Things.... and things...

The "Sisterhood of the Goats" is the brainchild of Elaine's.  Somehow many of us have been sending goats all over the world.  A goat arrived here at my house just before Christmas.... this is Allie... She lives in Yukon Territory (Canada ) and belongs to Janet .  Allie first visited Marie in Western Australia who gave her a fine home to live.... and then went way over to Laura in North Dakota (USA) and had some wonderful pampering, and now she has come here to Queensland to visit me..... yesterday was her first day to see our sun!  Very exciting.

Here she is.... only sneak peak (don't want to spoil Janet's surprise)...  but Allie came bearing wonderful gifts...

Look at this just too georgeous lady bird pin..... made by Laura..... it is so lovely - I keep going at looking at her, and patting......

Most beautiful Christmas gift tags

(I will use these next year as all my parcels were under the tree already)

These are made from bottle tops

(sorry - bad picture and it doesn't show them off)

just amazing.... little pictures inside and beads

There was also a selection of lovely threads and a packet of M&M's....

 yummo... they disappeared

.... quickly ......

Thanks Laura - lovely, lovely gifts

Vicki at The Pickledish Patch is having a series of giveaways to celebrate - the first one was for her followers and I was one of the lucky 3 picked by Mr Random Generator..... so I got to choose 3 patterns...

~ Angel Among the Stars Christmas Wallhanging ~

~ it's not too early to think about next Christmas is it? ~

~ Tulips in Bloom table centre mat ~

~ I always think of Tulips as Happy Flowers ~

~ and a set of 6 stitchery patterns ~

~ Spring Flowers ~

Vicki has some lovely designs with a mixture of applique and stitchery (my favourite techniques just at the moment).  There are also tutorials on her blog and charm packs to buy.  I got my first charm pack this year.... I may need more!! 

You can find these and other lovely patterns HERE

 Vicki is still celebrating.... so if you're quick you can pop along and join in the fun..

So that was Christmas

So that was Christmas and

what have you done

another year over, a new one just begun

and so that was Christmas

I hope you had fun

the near and the dear ones

the old and the young

a very Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year

let's hope it's a good one

without any fear

John Lennon

I was reminded of this song at Julia's blog

~ over here in my house ~

~ there are only crumbs left on the plate ~

~ the wine is gone ~

~ what fun - what food - what presents ~

~ that beautiful cake dome is one of them ~

~ nice huh? ~

~ lucky me huh? ~

~ it rained and rained ~

~ these two found shelter in the porch ~

~ we can't get to town ~

~ this little green chap is happy ~

~ and noisy ~

~ last evening we spotted a break in the clouds ~

~ so far today no rain.... but there is no sunshine either ~

~ all around us we hear of people being evacuated from their homes ~

~ others have spent their whole Christmas cleaning up .... and again... and then again ~

~ in the west they are having a heat wave and watching out for bushfires ~

~ friends in far places are snowbound ~

~ so I know we are very lucky really ~

~ I wonder if our luck will hold - maybe we will win the cricket? ~

~ Oh ~

~ Does anybody remember the travelling goats? ~

~ well, one arrived at my house ~

~ bearing gifts ~

~ I'll show you next time ~

~ keep safe where ever you are ~ 

~ keep happy ~

~ tommorrow the sun will rise again ~

(even if you can't see it)

Christmas Wishes To You

Minced fruit pies are very much part of our Christmas festivities

I am the most appalling pastry maker and usually use a ready rolled - but it just isn't the same as the amazing flaky pastry my mum used to make for Christmas mincepies... melt in the mouth......

Enter Darling Daughter In Law....

~ we are going to need more ~

These are the cutest little mini plum puddings we made

~ Shelley's easy peasy yummy recipe ~

~ DDES doesn't really like all that fruity stuff ~

~ Chocolate cup-cakes with snowflakes ~

~ Home made Vanilla essence used in my baking this year ~

~ Best quality brandy with vanilla pods added ~

~ has been soaking for 6 months ~

~ good enough to drink on it's own ~

~ but I haven't ~

~ much ~

~ Kettle on, home baked goodies available ~

~ do pop in ~

A few more blocks and Christmas decorations

I have done a few more blocks of the On the Farm quilt (design by Lynette Anderson)

~ we have a turkey ~
(this block I made up instead of a chook - the new baby will be living on a turkey farm!)

~ there are pumpkins in the garden ~

~ the barn has been built ~

~ and the flower garden planted ~

I thought I would show some of my Christmas ornaments

When I first joined our local craft group they had just started making these Christmas decorations.....

 ~ I had no idea how much work they were ~

~ but I'm very pleased with how it worked out ~

~ we have two representative Santa's ~

~ they are just over an inch tall (photographing them was difficult) ~

~ my side of the family the men loose their hair ~

~ Hubz's side doesn't ~

~ the Santa's often sit on top of the Christmas cake ~

~ DD1 gave these next ones to me quite a long time ago - I just love the wobbly legs ~

~ I do like my green tree frog ~

~ looks like he fell in my glass of wine! ~

~ and stayed there a while ~

~ this years new special decoration is from Teresa ~

I hope next year I will have a few more that I have made.... just need to start on Christmas a bit earlier.... and focus..... focus.... focus......

On with wrapping parcels, Christmas baking, eating....... and maybe some wine ..... 

'tis the season to be jolly

Tra, la, la, la, la, la, la

~ the arrival of personally designed cards that make me cry ~

(the first card is coloured by GrandieBoy#1 and the other is designed and painted by GrandieBoy#2)

~ magical ~

~ making santa gifts ~
from this pattern

~ decorating the porch ~

~ lights on the tree ~

~ watching the storm clouds ~

~ hiding from the storm ~

~ baking days ~

DDIL

~ with help ~

Grandieboy#3

~ happy days ~

~ tra, la, la, la, la, la ~

Melting Snowmen

~ Christmas in Queensland is Hot ~

~ Snowmen just melt ~

~ aren't they the cutest ~

~ taste good too ~

~ I think we have a new Christmas 'must have' ~

If you want to see the professional ones go HERE

Thanks you Maggie for sharing this lovely cookie