacking this year. Those who know me well will know that this is most unlike me. I'm a Christmas nut and usually celebrate Christmas with joyous abandon! I hope to come back to blogging refreshed and renewed in the New year.

I haven't been very active in my time away but seem to have kept busy nonetheless. Mr B had another surgery and has recovered from that well. Fingers crossed that nothing further will go wrong.
I have been dealing with the usual end of school year things with both my children and organising them for next year as well as sorting some extra support for my son who has had some difficulties this year.
It all sounds very simple when written down in a few sentences like that but it has been very time consuming. Playing telephone tag with various school staff etc has become tiresome and tedious but I think we are finally sorted. Now I am in the midst of book lists and uniform lists. What fun NOT! Lots of medical appointments to attend etc. Lots of WAITING around!

I have also managed some reading and would recommend any of the following books for those who love a good thriller/crime story.

• The Wreckage by Michael Robotham
• Doll's Eyes by Bari Wood
• Acid Row by Minette Walters
• The Retribution by Val McDermid
• Chill Factor by Sandra Brown   *romance as well as murder

My Christmas decorating this year is very simple by sheer necessity. All my trees and decorations are packed away in our shed behind furniture and boxes from where I moved in with Mr B. Unfortunately they are inaccessible without completely unpacking the shed and that is not going to happen anytime soon! I did keep out a small white feather tree that I bought last year and have decorated it with a single silver bead garland and it looks quite pretty, if very plain. My teenagers are getting money for Christmas so I just have to find a present for Mr B and my gifts are done. (Well ok being mum I will buy at least one small gift to go under the tree for the kids) Food will be a simple affair as Mr B still doesn't have his teeth and is on mostly a liquid diet. I haven't even been able to find the spirit to write cards this year. I am listening to Carol's as I type this and hoping to engender some kind of enthusiasm for the coming weeks.

I am still stopping by and reading my favourite blogs from time to time and I hope when I return to writing I still have some friends who will come back to read me.
Meantime from our house to yours -
MERRY CHRISTMAS & A SAFE and HAPPY NEW YEAR

 **Thanks to Karen at Graphics fairy for the santa image. The Grapics fairy

Anything but turkey....

Christmas is over and the year is drawing to a close. I'm not sure about anyone else but I am getting sick of eating the Christmas leftovers. It's a case in point of the adage that all is good in  moderation. I asked my better half to pop out for pizza the other night as I wanted anything but turkey for dinner. I'm making mental notes about the quantities of food left over and what we can cut back on next Christmas. Leftovers are yummy for about a week and then just like the tree after Christmas, the gloss wears off.
It is a little strange how the tree and the decorations just don't seem to have the same sparkle once Christmas Day is gone. Looking around the room everything just looks a little forlorn. Traditionally I take my tree and decorations down on New years day so I can enjoy them for a few days yet. Forlorn or not they still contain that tiny seed of Christmas spirit that touches the child within me!
wishing you sunshine in your shadows
Helen

Christmas blessings to all...

Christmas is almost over for another year. It's funny how the tree just doesn't look the same anymore. The lounge room has various gifts, bits of wrapping paper etc scattered around. The gloss and glitter just doesn't seem to have the same sheen and sparkle anymore! We had a wonderful day here today, my son and daughter, my daughter's friend from the States, my partner and I. All adults but we still shared the special moments that the spirit of Christmas brings.

The kids were all up at some ungodly hour of the morning. I believe it was around 3.30am. I refused to get up until a respectable 7.30am despite repeated nudgings from my 14 year old. Everybody was suitably spoiled by santa and we spent the rest of the day chatting, relaxing, eating and napping turn about.
My partner and I managed a few short hours of special time together early evening as the kids all went off to have dinner with their father and his new family.

Now late in the evening we are all winding down, each relaxing in our own way prior to bed. My son is staying with his dad for two weeks holiday. My daughter's friend is staying with us for approx 3 weeks so we will be trying to show her a little of Australia before she returns home.I feel truly blessed to have my loved ones with me this Christmas.
I hope your family was touched by the Christmas spirit and enjoyed a loving and relaxed day.
wishing you sunshine in your shadows
Helen

**photograph my own

Playing domestic goddess....

I've been running around like a mad woman for a couple of days, finishing up last minute Christmas preparations. Like  most women I suspect. Actually I have been much better organised this year in part due to the wonderful online group I belong to Aussies crazy about Christmas.Gifts all done and wrapped I bought all my ingredients for my baking yesterday and spent the better part of this afternoon making yummy things for us to have at Christmas.

I used to bake all the time but haven't in a while. I let my pantry run down and it is expensive to buy a lot of ingredients all at once. However perhaps in keeping with the new start in a new home I have been feeling somewhat domestic this week and my grocery bill reflects it! So for a little while at least I can pretend to be a real domestic goddess and impress my family with my culinary skills. Ok ok so I'm getting a little carried away here. Truth is I'd never make a domestic goddess I'm far too relaxed and easy going. Some would say lazy but I prefer to think positive! ;)

Sharing piccies below of the treats I have made so far.Unfortunately the choc truffles look a bit like doggie doo since I couldn't find my piping tube and had to use a plastic zip loc bag with the corner cut off. I usually pipe these with a star tube so they look nice. I still plan to make Buckeyes and choc peanut butter fudge if I can find time tomorrow.

Wishing you sunshine in your shadows and choc chips in your cookies
Helen
~ choc brandy truffles, white choc lemon truffles and rum balls~

The gifts of Christmas...

I went into town today to finish my Christmas shopping. It was crowded, busy and tedious in the shops but a few short hours later I was exhausted but finished. I tend to buy things early and tuck them away all through the year. Unfortunately this means I often forget about things or one of the kids ends up with more gifts than the other. I know it shouldn't matter and it probably doesn't to them now they are teenagers but I have always fastidiously made sure they each receive the same number of gifts under the tree. Even if it means wrapping a pair of socks to make up an extra gift! Do other mums do this or is it just me?

This year I didn't manage to put too many things away early so had most of my gift shopping to complete today. I have ended up with too many gifts for my son this year so he will be terribly spoiled. Buying gifts had me thinking about the less fortunate today. If you can I hope you will make a donation, place a gift under one of the many charity trees in the shops or donate food or a hamper to a local charity or homeless shelter.  We have always done so when able. I have been on the receiving end of charity before today and know first hand what a difference it can make to needy families. I truly believe in making a difference when and where we can and there is no better time than NOW to give yourself a dose of the warm fuzzies by giving to others. After all isn't that what the true spirit of Christmas is all about?
wishing you sunshine in your shadows
Helen

I could not find the original source of this photograph to give credit. If this is your image and you would like credit or it to be removed from my blog please let me know.

Sunshine in my mailbox...

I received a happy surprise in my letterbox today. I love this time of year when all kinds of lovely things appear in my letterbox, instead of just the usual bills and junk mail. I have received a lovely number of Christmas cards from friends and family and I enjoy looking at them displayed in the lounge room. Today I received another card from an online friend. Elaine had inserted a beautiful crocheted angel decoration inside the card. Elaine is a very crafty lady so I think she made the angel herself. It is very fine and stiffened so it hangs nicely. Thank you Elaine for putting a little sunshine in my day!
wishing you all a little of your own sunshine in your shadows (or mailbox)
Helen

Are you counting?

It's only 11 more sleeps till Christmas Day! Usually I have finished buying gifts by now but this year I am behind schedule. Unfortunately this means a dash into town, probably next week to try to buy the kids gifts all in one days shopping trip. I am not looking forward to battling for a car park, queues in the stores. I love Christmas and I love people, just not when I am shopping!

I have all the stocking fillers and only have a couple of gifts to buy so I guess that isn't so bad.
Are you feeling the excitement build at your place as the number of days till the big day slowly decreases?
Next week will see me baking, finishing shopping and then hopefully relaxing and enjoying the special ambience that Christmas brings.

wishing you sunshine in your shadows
Helen

This is an adorable advent truck I picked up on ebay. It has little drawers on both sides to pop small treats in.

Crazy about Christmas

If you know me personally you will already know I am crazy about all things Christmas! If you don't know me personally but read my blog you may have guessed LOL! I belong to a number of online groups but one in particular is an Aussie group that has become a cherished part of my online 'family'.  If you are an Aussie and love Christmas you might consider joining this friendly, sharing and caring group of ladies who all love Christmas.
We share our love of christmas through sharing recipes, crafts, web links, ideas for organising and preparing the house for the big day. We have competitions and fun games. We also share the important things that are happening in our everyday lives.
Check out the website to learn more.
wishing you sunshine in your shadows
Helen
http://aussiescrazyaboutchristmas.viviti.com/

Christmas puzzle

I like doing Jigsaw puzzles and each Christmas I like to buy a new one. This week I pulled out one I bought on ebay a few months ago. My partner and I spent quite a bit of relaxing time the last few days putting the pieces together. It isn't as nice as the one I did last year but still been a lot of fun. My partner did a lot of the tricky bits too so that was a bonus LOL!
wishing you sunshine in your shadows
Helen

A little Christmas joy

Just another little piece of Christmas to share today. I get such joy from the decorations I collect each year.
I'm sharing a few of my favourites and I hope they will add a little Christmas joy to your day as well.
wishing you sunshine in your shadows
Helen

Quilled snowflakes

I love trying different crafts but I'm a bit of a jack of all trades, master of none!
A few weeks ago I finally decided to try quilling. Whilst my efforts are not perfect enough to satisfy an expert in the craft I was quite pleased with my results.
I used scrapbooking paper which is a little on the heavy side but I found it easy to work with.
I experimented with 1/4 inch strips and 1/8 inch strips and although I liked the effects of both the 1/8th inch strips gave a finer more delicate look.
My first efforts were pretty terrible but it only took me a few hours to master basic skills.
If you decide to have a go at this I suggest buying a metal quilling tool. I started out with a plastic one but changed to a metal one and found it gave much better results.
There are a number of quilling tutorials on utube or you can take a look at one of these:
http://www.giddygreetings.com/

http://foldingtrees.com/category/quilling/

http://craftiblog.wordpress.com/

Here are a couple of photos of my snowflakes.
I sprayed them with adhesive and sprinkled them with fine white glitter to finish. Unfortunately the glitter does not show up well in the photos.
Wishing you sunshine in your shadows
Helen

Summer Love

Summer is here at last. One of my favourite things about Summer is the stone fruit that comes into season.
We have a small orchard and productive vegetable garden at home and if we can beat the resident possums to them we pick a lovely amount of fresh organically grown fruit at this time of year.
Our strawberries are doing well and we always have a lovely lot of plums. The wildlife got the apricots before we did last year so I am watching them carefully as they develop & ripen. Unfortunately we are missing my favourite - nectarines.I really love nectarines! Really must plant one this coming year!
Our cherries succumbed to the drought so it will be store bought cherries for Christmas this year.
Do you have cherries at Christmas? Which stone fruit is your Summer love?
Wishing you sunshine in your shadows
Helen

Photograph my own

Santa needs a wee!

I love books, I love reading. I collect Children's Christmas picture books. Today I wanted to share a delightful children's book that I recently added to my collection.
The proper title of the book is "Father Christmas needs a wee" by Nicholas Allan.
It's a counting book with a funny story. We follow along as Father Christmas goes from house to house, on Christmas Eve, drinking all the various beverages left out for him by excited children.
Eventually the inevitable happens and.....Father Christmas needs a wee!
Preschoolers will love the rhyming text of this adorable book as well as the funny story.
The ending is just too cute and the illustrations charming!
I highly reccomend it for children aged 2-5 but the preschoolers will get most from it.

Christmas is on the way...

I just LOVE Christmas! I also love quotes and would like to share one of my recently collected Christmas ones with you today.

"Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself..."
Norman Wesley Brooks "Let every day be Christmas" 1976

One of my favourite sites for quotes.

Photograph my own.

One man's junk is another man's treasure!

I have a secret vice - well ok in my house it's not quite so secret. I'm a bower bird, a veritable magpie. Some folks would unkindly call me a hoarder but I like to say I'm a collector!
I have a real love of anything vintage and have various collections of items from days long gone.
Here is a short list of just some of the things I collect:

•  vintage jewellery
• vintage postcards
• Christmas jewellery
• vintage Christmas decorations
• vintage greeting cards
• vintage scraps
• vintage handkerchiefs
• owls
• children's Christmas picture books
• Fenton ducklings
• small creamer jugs
• swap cards
• Ceramic girls/angels from the 1940's & 1950's
• Anything that takes my fancy LOL!

I truly doubt I have anything that will ever be valuable but each and every item I love. I tease the kids about my jewellery collection being their inheritance but in truth it's all costume jewellery. I especially love the crystal cut necklaces from the 1920' s and 1930's and the later 1950's aurora borealis coated crystal & cut glass pieces. Then there are the diamante's! I hope you enjoy a peek at some of my treasures. I believe treasures are to be shared not hidden away never to be seen.

A collection within a collection - a very small sample of my Christmas tree pins.

A tiny sample from my extensive vintage jewellery collection. Within my jewellery I have many sub- collections which started quite by accident. I have collections of ballerinas, scotty dogs, butterflies and bugs for example.

This lovely lady is my favourite of my 1950s ceramics. Picked up for a song on ebay. Sadly I have never seen any further examples of this quality since.

A small selection of vintage valentine cards.

A small sample of my owls. This collection began when I was still in my teens.

I have a huge collection of victorian scraps, calling cards and postcards.In this small grouping I LOVE the pansies. They are a cutting from an old seed catalogue. Reproductions abound and I prefer to collect the genuine article. Occasionally I will buy reproductions for use in art and craft work.

 I will share more of my treasures another time.
Wishing you sunshine in your shadows
Helen