Waving goodbye to 2010

Well here we are at another New Year's Eve. Can't quite believe how quickly 2010 has passed. There have been ups and downs, as with any year, but I have to say, overall 2010 has been a positive year for me.

As I reflect back on 2010 I think about:

My health: Overall, I would have to say it is improved. I've continued to try new treatments and management options in 2010. Most of the improvement can be attributed to a wonderful book called "FibroWHYalgia" by Sue Ingebretson. Sue's words have shown me that there is life after a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. I intend to do everything in my power to make it a wonderful life, and I feel that I'm already making so much progress.

My kids: who are both healthy and happy. They both did extremely well at school, have wonderful friends, have enjoyed their basketball and other activities immensely this year, and are great mates with each other (most of the time!). Being their Mum makes me a better person.

My amazing husband: his love, patience, support and friendship continue to astound me. Words can't express how lucky I am to  be married to My Mr.

My sister: who has become a better friend to me in the last year than ever before in my life. Thankyou J - I love you and I'm so proud of you. 

My Mum: who has faced some pretty huge hurdles in the latter part of the year and has come out the other side smiling. So glad you're now so healthy and happy Mum.
  
My friends: another gift in my life - they have come from many different places, but each and every one is a blessing to me. We have been through some tough times together. Our friendship has endured the challenges, and has nourished us all, as we navigate the bumpy roads of life. Thanks for always being there girls.

So what hopes and dreams do I have for 2011? I'm reluctant to make New Years resolutions. I feel that I'm on the right path now, so I just hope to keep heading in the right direction - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I could expand on each of these areas now, but I will leave it to unfold here on my blog as we move into the New Year. I hope you will share some of the journey with me.

My wish for all of you out there reading this is for a 2011 filled with joy, peace and good health. Have a very Happy New Year. See you in 2011.

             Christmas Day 2010

Simple Christmas crafting

Happy Friday everyone. Just wanted to show you a quick little Christmas deco I put together today. Simple, simple, simple. It's just a little square jar (I think it once contained pesto!) onto which I've stuck some lovely red "Thickers" (Platforms by American Crafts). Then I used a strip of Kiwi Kiss cardstock (Stampin' up) with adhesive on the back,  and wrapped it around a tealight candle. Finally, I wrapped a length of twine around the neck of the jar a few times and tied a bow. See what I mean? Simple. Even you friends of mine who think you're not crafty can do this one. Go on........have a go at it :)

Also this morning I finished off a fun little crocheted Christmas tree garland I've been making. I love the combination of crochet, ricrac and buttons. A bit of fun and super cute. You can find the pattern for the Christmas trees over at "The Royal Sisters" blog. Thanks Michelle. xx

 

 Love the rustic, homemade Christmas look it gives to our small dresser in the family room.
I have found a bit of crafting inspiration lately, thanks to all the wonderful Christmas crafts out there in blogland. It can be downright distracting from the things I should be doing actually!  But it makes me happy :) Hope you're Friday is fab! See you again soon. xxx

Edited to add: Before I packed away my Thickers, I whipped up this little card. Thought I'd add it on to the end of this post for you. 

 

Market expedition

I love our local monthly craft market at Healesville. It is a lovely drive of less than 20 minute from our house, passing vineyards and farms along the way. However due to the mad weather we've had here in Victoria (well, Australia-wide really) this year, the market has had to be cancelled for the past 3 or 4 MONTHS!! So disappointing! The Healesville racecourse where the market has been held has been flooded in recent months and it has been impossible to hold a market there.

To attempt to compensate for our lack of market, the organisers put on an extra market this weekend at another venue; Mornington racecourse. The only problem is that it is about an hour's drive from here!

Way too far to go.....or so I thought. When I mentioned this whole scenario to My Mr on Sunday morning he said "Well let's go to Mornington then". Gotta love that man :) So we headed off for an outing to Mornington Craft Market.

 

 

My main mission was to find a new berry wreath to put on our front door for the festive season. Mission accomplished! Here it is hanging in pride of place. I just love it.

What a beautiful, impromptu day out with the family - those are so often the best kind. Life is so good :) I am one lucky girl.

Friends so dear.

Just a quick post to say hello and thankyou to my dear Uni girlfriends. Our pre-Christmas dinner last night was just lovely. The Kris Kringle gifts were all delightful and your friendship is truly precious. We were a group of five instead of six last night (missing M who lives in Singapore at the moment). It was great to venture a little further from our usual get-together restaurants, and head into the Docklands for a special treat. The city lights sure are a pretty sight rarely seen by this outer suburban/former country girl. Thanks for a lovely evening girls. Love you lots. xxx

Back again soon with pics of our visit to a beautiful weekend craft market. See you soon. xxx

My creative space - star of twine

Made this twine crocheted star in between lots of socialising today. It measures about 15cm across from point to point.

I was thrilled to get a call this morning from my blog friend Sandie Downey asking if I wanted to meet for coffee. Yippee! I have only met Sandie in "real-life" once before but I feel like I've known her all my life, and we are firm friends after sharing blogland for the last couple of years. We had a delightful morning tea at a fabulous little cafe and home emporium. Of course while we were there we had to buy a couple of little trinkets for our Christmas trees. I will photograph my new ornaments tomorrow and post a pic or two. Thanks for calling Sandie. You really made my day today.

Afterwards I enjoyed a lovely long lunch with my old (but not so old) nursing mates from my nursind days. We went to a gorgeous nursery with a cafe. I didn't stop to browse in their stunning gift shop after lunch as a really nasty thunderstorm was about to hit, and I wanted to get up to the school for pickup nice and early.

Didn't get a thing done around the house today, but it was worth it! A girl needs to get out and socialise from time to time, don't you think? For lots of inspiring creative spaces, pop over to Kirsty's blog Kootoyoo.

All in a row.....

The kids just love these nesting Santas. Don't they look so cute all lined up in a row! They are one of my favourite Christmas decorations.

And I know I've showed you this tree last Christmas, but oh, how I do adore it! Mainly because it was made by my wonderful hubby. He's so clever :) Love getting this out each December.

We've had torrential rain for the first day of Summer here in Melbourne. Of course most of it occured between 3 and 4pm - right on school pick up time. Fortunately it's not cold, however, so my fibro pain is OK.

Looking forward to lunch out with a bunch of former nursing colleagues tomorrow. Might even try to fit in a little Christmas shopping beforehand.

I have been a little slow to really get into the mood for Christmas this year, but now that December is here, and the tree is up I feel that festive spirit rising in me. My Mum sent me text to say that the boiled Christmas pudding was all made, and it smelled delicious. Mmmmmm, only wish I was there with here to lick the bowl like I used to when I was a kid. Looking forward to a slice of pud' on Christmas day. Happy Thursday everyone. xxx

It's up!

  
We just couldn't wait! So yesterday we put up the Christmas tree and adorned our home with lots of Christmassy decorations.

A new addition this year is these cute crocheted stars. The star pattern is from here. I've made seven of them from white cotton and they are hanging from red gingham ribbon, at varying heights along from the top of our buffet.

 

 

I think they are super sweet. I have also seen pics of crocheted Christmas trees somewhere in blogland. When I find them again, I think I'll have to make a garland (or garden!) of them.

Have you got your tree up yet? Do you have a traditional day for putting it up (eg. December 1st)? I reckon any day after November 25th is OK. I like to enjoy the Christmas mood in our home for at least a month before the big day. It makes me want to sit and make handmade gifts for everyone.

Thanks for stopping by today. I'd love to see pics of your Christmas tree and decor. If you've got a blog to post pics of them (or a Flickr account or a Facebook page) please leave a link in the comments section of this post so I can come and visit. :) Have a happy Monday and I'll see you soon. xxx

I made some cards!

Well it has been a while, but today I was overcome with inspiration to make some cards. It all started with a visit from my lovely sister-in-law J and her daughter D. We were working on some ideas for D's engagement party invitations. I think what we've come up with is beautiful - stylish, elegant simplicity! I will show you the finished product once they are all made and have been received by the guests.

After they left, I needed to whip up a card for one of my boys to take to the birthday party he was going to this afternoon. Once My Mr and the boys had headed off to the party (thanks hubby) I was left with lots of paper scraps surrounding me. Rather than putting them away I whipped up another card, and another......and another. What a delightful afternoon. It felt so good to play with paper and stamps. Here's the result:

 My Mr has just phoned to say they're on their way home with the fish'n'chips for tea. Yummo. Hope your Saturday has been filled with things you love to do, like mine has. See you soon. xxx

Santa's card

Corey is super-excited about Christmas this year and he and Jayden have already made a start to their Christmas cards.

When I saw this envelope in the pile, all sealed up, I said to Corey "Is this your wish list for Santa?"

 He replied, "No it's just a Christmas card. Santa probably doesn't get many cards so I thought I'd send him one".  Awwww, bless his cotton socks! How cute :)

Quote of the day.

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates vision for tomorrow."  Melodie Beattie - motivational author.

Portraits in the park.

Hi all! I'm home-sweet-home now after a really enjoyable weekend "back home". Thought I'd show you some of the pics from the christening day. After the service we went to a local playground so the kids could wear themselves out a bit! We took the opportunity to take some family photos. Here are a few of them.

 

 

No more photos please Mum!

Now I'm home I have a huge pile of washing to do. I've just spent an hour or so  watering my garden with diluted Bokashi juice. It is heating up here. We're expecting 32 degrees today. Summer is only about a week away! Gotta keep that garden well hydrated if I want home grown vegies for us to enjoy. Luckily we have a nice big water tank that is full after our very wet winter.  Will share some pics of my garden soon. Thanks for stopping by. Have a great Tuesday. xxx