Just Like Martha

Finale....December Daily

So happy that I managed to take a photo EVERY day in December, it really was a great way to document such a special time of year.

Day Twenty-Six

Mills Family Christmas follows a format...Christmas Eve party in the double garage at Mum and Dads, Christmas Day on the Jetty Foreshores then back to Mum and Dads for presents and an array of delicious desserts...Boxing Day is out at "the farm" (my sister and brother in law live on a farm in Crossmaglen - so pretty).

I love this photo of the 'baby' of the family (youngest great grandchild) telling the 'baby' of the family (youngest grandchild) a secret...too cute!

Day Twenty-Seven

Today was a big one....my father -in-law...John, aka Jack, Dad. Poppy turned the big 90 and of course another celebration was planned...a few extra friends and family members thrown in for good measure and another picnic this time at the site of the house where dad grew up...wouldn't be a celebration without a special cake, this one was a beauty!

Day Twenty-Eight

Time to pack up and head on home....road trip in reverse lol. A few days of rain had already worked its magic and the scenery was green and picturesque all the way home.

Day Twenty-Nine

Back to reality, loads of washing, unpacking and sadly almost time to pack up the Christmas decorations for another year...maybe we can stretch it to new years day - its so pretty after all!

Day Thirty

Family night at the movies, ever since its release we have been 'busting' to see that latest Hugh Jackman movie "The Greatest Showman"...amazing - we LOVED it...ha whats not to love a great cast, great songs, great story, Hugh Jackman AND Zac Efron and another talented Aussie Michelle Williams..

Day Thirty-One

New Years Eve 2017, after a relaxing day at home we headed out to a party in Manly, good friends who live in an apartment with amazing views of Manly and beyond. The 9pm Manly Fireworks did not disappoint..we could also see the city fireworks and further up the beaches...amazing!

Hope you have enjoyed a glimpse into the month that was DECEMBER DAILY....and welcome to 2018!

Thanks for stopping by xox

The next instalment.....December Daily....

Continuing on my quest for a Photo every day in December,,,,here goes...

Day Thirteen

Our decorations always make me smile, some old, some new...last year Taylor made this HUGE wreath which adorns our entrance way and lights up with fairy lights at night..its quickly becoming a favourite..

Day Fourteen

A quick catch up with friends for a bite to eat one night in the city...a new restaurant One Bent Street of "Kitchen by Mike" fame, delicious 'sustainable', 'whole-foods'...we feasted on lots of amazing tasting plates, my favourite: Hand pressed tofu, cucumber, crispy chicken skin, chilli sauce...YUM

Day Fifteen

Christmas is about traditions and every year I catch up with a group of "mums" for our "Annual Chrissy Breakfast" we swap a "Secret Santa", drinks lots of coffees and 'compare notes'...this year we headed down to Manly to sample breakfast (can definitely recommend the "Holy Avo") at the newly opened Girdlers.

Day Sixteen

This year we were heading north for a MILLS family Christmas so we celebrated with the BARSON clan the week before....table set and ready to go...

Day Seventeen

Some 'props' helped make photos easy and set the mood...

Day Eighteen

The last of the Chocolate Orders were boxed up and left the house...

Day Nineteen

Even 'Buddha" got into the festive spirit...

Day Twenty

"Sisters" ...enough said...

Day Twenty-one

Work has officially finished for 2017....yay...time to ENJOY!

Day Twenty-Two

Road Trip....the car is packed...and we are off!

Day Twenty-Three

Arrived safe and sound in Coffs Harbour, after a big sleep, Lilly and I were keen to go for a long walk and check out the beach....our usually favourite walk up over the headland along the beach and home...(forgot how hot and humid it gets in Coffs at Christmas time...we were wet by theme we got back for breakfast lol)

Day Twenty-Four

"Twas the day before Christmas"...a few last minute preparations and then let the celebrations begin....

Day Twenty-Five - Christmas Day

Wishing our family and fiends near and far A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS xxx

Back soon with the 'last instalment' of my December Daily....

"Twelve Days of Christmas".....December Daily

December is in full swing and Christmas is only a short time away....I have been 'enjoying' the season and making sure I capture a "photo a day" (its s easy to get caught up in the panic of Christmas and not enjoy the little things...) so here you have it a 'snapshot' of the month so far...

Day One

Our tree went up early (any excuse really will do - but we were entertaining on December 1 so wanted to be nice and organised)

Day Two

The first of many 'gatherings' to celebrate the festive season...we invited John's "team" over to spread some Christmas cheer..and a gathering deserves the best nibble platter ever!

Day Three

The first of the Chocolate Treat boxes were packed and wrapped...lots of orders this year to complete...

 

Day Four

Taylor has been busy again with her amazing cake creations...this one a custom order for a Family Christmas gathering...what do you think?

Day Five

Lots of Christmas entertaining means lots of flowers...a local gum tree provided me with the base and a bunch of pretty hydrangeas completed the effect!

Day Six

Starry, starry night...a starry display on my entrance table, so pretty.

Day Seven

More flowers...these beauties came from a friends garden...stunning..and the smell...!

Day Eight

A picnic rug, bottle of wine, cheese platter and good friend kinda night...oh and a carol performance in Manly followed by a fireworks display...starting to feel like Christmas!

Day Nine

My mum's famous shortbread has been popular once more this year...lots of orders...lots of amazing decorated boxes...

Day Ten

Perfection in a magnolia flower...wish they could last longer...but hey a day is better than none at all...

Day Eleven

The centrepiece of our dessert buffet this year at our annual Christmas party...introducing RUDOLPH, he is pretty cute (yes the clever Taylor has been at it again)

 

Day Twelve

Every year we try to go to the city to enjoy morning tea and do some Christmas shopping, even more important now as the girls are older and we lead such busy lives...this year we managed to sneak in High Tea at the Queen Victoria Building...John joined us for a few hours and we sat and talked, drank copious amounts of tea and reflected on the year that was...there may have been lots of yummy treats to enjoy as well....after all it is Christmas.

Hope you have enjoyed "Twelve days of Christmas"...I am hopeful my December Daily will continue for the entire month so I'll be back soon with more photos...in the meantime enjoy the Festive Season one and all xxx

 

So that was Christmas....2016 style!

Christmas 2016 came and went by way too fast this year. I seemed to be completely in control in the lead up:

Christmas Cards - tick

Christmas Presents - wrapped and under the tree - tick

Menu sorted for Christmas Day - tick

Christmas Drinks Party - tick

Decorations - tick

Then suddenly Christmas Day came and went in a flurry closely followed by New Year and suddenly January is almost behind us....eeek... stop the merry-go-round I want to get off!

Our Christmas party was a great way to celebrate with all our friends before the real "silly season" began...it was also a great way to try out my new wooden antipasto board...success!

Lilly performed at her final "Carols in the Domain" with Australian Girls Choir and her school results were announced...worth a celebration for sure!

We started our Christmas Day celebrations volunteering with a breakfast in Manly for One Meal Makes A Difference, a wonderful charity group that we work with a few times a month feeding those less fortunate, it was great to see some of our regular patrons and give them a healthy start to the day, and a little treat thanks to my mum's delicious shortbread.

John and Taylor headed to Freshwater Beach for the annual surf race (a family tradition when we are in Sydney) and Lilly and I headed home to get ready for lunch.

We enjoyed a delicious lunch but made sure there was room enough for dessert...Nan's traditional pudding with custard, ice-cream cake, raspberry trifle and Nana's famous shortbread.

John and I headed to Coffs harbour to celebrate New Years Eve with his folks and the girls celebrated with friends.

And that my friends was Christmas...2016 style...bring on 2017  and new adventures.

Thanks for stopping by (sorry I have been away so long) x

Where has the time gone???

Its official I have run out of time!!!

All my good intentions have disappeared, I was super organised this year and yet still my little blog suffered...but before I sign off my computer for a few days I need to wish all my readers a wonderful Christmas....hope wherever you are and whatever you do, big or small, you enjoy xox

Source: Pinterest

Monday Mantra.....

Yes its true, there are only 34 more sleeps until Christmas.....how are your preparations going???

Source: Pinterest

Remembering Christmas 2015

Well the decorations have been packed up for another year, the new years resolutions have been made (and some already broken LOL) but I couldn't go on without reflecting on Christmas that was - 2015!

Christmas for us started a few weeks before December 25th with our "Barson" Christmas on the Central Coast, we arrived late afternoon and Nan and Gramps and devoured lots of yummy foods and desserts - yes the Christmas season had well and truly begun! A few days before Christmas we packed the car and headed north - destination Coffs Harbour for the bi-annual "Mills" Christmas where yes you guessed it lots more yummy foods and desserts and a few lovely tardiness such as Christmas Day spent at the beach, parties in the garage, Boxing Day spent out at "the farm" and my favourite tradition of all....delivering lollies and pressies to some of the neighbourhood children on Christmas Eve with "Poppy" and his team dressed up as Santa's helpers....

Ah yes that was Christmas 2015...thanks for stopping by x

Merry Christmas xox

I wanted to take this opportunity of wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and a Happy new Year, may 2016 bring us peace, health and happiness. Stay safe on the roads and be kind to one another, remember this time of year is not always welcomed by all, it can be a sad and lonely holiday too....

Ok, so this photo doesn't really indicate how I will be spending this holiday season...perhaps this is more fitting!

or this.....

LOL however you are spending Christmas - love to all xox

And so this is Christmas....

Christmas is almost here and in its usual frenzy December has gone by way too quickly in a flurry ...I thought this year it was best to perhaps capture the last few weeks in photos....

Although this year we didn't manage to go into the city as a family to enjoy the Christmas decoration and lights (the girls were busy working and we never managed to find a suitable time for all - ahh there is always next year!) I did accompany Lilly on a few of her choir 'gigs' and manage to capture a few beautiful Christmas scenes!

"Tis the season to be jolly" and entertain constantly!!! Lots of catch ups with family and friends, I love this "tree" antipasto platter that my sister in law created for our Christmas get together...and I think I nailed the brief for John's secret santa..the theme was "French" and as you know I LOVE a beautifully wrapped gift!

Some serious chocolate making kept me very busy for a few weeks, these were a special gift for a work colleague of John's...

I love that you are never too old to hug a Christmas teddy....this special bear enjoys Taylor's attention every Christmas x

Lilly and her friends enjoyed their annual Christmas sleepover and started a new tradition, decorating a Gingerbread House! They did such a great job ad no-one wanted to eat their creation - it looked too good to eat LOL

I had lots of fun creating this chocolate nativity scene for them, completely edible and devoured by morning!!! I discovered this great idea on a wonderful blog called The Plumbette lots of fun and so easy to create.

 

And of course finally another tradition, Carols in the Domain, Friday night was the dress rehearsal where we gathered with a picnic with to enjoy with friends, then on the Saturday (the actual performance) we enjoy curled up on the lounge in our pjs singing along to all our favourite carols (until of course I have to head out in the car at midnight to collect Lilly after the performance - and oh get changed out of my pjs!!)

So there you have it, that was the month of December, now all that is left is to enjoy Christmas Day celebrations with family up north....safe travels to all travelling and wishing you all a wonderful Christmas - enjoy x

Christmas Carols

Lilly's Australian Girls Choir commitments are over for another year with the Carols in the Domain performance last night!

An exhausting build up with rehearsals, shopping centre performances, lots of late nights, early morning TV appearances and the like....and trust me SHE LOVES IT!!! The highlight of carol performances is of course the Carols in the Domain, we always attend the dry rehearsal and the tradition will continue I am sure long after Lilly leaves choir!