Farewell 2011!

Just wanting to wish you all a wonderful New Year!!

If this New Years eve is like the last few I've seen, I'll pretty much be like Boo here at around 11pm. I'm such a Nana!

And just for fun, the PaisleyJade blog headers from 2011...

Happy New Year everyone!!

The year that was...

As the year comes to a close, I love looking back at the things that have gone on.  I am often amazed at how much has actually happened, even though it has felt as though the year has whizzed by.

This next year brings quite a few changes for us as a family.  Firstly, our baby is off to school and our oldest is entering High School.  Along with that, I am starting a new job (whoop whoop) and also, Symon and I are going to be inducted as the Senior Pastors of our church (woah!!) after having been Youth Pastors there for over 14 years!!  Yes, big changes indeed, but we are excited (in that scared/excited kind of way) and totally know God's peace through it all.

God is so good!!

With 2012 knocking at the door, here is my annual year in review post for 2011 (more for my sake than yours)...

January

The year started off with some moustache craziness in the form of moustache cupcakes, and me learning the art of thankfulness.  I discovered Peanut Butter Crinkles (mmmm!!) and shared my favourite pancake and and Ginger slice recipes!!  Makings included bunnys and felt donuts, coffee cup sleeves and crochet coasters (much to my husbands horror).  Our bathroom got a zhuzh up, I met up with some of my favourite blogging buddies, and as always, God took my breath away.

February

Our family went on the coolest bush adventure, my Dad totally rocked at surfing, I went on a journey of learning to really love, our baby turned 4 and we celebrated with a Rainbow Cake (my first ever!). This was  the month that our amazing Whangarei Bloggers first met each other.  I love these girls! Sadly, this was also the month that our city of Christchurch suffered a horrible earthquake.  Makings included the most delicious Milk Tablet, Granny Bunting, Red Velvet Cupcakes, Neopolitan Cake and my hubby made the most amazing Watermelon shark! 

March

I made my love his very own string of heart bunting, realised it was 11 years since my precious brother left us, and then discovered the perfect cure for Man-sickness!!  Other makings included Lolly Slice, Scones, Chocolate Zucchini Cake, a crochet headband and truck load of softies all for a very good cause.

April

Symon and I celebrated 15 years of marriage, and went away for a romantic holiday! Boo got the cone of shame, and also made me laugh with her funniest photos ever!  Symon and I enjoyed (actually, Symon endured) the Royal Wedding.  Makings included a Crochet Hot Cross Bun, granny squares, Spiced Carrot Muffins, and Feijoa Muffins.

  

May

I finished my baby granny stripe blanket, celebrated an awesome Mother's Day, followed by my beautiful big girl's birthday, which included making (and eating) this delicious Marbled Rainbow Cake!!  Other makings included Ginger Coconut Slice, this cute Fluffy Cloud Mobile, Chocolate Maple Crunch and Crochet Wrist Warmers.  I also shared my favourite tips on How to Crochet, and was super proud of my boy for his fundraising efforts.

June

I made some cute Mug Cozies, and celebrated another birthday with another marbled rainbow cake! I discovered the recipe for Mini Oreo Cheesecakes, made Symon his very own Yeti Softie for his birthday, and our family had our very own Mad Hatters Tea Party!  Other makings included Crochet Slippers, Chocolate, Walnut & Oat Slice and Apply Cozies.

July

My darling guy made me a 3 course meal, my blogging buddies got together to meet the lovely Anya. I made Donut Muffins (oh my!) and shared my Mum's best ever Carrot Muffin recipe!!  Symon grew a beard (hehe), and I made the most delicous Chocolate & Cheesecake Muffins!!  I finished the Granny Square Poncho!!  Other makings included cute fluffy softies, and a beanie just for me.

August

I started making progress with the Mario Mushroom blanket, and hung out with my totally normal family.  I made my first ever Sock Monkey with my blogging buddies, and a crochet Kerchief.  A major highlight of this month was getting to meet up with Kiwi Bloggers from all over New Zealand.  Such a fabulous time!!  Makings included a tonne of softies as well as Biscotti, Bar Biscuits, Bacon & Egg Pie and Caramel Oat Slice!

September
My baby overcame a big fear, Symon was surprised with a Sasquatch softie, and I reminded you all that we are all pretty normal.  I made my favourite Mustard Crochet Coasters, and had a moustache crazy time with my blogging buddies.  I also realised that the Mushroom blanket was a rather massive project!  Makings included Marshmallow Plums, Springtime Beanie, Tan Squares, Honey Ricebubble Slice, 

October

I shared some of my recent thoughts about Motherhood, shared one of my most favourite and simplest cake/cupcake recipes,  I finally finished the Mario Mushroom Blanket, just in time for my son's birthday!  He had a fabulous birthday, included a giant green layer cake.  We won the World Cup Rugby!!!  I was totally spoiled with moustache goodies, and had a fun time at my cousin's 30th birthday!  Makings included a moustache mobile cover, Odd-Fellow Roll, my Dental Clinic beanie, a crochet cupcake, and Indian Cheesecake!!!

November

I made moustache Cut-Out Cookies, and shared with you all how to make your very own Boo!  We had the amazing experience of seeing (and some of us swimming with) dolphins!  I had an amazing birthday and was so blessed.  Other makings included Crochet Covered Stones, Bottomless Quiche, my first crochet dishcloth, Coconut Haystacks, a crochet Koala Piggy thing and a grocery tote.

December

I attempted (and devoured) the Cake of Three Milks, and shared some of my favourite Christmas yummies. We also tried to get into the Christmas mood by making Christmas Bunting, Christmas biscuits, and some more Christmas bunting (and a cute Robot Softie).  Oh, and there was some Eggnog amigurumi going on as well!  We also went through a really scary few days, where we nearly lost Symon's Dad.  Thankfully he pulled through, and we were able to celebrate a beautiful Christmas together.

What a year - loving my family and friends, and thanks to everyone who follows along on this journey with me.  Thanks for all of your lovely comments - I love hearing from you!

See you in 2012!

For other year in review posts, go here.

Christmas remnants...

Still enjoying the remnants of Christmas here, and trying to figure out how we are going to work off all of that delicious trifle made by my lovely June Nan...

How was your Christmas?

Christmas 2011

What a Christmas!  We were totally blessed in so many ways...

We started off our Christmas Eve with our traditional "Jesus Birthday Cake".  Let's just say that this year's one was way more edible than last years disaster...

On Christmas Day and Boxing Day, we spent time with our precious family.  We were especially blessed to share our Christmas with Dad Drake who we nearly lost (well, actually did for a moment there) just last week.

There was crazy shenanigans in the back yard...

Beautiful cousins having photos together...

The annual Christmas family skype photo (last year's here)...

 And many more family photos...

For some reason this year felt extra special... the sense of togetherness was so much more appreciated.

I am feeling so full (and not just tummy wise).

Family is so precious, people are so special... and I love that fact that God Himself became a person to bring hope and love to this hurting world.  You are so loved and precious.

Happy Christmas everyone!!!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!!  Here's hoping you have a wonderful Christmas with your nearest and dearest.