When you say 'Australia' most people automatically think of Summer heat, bush-land, flies, barbeques... and whilst there's so much more to my homeland, funnily enough, those words are all too apt for what the family farm is all about, though this year we were spoilt with days that never went above the high 30's (100°F) and almost no flies.
The girls love the wide open spaces of the farm, the pockets of native bush, and the enormous trees under which we carved magic rooms with some proactive pruning. There's a tree house, a permanent mud-making kitchen, a frog that lives in one of the bathrooms, neighbourly cows which visit, and endless adventures to be had if that list isn't appealing enough. I suspect Happy Husband enjoys the ride-on-mower best, but there's also something else; he feels free. I feel it too. Perhaps it doesn't matter where you holiday, or with whom, you're on holiday, and by definition you're free from housework, homework, work-work, and the ruts and routines you're escaping from, however briefly.
The last months of 2011 saw the start of this party - crafty blog, and I have so many more party ideas, games, activities for toddlers, craft projects, experiments, failures and inspirations to share with you in 2012; the draft blog posts and half-way finished projects is already enormous!
For now though... there's no place home, and the pull-down of all our Christmas paraphernalia.
(And before I forget - with 80% of all votes, the most popular answer for the poll I conducted in December for 'what material makes the best Christmas tree?' the answer was "whatever makes you happy" followed by paper and chocolate - good job everyone!)
Happy 2012, and here's to a crafty year ahead with all of you. x