Wednesday 26 December 2012

A true gift!


I went into Woolworths today for some dinner items and the Christmas stock was being taken down, in fact it was almost done. To think that Christmas day was only yesterday. My first thought was I bet Easter eggs and hot cross buns will be out by the end of the week.

A friend, Christmas eve: ''Just saw a Coles ad that mentioned Easter. Surely that's a record, mentioning Easter on Christmas Eve???"

I don’t know if it is just me, but Christmas has become such a commercial day. The massive build-up and then bam! it’s done and dusted. Even with those around me I see that we as a society are forgetting the original meaning of Christmas. Whether you believe in Christ or not, without Him there wouldn’t be a Christmas. Why do we need to spend lots of our children: stuff that will be out-of-fashion within months and discarded? Why do we need to spend money on people who have it all? I have been reflecting a lot today and it occurred to me that Christmas isn’t even about spending time with family and loved ones. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that is a bad thing, but it’s about Christ first and foremost. He is the reason we celebrate. 


Christ was born, to die, to give us eternal life, if we choose to accept it.


We ate our duck for dinner tonight, Duck a L’Orange, with roast vegetables. It was lovely!!! A very rich and such dark meat. I was surprised at how little meat there was for such a heavy bird but what was there gave 4 adults and 8 kids enough. We were able to share the meal with friends and had a wonderful evening! Worth sharing such a meal like that! Such a great feeling being able to raise, slaughter and cook something that you have put time into. Great also knowing that he was a truly organic bird! 

Saturday 22 December 2012

This is the life.


With Christmas is only 3 sleeps away things are rather relaxed around here. I finished making some skirts that are presents for others. Oh and I got some housework done. I do need to wrap some presents now though.

We had two extras today as my friend was out on a wedding shoot. It was great as the older of the two is a year older than MrT and they get along so well. They spent much of their day outside or playing Lego. It was lovely to see.

We said good-bye and thank you to Mr Muscovy Duck and will be preparing him for Christmas lunch. Once again YouTube was a great help. A week earlier and he wouldn’t have had any big tough feathers. Still, we both found the job easier than with a chicken. Looking forward to seeing how it cooks up. Now to find a recipe…mmm… a cherry sauce or Duck a L'orange?

Tomorrow I will be making a Christmas cake. The last one I made was in Year 10 so we’ll see how it goes. I had wanted to make a pudding but reading the recipe was doing my head in, so I’ll try the cake. I’ll make some custard to pour over the top so no matter what it’ll be ok.

Both sets of parents have said in their Christmas letters that we are living the dream/our dream here in Tassie. Today has been one of those (sigh) wonderful dreamy days.


Our two English Game miniature chicks with their mum.

Monday 10 December 2012

Hello, remember me?


Hello, remember me? I know, long time no blogging hey.

Tell me, how do you go about life not worring about the things that life throws up at you?
I am one who over thinks things and that is frustrating. Poor Aj cops random statements or questions of things that I have been thinking about for a while. I think I need to let go off the small picture sometimes and look at the big picture. It is finding the balance though. The small things still get taken care off but I don’t spend so much time dwelling on them.
I think to I need to stop being a stress-head, let things slide, and decide to think about them at a later date.

Through all of this though Christmas is not stressful. We are blessed to be spending it with our neighbours and I am excitied about it. I need to get the girls tv cabinet/kitchen finished but taking the ‘all in good time’ option.   

I having been enjoying my creative time of late. Sewing dresses, shorts (MrW’s shorts ended up being too long but were prefect pants), softies and Christmas crafts.

We have had a brilliant weekend. Stanley Show on Saturday, and house/yard work yesterday. Lawns mown, front fence finished, chicken coops cleaned. We ended the weekend with friends over for dinner.

I trust that I have encouraged you with my honesty and please I’d love to hear your words of wisdom too J