2009 Advent blog-a-long | day 16

Homemade Cordial

Last night I decided I wanted to have ago at making some Lemon Butter. We headed off this morning to a friends gorgeous old lemon tree and got ourselves a basket of lemons.

We had plenty of lemons, and as the recipe for lemon butter requires whisking for 20 min - not something I wanted to try with a kitchen full of children wanting to help, we decided to have a go at making some lemon cordial together.

Nathan stirred and made the sugar syrup while Isaac squeezed the lemons. We added all the ingredients to the mixing bowl and let it cool before bottling it and labelling it and finally mixing up a glass with some nice cold soda water. It made delicious lemonade and we all loved it.

I had some oranges that needed juicing and some left over sugar syrup, so I then made a couple of bottles of orange & lemon cordial. I don't think it will last long around here though!

Hopefully tomorrow I will have the lemon butter made.

You can find the recipe for the Lemon Cordial and the Lemon Butter, and LOTS of other yummy goodies on the Down to Earth Blog - it is a wonderful, thought provoking and inspiring blog, focusing on simplifying your life and the way you do things - going back to basics, learning to enjoy and value many of the homemaking skills that are being lost in this age of consumerism. It is a great resource if you want to have a try at making anything at home from scratch - you can find anything from soap making to making your own dairy products and everything in between. Its become my nightly read for the past few weeks!

2009 Advent blog-a-long | day 15

The Christmas Tree at night

I tried to get a decent shot of the tree with the lights on tonight. Because of where we have put the tree this year, I could only put one set of lights on it - it looks a bit dull, thankfully there are usually other room lights on in this area, then it doesn't look quite so sad :(

2009 Advent blog-a-long | day 14

Reusable wrapping
.

I mentioned in an earlier post that Mum and I are trying to minimise the amount of paper waste when wrapping our gifts this year. I showed the fold up bags I am making, and today I thought I would share Mums idea. I love how quick and easy these are, and they look fantastic! She has stitched a Christmas fabric panel onto reusable 'green' shopping bags and totes. Re-purposed, recycled and reusable Christmas wrapping!

I know the green shopping bags do not breakdown readily, but here in South Australia the plastic supermarket bags were banned about 6 months ago, so the majority of people have these coloured reusable bags. Although they are not compostable, they are reusable and Mum has created her wrapping from something she already had - I love how she has used the red and green (which match her tree very nicely LOL). It will be fantastic Christmas day, not only will there be much less waste to fill the bin, everyone will have a bag of some sort to carry home their gifts! My favourite is the one with the reindeer fabric in the top picture, you should be able to click on that one for a closer look.

2009 Advent blog-a-long | day 13

Summer Fruits

For us, one of the tell tale signs that Christmas is nearing is the availability of all the delicious summer fruits. My kids eat a lot of fruit, most of the year it is bannanas, apples and oranges, but this time of year the fridge and fruit bowl is over flowing with all our favourites - peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries and strawberries (bought fresh from a local farm today), grapes, mangoes, watermelon, rockmelon, honeydew melon, as well as the bananas, apples and oranges. Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

2009 Advent blog-a-long | day 12

Woven Fabric Hearts

Inspired by a couple of the paper woven heart decorations I pulled out of the 'made by the kids' decorations box, I had a go at making a fabric version. I love how they turned out. They look gorgeous hanging on a door handle or the tree - especially if they match the colours of your tree - which, as you can see, mine doesn't!, or they would make gorgeous tags to tie onto your gifts.

I think the paper versions, which I have also seen made to be like little baskets, are a traditional Swedish (?) decoration.

This is how I made my fabric version.

Step 1

Draw up a template using the guide at the end of this post. and trace two copies onto the paper side of Vliesofix.

Step 2

From two contrasting fabrics cut 4 rectangles ( 2 from each fabric) large enough for the template to be affixed to.

Step 3

Iron the Vliesofix to the wrong side of one of the fabric pieces and trim around the solid line, including the cutting lines going up into the centre. Step 4

Peel off the paper backing, carefully position the piece, glue side onto the wrong side of the matching fabric and iron. Trim. Repeat with the contrasting fabric.

Step 5

Machine or hand stitch along each side of the cuts - this is optional and is only for looks, you could easily skip this step if you wanted to simplify the process.

Step 6

Lay the two pieces down and begin weaving the strips together to form the heart.

Continue until all the pieces are woven correctly. (as you can see this heart doesn't yet have the stitching added)

Step 7

Place a few pins in your heart to help hold it together. Add a ribbon loop to the top and top stitch around the heart, making sure to catch the ends of your ribbon loop.

Step 8
You could hang your heart as it is, or add a few buttons to embellish it a little further. Find somewhere to display your woven fabric heart!

clicking on the following template should enlarge it. The graph paper squares are 5mm (for those working in metric) For the quilters and those working in inches, the dotted line indicates a rectangle approx 2 1/2" x 4 1/4" - these could easily be made from jelly rolls or scraps.

2009 Advent blog-along | day 11

Sewing Stuff

Since there are a lot of crafty girls popping by here as part of the Advent blog-a-long,( and {obviously}I was struggling to come up with a post for today!) I thought I would share my little stash of sewing stuff.

My Christmas box keeps all my little bits and pieces together. I tend to throw odd things in here while I'm working on projects - its one of those boxes that has to have a regular clean out or it gets a little out of control. I made the thread holder from an old wooden bobbin many years ago. It holds some of my spools of thread. a few vintage spools, and my scissors fit neatly in the top. My needle wrap holds my little scissors, some hand sewing needles, taylors chalk pencils and usually a tangle of embroidery threads! The only essential I still need to add to my basics is a pin cushion - its one of those things Ive always meant to make and never got around too - I must add that to my ever growing list of things to make!

2009 Advent blog-a-long | day 10

THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL

We give you the greatest gift of all,
a head start that will last throughout your life

We shall do our best to teach you,
but it will be up to you to learn

We shall try to guide you in the right directions,
but it will be up to you to make the right decisions

We shall also encourage you to seek your own independence
but it will be up to you to be responsible

We shall tell you about 'drink and drugs',
but it will be up to you to say 'no'

We shall teach you about respect,
but you will choose whether to appreciate it's value

We shall encourage you to try,
but you should want to succeed for yourself

We shall teach you kindness,
but it will be up to you to be good-natured

We shall teach you to share,
but it will be up to you to be unselfish

We shall model values for you,
but you have to develop your own morals

We give you this knowledge as a gift
with all our love


These words seemd very appropriate to share today. ( they were not written by me and unfortunately I didn't note down who they actually were written by)

Today was Calebs final day at Primary School. Wow, its hard to believe that next year I will have a child at High School...where have the years gone?

Last night we attended his graduation service. It was a little surreal seeing them all up there, realising that this would be the final time they would be a part of student body of the school. As a group they have grown and matured, their teachers have guided them, and over the past eight years have grown from the shy little five year olds that we dropped at school on their first day, to lovely, confident and mature young people.

Caleb bought home a report that he was proud of. He isnt a brilliant student, and really needs to work at getting reasonable grades. He has obviously put in a little more work in the last half of this year (not sure when, as he hardly ever did any homework!!!) and overall his grades reflected this - he did the best he could, and that is really all we can ask, we were proud of him!

During the service they put photos of each of the kids up on the screen as they were introduced. Here is Calebs - his reception photo, and his year 7 photo

I just went through some old photos and found these two as well

School swimming 2004 - Yr 2


Caleb & Nathan, term 4 2005 - Yr 3

2009 Advent blog-a-long | day 9

Annual Christmas Cards


Each year I like to make my own Christmas cards to send out to family and friends. Ever since the year Caleb was born they have been based around a photo (or two) of the kids. The last couple of years I have also done an e-card which I email to some of those on my list - I know that family and god parents etc keep the yearly cards, so they will always get a real life version.


This year I have three different cards to send out. These first two were made with my favourite photos of each of the kids from this year. I wanted to get in early and have them printed - I don't know why, I always end up waiting till the last minute to get them in the post!

Being the Christmas tragic that I am, I couldn't help myself taking the obligatory Christmas hat photos of each of the kids and a Christmasy themed group shot. It wouldn't seem right not to have them on a card too, and when found a template on line (at ilp) I knew with a few modifications it would be perfect for my photos.

Here are the other cards I have made over the years...

2008 20072006 20051997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, Wow look how much the kids (and the family) have grown!

2009 Advent blog-a-long | day 8

Feeling Spoilt

This year I signed up for a secret Santa with the lovely ladies from the newbie quilters group on Essential Baby. Today it was opening day. I received the most gorgeous gift from the very talented Esther.

A beautiful handmade tote, lots of other crafty goodies and the essential item, some chocolate! I'm feeling very spoilt and grateful indeed. Thank You so much Esther, its all just perfect.

If you want to check out what I sent my swap partner Car, you can see it on her gorgeous blog here ( I forgot to take a photo before I wrapped and posted it) Oh and yes its not a very secret santa, we all find out who our gifts come from...its nice to know who put all that thought and effort into making something especially for you!

2009 Advent blog-a-long | day 7

A day of lasts

Today was Isaccs final pre entry Kindy session. They had a little party and sung Christmas songs. I remembered at 8.30am that he needed to take a little plate of something to share. A quick trip to the shop and a few minutes work and this is what he headed off with.

Apparently he stood at the table holding one, telling anyone who would listen that he had made them - cute

Isaac took his presents and cards along for the teachers and came home with a calender for us(complete with gorgeous painted hand prints) and a special book as a gift from the kindy...they made a great choice, it was a book we didn't already have. I say that as though it is amazing, as we have an enormous collection of children's books. It started while I was studying children's literature as my major during my bachelor of teaching and has slowly but surely snowballed from there!

While Isaac was at Kindy, Jazz and I had haircuts and then popped in to visit my Nanna. This will be the final time we will get to visit her house as she will be living in an aged care facility from this Thursday. Mum was also there and I took the opportunity to snap this shot of the four of us on my phone. Four generations, spread over 85 (ish) years! It will be the end of living independent in her own home for Nanna, but over the past few years her ability to care for herself adequately has diminished. She spent some time in respite a while back and really enjoyed that, so hopefully it will be a smooth transition for her. It will certainly ease the pressure from Mum, who along with her SIL provided the majority of support and assistance for Nanna while she lived alone.

2009 Advent blog-a-long | day 6

The Spirit of Giving

Ever since the kids started being cared for by some one other than me I have always given their carers/teachers etc a little Christmas gift. I think it is important (Craig has no idea why I would even think to buy the teachers a present!) Ive entrusted these people with the care and well being of my children, and I appreciate the fact that they have played a part in my children's lives. I also think it is important for my children to remember to be thankful to their teachers etc. I try not to spend too much, it is more of a token of our appreciation. I guess it probably came about while I was working in long day care and family day care...I never doubted that my relationship with the children in my care was important, but it was always lovely when that was reiterated with a few kind words in a card at Christmas. Do you know I don't even think it was the fact I was receiving the card/gift that gave me the warm fuzzies, it was more the way you could tell how the child was so thrilled and proud to be able to give something to someone they cared about - that's what its all about really!

Today Nathan & Isaac made Christmas cards for their teachers. Isaac made (I cut out the pieces and he glued them together and glittered them!) three little cards, one for each of the kindy teachers that he has had over his pre-entry sessions this term. We tied a few little chocolates with a pretty ribbon to go with them.

Nathan made these gorgeous cards.

He choose the buttons, stuck them on and did the stitching on the machine.

One is for his guitar teacher, We made this tree of chocolates for her (there were plans to make a few of these trees, but my stash of chocolates seems to have mysteriously evaporated into thin air!)

The other is for his Yr 5 teacher - That will be accompanied by a bottle of wine and block of chocolate. He wrote a lovely little Thank You and Merry Christmas message in each of them. We just have one more to go for his Karate teacher.

Caleb is not into the whole crafting thing - I will make a card for his teacher and he can just write in it (probably under sufferance) She will also get a bottle of wine and a block of chocolate.

2009 Advent blog-a-long | day 5

One step closer...

...to a paper free Christmas. Both Mum and I are attempting to 'wrap' all our presents in something reusable this year. Ive decided to make fabric shopping bags (like these) and tie them with a piece of ribbon in either blue, pink or lime to match the tree! I finished the first two today. A present with in a present!


This is what happens to little boys who have very busy days, they fall asleep waiting for tea to be cooked!
Lots of outside time today, and lots of 'helping' Daddy & Grandpa (thank you again Dad!) put up an early Christmas present for him and Jacinta. After a couple of hours hard work, the cubby is nearly all up - it looks fantastic Still a few more hours work until completion, but all the structural stuff is done. This weekend was the only one before Christmas that there was time to put it up! Merry Christmas my gorgeous little ones!

2009 Advent blog-a-long | day 4

Resistance is futile...

This morning I had to go and drop some paperwork off at Caleb's school for next year. It just so happens that there is a spotlight not far from there. I wasn't far from a Spotlight yesterday either, but I managed to resist the temptation. Today I justified the visit to myself with the reasoning that the 30min drive to just drop off some paperwork (that could have been posted if I was a little more organised) may as well include a little window shopping since I was practically there anyway. I should have known my will power would be weakened by all that fabric, and the fact that I had the Christmas discount voucher in my pocket (spend $100 and get $40 off!)

I came home with some gorgeous glittery sheer fabric to make up a table runner for Christmas lunch (in exactly the same colours as my tree decorations, I was very excited!!!) , 2m wool blend wadding, some thread, new blades for my rotary cutter, a 4" quilters square, pins, bent safety pins, a 12m end of bolt (@ $1/m fabric) for a quilt back & Christmas gift bags - I'm aiming for a no wrapping paper Christmas this year, this fabric will also co ordinate with the tree very nicely, and some other stash building bits and pieces. Its a great feeling knowing that once I had the basic stuff I needed (wadding, thread & table runner fabric) which was about $60 worth, the next $40 was basically free, hence lots of nice little treats for me! I dont think my two very bored children were quite so impressed by my bargain shopping -an ice cream on the way home fixed that though, and they are now BOTH fast asleep, ahhhhhhhhhhh bliss!

2009 Advent blog-a-long | day 3

not once, but twice....in one day!

Today I took Isaac and Jacinta to visit Santa. We love the one at Myer TTP, they are not usually too busy, and will spend a bit of quality time with the kids. Even better they don't try and push ridiculously priced photo packages down your neck, in fact they are more than happy for you to take your own!

Jazz was a little hesitant, but did sit there for a bit, then Santa let her wander around ringing his bell, which she thought was wonderful. Each time she went over he would chat away to her as well as Isaac who was on his knee - it was lovely! The kids always get a little something from Santa as well - this year it was a hat and a whistle - the kids loved them, Mum (and the other shoppers I suspect) not so much! A little bribery with a packet of tiny teddies distracted their interest eventually!
Then we headed back up the hill to the aged care home where my Nanna lives, for their Christmas party. The kids got to see Santa...again. Jacinta must have been impressed the first time as she was very excited when he arrived. The residents LOVE seeing the little kids there, and Nanna just beams when any of her Great Grand children come to visit. She is doing pretty well for someone who will be 94 in a few months!

2009 Advent blog-a-long | day 2

Spreading the handmade Christmas Cheer

Today I finally finished these sweet little babushka softies. They will soon be on their way to a lovely new home. I made them totally from scraps - strips from the dolls quilt, red corduroy that Ive had in the drawer forever, and the backs from some gorgeous linen napkins I picked up at the op shop a few weeks ago.I love how they turned out, especially considering like most of my sewing, I just made up a pattern and hoped for the best! I will be a little sad to send them off, Ive become rather attached to them sitting on my chest of drawers! But like most things, if they were actually for me they would probably end up in the UFO pile. At least this way, they are finished and I'm sure the little ones that they are going too will appreciate them! I love giving gifts, there is something special about finding a special something that will let the recipient know you have thought especially of them...I think that being able to hand make a gift for someone is even more special.

ohhhhh and I'm not the only one busily crafting for Christmas. My dad sent through some pics of the cradle he has made Jacinta for Christmas. It is a replica of the ones he made my sisters and I when we were little! I cant wait to watch her tucking her babies in for a nap! I'm sure she will treasure it for many, many years, and it will be even more special because her Grandpa made it just for her.