This blog is all about me......I come here for respite in between caring for JoJo (our Daughter who has Special Needs)......I am addicted to starting new projects......I am becoming a fabric-a-holic... I love to try out recipes... take a beach walk and breathe in that salty blue air......love to have coffee...sip a glass of champagne......read a book......I am Queen of the Armchair and am inspired by all the wonderful blogs out there!!!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Advent, The Third Week...Christmas Decorations...and a Christmas Cake!!!

Here we are...2 more sleeps to go until Christmas Day!!!
This Christmas JoJo requested a Fruit Cake...not normally part of our (European) tradition...but very much a part of Australia...
I made this very easy-peasy cake...for which the recipe can be found on my other blog, My Dolce Vita ...

The Advent Swap hosted by Fiona is just about over...2 more gifts to go!!!
How I have thoroughly enjoyed this Swap with my Partner Carol...it has been so much fun waking up each day to a gift to open...with JoJo's help of course!!!
One of the gifts...this great panel above...Needlework Diva on Duty!!!

the gifts for the last week...

one of which was this Stitchery above which I have slowly been working on!!!

Meanwhile, my dear blogging mate and personal friend...Natima has asked me to show some of my decorations for Christmas...
our tree above...

Christmas just cannot go by without a visit from Santa!!!

a little cone stitchery filled with red berries...

Gumnuts decorated with sparkly bling by JoJo at her day programme...

JoJo has also made some bon-bons...little trees and a pudding!!!

Meanwhile...in our backyard this beautiful blue hydrangea just before the 43c heat got to it...

This gorgeous table top panel I recently purchased for a member of our family as she is so into horses...I just knew it was for her!!!
Christmas is not a time or a season, but a state of mind.
To cherish peace and goodwill, To be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real Spirit of Christmas.
If we think on these things, there will be born in us a Savior and over us will shine a star sending its gleam of hope to the world.
~Calvin Coolidge, 1872-1933~
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas...Priecigus Ziemmasvetkus...Buon Natale...Nollaig Shonna Duit...Good Yule...and a safe and Happy Healty and Prosperous 2010...

14 comments:

Kimonos and Sushi(OLD BLOG) said...

Merry Christmas Dzintra. I can smell that lovely cake from here. What wonderful gift you have received in the Advent Swap. ((HUGS)) Andrea

a good yarn said...

What a terrific Christmas post Dzintra - a yummy cake, pretty decorations, swap goodies. My hydrangeas were hammered by the terrible temps. Hopefully they'll come good again. Merry Christmas!
Ann :-)

Kath said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family lovely Dzintra.Your friendship has been a delight and I look forward to being part of your Bloggy family throughout the new year. Wishing you all good things, love Kath in snowy England

Susan McShannon-Monteith said...

Everything looks splendid D and that fruitcake just yummy.
So from all the way up here in the northlands where there is snow on the ground to you and yours way down by the sea and surf...
Matters not where you celebrate, Merry Christmas Hun to you and yours in the land down under.
xo Susan

Micki said...

Merry Christmas Dzintra! I wish you much happiness! Glad that you liked the Advent swap as much as I did.
Micki

Micki said...

Merry Christmas Dzintra! I wish you much happiness! Glad that you liked the Advent swap as much as I did.
Micki

Pooch Purple Reign said...

dear dzintra
your cake looks amazing. i am a fan of christmas cake, especially with a nip of brandy or rum in haha.
warmest wishes
~laura

Jane said...

Merry christmas my dearest friend, Lovely fruit cake, I will have to try out your recipe. Looking forward to seeing our friendship grow in the coming year. hugs to you and JoJo. xxx

Fer said...

Have a wonderful Christmas Dzintra! The fruit cake looks absolutely yum-o!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Oh Dzintra! What a lovely gift to have a visit from you! Blessings and hope and light to you dear lady, and may the new year bring you much success and peace!!! Anita

ceecee said...

Have a wonderful holiday, Dzintra! Have missed our 'natters'!
Love,
Catherine

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Hi Dzintra
Just wanted to wish you a wonderful Christmas and best wishes to you and your family....

Hope all your Christmas dreams come true. xx Julie

Nat Palaskas said...

Very Merry Christmas dear Dzintra and family. Hope Santa brought you lovely gifts. What beautiful tree and decorations. Please come over and enter my giveaways on my blog - Love and hugs - Nat

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Oh Dzintra! How lovely to see you!!! Thank you, you are the sweet lady! How are you going to ring in the new year? I do hope that 2010 will be nothing but joy and goodness for you. I am sitting here trying to finish my thesis...just last minute details, but I feel a little scared. Oh I just need to do it!!:) Have a wonderful day, Anita

Welcome To My World

Hello, my name is Dzintra Ingrid ... have been known as Ingrid and since our Sea Change I have started to use Dzintra ... pronounced without the D ... (but still known as Ingrid, I know, it's confusing ...)

Welcome to my world ... a journal of our Sea Change ... Mum to three wonderful children ... bringing up a daughter with a disability and seeing life through her eyes ... being a new Nanna ... photos ... inspiring quotes ... taking on a cookery course ... the odd recipe ... and trying to get some stitching done amongst all this ...