My quilting thoughts and inspirations sprinkled with a glimpse of life down on the farm

Sunday, December 31, 2017

Christmas 2017

I suspect it might almost be too late to blog about Christmas, after all it was nearly a week ago...however since a lot of us are still in holiday mode, I hope you'll excuse me :-)
We had a lovely two days of Christmas. Christmas Day was spent at our YD's - their first Christmas in their own home so that was pretty special in itself.
Below shows our Christmas lunch cooking - yes, a hangi went down.
Heated stones and the food are buried for several hours.
TIme to dig it up.
And cut it up.
Add some salads, and enjoy.
We had thought Boxing Day was going to be a quiet day with just the MOML's parents visiting but before we knew it ED and YD and their families (pets included) had turned up! It was another full-on day...just as well I'd made another Pav the night before and I was able to feed everyone!
Both days were a fabulous opportunity to relax and spend time with each other ... family get togethers like this are just perfect.

This year I took part in Chooky's Secret Santa Christmas Swap. I was delighted when Kris turned out to be my elf, as I has met her on one of my visits to my son in Australia, and since then we've remained bloggy friends.
Her gorgeous package contained this lovely lingerie bag and a drawstring bag...both perfect for travelling and are beautifully made. She popped in a few other goodies too, including some lovely Tilda fabrics and the pattern (her own) for the lingerie/jewellery keepers set.
I had previously opened this sweet set of stockings from Kris.
Thank you so much Kris :-)

In turn I made for Marika in Germany. I was a bit concerned that my parcel was taking the long way there but I did finally hear from Marika.
Here is what I had made for her —
This is a three compartment sewing pouch from Angela Hoey's book, Stitched Sewing Organisers.
It was easier to make than it first appears, the instructions were really clear and straight forward.
And this it the ornament I made her... very similar to
the one I made last year, but I just love the pattern!
I added this Kiwiana decorated handtowel to the parcel
as well as a few goodies zipped into the pouch.

I also had a few lovely surprises in the mail and some more ornies to add to the tree - thank you so much ladies :-).

Doniene and I have exchanged gifts since we met a few years ago (I had a fabulous time visiting her in Texas). This year this calendar and sweet wee quilt arrived for me.
Thankyou my friend  :-)

I didn't make many gifts this year - well, I'd intended to make a lot more but just ran out of time! I have two late gifts which I am at the finishing stages of so these will be classed as 2018 finishes and gifts!
You may remember though that I made our two wee grandies dresses and quilts for their dolls? I received this photo from my son (actually it was a video and clever clogs here learnt how to take a screenshot and turn it into an image!!) It warmed the cockles of my heart ♥


Mum got busy this year and made all the grand-daughters sets of oven mitts and pot holders after doing a Chicken Scratching class earlier in the year.
She de-stashed by using fabrics for the backs which she has dyed in various classes over the years.
Mum stayed for a week which was lovely. One day we went for a tikki tour around town. Here she is at the top of Mt Parihaka, looking over Whangarei and districts. A great place to view the city.

Tonight it is New Year's Eve. We don't have any big plans, although we are having dinner with some friends so that will be nice. Cows awaiting at 4.45am mean that very late nights are few and far between!
Wishing you all a safe and happy New Year...I hope 2018 is a fabulous one for everyone!!
(See you on the other side!)

24 comments:

  1. I'm still in Christmas mode, so I don't mind you blogging about it all you want!
    Sounds like you had a grand holiday with loved ones!
    And it looks like you had a great swap. The bag and ornament you made are beautiful. Such a sweet little quilt from Doniene.
    Love the viewpoint! Gorgeous view.
    Happy New Year to you, Raewyn.

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  2. What a fun Christmas lunch and lovely family time together. You were very lucky with all the swaps and gifts! Happy new year!

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  3. Beautiful gifts that you received and the ones you gave.

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  4. Looks like you had a fabulous family Christmas...
    How nice your son sent you the video of the girls with there dolls...you posted a sweet photo...
    Lots of beautiful gifts were made by you and Mum...
    Also you received some lovely presents...

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  5. having to get up to feed the cows always means few late nights I would think - I have no cows to feed and still have few late nights. Interesting digging a hole in the ground and putting hot rocks down to cook the food - it would be interesting if you explain how it is done and how you prepare the meat for that. Have a Happy New year - it is always nice to read what you on the other side of the world are doing

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  6. Fun Christmas goodies, made and received. Love the chicken scratch oven mitts. So nice you got to spend time with family.

    Have a Happy New Year may it be blessed.

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  7. I don't feel Christmas is over until at least Jan 2nd!! so you are still good to go--!!
    neat family and it sounds like you made some great memories--so good for you.
    Happy New years my friend--
    enjoy the moments, di

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  8. Lovely family time, and I bet the Hangi was fabulous. I haven't had one for years! Your gifts received and given look lovely.
    Happy New Year Raewyn.

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  9. Lovely post to read Raewyn, always good to see a Christmas post. Would be wonderful to have family gatherings, we had a hangi last Feb in Rotorua, never had one from the back yard though! Lovely photo from your son. The oven mitts your Mum made are fantastic. Lovely gifts in and out of your place too.

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  10. Happy New Year - from the other side (and across the ditch)!
    Lovely SSCS pressies, both from Kris and to Marika.
    Hope 2018 is a good one!

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  11. Definitely not too late, I loved reading about your Christmas and I am sooo jealous you had a hangi! I think I may do one for 2018. Wishing you the best year ever!

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  12. Happy New Year to you and your lovely family Raewyn.
    Love your happy xmas post ,and how sweet your little girls loved their dolls and great you got to see them on video.
    I love the bag you made for Marika it gorgeous and love the gifts that kris sent you,what a wonderful swap xx

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  13. Totally awesome post ....fantastic Christmas...awesome gifts,,,,perfect Happy New Year ❤️❤️❤️

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  14. Great post Raewyn - I do love hangi food. Yours looks delicious. I love all your gifts both given & received. Happy New Year to you Raewyn Xxx

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  15. Happy New Year. And it looks like it was a lovely time with family for both Christmas and the boxing day. So much delicious food!! Yum.
    Great to see all the lovely gifts given and received. Hope you have had a chance to wind down.
    Cheers.

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  16. Hey Raewyn! Glad you had a wonderful Christmas with family & glad you love your gifties, too. It was fun to make for someone I'd met in real life. Wishing you & your family a happy & healthy new year. Bear Hugs! KRIS xx

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  17. Looks like a good kiwi Christmas. You got some lovely presents and made some fabulous ones also. Lovely your Mum got to have a lengthy visit. Best wishes for 2018.

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  18. Happy New Year... Christmas looks wonderful for you and glad you all got together ...what fun... Wonderful gifts sent and received too.....

    Hugz

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  19. what a wonderful day you had and wow so much food but love a Hangi....Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...

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  20. Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas! You got such lovely gifts! You also made some nice ones too! Happy New Year!!

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  21. It looks like it was a wonderful Christmas there. The picture of the little one with her doll is so sweet.

    I love the chicken scratch your mum did. It's too pretty to use. It seems like I always run out of time too.

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  22. Looks like a satisfying mix of presents - both received and gifted. Xmas is a bit hot for hangi for me, but at least this year was a bit cooler. We tried boneless turkey for the first time...

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  23. Looks like you guys had a great Christmas!

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  24. Lovely Christmas catchup post! I need to do one.. :) Looks like you had a lovely few days! Happy New Year!! xx

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