the obligatory blogger wrap post

I'm on my parents' computer. A PC. Windows. A regular clunky keyboard. It just feels weird. When I hurriedly scrambled a few quick posts together to see me through the last week before Christmas while already on holidays, I never thought as far ahead as now. New Year's Eve. And now reading so many end of year wraps out there in the blogosphere, I wish I had. What would an end of year wrap be for me without bombarding you with photos? Instead I must make do with rehashing from only the last few months of 2012 which is all my blogger image archive will allow (double image width and all..). Better than nothing I guess.

At the beginning of the year I joined Bron in choosing one word that would hopefully shape the year ahead. I have to say that I found my focus in spits and spats throughout the year. I have most certainly not come to the end of 2012 with a more focussed view on every aspect of my life. But perhaps that is not what I needed after all. I found focus in places I wasn't expecting to, in places I felt at the beginning of the year, were not as important as others. Of course, Life knew that was exactly where I needed to find it.

It came to me in places of motherhood, which I think was really as far as I was looking, back at the beginning. Being present and all that. Motherhood is all encasing for me, as for many mothers. It is my work as well as my play. I don't have a day job to escape to or be responsible for, to converse with grown adults and speak of adult things. I live and breathe my kids. I am rarely apart from them. This year I also spoke about time for myself. If I'm being honest, I think I forgot about this bit quite early into the year. It's so easy to do when your smalls need you for everything. But in those moments where everything fell apart, or was close to crumble, I could see it. And I took time away for myself to get my shit together again. Even if that only meant an hour by myself at the shops to get milk and bread.

As I reflect on the year that was, I see it - the focus - came to me throughout the year like a little steam train.  Beginning as a muffled toot in the far, far off distance, chugging gently along, and slowly becoming louder and louder before I realised it was running right by my face. For the thing I was not expecting. The thing that was not even on my radar. The thing that I love, the thing I am good at. The thing that makes sense. The thing that would allow me to be responsible for adult things, while still continuing to be completely present with my smalls. The thing that would unleash years of pent up creativity. The thing that would make me happy. There is risk, and fear, but there is faith.

The past year of blogging has given me so much. It is a strange thing to feel surrounded by such talented, creative and supportive people, but actually be alone. This online community was a big part in obtaining the focus this year, another unexpected. Through the best bits and the worst bits, instagrammers and bloggers were inspiring me whether I needed it or not. Seeing my little blog listed on some of my favourite blogger reading lists for all to see this year, was a real milestone for me.

There will be some big changes happening in our home in the new year. Changes I am both hesitant and excited about. Some things are going to happen that I don't want to. But I must look at the glass half full. I will surround myself with positivity - which at times can be quite a challenge when your husband is naturally fairly negative - and remind myself of my goals where I can see them every day. On the fridge, the chalkboard, on my bedside table, at the computer, in the laundry. I don't make resolutions, but this year I am. Or goals, which is pretty similar I think. I need a concrete list in front of me to work toward, to keep me on track, to remind me of what I NEED amongst the day to day magic and monotony of motherhood. Because I am now at a point in this mothering journey where caring for the kids and giving them all THEY need, is no longer giving me all that I NEED. And I feel no guilt in such admission. Time waits for no one and I'm not going to be left behind.

I hope the last evening of the year for you is spent doing something you love. Happy New Year, friends xx

merry and bright

10.53pm on Christmas Eve was not the time I was hoping to sit down to write this {now severely shrunken because of the late hour} post. But I cannot let the big day arrive without sending you my warmest wishes with outstretched arms, thanking you all for clicking those mice and trackpads through your blogger feeds, supporting me throughout the year. This year has been full, a mixed bag. After Christmas, when all is calm again, I will have time to reflect on all that this year brought my way, our way. In many ways there is little difference in our family life than when the year began. But there is one huge difference, one big gift this year has given me and I am so looking forward to making it even bigger when the new year rolls around.

From me to you, and mine to yours, Merry Christmas, friends. Be safe and merry. Merry and bright! xx

wrap it up

I'm going for colour this year. Between our reindeer wrapping paper, edible baskets and peppermint candy/tissue paper combo above, everything heading out of Chateau P resident hands will be merry and BRIGHT, indeed. Of course there will be loud bursts of washi too. I'm going all 90's and bringing raffia back. And I just bought some beautifully soft electric blue TINSEL to make little wreaths for the top of gifts. And I hate tinsel. What is wrong with me?! Just to keep the colour overload in check, I do have a roll of brown paper to tone down the odd parcel here and there so the recipient won't need to put on their sunnies to open it. I expect I will use this rather sparingly though. I'm looking forward to some lazy evening hours of wrapping this weekend, in front of Christmas movies, of course.

So what's your style this year? Merry and bright? Or sophisticated and subdued?

the pillow

Sick of Christmas posts yet? Me too! Here's a brief reprieve for you, I'll be all merry merry again tomorrow.

So remember the quilt I made my sister for her baby shower? And I said the kids made a gift to go with it?

I often buy craft supplies when I see them on sale, whether they are necessary purchases or not. The fabric crayons and textas were such a purchase. I do love to give a thoughtful, unique gift. And the kids love to draw. Mash the two together and this is what you get! Ruby created Uncle Ash and Aunty Bree, with baby Rome in her tummy (who was just baby at the time of commission). The red building in the background is the hospital, close by and ready for delivery! Cole's art skills (and enthusiasm) come and go. His rainbow started out beautifully until he decided he'd had enough and started scribbling all over it.. let's just call it expressively creative, shall we?

In years passed, I have also recreated Ruby's drawings with embroidery, turning them into pillowcases, clothing or simply framing the embroidered fabric. It's a really beautiful gift, and is always received with sincere appreciation. Children do SO many drawings in these early years, and I find it so hard to throw away the good stuff (even the not so good stuff for that matter), even when there's mountains of it. Something like this makes the art useable, useful and enjoyable for all who see it, rather than piles of pretty pictures stashed in a box in the cupboard that you just can't bear to part with.

*Thankyou all SO much for all your beautiful comments on the quilt post. I was really touched by your response. You guys are THE BEST.
*as an aside.. this is my 300th post! Yay me.

reindeer food

Call me crazy but for the last two years, I have quite enjoyed creating Ruby's kindy gifts for end of year. They're always made late into the evening, watching a Christmas movie or listening to carols. I enjoy the repetetiveness of it all, my mind switching off after a few rounds and going into autopilot while enjoying the festive entertainment.

Last year we made Rudolph biccies. This year we made reindeer food (oats plus glitter). When I first mentioned the idea to Ruby, she was most unimpressed. Mum, that seems like quite a silly idea. I just want to do cards. Righto. I brought it up again a few days later.. with the same response. Because that's what all the other kids had been handing out - just cards, some with a little candy cane attached, which had been quickly quashed by the teachers just in case any of the kids had allergies. Ho ho ho.

I typed and printed the little poem, leaving a little room at the side to make tiny reindeer heads with my glad wrap covered fingerprint (very similar to our potato stamped reindeer). Ruby was very concerned about the reindeer ingesting the glitter mixed through the oats. I reassured her it was fine with the old 'they're magic' sort of answer.. so I refrained from calling it reindeer food, and concentrated more on the glitter playing the role of tiny little fairy lights guiding the reindeer to our home (or rather, nanna and pa's home). She seemed satisfied with this explanation.

There are several free printable tags for reindeer food floating about the interwebs (thanks Emma!). While I really like the small crafty reindeer part of the tags, next time I would make them squarer to fill up the bag more to keep the oats from coming to the front on some of them.

Even while making them late into the evening, on the eve of Ruby's last day of kindergarten, I had a 50/50 chance of kindergartner approval. When she woke to find them, she saw that it wasn't such a silly idea after all. This was a fabulous, CHEAP, little gift that had a great response from both kids and parents, which will undoubtedly be churned out again in kindergarten years to come for Middle.

chest puffing

So, it would appear you guys love handmade goodies as much as I? Thanks for all the love on yesterday's edible gifting post.

Quite a while ago a did a roundup post of my favourite photographers. Stacy was high on my list - and still is. Every time I visit, she blows me away. SO inspirational. So imagine my surprise when I shamelessly plug aforementioned edible gifting post on Instagram this morning, and she comments on how fab it is and asks if she can use the link for a guest post? ON HER BLOG. Did you hear me? I said, ON HER AWESOME OF MOST AWESOMENESS BLOGS. Yep. How ridiculous. I do believe there was chest puffing.

Even though my chest puffing is totes important in your busy christmassy schedules, what's more important is if you missed said roundup post and you don't know who Stacy is. Fix that, people - stat!

*yes, I am rehashing photos because I am on holidays and away from my beloved mac, and Lightroom library. Meanwhile, the beach, pool and afternoon seabreeze are satisfactory indeed.
*you can find me on Instagram at milkpleasemum.

how to :: the edible gift

Perhaps my favourite gift to give is the edible one. Despite good intentions of adding some new favourites to the list this year, I simply haven't had time. They will have to wait till next year. I have no idea where the last fortnight has gone? It is so cliche to say the days are disappearing and Santa will be here before we know it - but it's so true! I LOVE going away for Christmas, but it makes the first fortnight in December a very busy time preparing, and organising, and squashing gatherings into a shorter time frame, than if we were staying home.

The edible gift is a favourite because it covers so many bases. Friends, loved ones, acquaintances, neighbours. This year we gave hubby's sisters and their husbands, edible baskets. I find them terribly hard to buy for and this year I was having none of it. My time was limited and I made a snap decision. And being allergic to most things pre-packaged, I made my own little baskets with a few purchased and homemade goodies. I think a bit of both gives a nice balance and keeps the budget in check.

The thought of a savoury basket never crossed my mind, but of course would work just as well, especially if you know your recipient prefers salty over sweet. So some things to remember when you're putting your baskets together ::

:: thrift your baskets. ABSOLUTELY. Our local oppie seems to attract the most gorgeous second hand baskets. Every time I go, the collection is ridiculous. At ridiculous prices. Most of the baskets I have purchased for Christmas gifts cost me $2. With far more character than you would find if you bought them new. And of course, there's the price. If you want to buy a really nice basket new, it's going to cost you. Depending on who you're gifting to, you can make your basket look fruitful and overflowing, on the most lavish or thrifty of budgets. You just need a little time and care.

:: use scrap fabric to layer the base of your basket. If you're not a sewer with a fabric stash on hand, use a new tea towel as part of your gift. Everyone needs new tea towels! Of course, the old faithful, tissue paper, will always work well. I say go for the vibrant colours!

:: pretty packaging. I buy the shiny clear cello bags from any cheap bits and pieces shop. Usually $2 for a packet of 50, sometimes even 100, for the smaller bags. Lately I have been buying the self adhesive ones, but you can also buy them plain, if you prefer to tie your bags off with twine or string. Self adhesive handmade stickers make parcels look classy and professional (at least, that's what I tell myself). (I buy mine from Germaine, but she's sold out at the moment.)

:: get the kids involved. If you've got some handy, that is. We made potato stamped cards last year that were never sent anywhere. Yep. But I kept them because the kids worked so hard on them and they looked fabulous. I've used them this year to attach to the baskets with special messages. I always keep a stash of blank cards. If you have kids who are old enough to draw or write, that stuff is gold. You cannot buy that sort of creativity.

:: disco balls and bells. Nothing says festive like a disco ball hanging from your basket - or the sound of reindeer or sleigh bells as your loved one trots away with thoughtful, loving gift in hand.

:: don't make it perfect. This is precisely why I don't buy those ones lining the shelves in the shops. I can't handle the uniformity of them all. That, and the fact there is always something inside that you would never, EVER, eat. Your basket should have character and charm. Some wonky homemade biccies tied up beautifully, with the sweet taste of love and care, are going to be appreciated so much more than a packet of perfectly boxed generic shortbread.

:: bake and wrap to carols. Well, obviously!

More edible gifts 
Last year's edible gifts
More of last year's edible gifts