Our gratitude chain

My gran called it counting your blessings.

We have so much to be thankful for this Christmas.
Family that loves us, a home that is safe, a country without war, earthquake, floods or famine. Every time I turn on the news I give thanks for my life.

And Miss E is learning that there is a world outside her very lucky world this Christmas. We have already participated in the school's "Adopt a family" tradition, and she has worked hard to earn money to buy a gift for under the giving tree. And this year we are reminding ourselves to give THANKS!

Every day we are adding an extra link to our gratitude chain, to remind us that we have so much to be thankful for. And hopefully friends and family and guests to our home will help our chain to grow during this holiday period.



Eliana wrote the first link. All on her own. I did not tell her what to be thankful for. *happy tears*



The reason ...



Merry Christmas Everyone! In all things give THANKS!

And we would love to hear what you are thankful for ... add it in the comments so we can all share!

Countdown to Christmas!

It's here!! It's here! I am SO excited!

Not only is it December - and the start of my FAVOURITE time of the year ... but my countdown chain from SUGAROWLDESIGNS on etsy arrived!!!

We use paper chain to countdown to all sorts of things. Now we have a beautiful, handmade item that we can treasure and use throughout the years! Every day we remove an extra loop from the chain ... when we are down to one it will be CHRISTMAS DAY!!



This is so much fun! Miss E is loving it, and it really helps us solve the "how many more sleeps" issue.



In fact, I love the idea so much that I bought a "non Christmas" rainbow version too ... countdown to New Years, school starting, birthday, easter .... anything!





Of course - you don't need to spend a cent to use this idea - paper chains work just as well and are fun to make. But we have another plan for the paper chains this year. Be back later with pics of that!

Yesterday ...

My baby sister was married.

It was a beautiful day.

She honoured those we love, and those we love and miss ...




She had a day that celebrated the love they share - with a hope for a joyous and radiant future!




And she was a princess. Through and through.




And I love her.

I hope to post more pics later ... with permission.
I have honestly never seen a more joyous bride.

Choc Cherry Ripe Slice - and it's NO BAKE!

Recipe from the bridal shower ... because I was asked to share!

You need
1 packet plain sweet biscuits - crushed (I used arnott's Marie biscuits)
125g melted butter
250ml (ish) condensed milk
2 cherry ripe bars chopped (OK I used 3 king size bars)
250g melted chocolate

How to
Mix all ingredients except chocolate
Press into lined slice tin
Pop in fridge for about 20 min and chill.



Melt chocolate and pour over slice. Chill till set

Cut with hot knife into pieces



YUM!

Organising fun! My baby sis's bridal shower!

I wish I could say it was all my organising ... but then again I don't! The best things happen when a great team work together on them!

Take a beautiful bride to be ... who is willing to have a lot of fun ...


Add a touch of glamour ...


Great guests!


A touch of romance ...


And a party atmosphere!


And you KNOW you are going to have a great night!
Hey baby sis! Hope you had a ball! It ws so much fun to do this for you!

And a MASSIVE thanks and shout out to mum and Renae for helping me! Renae has a fabulous bridal business on the gold coast and some great decorating ideas ... expect a post soon linking to her website!