CHRISTmas.

Sunset here yesterday.

One of the children put a Christmas tree in the Nativity Scene! Each day 8 year old daughter empties the scene, reads the Bible story and puts the characters in place. She does this for 3 year old daughter.

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This is one of my favourite spots at Christmas time in our house.....
The clock was husband E's grandparent's and the cabinet is husband E's Aunt's, who sadly died in July this year.

Thoughts to Songs and Carols.

We had a lovely time last night with our church and community: Carols in the Carpark. Sausage sizzle, face painting , jumping castle and loads of people gathered to hear a fantastic band and then husband E with others leading us in carols.

Thoughts to a Family Gathering and Friends.

Relatives from South Africa and then

good friends.

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Pockets with dates.

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This little lady came from IKEA years ago. The stocking was made by one of the children I think...

Thoughts to a Christmas Welcome.

Thoughts to Advent.

Circular for the eternal love of Christ,
Candles for the light that Christ brings
Four, for the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Thoughts to the End of Year Ballet Concert.

Flowers for the ballerina.

Little Bo Peep. Made by Aunty L.

Thoughts to Entertaining.

Raspberry Nut Slice:

I doubled the quantities given....and made 2 slices.

210g butter
165g (3/4 cup) caster sugar
2t vanilla
200g flaked almonds (I only bought 100g as expensive)
40mL millk
225g plain flour
1/3 cornflour
1/2 cup raspberry jam.

Grease a 24cm x 20 cm baking tin.

Place 60g butter, 55g (1/4 cup) sugar and 1 t vanilla, the almonds and the milk in a saucepan to melt the butter. (I did it in the microwave). Remove

Shortbread base: place remaining butter, sugar and vanilla in bowl. Mix. Sift in flours. Press dough into tin. Bake for 10 min. Cool slightly. Spread jam over and then spread cooled almond mixture on top. Bake for 25-30 min till golden. (180 degrees).

Delicious.

Thoughts to a Birthday.

We made chocolate icecream to enjoy for an upcoming birthday. 7 year old daughter is turning 8. She got the icecream maker for last year's birthday.

Thoughts to Christmas.

The plan was to put up our decorations yesterday. Well, gardening and helping 11 year old son finish a school assignment, meant that that did not happen. Perhaps this week will be slower and we can enjoy.....

Helpers in the Garden.

3 generations: Grandpa, husband E and 11 year old son...tidying up after the paving was finished.

Paving Progress.

We have had some paving put in the garden for our anniversary present: here is the progression.....hopefully ready to greet family and friends in the next few weeks.

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Gingerbread house making at our church....7 year old daughter and I enjoyed this together.

We had a childrens' talk:

candy canes are the hooks for the shepherd,

held upside down are a 'J' for Jesus...

The red symbolises Christ's blood, shed for us,

the white, His purity.

The mint taste, like hyssop and cleansing, like Salvation.

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Baking.....

Thoughts to What Christmas Should be.

Linda has told me about this lovely blog that has given me some thoughts to what Christmas should be. Please read....

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Last night I went to the shops. I was quick- as much of my shopping for gifts has been through catalogues or warehouses.

I do feel that I am fighting the Christmas hoarding thing though: as I look through our house and especially the children's rooms, I find that we have nothing to throw out as it is all being used, but we do not need to add anything to it either.

One thing that I have thought about and did last year, was to buy the new school year's supplies and give them for Christmas presents: nice new lunch bags, pencil cases etc. Last year some special textas and glitter too.

Oh and tasty treats is always good!

We are so blessed to be able to have such dilemmas.

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Cards and candy canes for the older three to give to fellow students and preschoolers.

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The school Christmas concert last night. "Perhaps it will snow?" It was so cold, which I of course loved. We had a lovely Nativity scene acted out, but my photo's could not be posted on to the blog.

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Our pudding, hanging and our first Christmas card greeting.

Community Fire Unit Training Day.

We raced back from the city to have our final training before our Community Fire Units are installed. Great to work with our neighbours! This group of photo's was collated by one of our neighbours.

Christmas Decorations in the City.

The Queen Victoria Building and her tree.

Under the tree.

The Queen Victoria Building.

Windows of the David Jones store.

13 Years.

We repeated what we did last year and took the whole family to stay in the city to celebrate our wedding anniversary.

We were right in the heart of the city and could see many landmarks.

There were lovely fireworks at night. Husband E took the photo of the fireworks.

The Queen Victoria Building.

The living area.

Even a study.

The kitchen.

Centrepoint.

The Harbour Bridge.

Memorial.

We attended a Memorial for the death of a family member in a mining accident 10 years ago. The community were so kind then and again, now. 24th November, 2009.

To Rest at the Lakehouse.

We gathered at the lake house to bury husband E's aunt's ashes. She loved it here. This occurred on the 15th November, 2009. This tree is where E's mother's ashes are buried.

Exploring School.

Our school has 'playgroups' for the new kindergarten children for 2010 to come and explore the school. 5 year old daughter enjoyed her visits.