2013

 photo by the lovely Gaby

Wow.

I don't even have the words to put together what this year has been for me. Well, at least not without wanting to cry.

We started off the year with my best friend getting married. Little did we know our travels within that month would lead to us buying a house in our favourite small town. We nested and nested in anticipation of our sweet boy and when he did join us, our lives were changed forever.

This year has held so much for us. I experienced life and loss. I made new friends - some beautiful people who have accepted me. It is not easy being the new girl in a small town! I've watched my partner become a father and my parents have watched me become a mother.

2014 is the year we will chase the things we want to do and yearn to do and promise ourselves to never just "get by" in life. Luke will surf more, my camera will snap more and as a family we will love more.

From my heart to yours, I wish you the best in this new year. I thank you for your support, your comments, your kind words that have encouraged and driven me to dare to be who I am. May these next 365 days be so very merry and bright!

'Twas the night before Christmas

Back when I was a kid, we always did Christmas Eve dinners in our home. I never knew why, its just what was done. I've learnt it is a European tradition of sorts and I think maybe my dad might have done it as a kid. The past few years with Luke working away and my family being in Singapore, I have skipped the Christmas Eve thing and enjoyed the Australian traditions with my in laws.

However this year, being the first Christmas with Mason and the first one Luke's been home for in 4 whole years, I decided I'd bring Christmas Eve dinners back. And from how much fun we all had, I'm thinking I'll keep it a running tradition for our family.

On the menu was a beautiful ham glazed ala Jamie Oliver, a whole salmon side baked and topped with a salsa verde of sorts, a pumpkin, pancetta & boccocini salad, Asian style barbequed prawns and (on Luke's special request) trifle!

We were missing my dad and brother. A corner of my heart ached for them and I watched from across the table as my mom struggled to hold back her emotions. I am comforted by the knowledge that there will be many more Christmases for our family in years to come.

We spent the following day at Luke's parents where we opened presents and had a beautiful lunch. We played trivia games and board games, and only got home after 10pm. It's a lovely sort of exhaustion to feel after having a brilliant day.

I hope the festive season has been more than kind to all of you, and that Santa was generous. x


I CANNOT believe Luke, myself and Mason never got a photo together the entire time. Excuse me while I knock my head against the wall.