What’s been making me happy: December

Well, here we are in the last month of a year that I think no one will forget for a very long time. The last 12 months have been incredibly testing for many and while 2020 will be farewelled with much gusto, the challenges that come with dealing with a global pandemic won’t magically disappear when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve. I sincerely hope however, that we take away a few lessons from this last year: the importance of family and friends, of of fresh air and being outside, and of good health. Simple pleasures, but ones that fill your heart and head with joy.

Here’s what’s been making me smile this month…

CHRISTMAS PREPARATIONS

The tree is up, my festival playlist is on high rotation and the consumption of Australian Christmas staples (cherries, peaches, nectarines and mangoes) is occurring daily. While much of the focus is on December 25th, Christmas for me, is really all about the whole month of December. I enjoy the present buying and wrapping, adding festive touches around the house (toddler proof ones this year ;)) and the long, languid catch-ups with friends. I know for many that won’t be possible this Christmas due to new restrictions coming into play. I’m thinking of you and hope you’ll find a way to look after yourself and your loved ones.

I envisaged a navy/bronze/cream theme for my Christmas presents this year, but after digging out all of my wrapping supplies I had such an abundance of red that it felt wasteful to go out and buy new, just because. Adam, Paul and myself are looking forward to relatively quiet Christmas. We’re not travelling this year and while there will be a celebratory lunch with extended Wagga Wagga based family on the big day itself, that’s really all we’ve got planned.

BIRTHDAY CAKE

I celebrated a birthday earlier this month with a very understated day of festivities. There was a quiet coffee in a bustling cafe; thoughtful gifts; phone calls, messages and cards from near and far; a restful afternoon nap and an absolutely delicious birthday cake courtesy of Adam. An orange and poppyseed cake with cream cheese icing to be precise that was moist, not too sweet and got better with age. I’ve never been a huge cake devotee, but this cake had something that saw me setting aside a few minutes for afternoon tea day after day. The cake’s well and truly gone now, but I’ve got a feeling it’ll be a repeat order for many more birthdays to come.

SUMMER SKIES

We’ve been treated to some spectacular summer skies these last few weeks. Incredible sunsets filled with pinks, purples, oranges and yellows; still sunrises peppered by birdsong and the distant rumble of grain laden trucks; and thunderstorms that blacken the sky and dump rain leaving the world refreshed. If you’ve been reading here a little while you’ll have noticed I’m a regular sky-watcher – it really is some of the best entertainment there is. I love the changing light and colours. No two days ever look completely the same and appreciating the subtleties of our sky is one of my greatest joys.

What’s been making you happy this month?

Have a safe and merry Christmas and thank you once again for being part of this little community. I’ll be taking a break over the festive period but I’m looking forward to sharing more with you in 2021. Catch you in January.

Have a wonderful week.

M. x