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!)

♥