Mmmm whose fault?

I have always admired and been envious of Jim Shore figurines particularly the Christmas ones. This year I began my collection with my first purchase all because of http://grannyloz.blogspot.com/ . When Loz said she had done a little internet shopping and bought a few more to add to her collection and was then willing to share where from I lost all self control and had to put my own order in!!!! It is only a small Santa but he has given me so much pleasure already this festive season and I can't wait to add to the collection next year!!! Thanks Loz!

Christmas 2011

Before the New Year begins I thought I better do my Christmas 2011 post! It is very photo heavy but each and every photo hold wonderful memories. They are in no particular order!!!! but just random!

We had lunch with my Mum in Ararat on Christmas Eve - prawns, roast pork and the pav I made. Yum! Lots of presents and the yearly trip to the cemetery with roses from our garden.

Off to Barwon Heads for lunch on Christmas Day at SH's sister's home with all of his side of the family. Our contribution for lunch was turkey, raspberry and spinach salad and a mango cheesecake! Another fun day with presents and a lot of laughs!

Good jobs done!!

I was going to post photos today of our Christmas celebrations but they will have to wait for another day!!

I tend to find this week between Christmas and New Year (when our office is closed so I am on holidays) one filled with the 2 extremes. I spend a lot of it being very lazy, napping, reading and wasting a lot of time on the computer or catching up with dvds. On the other hand I get all inspired for the new year , making lists and plans of how I will have a clean,tidy house at all times, get healthy and thin, eat better and cook more and of course take time to smell the roses and craft more!!! While I am in this planning mode I tend to get stuck into some tidying, cleaning and sorting at home. We cleaned the fridge out this morning, I know it isn't something I should be so excited about but I am!!! Not just a wipe out or a quick glance at what was past it's best but a take everything out and scrub kind of clean!!! I can't stop looking at it now..... Sad I know!

The other thing we achieved today is something that has been on the list for a while. I have been looking out for a bookcase to fit this little wall near the kitchen. It is quite a narrow space. Today I decided I couldn't wait any longer for the perfect bookcase so I bought a 'cheap' (some assembly required) bookcase. Darling SH put it together for me not without a few problems caused by the assistant and yes that may of been me!!! I have now put all my cookbooks into it. They were on the main bookcase, hard to get to and taking up so much space. Here they are handy and close to the kitchen and all together, no longer will I have to spend a lot of time searching!!! I am really happy with the result. Now to attack the pantry tomorrow!!!

(the mess you can see either side is other sorting and Christmas goodies still to put away! oops!)

Spoilt rotten!

I can still not believe how spoilt I was at Christmas and what perfect presents I received!

From HS I got an icecream maker and even better it is a lovely bright green!! I had dropped many hints but had no expectation that I would actually receive it. I am about to go and make my first batch - strawberry!!

From Mum I got a new coffee machine. It has a timer!!! which I managed to set (don't forget I am technologically challenged) last night so this morning I woke to the smell of freshly brewed coffee! SH will love this as he usually gets up to make my first coffee for the day, it will give him an extra sleep in!

The 'horsey' one knew how much I really wanted to see Red Dog when it was on at the theatre and how disappointed I was when I missed it so I got the DVD from her. I can't wait to sit down and watch it!

SH gave me the biggest surprise, a pandora bracelet with a cat and heart charm. I love it so much!!

The other present I love is Adriano Zumbo's book which I got from my brother & sister in law.

All in all I feel so blessed and spoilt, I couldn't be happier!

SSCS 2011 - what I sent!

I thought I better share what I sent in the SSCS this year. I sent to Marica in Sweden. I sent here this sewing bag that I am very proud of with the scallops and embroidery. I also sent her some Christmas Australian animal fat quarters, some caramello koalas , a stitchery pattern and 2 felt ornaments.

Now to plan for next year!!!! I say this every year but I really must do it!

SSCS 2011

The only swap I have taken part in this year is Chookyblues SSCS. This is my 3rd year (maybe 4th?)  taking part and once again I have been blown away my the talent and generosity of bloggers. My partner that I received from this year was Shauna from www.hobbieswithalittlebiteoflife.blogspot.com from Canada. I did not know her before but have certainly made a new blogging friend.

What a parcel!!!

I received a beautiful quilted table topper, I will get so much enjoyment using it both during the festive season and during the year. It is gorgeous and I have the perfect place for it.

I also got 2 knitted dishcloths, hard to see in the photo but a beautiful yarn, red,white and gold.

I also got a lovely bread board with a  recipe for Friendship on it. I will enjoy using it and remembering my special blogging friends while doing so.

I knew Shauna did some digital scrapbooking but wow she is clever!!! I received a 'favorite recipe' book to keep all my 'special' recipes in. It is personalised for me and the first recipe in there is very special as it is Shauna's favorite family recipe. I can't wait to try it. 'Chocolate chippers' - sure it will go down a treat in our home!!!

Thank you so much Shauna for an amazing gift, I was so spoilt and love each and every bit of it!!!
A huge thank you to elf Chooky for once again hosting this swap, you do an amazing job and it is really appreciated, can't wait till next year!!!

It's here and Day 23!!!

Christmas is here!!!! and I made it! The Christmas letter and cards were written today and posted, the groceries are done and the shopping finished! Presents not wrapped yet but that will happen....
We had our first Christmas celebration tonight, dinner with friends. I made a Christmas log for dessert, very happy with how it turned out and judging by the little bit left I would say it was a success!