Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas Everyone!

 
Where the heck did November go?  I can't believe how fast the weeks have been passing.  I never intended almost two months to go by without doing a post.  That also means nearly two months of not popping in to visit other blogs so I have a lot of catching up to do!!  And a big hello to lots of new followers - it has surprised me to see how many new folk have discovered my little blog. 

It has been an utterly crazy few weeks in the lead up to Christmas.  There have been ballet recitals, end of year school celebrations, summer sports, a few health issues and some very weird weather to keep me on my toes.  It's meant to be summer but I am currently sitting here, very early in the morning, and all I can see out of my window is fog.  The airport is closed making Christmas travel plans a nightmare for many.  Thankfully we are staying home this year and I'm really looking forward to some time to slow down and just potter about for a while.  Not to mention the chance to eat far too many festive treats and start the diet in the new year!!  My small folk love these chocolate biscuit Christmas puds so they requested we make them again this year.  Not to mention the piles of white chocolate rocky road and bottles of caramel sauce I made for gifts this year.  Delicious!
There has been a wee bit of time for some crochet.  I'm still trying to use up my Stylecraft yarn but it just keeps on going!  I started this blanket ages ago and wasn't sure that I loved it enough to carry on.  But my gorgeous sis-in-law Sarah visited yesterday and she spotted it in my basket.  So I'm going to get it finished and give it to her.
There is something nice about a simple granny square isn't there?  I think I was worried it was a bit too simple though - that's why I hadn't fallen in love with it.
 But the more I look at it now, the more it is growing on me.  Maybe I'll make another one for me later.


And there have been many, many more tea cosies made.  Quite a few sales and commissions in the lead up to Christmas which is fantastic!
I was a bit naughty this year and went a little but nutso with online shopping.  I had wanted this book for a while and it didn't seem to make it to the bookshops here so I ordered it from good old Book Depository along with a few other treats for gifts.  I love, love, love that website!!!  And I really love seeing a little (or large) brown parcel in my letterbox!!!
The very first pages the book opened to was this - I thought it was just gorgeous.  I have only managed a quick flick through the book - so can't wait for a sunny day so I can sit outside and read it properly.
Miss 5 has become a real little crafter.  She got this sweet little sewing kit for her birthday and it goes everywhere with her just now.  She was unwell recently so I cut out some shapes for her to sew.  She made this sweet little bear and today she is sewing more stockings to hang on the tree.  I am so proud of Mr 8 too, for a boy whose favourite part of school has always been lunchtime(!) - he came second in a poetry competition this week.  I didn't even know he had entered - so it was a huge surprise.  My little boy is really growing up to be a gorgeous fella.  
Even though the weather has been completely screwy, boiling hot one day and pouring with rain the next, we have managed to grow some yummy veges.  Broad beans are one of my faves and thankfully Miss 5 is keen to pod them with me and then peel them once boiled.  It certainly speeds up the process! 
And for the very first time, after trying for 4 seasons, we managed to grow a broccoli!!!  I actually squealed out loud when I spotted it!!  It wasn't huge but was enough to feed us for one meal.  It tasted beautiful as it was only a few minutes from garden to plate.
And another gardening success - well kind of - was this cabbage.  Again, we've been trying for years with no success and then one day it was just there, like magic.  It was tiny - but perfectly formed under those outside leaves!  My theory is that neglect was the perfect answer.  We'd had such terrible weather that the vege patch had been left unweeded for several weeks.  A theory I will try again because I hate weeding!!!
Our cabbage was tiny but check out this freakishly large strawberry.  I had to put my crochet hook in front of it show the scale of this monster.  So if you're going to be good and limit yourself to only one choc dipped strawberry then this is most definitely the one you'd want to choose!
And speaking of large - look at this gingerbread house.  Apparently it has set the record for being the largest ever made.  It is at Te Papa museum and the kids loved it.  The smell was just beautiful.
 Phew - that's a lot of butter!!
Another wee treat I bought for the family this week was these bright and gorgeous pudding bowls.  I had to go back and get another set so we have enough when friends visit.  A bargain at $5 and oh so bright and lovely.  I might just have to fill them with sweets and treats tomorrow and dot them about the house.



Before the fog set in, we went on a family walk around our suburb.  I wish I had taken more pics now as these Pohutukawa trees are blooming everywhere just now.  They are called a New Zealand Christmas Tree and the story goes that if they flower before Christmas then we are going to have a long hot summer.  Well where I live, there are beautiful red flowers on all the trees so bring on the good weather.
Miss 5 collected flowers on the way.

Telecom sets up this amazingly huge tree each year.  The children go into the old red phone boxes and call Santa.  Then their wish travels up the tree and lights up as it goes.  We took the children yesterday and it was just gorgeous listening to them leaving their little message for Santa. 
I love this pic - it is taken standing inside the tree looking up.  Just a shame it isn't dark until quite late here, so my small folk haven't had a chance to see it completely lit up in all its glory.  We might have to let them stay up late and go for a drive tonight for a Christmas Eve treat.

Well that's all from me!  Have a truly wonderful Christmas wherever you may be.  Thank you so much for popping by and I hope to see you again in the New Year.  I hope you all get thoroughly spoilt this festive season.  Merry Christmas!!!

Take care,
Leah
xxxx

19 comments:

  1. Hi there Leah,
    Wishing you a very merry Christmas too!!!
    Carly
    x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Merry Christmas to you too!
    Angie x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Was the strawberry shared?? This is such a lovely post and the idea of the Christmas tree lighting up when their wish goes through is really lovely. Have a wonderful Christmas x

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the idea of the Telecom tree. So many beautiful things in your post Leah. I hope you and your family have a very merry Christmas. Kate x

    ReplyDelete
  5. Best christmas wishes to you too! :)
    Groeten, Heleen en Corry

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Leah - I am having trouble finding time to post too. Isn't the Father Christmas 'tree' a lovely idea. I hope you all have a lovely week. xxx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

    Lilli x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Merry Christmas to you and your family Leah! I wish you a wonderful and happy time together! Hugs, Barbina

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hope you enjoyed the Christmas festivities. Happy new year!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm so happy you had such a lovely Christmas with your loved ones. You said it all with where the heck did November go?! I'm so impressed your 5 year old knows how to sew. My 8 year old got so frustrated with her little trees this year. My 5 year wants to learn how to sew. I'll have to check Amazon for a good kit. How lovely to have grown that pretty broccoli and cabbage and boy are beans labor intensive. That is an impressive shot there of the lighted tree.

    ReplyDelete
  11. You know I love seeing your crochet and baking, but it was awesome to see those wonderful veges! There's nothing like eating food grown in your own garden. Love the photo of your little one sewing too -- she's had a great role model. We're also home this year, and I'm loving spending plenty of time in the garden. If it rains this afternoon, the sewing machine is coming out.

    ReplyDelete
  12. So much loveliness to catch up on! Your little Miss 5 is very impressive with her eagerness for crafting. I have been dying to get my hands on a copy of the Granny Chic book. You make it look wonderful! Have a blessed New Year! Looking forward to your posts for 2013 :-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Leah, that was a lovely catch up post. Sounds like you are enjoying busy, wonderful times. I love that your daughter is already so crafty. She is gonna be just as talented as her mama, that's for sure! Wishing you all the best in 2013! Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wishing you a truly Happy New Year Leah! Lovely to catch up with what's happening at your house : -)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hope you had a great Christmas Leah, and here's wishing you a very Happy New Year! Looks like you had a busy time in the run up!
    Gill xx

    ReplyDelete
  16. A belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you Leah! What a delightful post, and it sounds like 2012 has ended with a flurry of creative and family fun. Looking forward to your colourful tales in 2013!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hello to you, my lovely!
    I've been rather absent from Blogland too at the moment, so it's great to have a cuppa and a bit of a catch-up.
    Loving your crafty makes, as always and BOY! What a strawberry.
    Have a fabulous week.
    Xx

    ReplyDelete
  18. Was good having you visit my blog. Thanks for all your encouragement! Hope you post again soon. Miss you ;-)

    ReplyDelete

  19. Wow, wonderful weblog format! The overall look of your website is wonderful, as neatly as the content material!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for visiting and leaving a comment! Have a fab day.