Sharing

If you only have 5 minutes to spend on the internet today, spend it reading this true story. You won't be sorry you did. We read it together the night we put up the tree, and it really got us thinking about true sacrifice - important I think, at this time of year!

We are just loving having Stuart home for the holidays. Things got hard, as they always do, in the last week of school. We are breathing together again, enjoying family time, slower times, the tree, the lights, the Christmas planning and nibbles. And today I am having a haircut. :)

Several of my U.S. readers have asked about our Christmas Cake. I must admit this surprised me, I assumed it was an international tradition! I did a little reading, and I believe the traditional of a a fruitcake at Christmas began in the UK, but is also celebrated now in Australia, Japan and the Philippines (and probably some other places). It is basically a rich, moist fruit cake - sometimes iced and decorated, sometimes topped with nuts, sometimes eaten as is. My family recipe originated from my Mum's side - I know Nanna cooked it, maybe her Mum did too? It is made with rum, butter, sugar, golden syrup, eggs, flour, 1 and a half kilos of mixed dried fruit.... and perhaps some other things I can't think of just now. :) It's yummy, that's for sure!! The day it is baking is always wonderful - the smell is divine and it cooks slowly for several hours. I usually just top it with some plastic holly and sometimes dust it with icing sugar.

Easing Back In....

After weeks and weeks of concerts and events - and sickness - we are easing back in. To normal, every day, at home together, life.

Today is Monday, our longest no-Stuart day (work, late meetings, and netball at night), and I am still far from being 100%..... but it was a good day! Lots achieved and 3 happy little people tucked into bed. And 1 tired Mama soon to go to bed. :) Here's a glimpse of our day.......

early morning drawing session

breakfast dishes still on the table, littlest brother looking on

'cooking' with river rocks

"mix it, mix it, mix it"

researching Michelangelo's art

computer play

homemade bread rolls for lunch

maths

little boy tree play

trying hard at puzzles

baking white chocolate and raspberry muffins

doubling the quantities to make a double batch

chalk space pictures

warm muffins with our afternoon read

and all ready for a rainy play outside before bath time!

Normality is wonderful.

A Glimpse of My Morning

Just a few photos to share of our morning at home today. The autumn sky is glorious! The weather is so divine. Chilly nights and warm days. The garden is thriving after yet more rain last night. Winter woollies have been washed today for William. :) So nice to pull out all Elijah's old size 2 winter clothes and handle them again. I baked bread rolls for lunch and Saraya made her own little loaf. The children put on a spontaneous play for me this morning - the story of Peter Rabbit! Complete with audience seating, dressed-up bunnies for Peter and Benjamin, a cat, Mr Macgregor and Mrs Macgregor (dolls), Old Mrs Rabbit, and a stick scarecrow on which to hang Peter's blue jacket! Saraya made a fine ticket-maker and usher, and she and Elijah shared the narration / acting of the story with the toys. So cute!!

We've been for a walk and I've managed to wash bed sheets and clean the bathrooms. We've finished schooling for the day. Now to tackle the dishes and the vacuuming!! And the mountain of folding...

Nice to sit here first though. And nice to be popping in to my blog mid-week. :)

Christmas Eve

"Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home!" ~Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers, 1836

A Christmas movie and Christmas lights

The last few years have seen us start a family tradition of watching the movie "Little Women" together just before Christmas.  It happens to be one of my favourite stories (I love Louisa May Alcott's books), and this version of the film is my favourite.  This afternoon we all sat together in the lounge room, lunch plates and drinks in hand, and shared this old-fashioned Christmassy favourite.  The little boys did really well, just playing on the floor when their interest faded.  Stuart and I (yes, he loves this movie too!) got a tear in our eye in all the sad bits.  And the happy ones too. :)

I made sure Elijah had an afternoon nap, and tonight after tea we all headed out to look at Christmas lights.  The children "oooo-d" and "aaaah-d" sufficiently, and we were all quite amazed at the effort some people put in to decorating their homes for us all to enjoy!  Our final stop at the home with many running tiny model trains was our favourite.......... extremely clever and well set up, with tiny villages and people, cattle, farms, streetlights all lit up, etc.  We spent nearly an hour there!

It's been a delight delivering boxes of Christmas baking to friends this week.  

Shortbreads, rum balls, and little tarts- some raspberry and some fruit mince- with crumble topping, and lots of little Christmas sweets tossed in for good measure. :)  So nice to share at this time of year!  

"Only 2 more sleeps till Christmas!!" (quote Saraya, bedtime tonight.....)

Christmas baking

Christmas baking has started!

Aside from the cake (which the children and I made last month), we have shortbreads, chocolate fudge, and other delicacies to work on over the next 10 days. :)

Last night after the children went to sleep I made the rum balls.  These happen to be my most  favourite Christmas treat.  I thought I'd share my Nanna's recipe.  Nanna was quite partial to the rum, and this recipe has a little more than most others I've read. :)  Mind you, they are very very tasty!  

Nanna was beautiful.  I always miss her at this time of year.

Nanna Cook's Rum Balls

1 375g packet mixed dried fruit

1 tin Nestles condensed milk

3 heaped tablespoons cocoa

10 crushed weetbix

5 tablespoons of rum, and an extra dash for good measure

Mix all together well with hands.  Roll into balls and then roll in coconut.

Refrigerate until firm and keep in the fridge.

Eat and enjoy!