Hand Dyeing Wool

I was thinking about making some saffron cupcakes, but decided to play around with dyeing some wool instead. So here we are - saffron-dyed wool (click on the photo to get a closer look). I didn't leave it too long to steep, because I didn't want highly coloured yellow wool - just soft hues. You will see later in the new year what I intend to do with it :-)

Rebecca's Birthday Shots

We gave Rebecca a Brother sewing machine for her birthday - she wanted to make something with a tutor (Mum) around. The little bag gave her the chance to play with needle placement, thread changes, quilting, box corners and hand sewing. She made an excellent job of this!
This shot is one Rebecca took with her new digital Sony SLR camera from Bevan - nothing has been off limits with the new camera!

Post-Christmas Report

What a lovely day was had by all! The weather was great for the first time for years.
The pavlova not only looked fantastic, it tasted just perfect - crusty on the outside and marshmallow-y on the inside.

We even had a visit from the rein-dog:

and the smaller presents were delivered by train this year - what fun!

Not Many Hours Now ... 'Till Christmas

Wishing you all out there across the world a blessed Christmas.

My 'big' girl', Rebecca, was Christmas Day baby at North Shore Hospital, Auckland, 29 years ago tomorrow. That means she was the first one born on Christmas Day (3.25am actually). Tomorrow morning we celebrate her birthday in the morning with the most delicious breakfast and birthday presents for her.

Then we prepare the food for a late lunch. While that is cooking, we open Christmas presents. We are hoping for a lovely day tomorrow, the weather forecast is for 22 deg. C, which if correct, will be the finest and warmest Christmas Day we have had in this house - we may even get to eat outdoors on the deck, play petanque, be serenaded by the chooks and lambs!
Time to send the 'children' off to bed, fill the stockings and get the gifts under the tree.

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
(from: Twas The Night Before Christmas Poem by Clement Moore 1779 - 1863)

It's Starting to Feel Like Christmas

The pavlova is made and sitting in the oven to cool off - mmm! 'tis looking good.
I have made 3 dozen Christmas fruit mince pies, which won't be enough, but at least I've started. The fruit mince is my own recipe and this year it's a beauty - it's been made for 12 months and the fruit is so steeped in alcohol it's divine.
Just needs icing sugar on the top now!