Christmas 2013 was a busy time and a happy time

A new smaller tree was up and decorated before December even started thanks to Darling Daughter.

Dear Husband and I have patchwork stockings

Darling Daughter and Surfer Boy have their very old felt stockings hanging out ready for Santa

The Christmas door mats are ready to welcome visitors

I went to a fabulous local production of A Christmas Carol.  It was a great night out, loved my front row seat so I could really see all the fantastic costumes.

Peppermint Bark.  Tick!

Darling Daughter came home with a Christmas ham from her employer.  Isn't that great.

I visited my dad and made sure he was ready for Christmas too.

Lots of present wrapping, especially at our little Kindrawares shop.

The 2013 Kindrawares collection of handmade Christmas decorations looked great on our stick tree.  

I decided to add a little bit of Christmas sparkle to my bed.  Why not!

This local Christmas decorating caught my eye while out walking Miss Ruby.  

Santa visits our village every Christmas morning distributing lollies and Christmas cheer to everyone.  Great effort by the local volunteer firies.  Notice the bag of lollies in the air heading towards the biggest kid in our house.........Dear Husband.

Breakfast table 

Lunch table.  Pine cones from my sisters farm and mini stockings knit by my Nana many years ago make our table a real family gathering.  

The Tiny Bear Advent did make it all the way to Christmas

16th December - These bears are very clever! I placed these new Christmas decorations on our tree last night and they seem to have borrowed them. Peace, Wish, Joy and Noël xo

17th December - These little bears are scallywags. I bought this Christmas Pudding scented candle only yesterday and overnight they have put it to good use toasting marshmallows! Sweet treats xo

18th December - A cracking time was had last night! While I was out at our street Christmas gathering the bears found my squirrel nut cracker and they managed to operate it. Cheers xo

19th December - The reason for the season. The little bears have managed to get themselves all costumed up and made their very own nativity........minus a few animals but you get the idea I'm sure.  Memories of the yearly school nativity play come flooding back. Peace xo

20th December - Wow, these little bears are truly amazing! Overnight they've assembled the gingerbread house kit I had hoped to get done over the weekend.  Looks so good I could eat it for breakfast!  Happy xo

21st December - A string of pretty Christmas lights has kept the bears busy for quite a while by the look of it. Hot work on a very hot night in Eastern Australia. No white Christmas looming for us! Sparkle xo

22nd December - I decided to leave a candy cane out on a plate for the little bears last night. I had one left over after making peppermint bark. They have worked so hard for three weeks I think they might they need a bit more energy for the last three nights before Christmas. Bliss xo

23rd December - The little bears are too clever. Now they've got onto my laptop and into my Pinterest account and found a pine cone decorating idea I had saved. Little pom poms stuffed into the spaces makes a great little tree for them. Love their tree topper! O Christmas tree xo

24th December - Oh no, my little bears are into the Christmas chocolates before me! Seems I may have sewn a bit of my chocolate addiction into each of them. Christmas is a time for sharing. Love xo

Christmas Eve - I'm heading off to bed and I just checked on the little bears. They all tucked up in bed, their stockings are hanging and they've put out a little plate of Christmas cake for Santa. T'was the night before Christmas xo

Christmas Day - I just snuck out to see if Santa had visited our house overnight and it seems he has. The little bears were off their table and scrambling around under the Christmas tree eager to find their presents. Merry Christmas everyone! xo

1st January - After a busy time preparing for Christmas it appears that my little bears like to let their fur down and party. I got up to our needy dog in the middle of the night because tourists were celebrating NYE with very loud fireworks at the beach to find a bit of celebrating going on in my house. They had invited half a dozen bear friends and they were all enjoying themselves around a little bowl filled with keys! Those naughty little bears aren't as wholesome as I once thought! Happy 2014 xo

Well after a very busy time in December it is time for the bears to go into a well deserved hibernation!

Tiny Bear Advent update.........not long to go now

4th December - I guess the bears must have been looking for boughs of holly in my garden. No luck! They have made do with swags of rosemary and it was a big team effort to get it back to their table. Sharing xo

5th December - It seems the tiny bears have been reading the Christmas magazines that are beside my bed! They've turned the boughs of rosemary into mini wreaths tied with kitchen string. I had thought I would make these for our Christmas table setting. I hope they whip up a few more for me. I have always loved decorating my house for Christmas and this year I have the tiniest helpers. Joy! xo

6th December - It took two tiny bears to hold the pencil but they got it done. All good little boys and girls need to be quick and get their letter off to Santa at the North Pole. Ho Ho Ho! xo

7th December - That's not mistletoe! I guess the little bears are improvising. The old fashioned Christmas tradition of hanging a piece of mistletoe so people would have to kiss when they passed under it. My English Nana always had a piece hanging at the back door at their farm house. I miss that place. Christmas is all about family and traditions. Love xo

8th December - Hey, the tiny bears have the same wrapping paper that I bought! I hope they can help me to wrap presents, that's one job I don't enjoy at Christmas time. Giving xo

9th December - While the cat's away the mice will play. What are they up to now! I hope someone gives little Frosty a paw to hang on to, he's so tiny! Fun with family and friends. xo

10th December - Why? Because it's there I guess. These tiny bears love getting up to lots of mischief while I sleep. Christmas is a fun time of year! Enjoy xo

11th December - It seems even little bears have to have a photo with Santa. They're are all lined up waiting for Roly to take their pictures, even Grandma has brought their little cousin Violet to meet Santa. Christmas tradition xo

12th December - Tiny carollers all in a line. I didn't hear their voices overnight but they'll be ready for the local carols by candlelight this weekend I'm sure. Joy to the world xo

13th December - I think the little bears look a bit green with envy. They found my front row ticket and program for the local production of Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol that I went to last evening. It was a fabulous show, a reminder to not be like Ebenezer Scrooge, no bar humbugs from me! Christmas is about giving. Caring xo

14th December - The little bears are busily writing their Christmas cards this morning. Is this Christmas tradition slowly disappearing with the advances in social media and email? Sadly I think so, we've only received one card so far this year. I hope the little bears get a few wishing them a very Merry Christmas. Greetings xo

15th December - The little bears are improvising today! Frosty is teaching Ted and lil' Mate all about snow angel making with a pile of rice. It would be lovely to experience a white Christmas just once in my life! Snow xo

I really hope this little advent is bringing the magic of Christmas into your life this festive season.   

Lisa xo

It seems there is a Tiny Bear Advent happening at my house this year......

I came out this morning the 3rd of December to find these little bears of mine huddled around waiting for their Christmas gingerbread bears to cool. I especially love the bear oven glove!

Just a tiny bit of Christmas cheer for the young and young at heart.

Yesterday the 2nd of December I found them giving Santa a boost up so he could hang a Christmas wreath. Lots of paws make light work!

On Sunday morning the 1st of December, which happened to be my birthday I did notice the bears were up to something! When I had a closer look Roly and the Santa's were trying their hardest to hang a tiny strand of Christmas bells. Roly's little mate Bud was stabilising the upturned wooden bowl with Ted.

 I think there might be a little Christmas advent of sorts happening at my house while we sleep!

A bit of history about these tiny bears. 

They are very cute! All only 3" tall or smaller. I made all of them by hand many years ago. I must have sewn a little bit of my Christmas spirit into them because they are certainly getting excited about Christmas! I can't wait to get up every morning to see what they've been up to overnight.  

So much fun knowing your house is full of Christmas preparations even by the littlest residents.

Believe!

Lisa xo

PS - You can check in every day and see what they are up to if you follow me on Instagram 'lisaplainjane' or use the button on my sidebar.  I promise I will keep this advent happening, sure to make someone's Christmas just a little bit brighter.

Busy, busy, busy.................

........creating a very special range of hand made Christmas decorations exclusive to our little Kindrawares shop in Coolamon.  

The shop has had a huge clean out and redress this past weekend..............it's looking so good.  Biased opinion here of course!

It's time I started thinking about starting my Christmas shopping and making a few special new decorations for my own tree.  Only 7 weeks to go!  Oh no!  I'm never very organised............I know we have all year to do it but I just never seem to manage to get it underway earlier in the year.  How about you?