the calm, after the storm . . .

Greetings all,

Quite the tumultuous week & now the calm.  I'm a talker, my husband is not, he used to say "you don't have to externalise every single thought" but it's how i roll.  Blogger beware!!  Saves a lot of baggage too.  I tell him exactly how i feel, no games, no faking, just raw honesty.  90% of the time i'm coping brilliantly but with end-of-school children who are tired & emotional, i'm exhausted & my aching hands are plain annoying, we're not ourselves.   

After a teary late night phone call from Afghanistan, talking about Christmas apart, selling an investment property & buying a farm . . . i came home from Athletics this morning to this on my door step. 

 Eric from DesignABunch (the stunningly good florist next door to Shop Handmade in Canberra City) called to say he had just left flowers & i passed him in my street, big waves & smiles!!

 The card was so beautiful, to think a tough soldier can phone in from a war zone, such beautiful words for a florist to relay . . . i truly married a special, thoughtful guy.  I don't like mushy romance, to have my husband sitting with me beats all the views in Paris, dinners in Italy & resorts in Singapore.

 Christmas flower arrangments are now sorted, look at those glorious long stem roses.

 Look at that red velvety goodness, i'm so lucky!!

So here is to cruising into the last week before Christmas with rested happy children & mother.  I close my Shop in 5 days, some huge savings in there people, up to 60% off including Christmas table accessories & stocking fillers.  I've removed all the 'sold out' items weekly to make it even easier to shop.  It's a serious sale, i'm closing my entire business down (after 11 years) in Easter 2012, with a massive remnant sale in February when school resumes.   

Don't miss out on the Donna Hay & IKEA GIVEAWAYS on my side bar, both close tomorrow night. Good luck folks, i hope you're as lucky as me, love Posie

things i'm loving . . . 'treats & goodness'

Greetings all,

I've possibly cried more this week than ever, i really miss my husband.  All this festive  'family' orientated vibe only reminds me of who will be absent at the Christmas table this year - my Mummy's Alzheimer's has stolen her away & my husband will be overseas.  I'm just focussing on the children & riding their new shiney bikes!!  If you get the chance to see the New Year's Eve movie, it's great, but think of me when you follow Halle Berry's story (to the end)!! 

I'm taking time to treat myself, facials, massages, walking away from passive aggressive mums . . . stop messing with me, i know better!!  My hands are sore but i'm stocking up on fabrics for future projects - Lotta Jansdotter - you are about to be quilted, hexagons i think, later this Summer.

 I needed new tongs (read: i loathe our tongs, they jam closed) & was thrilled to pick up these beauties for $3 at the supermarket!!  Little things make me happy. 

 While my car is having a major service, it was cheaper to hire a car than get a cab home, so i've been enjoying this new Mitsubishi Outlander, i like it!!

 Loving the extra pretty stationery at Kikki-K & their 25% off days . . .

 & 15% off at Peter Alexander, come on, Babushka pyjamas, as if i could resist!!

 It's official, i'm collecting pears.

 Reading in bed, using her glasses just like she's meant to.

 Ending my evenings with candles & calm.

So PaisleyJade, that is what I'm Loving this week.  You can find those candle paper bags here & if you're into IKEA toys or love baking with Donna Hay, check out my current giveaways below.  Love Posie

wordless Wednesday . . . 'first glasses'

Greetings all,
My littlest girl picked up her reading glasses on the weekend.  

 She's smiling now, my darling quirky one, wearing them at school to read & at home to sew.

I'm so proud she's coping so beautifully with being the only child in the family to need glasses.  She even wore her Converse sneakers to match her new cool frames.  For Wordless Wednesdays, check out Faith Hope & a Whole Lotta Love.  Love Posie 

IKEA Christmas niceness & GIVEAWAY

Greetings all,

While you're wrapping up your toy Christmas shopping this silly season . . . did you know IKEA is 'giving twice' this Christmas??    

 These IKEA colourful & quirky soft toys help make a difference to children in need - they are the perfect stocking filler & every toy purchased between 1st November to Christmas Eve - the IKEA Foundation will donate $1.40 to UNICEF & Save the Children in underprivileged countries, access to vaccinations, clean water, sanitation, education & protection. 

This season they have released a CIRKUS themed collection of finger puppets clowns, animal softies & musical mice, who are fond of play & mischief.  They are safe, colourful & easy to wash.  Since 2003 Ikea's annual Soft Toys for Education campaign has raised over €35.2million, helping more than 8 million children in over 40 countries.

This year's target is €12million, to empower children in need.  Log onto IKEA FB page fans can send virtual toys with Christmas messages. 

Want to win all the toys pictured on this post??  Keep them for your children, share them with family, neighbours, friends or donate them to your favourite charity, just enjoy the happiness they will bring!!  Valued at over $25, just follow this blog & leave a comment at this post, winner randomly drawn on Sunday 18th December at 9p.m.  Good luck!!  Happy shopping & Allen key twirling with IKEA this Christmas.  Love Posie
Disclaimer: i wasn't paid in toys, favours or cash for this post, just happily spreading good news i believe in.

Donna Hay Molten Chocolate Chunk Brownie mix & Christmas magazine GIVEAWAY

Greetings all,

Are you ready to lick your lips & whip up some delicious chocolate desserts??  Donna Hay has put her glamour & Oprah approved style into the simple 'packet mix' with a completely decadent Flourless Chocolate Truffle Cake.  Mmmm . . . watch & learn people.

 All you need is 185gm of unsalted butter & 4 eggs. 

 Happy eggs from my sister's chickens.

 Melt, combine, mix & bake, so simple!! 

 We added a buttery chocolate icing, but you could have left the cake naked or with a dusting of icing sugar.  I've had the white Donna hay icing spatular for years, it is foolproof-fantastic!!

 The children watched like vultures, then enjoyed a delicious slither of this stunningly yummy cake!!

 Fruit cancels cake calories right??  This new Truffle cake mix is in stores & supermarkets now, i was sent one to trial.  Thanks Donna!!

 Now it's your turn - want to try the Donna Hay Molten Chocolate Chunk Brownie mix & win a copy of the latest issue of her brilliant magazine - the coveted Christmas issue??!!

 More mmmm . . . crumbled up brownie with gooey chocolate, i made them in Donna's pleated cake wrappers for school recess tomorrow & simple portion control, it's so easy to eat an entire slab of brownie when you slice it up, then some more & another nibble . . . 

 Just follow this blog & leave a comment here.  6 prizes - 2 x Brownie mix + Christmas magazine, 2 x Brownie mix, & 2 x Christmas magazine - let me know which you'd prefer!!  Australian delivery addresses only for the food mixes.  Winners drawn Sunday 18th December at 9p.m. 

Want to increase your chances to win??  Mention this giveaway on your blog, FB, Twitter for an extra entry, or blog about your favourite Donna Hay recipe & products for 5 bonus entries!!
Have you seen her beautiful range for Royal Doulton??  I just ordered some pieces - perfect for entertaining.  Donna has some fantastic offers in her 12 Days of Christmas specials, i just scored a complimentary footed colander, it's gorgeous & such a clever design.  Share the love, good luck, love Posie
EDIT: Not a fan of packet mixes??  These amazing, trust Donna!!  Yes we all love baking from scratch but sometimes all you have is the butter & eggs, you've run out of flour, sugar, chocolate . . . & have an emergency bake sale or craving for something delicious!!

like my parents always said "the joy of Christmas is watching children play & feeling lucky you have them!!"

Greetings all,

I had a charmed childhood, i was truly lucky & knew nothing of unhappiness or wanting for anything - toys, travel, love, siblings, pets, friends - shockingly, we weren't spoilt brats, as good manners & appreciation was top of my parent's list of priorities.  My parents were born in the Depression & instilled in us, if you have children, you make them feel so wanted & give them the best you can offer, if only your love, time & energy as sometimes that is all you have.  Hell yeah, been there!! 

Christmas can be a mass consumer explosion if you let it.  We've lived on a tight budget for a long time & i don't think my children even realise we give them clothes & things they need as 'gifts'.  Trust me when i say they needed the new bikes - it's freedom & adventure.  I like the basics, the outdoors . . . do trampolines ever disappoint??

 We went to Bowral on the weekend to visit my sister for an early Christmas.  It has certainly taken the edge off Christmas day for me, i've seen some family & while it's another Christmas with my husband away at war, we can still have a typical Australian Summer of fun. 

 Those Australian Summers also include severe thunder storms!!

 Not that it made any difference to the children - look at that rain!! 

 They had a huge seven-cousin-spa to warm up, then we opened presents.  Fantastic - the entire Harry Potter book & DVD set.  My darling boy started reading the first book in the car trip home (my children are keen readers, my husband is a voracious reader too, good for them, i'd rather be sewing!!)   

 I forced my children to surrender my sister's new pussy cat - her husband found this darling little creature at a work site, why are people so unkind, to animals??   This cat has won the lottery with my sister's 3 gentle animal loving children & kudos to my tough brother-in-law with his marshmellow centre.

 Loving the new tyres on my 4WD as it poured the whole 400km trip.  I knew it wasn't good when i saw an ambulance, then rescue truck, then police cars, then this mess - you can just see the blue sign, it says 'stop, revive, survive' in front of a car wrapped around a tree.  It was a timely reminder how lucky we are to be alive.  Full stop.   

So grim.  No point pretending bad things don't happen (we're realistic with my husband's line of work) so i used it as a lesson in defensive driving for my eldest, who will be on the road in a few short years.  There are constant fears & hurdles to overcome with your children, driving has to be one of the biggest.  In the meantime, very much embracing the joy of watching my children play & feeling so so lucky i have them this Christmas.  Love Posie

i'm grateful for . . . 'the goodies of wrapping up the year'

Greetings all,

Maxabella Loves last I'm Grateful For the year . . . so it's a Christmas cracker of a finale!!
Lovely goodies sent to me this week (my postmistress Anna calls it 'fan mail').  A little house of love Christmas ornament from Leonie at Kiwi At Heart blog & this delightful red bird ornament from Ally at Everyday Miracles blog.  Thanks ladies, big smile on my face & warmth in my heart.

 Canberra locals know & LOVE Erica Soy Candles.  Erica offers half price refills & lives arond the corner (home delivery) yay!!  My latest refills will make our home smell fresh (lime & sandalwood, lemon grass, Victorian rose, pink grapefruit, 'relaxation') & festive this Summer . . .10 tins of Christmassy smelling candles for teacher's gifts: gingerbread, spiced orange, mistletoe, frankincense & myrrh + more.  Wish this was a scratch'n'sniff blog!!

 I read on Tania McCartney's blog a neat review of Lotta magazine, produced in Australia & aimed at school holiday craft projects, delightful.  Better yet, $10 & ad free!!  I've been hanging out for the Christmas edition of Mollie Makes magazine.  Found myself with time to kill in the car the other day, so grabbed New Idea, i don't think i've ever bought a copy but i'd like to know how Rebecca Gibney lost the weight too!! 

 Thursday's Brindabella market was delightful . . . Mel from Canberra Airport organises the marquee, trestles, linen tablecloths & we just display our goods & sell, awesome deal right??  Thanks Mel!!  This time, after nagging Tania for 2 years, planets aligned & she was available to have a stall.  She had baked each of my children personalised GingerBreadMen.  They were exactly the kind of gingerbread we like (soft & chewy) & so cute!!  Thanks Tania!!

 My children's Christmas bikes have been the gift that keeps on giving - especially when they return with a bounty of flowers from the neighbourhood.  I expect their 'wanted' descriptions up on posters shortly, they promise they only pick flowers from the nature strips & paths!!

 Stacey from Cheeky Textiles blog had a 'shopping event' at her place on Friday, it was really great & we're all keen to do it again.  Inbetween the morning & evening sessions, i had a delicious P&C Thank You lunch & collected the children from school.  Jam packed day.  Rachelle from Orange Whisk was selling her incredible gingerbread & vanilla biscuits (you can find them at the Essential Ingredient in Manuka too).  She bought SO many things from my stall, the 3rd time she came around i insisted "take what you want & pay me in food".  Mmmm, so glad she did.  Thanks for having us Stacey!!

 My high schooler has wrapped up year 7 with a bang: parties, discos, gifts, sports ribbons, dancing with their teachers & she lost her last baby tooth (parceled up by a teacher with quite the demand to the tooth fairy).  Her much adored maths & science teacher "Mr B" is returning to Canada with his wife & 4 daughters, after a year long exchange.  He gave her a Canadian twoney ($2 coin) & i promised we'll go to Alberta one day & hunt him down.  My husband went to Canada on an adventure training exercise with the Army 12 years ago & i'm still jealous!!   

 I'll admit, Saturday started off with nibbling gingerbread on the way to athletics, then the Farmer's Market.  Picked up double of my regular purchases of fruit, foccacia, chocolates, sausages, dips & breads.  My fruit bowl is overflowing with apples & pears.  Should survive the first week of high school holidays, my little ones are stuck at school until Wednesday week.  They have 2 days off before the Christmas weekend??!!

 Yay, can you believe this bounty from Donna Hay??  She's offering very generous specials in the lead up to Christmas on line & at her General Store in Sydney.  Next week i'll have 4 prizes in a Donna Hay giveaway, stay tuned, i just have to bake first & we're spending the rest of the weekend in Bowral.

Sending you great festive vibes people.  Love to you all, lots of gratefulness for following me & supporting me this year, love you all & thanks Bronwyn from Maxabella Loves blog for hosting mucho appreciation this year!!  Love Posie