Our Festive Celebrations for 2013

Well hello there!!! Welcome back lovely readers.
Happy New Year to you all!!!
I can’t believe it’s now 2014. Christmas is all done and dusted for another year. Thank goodness Christmas only occurs once a year, I love it, but physically, financially and mentally I think once a year is more than enough for everyone (I believe the next 12 months is to recover).
We had a fantastic festive break, sharing it with beautiful family and friends. I feel truly blessed to be part of such a special network of people. I did promise a post-Christmas Blog Post so rather than waffle on (like I usually do) I think I will let the pictures do more of the talking today.

It was a group effort putting our Christmas day feast together. This was some of the kitchen action on Christmas Eve. Zasister, Zagrandma and Zakidlets all doing their bit. Zadada was doing plenty behind the scenes, taking these pictures, tending to the outside maintenance and keeping Zakidlets entertained.

I love a pretty Christmas table. This year I used a mirror as part of my centre piece on the table (an idea I found on pinterest). I was really happy with how it all turned out.

Tradition in The Zamamabakes household is to attend Mass on Christmas Eve. We managed a quick bite to eat before hand, the kids request of course, but it was lovely to just sit and have a few moments as our family of 5.

We had to leave some treats out for Santa and his Reindeer. The banana and strawberries on the plate was my attempt to Christmas Brekky a little (some more pinterest inspiration).

I love watching the kids discover their gifts from Santa on Christmas morning.

This was our group for Christmas lunch. Zasister, Zagorgeous Aimee, Zabrother, Zadada, Zamama (me), Zapop, Zagrandma and of course Zakidlets our little cherubs Alani, Blake and Ella. Missing from the picture is Zauncle Jim, he was behind the camera for this shot.

Some yummy morning appetizers! I made sure I had that glass of champagne (a Christmas gift from Zasister last year). We had a delicious Cheeseball Zauncle Jim made I intend on sharing the recipe as soon as I can.

This is some of what was on offer for lunch, dinner and lunch again on boxing day!! So much food, so delicious.

Zakidlets table and the rest of us.

Dessert was scrumptious another great group effort.

And just in case you felt like something else sweet we had Zanan’s Trifle, Zagrandma’s fruit cake and a tray of yummy homemade chocolates.

It’s not Christmas without a spot of cricket, I chose to spectate and ensure the electric fence was switched off!!!

How could we forget Zapuppydog!! Blake found this dog shirt at the reject shop before Christmas, wrapped it up and put it under the Christmas tree for Locky. It was a little on the tight side so it was on long enough to take a picture. I think Zapuppydog needs to lose a little weight, (his New Years resolution perhaps).

Boxing day brought some motor biking action.

As well as some construction action.
Lots of fun was had by all involved.

For Christmas Zagrandma and Zapop, Zanan and Zapop as well as Zadada and Myself all put in to purchase a climbing fort for Zakidlets. The only thing was it came flat packed.

The day after boxing day we had a working bee that went for 12 hours (I happened to be in at work for 8 of those hours). I still managed to lend a bit of a helping hand when I got home (I think) for a few brief moments at least (I fitted in the fort a little more comfortably than Zadada), they even let me loose with the drill!!!

The finished product with some very happy owners!!
Thank you to Zanan, Zagrandma, Zapop and Zadada for making this happen all in a day!!!
For those interested we purchased the climbing fort from climbingframes.com.au the ceder climbing frame specialists. See details here. We are extremely happy with it so far.

We also managed a beach trip during the festive break. We had a great day!!!

Before we knew it a week had passed and a new year was almost upon us. We stayed at home sharing New Years Eve with some lovely friends.

New Year celebrations are not complete without Dessert!! In fact no celebration is complete without dessert!! I made an easy Chocolate, cream and berry log, it’s a bit of a cheats dessert, great when you are a little time poor and is always yummy!!

I am looking forward to sharing some recipes from the festive break soon.
While the kids are on holidays things may be a little hit and miss, I will do my best.
It’s great to be back, stay tuned.

Zamamabakes

Crystal Creek Banana’s

I love the fact that on a drive home from town, if I need some fresh produce, Banana’s in particular, there is a great roadside, fresh produce stall that I can call into. It is known as Crystal Creek Banana’s and you will find them on Nerang – Murwillumbah Rd which continues off Numinbah Rd towards Chillingham. From the town centre of Murwillumbah it is approximately 11.5 km and will take you about 12 minutes. We just happened to call in there for some delicious Banana’s and some other fresh produce yesterday.

As you can see all Banana’s were only $1 per kg.

Alani enjoyed helping hold the cucumbers, they were 3 for $2!!!

We also purchased an avocado for $0.80, bargain.

The satisfied face says it all.

I would recommend stopping to make some purchases if you are ever passing by.

A Zamama date with the 2 older Zakidlets!!!

What a day we had yesterday!!! It’s not very often that I get some quality time with my Blake who’s 8 and Ella who’s 6, just the 3 of us, for those of you with a 2 year old in your house you will know exactly what I am talking about. I’m certainly not complaining about having a 2 year old, I love Alani to the moon, back and more!!! But when we have our usual days out with the 4 of us there are limitations on certain activities. So it was very special to just go and have a day out where Zaolderkidlets got to be the centre of my attention!!!
You will notice our day didn’t get off to the best of starts. Blake somehow tripped himself up on Ella’s foot as she was scooting past and he took a bit of a tumble. It didn’t take him long to recover. The day only got better from here on, we had a fantastic day to say the least!!!

All I can say is how much I enjoyed a quality day out with these 2 little people see-saw ride included!! What a way to start the school holidays. Getting out in the fresh air and sunshine really does make you appreciate what you have.
My day ended perfectly when from the back of the car I heard (completely unprompted) ‘Thankyou for the day out Mum’, day was made. Thankyou Blake and Ella!!!
I hope you have all had a great start to the school holidays if you live in Australia!!!
Tomorrow will be a nice home day for us all, planning to do some craft with Mod Podge and Thongs, should be interesting.

A New Baby!!!

Spring has sprung early on our farm. This little calf was born just 4 hours ago.

I hope you enjoyed looking at some of his first moments as much as I enjoyed photographing them.