Welcome 2012

Here's cheers 
to you 
for a 
happy 
and 
healthy 
2012

© 2012 Francesca Muir

Your Postcard from Sydney 2011

Happy New Year from Sydney

and 

thank you 
for all your support.     
Looking forward 
to seeing 
you all next year. . . . 
in a few days!

© 2011 Francesca Muir

The Christmas Eve Scotland Island Dog Race

 

Every Christmas Eve there is a dog race like no other in the world. 

The Scotland Island Dog Race is located in the tranquil waters of Pittwater, where dogs from all over the bay swim from Scotland Island to Church Point. 

It started out many years ago as a bet between two locals who were arguing about whose dog could swim the fastest.

Today it is an institution of epic proportions in terms of the number of contestants and spectators.

Entry fee is a long neck bottle of beer (for the owner) and a can of dog food.  These 'fees' are divided amongst all the winners  - there are divisions in this race you know!

I have never quite understood the rules - but never mind I am not sure the participants have either because you see it's that sort of race,  where anything goes! 

But the big-hearted jocularity with which dogs (and owners) of all breeds, shapes, colours and sizes participate is a joy to behold.

Some, like Milo prefer to watch from a distance!

This auspicious occasion on the Scotland Island calendar has even inspired local cartoonist Gwyn Perkins

 Merry Christmas 
and 
may you all be 
winners!


Scotland Island Dog Race

© 2011 Francesca Muir

Alfresco dining

.... the only way to eat over the Christmas period in Australia 

Love it!

© 2011 Francesca Muir

Your Postcard from the Christmas Tree

Oh Christmas tree

Oh Christmas tree
Oh how I love your little faces!

© 2011 Francesca Muir

A hand-made and rustic

A hand-made rustic Christmas reindeer (thank you Paper Runway) is very happy roaming amongst the little wooden trees on my sideboard

A collection of identical free postcards from my local cafe (thank you Avantcard) are framed in cardboard and literally strung up over the fireplace with coloured wooden pegs

Co-ordinate paper, ribbon, handmade gift tags and decorations to make gifts visually gorgeous!

Add a red ribbon and red decoration to dress up plain brown or artist's paper - stunning!

I put items of jewellery in cotton bags adorned with wooden angels - so cute!

Handmade gift tags with Christmas ribbon is the perfect finish

If you don't want to hang your decorations, glue them onto wooden pegs and then peg them up for a change

My summer fireplace is full of fresh hydrangeas and bamboo rice baskets from Thailand...

and hanging overhead....

.... a rustic Noel to you!

© 2011 Francesca Muir

The icing on the cake!

I've just finished decorating my drunken fruit cake.
You know there is something very satisfying about making the decorations - little marzipan oranges. 
Not only do they look gorgeous, they taste good too.
  I always make extra as some just never seem to make it onto the cake!

To make: simply roll marzipan into cumquat-sized balls. 
Push a toothpick through one end and then carefully roll the ball over a fine grater to create little indentations.

Gently toss in orange colouring (carefully add a drop or 2 of cochineal to yellow colouring) and put onto greaseproof paper to dry.   
Remove the toothpick and replace with a clove.   
Allow to dry for at least 24 hours in a cool dry spot.   
Voilà you have glorious, edible oranges. 
I like to simply add blanched almonds for a rustic look.

© 2011 Francesca Muir

Favourite birds, buttons and a boat

.... vintage tiles over the fireplace....

.... tin and linen birds hang out with wooden buttons

.... joined by a very elegant Cardinal

.... and a very handsome paper parrot in a blue coat

.... add to the mix a wooden robin who thinks he is Santa

.... a state-of-the-art bird house

.... a potty paper bird

.... a wise old well-read owl

.... a pair of speckled hens

.... a red enamel chick

.... a wooden wren

and a beautiful fabric caique (Greek fishing boat) made by my friend  
Eleni Patsaki

.... and you have a few of my favourite things at Christmas.
What are yours?

© 2011 Francesca Muir

My local shops in December

I love the flair, creativity, colour and occasional sense of whimsey the local shop keepers have employed in putting together their December shop windows.

One of the best bookshops around Pages and Pages features a favourite - 

"Chasing a Dream" by Carla Coulson

Hydrangeas, poinsettias and Christmas wreaths tumble onto the street at The Floral Craftsman 

 

And The Cheese Man has a particularly interesting view on the month of December!

    

© 2011 Francesca Muir taken with my iPhone 4