A time of giving, hope and joy...

A thrifted find on my son's very first Christmas two years ago...this year he understands the magic.

 It's simply perfect, sweet and warms the heart.

 At night we take an evening walk...the fairy lights are twinkling, we light little candles and listen to carols as we play. A little Santa bell hangs by his bed...sometimes the Santa bell joins us on our walks. 

Christmas is a time for giving, hope and joy. 

Christmas is the time above all others, when peace may visit earth and find a dwelling place in every heart. 

Let's hope so anyway!

ps. Find a copy if you can... the author is Joan Walsh Anglund

 and i am back from a bloggy rest...and delighted to be back. 

x

Part two...

Yamba is 4 hours south of Brisbane...on the NSW coast. 

 Yamba is relatively untouched ~ famous for it's charming little village, surf breaks, spotless beaches, fresh seafood and the historic lighthouse that is perched high above the stunning Main beach...

He tells us he wants to swim like a dolphin, be fast like a shark and his favourite friends are the fish, whales and "dolph". He really is turning into such a water boy...we can't get him out of the bath, every time we step into the garden he asks for the hose, swimming lessons are a laugh {gulping water along the way} the water was like ice in Yamba...that didn't stop him!

That cute little hand and that fun shirt fabric makes me smile...and yes part two had to happen ~ we had so much beach fun! 

Part one...

This little beach getaway was my parents...we crashed it for a couple of days and so pleased we did. They found a little beach cottage gem. Filled with nostalgic charm and endless water views...i love details and this little cottage was filled with so many lovely details. Huge seashells holding back the doors to every room, recycled furniture, wooden boats perched on crooked shelves, vintage books,  hooks holding deckchairs, pale blues mosaic tiles filled the bathroom and worn wooden floor boards with gaps holding bucket loads of salty sand.

Delight as we watched a group of dolphins play in the waves...it made his afternoon and he keeps talking about them.

Gorgeous...........i know!

Congratulations to The Clip Cafe...you are the winner of our sandy handmade giveaway.

 Seal came along for the ride and we had fun reading all the beautiful comments about what makes you all smile!

What makes me smile...little moments captured and remembered, packing up the beach bag and heading away for a couple of days for some sandy fun. Sweet blogger friends who enjoy our fun finds and sweet little packages sent by my beautiful sister (the sand bucket arrived this week and we just love it) so much more to smile about of course...but no time...we are off to the beach and the sun is shining. 

Most afternoons we make a smoothie...today we called it a pirate smoothie!

milk

frozen berries

banana

large spoonful of natural yogurt

sprinkle of cinnamon

we always add a straw...not today, pirates don't use straws!

Flowers picked for his Mummy...thank you for all the 

sweet birthday wishes, they made me smile!

We had the most wonderful weekend together and celebrated with

family and friends...makes turning another year older a little easier!

Our "sandy" handmade giveaway...

I have to admit I have been so overwhelmed by all the lovely comments and email's that I receive from all over the world on a daily basis. 

Sweet, creative and inspiring people who energise me and inspire me to be more creative with those spare moments that pass so quickly.

Blogging for me is about recording little moments...they are my perfect little moments 

that make me smile.

So to say Thank you....we have collected from our favourite little rock pools some

 shells and driftwood.

We are creating a sandy little mobile for one of you to hang on your porch....the shells have been collected loving by tiny little hands.

a sandy sneak peek...

To enter:

 1. become a follower {located on the right hand side of the page} 

2. leave a comment telling me - what makes you smile?

3. randomly next Thursday 11th November - we will draw a number out of a sandy bucket!

And before I sign off take the time to visit these talented and lovely ladies...how can one not smile when you receive such kind gestures such as these:

Kate

Maureen

Emma

Melissa

Jane

Bec

Steph

Catherine

Once again...thank you x

This morning we baked, we used this delicious recipe by the lovely and
very creative Cathie over at m.e. 

These tasty little muffins have become our favourite...we only add 1/2 a cup of brown sugar and today we added a handful of sultana's and for a bit of fun we sprinkled pepita's onto the top of the mini muffins {this become a fun counting activity} 1 pepita, 2 pepita's, 3 pepita's ... also gave my little one a job to do while I  spooned the mixture into the cases {apart from trying to lick the spoon}!
The carrot and zucchini looks fresh and these mini muffins are a healthy way of getting vegetables into little ones...even at morning tea!

..happy baking..
&
...eating...

Shadows of fun...Happy Halloween. 

Water...

We have had so much rain this past month...the dams are now overflowing. 

Thank goodness, this week we used our far share...

 It really is nice watching this little one play about in the back garden with his buckets, spades, watering cans, hose splashing about and little dolphin in hand.

" Dolph" he likes to call him. He is the favourite of all the marine creatures! 

And speaking of water...more...found in the park today!