Thinking of 2011.

Now that Christmas is behind us my thoughts have turned to next year and things I want to do.


I have been living in a little "mummy" cocoon for the last few years and it is time for me to get back a little bit of myself.


Some things I would like to do next year include :

Learn to play the piano.

Do more cooking. Try new recipes.

Create an inspiring office area at home and bite the bullet and start my own little business.

More details to come :)

Learn another language. I'm leaning towards French or Italian.

Learn to surf, so I can share my boy's passion.

I have already started on this one! I caught 5 waves while on holiday in Byron. Stoked! :)

Live a healthier lifestyle.

I have been saying this one for ages but this year could be the year!

I want to eat fresh, organic food topped with a sprinkle of exercise 4 - 5 times a week.

Consistency is my problem!

Simon and I would also like to try and do an overseas trip together. Just for a week or so.

We would love to go back to New York but I dont know if I can leave the boys just yet!

Anyway these are just a few of the things I want to do.

I might do all of them or I might do nothing at all!

The fun part is making the list :)

What do you want to achieve?

Our Christmas Day.

Did you have a fabulous Christmas?

Our Christmas tree, the pile of pressies kept growing and growing

 We certainly did. It was the perfect day. Perfect weather , perfect food and perfect company :)

Christmas Eve started with a photo with Santa. Not a total success but I just couldnt go a year without capturing the boys with Santa. So there was an extra "boy" this year!

Hmmm, hopefully the fear will be gone by next year :)

Not too happy!

We went to see the Christmas lights then home to bed to wait for Santa.

So festive! A house at Fairlight.

Christmas morning was spent at home opening pressies and spending an hour or so playing with new toys.

The aftermath!

2 very happy boys!

 We went around the corner to my inlaws at 11.30am for more presents and a delicious Christmas lunch!

The weather was perfect for lunch on the deck and it was a feast!

Simon's place setting with slate place card from France.

Placemats and coaster made from felt. Love the china!

Little gift in front was a pocket knife for boys and lavender soap from Provence for the girls.

How fabulous to have a European vacation before Christmas!

Paul and Simon carving the meat.

Simon was getting way too much pleasure from that electric knife!

After lunch and some washing up the kids had a play and a splash around.

 So gorgeous to see all the cousins together:)

4 out of the 7 cousins having a dip!

We did squeeze one more in later :)

We were all surprised with the announcement that there will be a new cousin next Christmas. Chris and Jaye announced that they will be bringing their total of kiddies up to 4! That will be 4 under 3. That's one busy household!!

We got home around 7pm (thank goodness we just live close by) We were all soooo tired and it was an early night for all of us :)

Boxing Day consisted of me pulling down the Christmas tree and decorations and getting the house into order. Moving right along!!!

Tomorrow I will show you all our pressies. I was very spoilt :)

So I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Is your tree still up?

Merry Christmas my Friends.

Hi everyone,

I know you are all probably running around madly in these last days before Christmas but I wanted to take the time to thank you for all your lovely comments, emails and friendship that I have found this year at Honey and Fizz. 

When I started this blog in June I never expected to get so much happiness, positivity and inspiration from you all.

I want to wish you all a wonderful Christmas.

I hope you spend the day surrounded by love and happiness x

Our previous Christmases :)

Tis the season and all that, so I thought I would share with you some photos of our previous Christmases.

I am quite lucky as both mine and Simon's families celebrate Christmas Day together so there is no shuttling between families on the day. We can all relax and enjoy each others company.

We take turns each year to host Christmas Day and it is great to experience the different ways each person decorates their home and the yummy food they cook.

Here are some of our previous Christmas Days.

2007, it was our turn. I think we had about 20 people this year!

The tree

Excuse the unironed tablecloth!

Photo placecard settings, white roses and "bonbon" boxes.

Everyone!

Taking a rest after lunch :)

2008 it was my sister in law Emma's parents turn.

I told you we love to combine the families :)

I think this was my most extravagant Christmas ever. From the gorgeous house decorations to the multi course Christmas lunch. Divine!! Can't wait for their turn again!!

Our hosts. 

Aline is the best cook I know.

She is French, makes everything from scratch, vegan but cooks meat to perfection!

2009 was Christmas Day on the Central Coast at Emma & Anthony's house.

Em and Ant

The beautiful table setting.

It is my inlaw's turn this year and I can't wait.

I really love Christmas Day as you are surrounded by loved ones with no where to be and nothing else to do but enjoy fabulous food and company and watch the littlies play with their Chrissy presents.

Are you hosting Christmas Day this year?

What are your plans?

Happy Anniversary Sweetie!

11 years ago today I married my best friend :)

Happy Anniversary Sweetie!

I had to scan these pics in and I had a bit of a giggle at how young we look.

I was 21 and Simon was 22. 

Obviously I was having a huge Princess moment! The dress, the castle, the cars.

We got married at Cardinal Cerretti Chapel, in the grounds of St Patrick's Estate, followed by a reception at the then Manly Pacific Hotel.

It was a fantastic day and was definitely the day of my dreams.

Here we are 11 years later with our 2 gorgeous boys, it was a beautiful start to a beautiful life.

Summer Lovin'

My little fish!

We're loving this Summer weather!

A Christmas Party.

We had our family Christmas party on Sunday. What a perfect day it was!

Not only was the weather gloriously sunny the company was fantastic too :)

We had a lovely bbq lunch and a visit from Santa followed by some yummy dessert!

I made a Raspberry, Icecream and Malteser "concoction" and I will share the recipe with you. I think it is perfect for Christmas. Maybe it's the red raspberries but it feels very festive!!

The backyard and the pool all ready to go.

The kids all went in for a dip!

Hello Santa!

Santa had put on a few kgs since last year so his suit was very ill fitting plus he had no shoes!

Thanks Grandad :)

Jasper wasn't a fan!

We still made the 2 eldest cousins aged 18 & 21 partake in the Santa festivities :)

Of course I forgot to take pics of the food! You know what it's like once the party has started.

We had chicken, steak and sausages. Bread rolls and pesto pasta salad, potato salad, pumpkin, goats cheese and rocket salad and a warm vegetable and cous cous salad.

Dessert was cookies, lollies, fruit platter and the Raspberry Icecream Slice.

Here is Finn helping me make it.

And again I forgot to take a pic of the finished product but I have to admit it came out perfectly and looked and tasted delish!

The recipe is

200g butter, 1 1/2 cups pure icing sugar, 5 eggs, 400g dark chocolate, 3ltrs of icecream, 300g frozen raspberries, 500g maltesers.

Beat the butter and sugar until pale and creamy. Add eggs.

Melt the chocolate and add to the butter mixture.

Spoon icecream into a bowl, stand until softened and mash the rasperries in with a fork.

Line the base of a 6cm deep, 24cm x 34cm baking dish with baking paper.

Place half the maltesers in a bag and crush them.Spread over base of the dish.

Pour half the chocolate mixture over the maltesers.

Spoon over the icecream.

Top with the remaining chocolate mixture.

Crush in remaing maltesers.

Cover and freeze overnight.

Serve.

So there is a little of our Christmas party for you!