4 more sleeps!

I can't believe it's only 4 more sleeps til Christmas! I think I'm organised but I'm sure there'll be a last minute realisation that I've forgotten something. School finished yesterday, kindy finishes today and my husband finishes work today - then we can start to feel like we're on holiday! We've been making lots of sweet treats for all the end of term parties. These decorated biscuits are a family favourite which we've been making for the last few years after spotting them at another party and ooohing and aaahing over them. Talk about easy but cute! A mallowpuff biscuit with melted white chocolate over the top, pop on a spearmint leaf and a jaffa and there you have it - a gorgeous little Christmas pud treat.

They are hard to resist. So much for that healthy eating plan I was following ...

I bought some gorgeous jars for next to nothing at the supermarket this week with a plan to put them in my pantry with all my baking bits and pieces in them. But when I got them home I realised they were proper preserving jars with the lid made of two separate bits - oh darn. So they weren't any good for the pantry - but I knew exactly what I could do with them instead. We'd been talking about wanting lots of candles for outside over the holidays for when we're having barbecues and just hanging out in the warm Summer evenings. I had loads of candles already so all it took was some wire and some fun with pliers. I absolutely love them and can't wait to sit outside with these dotted about the garden and on the table.

My small folk have asked if we can have them all on the dining table for dinner tonight ... it won't leave much room for plates but we'll give it a go!

We've also put up some gorgeous solar powered fairy lights so it's going to be a lovely place to sit and enjoy those warmer evenings. A bit of crochet by candlelight sounds quite appealing just now!!

We had a really cold snap last week and had to have the fire on which was just nuts. It was good weather to do some preserving though. I'd bought a huge bag of beetroot at the market and wanted to have a go at making chutney. It turned out really well and will be a very welcome addition to a good old ham sandwich over the break. Delish.

I'll be making more of these little babies today too as they disappeared really quickly. I saw a recipe on TV for easy muffins which were made in one bowl unlike the usual dry and wet mix being separate. Absolutely gorgeous - warm blueberry muffins and a big cup of tea - perfect.

Sadly this week also bought news of the loss of my lovely aunty. Aunty Maureen, I will never forget your laugh and your wonderfully smiley eyes. My love goes out to my cousins - what a totally rotten time of the year to lose your beautiful mum. xx

Well that's me for another week. Merry Christmas to you all! I hope you all have a fabulous Christmas and I'll see you again soonish. I'll leave you with this cute little song that is now a bit of a Kiwi classic, well in Wellington anyway ...

4 more sleeps to go, 4 more sleeps til Santa
4 more sleeps til the big fat fella comes down your chimney and gives you pressies and drinks your beer
4 more sleeps til Santa

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Leah
xxxx