Blogging and I are just not happening much. I think I freak myself out by pressuring myself to have interesting photos every time I blog, but I don’t tend to chronicle much of my life in photos at the moment. Something I endeavour to do in 2012 is just blog more, even if I don’t have pretty pictures to share all the time. The point is to have a record for me to read and enjoy, rather than blogging in ways which I think might appeal to readers. I care about those who do read (thank you!) but what and how I write should be first based on what suits me.

Anyway, I had a lovely but busy Christmas with my family. Christmas has been changing for us over the last few years. My parents, siblings and I used to spend the morning together before going to my maternal grandmother’s for lunch and then to my paternal grandparents’ for dinner. A couple of years ago my nanna had a stroke so we haven’t been having Christmas dinners there any more and my other grandma also finds putting on a big lunch for the huge number of people in my mum’s family way more work than she’s interested in (don’t blame her!). Now we tend to spend Christmas morning as we used to and breakfast at my eldest sister’s house, but without my brother because his little family does stuff with his partner’s family. Then both sides of my family gather for lunch at my parent’s home. While not every aunt, uncle, cousin, etc. can attend, most do and it’s a fairly large occasion to say the least! I’m personally more of a fan of the smaller, micro-gatherings that we used to have and I do hope that we can do that again some time in the future. With so many people I don’t feel like I can really spend any time with them all properly. To me, Christmas is all about family (and food) and it seems a little bit weird to me that I don’t get to really hang out with the various parts of my family properly. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy Christmas – I really do, and I will take the gathering any way I can get it.

Post-Christmas was chilled out. We had the most horrible weather though! It’s summer right now and so far we’ve only been getting glimmers of it, between storms, floods, rain, and even some sweater temperatures. Mostly it’s been humid and wet, basically. New Year’s Eve was still rainy and then finally yesterday it cleared a little in time to move Josh into our flat, and so far today it’s actually not rained at all (fingers crossed because I have a clothes line full of laundry).

Speaking of laundry, on New Year’s Day I was washing a load of laundry and our washing machine had a fit and flooded our garage. I was in the shower when it happened so when I went into the garage to see how the load was doing, I stepped into a small ocean! Fortunately the water didn’t get inside the flat and hasn’t damaged anything. The washing machine motor is broken though so now we’re without one until a replacement is acquired. My grandma lives in the house above us and is very kindly letting us use hers for the time being.

So, a busy, somewhat eventful, year so far. Summer school starts for me on Thursday and over the next few weeks I really hope to have the majority of the flat sorted and in order. I’m feeling incredibly blessed, happy, and calm with this new chapter of my life.

How is your 2012 going? Anything interesting happen yet?

This week is crazy. It’s usually crazy this time of year anyway but this year in particular! It’s all very exciting though so it’s okay.

Today I finished most of the packing I have left and moved one trailer load of stuff to the flat. Mostly boxes because we’ll move the furniture tomorrow. I even managed to unpack some stuff – um, cutlery (except teaspoons), but it’s a start!

Now I’m enjoying my second-to-last night in my parent’s house. I’m going to miss them. Have just finished a Christmas gift for my darling nephew, Tyler. I’m so excited to see his face when he opens it on Christmas!

Have a beautiful night! xx

Given

I made a lot of gifts this year and I am so pleased I did. I think there is something so rewarding about making something you know a person with love. And I know I love receiving handmade things, so hopefully my family does too!

Needle Books - pattern by em ay key ee

Pin Cushions

Tote Bags

Charmy Kitty, $3 fabric from Salvation Army. Score!

Crochet Owl Keyrings

Hair Clips

Just a sample of a few. I made 12 all up, I think. The girls loved them.

A Teddy Bear

For my niece, Persia. Her favourite colour is purple.

Recieved

Cake tins, water bottle, bag, two-box set of loose leaf tea bags, sheer Christmas table cloth, comb, photo album, make-up pads, mini clothes-pins with ladybirds on them, blue nail polish, mini sketchbook, pencil sharpener.

Boots from my guy.

Not pictured: crème brûlée set, 6 boxes of glass Christmas ornaments I got on sale, crochet hooks, yarn, French cook book, crochet book.

Finally, here are a few shots from Christmas Day, mostly of the kiddos and during the morning. By the afternoon I was pretty exhausted so photo-taking was at a minimum by then (because I’m pretty much the only one that takes photos around here, haha).

Nephew and brother-in-law.

He was so excited.

My niece was pretty subdued most of the time. She was still half asleep and more interested in a morning drink than tearing off wrapping paper.

But, of course, once her older brother kindly tore the paper off for her, she was very into the gifts!

My eldest nephew (13) and Romeo.

Little Rabbit in the new playhouse! Stay tuned later in the week for a showcase of the playhouse.

Our tough guy! Despite the bag whacking him in the face at least once, he continued, haha.

Persia with the teddy bear I made for her. Details of ‘Purple’, as Persia named her, to come soon.

My niece, Courtney, striking a silly pose. This kid is amazing and so full of energy, love and kindness. Adore her!

My two eldest nephews, recently teenagers! They’re two of the awesomest boys I know, with the best senses of humour.

So, there you have it! The majority of the day captured on film, but you can see more of it here.

Yep, The Aftermath of Christmas is here! What that means is I feel permanently stuffed full of food but I feel obliged to continue having meals in order not to waste leftovers. Especially the sweet stuff. It would seem so sad to let the lemon tart I made go to waste!

Yesterday was great, but I was exhausted for most of the day and felt that it kind of put a bit of a damper on my enjoyment – I was a bit ‘out of it’ with tiredness. The morning was the best part,  because I got to spend it with 3/6 of my nieces and nephews, plus my sisters, brother-in-law and mum (dad had to work unfortunately). My 4-year-old nephew, despite being sick with fevers since the 23rd, had an amazing time and was sooo excited! His reaction of total excitement and appreciation at finding BATTERIES in his stocking was hilarious. My 2-year-old niece, on the other hand, was half asleep and not greatly interested in opening her gifts, though playing with them was fun. She became very animated when she and her brother were finally allowed to go outside to see The Main Gift – the playhouse which my dad built them. She was stunned for a few seconds before running over to it and squealing when she got inside. Her brother said it was “Awesome!!” in an American accent (movies, lol).

Anyway, I shall have a photo post up in the next few days! I’m very excited to share the playhouse – I did some paintings on it, as well the gifts I made for people.

Hi guys, here’s a bit of an early message for ya. I’m definitely going to be MIA from the Internet until after Christmas from now on (except maybe Twitter…), and I imagine most of you will be too, so I thought I’d get in a little bit early with this.

I really hope you all have a wonderful weekend, whether your celebrate Christmas or not. If you’re going to be flat-out busy for a lot of it (this would be me) – let there be some rest, love and much joy amongst all the chaos.

See you after I’m stuffed full of food, love and happiness! xo

Guess what? I had scheduled a post for Christmas day and it didn’t post! I am so pissed! I wrote it especially because I knew I wouldn’t be able to get online to wish everyone a happy Christmas (or day if you don’t celebrate) and the damn thing failed me.

So, I would just like to wish you all a belated rerry Christmas, or non-Christmas. I hope you had a lovely and safe time, whatever you did!

christmas tree., originally uploaded by *racheal.

I myself had a fantastic day with family. I spent Christmas Eve night at my eldest sisters so I could spend the very early morning with my niece and nephew as they opened gifts. Well, that was the “official” reason; the unofficial reason was because my sister needed help putting together the swing and slide set for the kids, after they went to bed, as her husband works nights. We had a rather merry time doing that, despite the mosquito bites. We deduced that it would have gone much smoother had more wine been involved.

Not that it’s about gifts, but I got some great ones. A gorgeous book on Art Deco graphic art and illustration, a book on teddy bear making, 3 necklaces (from different people), earrings, a Marilyn Monroe photo canvas, shower gel, bracelet and ring set, 2 movie tickets, a bracelet, digital photo frame and various gift cards and some cash. It was a good year for jewellery! With the money I got, so far I’ve bought a calendar, 2010 planner and some shorts.

What did Santa bring you?

We finally got our Christmas tree today! Usually we have it by now; better later than never though. I don’t think I blogged about this, but a couple of weeks ago I had a dream in which we had our Christmas tree and I wasn’t allowed to decorate it, yet everyone else was. I found this most distressing in the dream (and, admittedly, when I was awake…) and made sure everyone knew I wanted to decorate the tree.

And of course I did. Here are some photos of the finished product (thus far; no doubt every time I pass by it I’ll have to tweak something).

I recycled the decorations from last year, though I did add some silver and pale blue tinsel and the silver tinsel string. (While taking the photos the wind was blowing quite a bit and lots of the tinsel string got blown off the left side, hence why it looks a bit bare).

Some gifts are out.

Happy holidays, everyone!

Here is a Christmas meme that I snagged from Holly.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I have always loved wrapping paper. I used to wrap up random things when I was little in any paper I could find and everyone would wonder where their stuff had gone. Perhaps I should become a professional gift wrapper? This is not to say that I don’t have love for gift bags, but if I use them it’s more for birthdays or other super-special occasions.

2. Real tree or Artificial?
We always have a real tree. When I was little we used to get a random wonky pine branch off one of the pine trees on my grandparents farm, but last year we bought a pine grown specially for Christmas and we’re doing the same this year. I can see the appeal of artificial trees, but I prefer the real thing.

3. When do you put up the tree?
There isn’t a specific day that we put it up. Generally it’s early/mid December.

4. When do you take the tree down?
Usually early January.

5. Do you like eggnog?
I’ve never had it and it’s not particularly popular in New Zealand. It seems like the sort of thing one has during winter and it’s obviously summer here in the southern hemisphere. Maybe I’ll make some this year just to see?

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
I don’t remember, though I know I was unbelievably chuffed when I got a green Baby-G watch, because Baby Spice wore a Baby-G watch, too!

7. Hardest person to buy for?
Most people this year have been a bit difficult to think of gifts for, actually. I’m on a tight budget so it doesn’t leave me much room to work with, but fortunately I know what I’m getting almost everyone now. Just something else for the boyfriend, but I’ve no idea what, yet.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My mum, as usual.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
No, the focus of Christmas for my family has no connection with the reason behind Christmas.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail, though I’m not sending many out this year. Just a few to close friends and the rest will be given along with presents.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
I can’t really think of anything. For the most part people are good about picking the right stuff to give me!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Nightmare Before Christmas and Love Actually.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Around November. I’m about 1/3 done.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Nope.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Dessert! And Christmas breakfast usually involves lots of yummy fruit, croissants, cheeses, and cranberry sauce. I think it’s actually my favourite meal.

16. Lights on the tree?
Our lights are still packed away and I don’t think we’ll be getting them out before this Christmas! We’ll forgo the lights.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
Santa Baby.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
From 2001-2007 we travelled for Christmas, but now we live in Auckland again so no need to.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?
No. I could have copied Holly’s answer, but that would be cheating. I do know Rudolph though.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Star. I wanted to find a pretty angel or something but haven’t been able to this year (so far, there is still time!).

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas morning with my parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, then again at lunch with extended family.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
The commercialisation of everything and that stores seem to be decorating and displaying Christmas stuff earlier and earlier, then there is the general business of the shops and stuff.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
It varies, but I adore silver and frosty blue decorations. The only reason I would get an artificial tree is so I can get a black one and decorate it in silver and frosty blue!

24. Favorite memory of Christmas?
I don’t have one in particular; I just love being with my family. I must say though, Christmases have been even better since more nieces and nephews have come along. I think kids add a special kind of magic to it.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
A new cell phone, a 2010 planner, about 5 different calenders I fell in love with the other week, a million pairs of shoes, a house of my own, pretty much everything from Vivien of Holloway… But I’m actually only asking for the first two.

A day late, I know, but yesterday and the 24th were so hectic I didn’t have time to post. I hope you all had a wonderful festive time, whatever holiday(s) you celebrate!

I had a great day yesterday with all my family, and though it was very busy it was one of the best Christmases I’ve had in a long time. This break in the traditions of who’s houses we eat at has been a nice one, indeed. It was also nice to see all my grandparents sit back and relax this year, as they were not hosting any of the meals. A well deserved retirement from Xmas lunch and dinner, I think! Though, of course, we will always miss having it at their places, at least these new traditions do and will continue to mean just as much.

As much as I dislike to to admit this, part of Christmas is about the presents. They don’t have to be in huge numbers or at all expensive, but a little token from one person to the next is perfectly fine. None at all is fine, too, but I think even if I was absolutely dirt poor, I would still find a way to give to those that I am closest to, even if it’s just one tiny cupcake or a heartfelt letter, because it gives me such pleasure. I hope all of my gifts convey how much I love that person and how happy I am that they are in my life.

So, for Christmas I received a few books, including Tatiana’s Table by Paullina Simons; two DVDs (a crafting one and Emma); a dress; a top; a bath bomb; a stoneware oven dish; a ticket to see Kings of Leon in March; knitting needles (they’re pink!); some money from various people; a couple of gift certificates and…let me think…I think that’s all. No, wait, some chocolates! I love everything!

Now, the food, it was really good. My vegetable loaf turned out great and was perfect for lunch, and the stuffed mushrooms were great as well, though I want to work on the recipe more. I am actually thankful there was so many dishes I don’t eat, otherwise I would have overeaten very badly! One of the good things about veganism are family gatherings with a lot of non-vegan food, so when you don’t want to overeat, you only take/make as much as you want to eat! After that you just stop. Haha.

Once again, I hope you all had a lovely day.