peppermint bark

make this. trust me, you won't regret it. this was the star ingredient in all our Christmas get togethers. originally i made it intending to put in pretty jars and give it as gifts, but after tasting it, i was told i was not allowed to give it away. so little bits came out here and there, compliment after compliment received.

and so. a new little Christmas tradition begins: peppermint bark.

snippets: christmas day

peace on earth: merry christmas

where to start? it has been such a long time from this space. i'm sure you've made presumptions... and you'd be right. pregnant!

i thought this pregnancy would be different, i thought i might be able to enjoy the ride, sadly for me, not the case. i seem to be one of the 'lucky' ones, where i suffer from this. the days are long and challenging, but we are taking things slowly and mindfully, trying to enjoy the small things. this christmas will be spent recycling all of last years decorations, whilst we aim for a simple and peaceful festive season. just the way we like it.

and because i am presently unable to display any inspiration, i'll leave you with some of the beautiful things i have found around the web...

these handmade santa sacks are just divine

love these crafty santa sticks, spreading the christmas cheer

how to make a crystal snowflake

following this beautiful pregnancy series

love this cute idea for the kids

purchased my christmas cards from here (first year ever i haven't made my own)

and... my all time favourite - cookies in a jar - a perfect gift

merry, merry christmas. 'til next year. jade x

from my loved ones and me to you and your loved ones... merry, merry christmas.

there was chocolate. and lots of it. homemade hummus. baking. laughter. a bit of craft. and the moet.

'tis the season.

fairy lights

last night we had dinner with a group of very dear friends.

we had good food.

good wine.

good company.

...and my new fairy lights.

merry, merry christmas.

'till next year...

the first

I have wished for a real Christmas tree my whole life. I just love the tradition of a Christmas tree. For me, as a child it signified the beginning of the season. It was almost always with my sister, during, or after the traditional Christmas pageant, as we squabbled over what we considered to be the best ornaments to hang on our plastic tree. As we got older, no one seemed to care about the poor old plastic tree anymore - I would drag it out alone and attempt to glorify it as best as I could. When I moved out of home, the tree would stay packed away, in its broken box.

So, if you can, imagine my excitement for the weekend just past- when I went to a real Christmas tree farm, to pick out my very own Christmas tree.

So now my lounge room has its very own Christmas tradition, where the lights glow in the evening and the smell of pine floats through the house...

Christmas Eve

I'm off to the beach for Christmas. So. I want to wish you a very, very Merry Christmas filled with lots of love and laughter. With lots of love j xxxx

Christmas to me

Christmas is such a lovely time of the year. I just love waking up on Christmas morning. It brings back so many memories of waking up as a child. My sister and I would wake at the crack of dawn, beside ourselves with excitement and run down to the living room to see what Mr. Clause had left for us. And if the carrots had been nibbled at. (Yes! They always were!) The magic that Christmas creates is just that. Magic. I love spending the day with all of my family. I love that we eat all day. And then nap. And then eat some more. Sometimes I do wish that we were apart of the glorious snow-covered Christmas. But, we're not. We get it hot. Christmas for us here in Australia usually involves a few things. The sun is one. A barbecue is another. Usually a swim. Pool or river. This year, the beach. And my Christmas wouldn't be complete with out my Mum's pav. Such an Australian word I know. Pav. Short for pavlova. Basically a big white meringue, topped with cream and summer fruits, like strawberries and berries. Or banana and passion fruit. Yum. I'll have to post a pic of the one Mum makes this year for you to see...

My first gingerbread house...

And boy am I so proud of myself.

My friend B and I were kind of unprepared for the feat of making a gingerbread house from scratch. Little did we know how long it would take us. A long time. 10 hours. Or so.

Time aside, it was so much fun and very worthwhile. I can't wait to do it again next year. At lease we will be somewhat prepared. It may just have to become tradition. Yay! I love traditions. Especially Christmas ones.

We made the gingerbread. Kneaded and cooled. And cooled. And then baked. Something we hadn't planned on taking soooo long...

So we went for a stroll along the beach...

Assembled the lollies.

Made pretty decorations...

And me being me, couldn't wait to assemble my house. Like the recipe told me to. So I decorated that too.

And voila!

1am.

Finished.

'Till next year...