Christmas month - Day 29

Image from Instagram

And we're back in Singapore!  As this is posted at midnight, we would have just arrived into Changi Airport and probably lugging our heavy bags with all the goodies from our trip to Manila.

The year is almost ending and it's time to take stock of life and love and be thankful that we made it safely through the year.  

Today will be a day of rest and catching up with news of what's happened in our absence.

Christmas Month - Day 21

Image from Pinterest

It's 4 days to Christmas and 2 days till we fly off. 

How are we going to contain the excitement!!!

I can't remember when I was so happily anxious like this.  It's the most wonderful time of the year to be carefree!

I'm making a list and checking it twice!!

Christmas Month - Day 20

Image from Pinterest

And I'm all done with the wrapping.  Not much to do this year as we will be away.  Only bought gifts for the 4 kids who live along our corridor that have become a part and parcel of our daily lives.  Well, more of Stephen's life than mine as they gravitate to him.

This year, we will be spending Christmas in another land and it surely is going to be different.  We can't wait to go.  Just a couple of days more and then we're off.

Now to start packing....

Day 17 Christmas Spirit

Image from Pinterest

And just a reminder that the spirit of Christmas is the Spirit of Christ!  Too often, the reason for this beautiful season is lost among the dazzling images.

They're all lovely.  Don't get me wrong on that.  But amidst all that loveliness is the saviour's birth.  

Image from Pinterest

Day 15 Christmas Time

Image from Pinterest

It's really been a good two weeks of December for me.  I haven't felt rushed or stressed about getting organised for Christmas.  

Plus I can check off every thing on this list, despite binging on Christmas movies and my TV series, I should add.  

When I was working, I used to feel a bit of tension the moment we hit the first of December.  I wondered when I would start to "Christmastise" the home.  I wondered how I would do it all.  More often than not, I would work a full day and then after dinner I'd start on the decorations.  It wasn't easy but I did do my best and always felt satisfied with everything.

These last years, it's been easier.  I've either become better at it or I've become more easy-going.  It's not about overdoing but just about doing.  And I'm done!  

Yay!  Celebrate!  

Okay, maybe not yet.  I'm still tweaking some things every now and then!  

Day 14 Christmas Cheesecake

So Stephen joined me to make this no-bake cheesecake.  It was a trial run but it turned out super tasty.  The texture could be improved but the taste is just glorious.  

We tweaked two recipes and came up with this.  So the next round will be even better, I'm sure.

Already it's almost all gone after only two days!  We did give two pieces to our neighbours just to get their reaction.  Hahahaha

It's not a huge cake although it looks huge in the picture.   We'll be making another for our Christmas dessert and for the children to enjoy with us. 

Day 10 Christmas Wishes

Image from Pinterest (edited by me)

When do we send Christmas cards out?

According to a google search, the answer is "Send out Christmas cards to family and friends 2-3 weeks before Christmas day. You should always send out Christmas cards during the first full week of December to avoid sending your cards out too early or too late."

Now we no longer have to worry about it, as most people wish via a social media platform.  But I'm sending out our first wish today  (more to come, why not?) even while I'm making a personalised one that I will share with close family and friends.

Day 9 Christmas Stuff

Image from Instagram

I've been thinking of making a cheesecake since a month ago but, as always, I keep postponing.  So I will get to it and then just before Christmas I'll make another one.  Calories!!

And we've been watching Christmas movies every night.  Stephen loves them and, with Netflix, there are so many to choose from.  Plus we've been binging on snacks.  He'll take a packet and I'll say, "No".  Then he'll pass it to me and I'll start.  Or I bring out the potato chips and he'll join me.  Calories again!

But this is what Christmas time is all about.  Being happy and contented with the simple things in life is all that matters.

Day 7 Christmas Lights

Image from Pinterest

So our tree is up and some minor adjustments has made it bright and sparkly!  Most of the other decorations are in their designated spots.  Our home is cosy and so it's easy to fill up the space quickly and easily.

But it's the lights, when darkness falls, that gets to us.  It's the twinkling and colours that add to the mystery and magic of Christmas.  

Day 6 Christmas Magic

Image from Pinterest

There is magic in the air during the christmas season.  This sums up what I think it's all about.  

Black and gold!  Such a lovely combination! 

The reason for the season

Image from Twitter

While I'm busy during this season with retail therapy and all things commercial, I'm always mindful that the true spirit is found in knowing that Jesus is the reason for this celebration.

I'm done with whatever I want to do at home unless I buy something that catches my eye but that is unlikely because that money can be put to better use.  

Today I will just consolidate all the recipes and choose the easiest cookies to make.  Some friends have shared their family secrets and other generous people have put it up on Pinterest so I am really quite spoilt for choice.  

I'm feeling mightily blessed for the life I lead.  Sometimes I forget to give glory to the One above.  But right now, some nice Christian songs are playing and I am slowly getting charged up to seize the moments of happiness.

Happy Sunday everyone!   S M I L E !   Jesus loves you, too.

Christmas excitement

Image from WWW

It's impossible to contain the joy and gladness one feels inside the heart.  

Add colourful lights, christmas carols, and suddenly the world takes on a different hue. 

Christmas excitement is building up and there's magic in the air!

The Christmas curtain story

The house never looks complete until I put up these curtains!  

They belonged to my MIL.  Our good friend, Diana S, gave her those curtains and I fell in love with the colours as soon as I laid eyes on them.  

Ever since I moved to Singapore, I have put up those curtains and they add a glow to the house. It takes so little to make me smile and these curtains always add to my happiness.

Each square represents something meaningful.  This is my fourth year in Singapore since moving here and I have a feeling it's going to be a fantastic one. The children will be joining us. They're newlyweds but choose to spend their first married Christmas with us.  We cannot but feel so blessed.

By the time this goes online, I hope I'm done with all the decorating and then I'm going to start baking.  *cross fingers*

And the countdown begins . . .

Christmas Mode

We're very much in Christmas mode.  With Stephen's long leave, we did so much together and made many memories for 2014 to hold us with happy thoughts.  

I'm feeling blessed and thankful for a life that allows me to do whatever I want.

Alone I can accomplish a lot but with Stephen, we are a formidable team and together we can take on every challenge that comes our way.