Ready for the big day.

Well, everything is organised for Christmas - the cakes are cooked and wrapped, the presents wrapped and labelled, gifts to friends and relations not nearby have been sent, the tree is up and the lights around the house all lit.

Our grandson, Nathan, has put in his list to Santa but I doubt he will get it - he would like a V8 Supercar (not a model a real one!) - not bad for a 4 year old. That's what happens when his parents and maternal grandfather race cars. I am amazed how he can tell you models of cars are on the road as we drive and if there is racing on the TV he can tell you the car and who drives it.

Last Saturday my elder sister and her family came over for a Christmas lunch - each year we hold at a different persons home and this year was my turn. We have another sister in Victoria and she comes up every other year. I decided on a BBQ this year because the weather has been so unpredictable.

The picture shows some of the family tucking into the third course. My younger son is in the yellow and elder in the black. My sister is in the blue hat.

This year I made little stockings for everyone and inside was a paper hat I made from tissue wrapping, a christmas lollypop and a game and for the girls, a beaded chain with their name on it. You can see them on the tree in the closeup.

Everyone was happy with their little gift - and my sister was most impressed with the stockings which I made on my embroidery machine. She was a sewing teacher so praise from her is a rare thing.

In case I don't manage to write before the big day can I wish all who read this blog a Christmas filled with childlike wonder and joy, a day to share with loved ones to laugh and enjoy; and may your New Year be filled with only happiness.