Camping

 We had planned this camping trip months in advanced, while endlessly pulling nails from floor boards, painting walls, stacking bricks and other renovating chores it was always the light at the end of the very messy tunnel, lazing on the beach with a cider, riding the quads, sitting around the camp fire and enjoying time with great friends and family, we could not wait.

 When I was diagnosed with Melanoma it never really crossed my mind that we wouldn't still go, as long as it worked out around my doctors appointments and operation I had my mind set on going. I'm so glad we did, In hindsight it was probably more relaxing than staying at home, the children were constantly on the go and we all had the most amazing sleeps.

We were away for five nights including New Years Eve with about six other families and had other family come down for a night or two, or some came for day trips. On New Years Eve we had all chipped in for some fire works and had the most spectacular display.

On one of the nights we set off the sky lanterns which we had gotten in Bali on the most gorgeous still night, it was beautiful to watch them float over the dunes into the orange sky.

 Poppy had plenty of use from the motorbike Santa had brought for Christmas and the twins loved riding the mini quads.

We couldn't have asked for a better way to bring in the new year and say goodbye to 2015.

....

Big love for all the messages, emails, texts, prayers, comments and well wishes from my last post.

xx

Christmas Paper

Every year we make our own wrapping paper for Christmas presents, this way the children can feel involved in the giving process but not actually have to help wrap the presents (because as a control freak, it's way to much for me to handle.)

This year I had the twins paint their own red and green design on the paper that we would use for their child carers gifts, and then I made Christmas tree 'stamps' out of kitchen sponge for the rest of the paper.

The paper always looks so nice under the Christmas tree and the children are always happy when people asked if they made it on Christmas day.

Now to finish my Christmas shopping so we can actually put the paper to use.

Easy Salted Caramel Sauce

This amazing caramel sauce is good on anything, I mean anything. Apple slices, ice cream, cake, biscuits, or just be a glutton and eat it with a spoon.

I will be making a few little jars up for Christmas presents and it will be perfect in a little "sundae box' I'm making for some 'tweenages'* in our family that are impossible to buy for.

What you'll need:

1 cup white sugar

1/4 cup water

1/2 cup whipping or heavy cream

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt

What to do:

Pop a large pot on high heat and place water and sugar in, wait until mixture boils and turns a caramel color (no stirring needed, but as it is so hard not to stick the spoon in and twirl it around, it doesn't hurt)

Pull the pot off the heat and gently stir in cream (the mixture will steam and bubble so be careful)

Then stir in vanilla* and salt and return to a low heat for another minute.

Pour into sterilized jars.

Will keep for about a month in an air tight jar in the cupboard.

*A tweenager is a 12-14 year old that I find impossible to buy for at Christmas/Birthday's because they usually have everything and more.

*On a few occasions I have swapped the vanilla for rum, orange essence, cinnamon and even peppermint... yum!

Christmas

I have been a little quiet lately. 

Enjoying having a break with my family and taking the days slowly.

This photo is from our Christmas day, I hope your day was as relaxing as mine.

I will back back soon for my last 52 portrait.

Bring on the new year!

xx

Ginger bread houses

With so much going on this time of year, there was no way we were baking our own ginger bread houses. 

So I was excited when shopping at Coles and I spotted ginger bread kits for ten bucks! They have plenty of options, an Outback shack, Ginger bread train, Ginger bread house, a large Ginger bread man and the one that I got the Ginger bread village, which comes with five little houses and was perfect for the children to all make there own.

Poppy put so much love into her little house, where as Rory and Alexis were more interested in eating the lollies and icing, but managed to keep some for their little houses.

Everyone was happy with their masterpieces and they are sitting in a safe place ready to be eaten on Christmas day (minus a few lollies.)

Do you make ginger bread creations at Christmas?

Have you tried one of Coles ginger bread kits?

Happy Wednesday. xx

Christmas Wreath

A little Christmas wreath makeover,

We collected some blue gum from a tree over the fence.

Wrapped it around the existing cane wreath.

Added a few glittery birds and some red baubles for a pop of color.

And voila! A very Australian Christmas wreath, that smells amazing.

Do you have a Christmas wreath up at your place?

Happy Tuesday! x