I love the amount of empty time that holidays bring. Unscheduled and seemingly limitless time, when I can say “Yes!” when the boys say “Can we paint?”, “Can we make ice-cream?”, “Can we play with clay?”
They painted a still life of some cheery flowers…
…made some delicious raspberry and blackberry frozen yoghurt…
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…and crafted some clay cats!
Oh, how I wish the holidays were longer!
In one week we have gone from having a household of four to a household of eight. No babies expected, however, we’ve just acquired a lot of pets!
Tilly, Custard and Charlie Chocolate the chooks have taken up residence in their run (and have finally spent their first night inside the coop/kennel, instead of on top of it)…
…and Possum the (giant) cat!
Amidst all this excitement, I’ve also been enjoying some holiday time to do some sewing! After the Christmas rush it’s been so lovely to dabble with some beautiful fabrics.
Some rattles…
…and tea wallets, mostly for Under the Oak, but a few for madeit (more are sitting all cut out on my sewing table, ready to stitch up!)…
…and a custom order car wallet in some very cute fabric! Lots of bibs (especially girly ones) and other goodies on the way, including – hopefully – some new items…
Hope you all had a joyful and relaxing Christmas! It’s been a hot beginning to the new year, and our prayers are with those who have been involved in the bushfires around Tasmania. We haven’t been affected by them in this part of the state, and have been so lucky to just enjoy the glorious weather!
Earlier this week we had a gorgeous day at George Town and Low Head. We checked out the lighthouse…
…and visited the museum…
…where we learnt about tying knots, and Morse code and other types of signalling.
Then we visited the strawberry farm on the way home (how can they still have so much energy?!?!)
Yesterday we went fishing with family. Such a beautiful day!
Dave doing battle with The One That Got Away (after the line broke)!
Toby and Jasper loved looking for crabs under the rocks.
We have also done some work in between all this play! Toby’s been a big help with sanding down some doors ready to paint, and Jasper enjoyed harvesting the potatoes with his new wheelbarrow.
Hope your start to 2013 has been just as bright! I’ll be back soon with a sewing update (sewing has been happening, really it has!).
Only a couple more sleeps until Christmas! The gift tags are all stamped, the presents bought and wrapped (well, nearly…) and lots of delicious foods are waiting to be made. The house is looking pretty and relatively clean (well, nearly…). Lots of yummy things have been picked from the garden and a mountain of weeds removed (“Hey look, there are tomatoes growing over here!”)
But really, all that matters is that we’re celebrating the birth of our Saviour, Jesus. Amid the busy-ness and the pressure, we pray that you and your family will enjoy the peace and joy of this festive season, and remember the amazing, unconditional love that God has for every single one of us.
Suddenly, God’s angel stood among the shepherds and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Saviour has just been born in David’s town, a Saviour who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”
At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
Luke 2:8-14 (Message translation)
We were SO super-excited this week to pull our first carrots! A little bit on the small side, but they are nice and straight, and so delicious. AND, my goodness, purple and orange!!
Paired with the last of the peas, they made for a yummy lunch.
The garden is so glorious at the moment. Flamboyant poppies and enormous showy cosmos…
…even springing up in the driveway! A few little beans snuck themselves in amongst the peas too.
Silverbeet and sweet peas even look beautiful when they’ve gone to seed…
Inspired by our sweet little apples, Jasper planted a few apple seeds in a jar. When we came inside from the garden an hour later, we had tears: “Why aren’t they growing? I want an apple to take in my lunchbox tomorrow!”
The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Isaiah 58: 11
