Monday Ramblings

Christmas is only six days away. The tree us up, presents are wrapped, and the menu for the big feast has been finalised... bring on Santa Clause!

A crazy weekend just flew by filled with delicious food, gorgeous friends and my wonderful family. We hosted a dinner party on Friday night for my dear friend Trace, who flew back from Singapore for the Christmas holidays. She and Pete brought back the new edition to their family, baby Mimi, who is only two months old! You can already tell that this little half dutch/half Phillo baby is going to be one heck of a heart breaker.

A trip to visit Katty in Wyoming followed by a battle at the shopping centre to buy pressies for MP's eight nieces and nephews, left MP and I frazzled and dazed on Saturday. But we persevered, driving out to Baulkham Hills that night for friends' birthday celebrations. Then Sunday was another full day - lunch at Nina and Carls's (DIY Vietnamese rice paper rolls complete with authentic pork jerky skewers) followed by a trip out to Canley Vale for soupy beef pho. Then a visit to mum and dad's in West Penno before finally making our way home... Lest to day, It was a full on weekend.

This year has flown by in a blur and, quite frankly, I'm exhausted. Only now, as the year end nears, have I had the chance to reflect on how big this year has been... setting up our home, loss of a loved one, getting married and big opportunities at work... it's been a year of momentous events.

I am looking forward to some quiet time over Christmas/New Years to just sit back, relax and be, me. Pick up my camera again, twist and cross the bobbins of my half finished lace work, reform the crochet blister on my right hand, and head back out to the bindery. Looking forward to indulging in my frivolous pursuits. But all that will have to wait until after Christmas as there is no slowing down in the next six days! Preparations for our big family feast has already begun - honey glazed ham, oozy potato bake, refreshing prawn and mango salad... and much, much more. This year will be the first year where the in laws will be joining us, and with them comes delicious Malaysian desserts. Coconut cendol and Malaysian jellies. Yum!