Christmas - pre, during, post

December is nearly at an end - when and how did that happen?

I hope you've all had a wonderful December - enjoying the build up to Christmas and enjoying a happy, memorable celebration on the day with friends and family.

It's been a lovely Christmas time here at our place. Lots of handmade presents, sewing summer clothes for the girls, Christmas cooking with the kids, interstate family visiting, significant birthday celebrations, touring Tassie and lots of pots of tea. We made two Christmas cakes - thanks to the wonderful Nanna recipe from A Farmers Wife over at Life in the country. It was very easy and yummy. I just had to make a second one to send home to my family with their presents. Apparently, Dad loved it, so thank you AFW.

And now for that wonderful summer holiday for those here in Australia - long days and weeks, with no school, home days, beach days, holidays at the shack, picnics and BBQs, touring around the countryside and maybe a little summer sale shopping! Ahh, lovely. For those of you in the north half, I hope you are all warm and cosy and enjoying the winter pleasures in the same way.

Oh, and for those of you wondering about this year's gingerbread house. It was a lot smaller than previous designs, and there were a few construction issues (mainly due in part to the homemade icing, I think!) but it is the most wonderfully yummy gingerbread ever.

I'll be posting some of the Christmas gifts I've been making very soon.

Till then I hope you are enjoying a little more holiday time, too.