IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE

It's time to have a coffee and a chat - I'll tell you all about what's been happening in my world this month

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE

It's time to celebrate the end of December, Summer is well  underway down here in Australia - so, why not share a lovely Summery virtual cup of coffee with me while I update you on what's been going on in my life lately. I love a good 'Taking Stock' blog post, so I hope you'll humour me and sit a while as I share my news.

BLOGGING

My Social Saturday posts finished in November and I've replaced them with Saturday Snippets - where I share a few little bits and bobs that I've found during the week from all over the place. It's a fun weekly post - with the comments turned off so it's easy to read and move on to other weekend offerings.

It's been nice writing less, being online less, and generally finding a little bit more balance in my online vs IRL universes. It's amazing how much time goes into blogging and it's nice to pare it back a little and use it for other pastimes - and going on vacation.

HOLIDAY-ING

Last year we discovered how lovely it was to spend a few days in Rottnest (an island off the coast of Western Australia). Because we enjoyed it so much, we decided to book the same week again this year - it's a week I have off work and outside of school holiday peak time (where it's impossible to get a booking on the island). Here we are enjoying the sun and sea and getting in a little bit of quokka love (the quokka pics are taken on the verandah of our accommodation unit - they're VERY friendly!)


CHRISTMAS-ING

It was a quiet Christmas Day at our house, but that was more than compensated for when the family turned up for Boxing Day. Both our kids and their spouses and our two delightful grandgirls were here for the day. We hosted lunch for my extended family and followed up with going out for a barbeque tea with the other side of the family. Lots of eating and family time (both big favourites for me!) We also had the added bonus of a few extra days with our son, DIL and grandgirls staying with us - bliss!


COLOURING

Since I've reduced my time online, I've had spare hours in my week - and I've wiled away some of them doing colouring-in. I love all the books that are available these days and I bought a pretty one to share with the young girl I volunteer with at our local primary school. There were plenty of pictures left afterwards and I've had fun doing a few of them at home. You can't beat fairies, mermaids and unicorns!


JIGSAWING

It's holiday time and there was enough free space in my lead up to Christmas to put this fun little jigsaw together. Another freebie from the library and easy to finish. I might even squeeze another in over January!


WATCHING

It's been a good month for movie watching. Early in December we went to see the latest Robin Hood incarnation. A bit of a twist on the usual Men in Tights type Robin, a little bit grittier and it tried really hard. Can't say I loved it, but I didn't hate it either.

Just before Christmas we also went to see Mortal Engines - a future dystopian take on earth after the "60 Minute War". Lots of action, good acting, amazing sets, and a little bit of romance thrown in for good measure. We both really enjoyed it (and the free popcorn and Coke that was part of the deal!)


THAT'S IT FOR NOW

Is there anything interesting happening in your world? Feel free to update me in the comments - I'm sure there was lots happening over your Christmas break. I'm looking forward to my next catch-up with you at the end of January, I'm sure there'll be lots to chat about then too.


It's time to have a coffee and a chat - I'll tell you all about what's been happening in my world this month

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23 comments

  1. Wishing you a Happy New Year!

    I'm setting up a jigsaw table and going to play with that this next month. Looking forward to some quiet afternoons doing that in fact. And coloring... my current book is mandalas and yes, it is amazingly restful.

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    1. I just find jigsaws and colouring so "zen" for want of a better word Pat. Our kids gave me a personalized jigsaw for Christmas - so that's next on my list and will definitely be included in my January coffee post!

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  2. Happy New Year to you. I've spent the time between Christmas and New Year pretty much faffing about reading and in the pool...and reading in the pool...with a little binge-watching in between. As an aside, you can never have too many quokka pics...

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    1. There's nothing better than faffing - unless it's faffing by a pool Jo :) I love this time of the year when there are no commitments - just lots of faff time - Happy New Year to you too x

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  3. Happy New Year to you Leanne, I enjoyed your taking stock post, as usual, and loved the photos of your celebrations, you all look so happy and content. I'm glad to hear you're enjoying some time away from blogging and I must admit I am taking a bit of a break too. It's good for us to step away from the keyboard and online presence sometimes and just relax, in my case I'm reading voraciously. All the best, see you in 2019 xx

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    1. I haven't had time to read since the family descended for Christmas Debbie - 2 year old story telling is about as good as it got. They've all left now, so I'll be cranking up the reading and doing the fantastic jigsaw I got for Christmas, then back to work in a week or so and another year underway - where does the time go?

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  4. Happy New Year, Leanne - It's nice to share this catch-up with you...it seems like such a long time. Congratulations on your extra time spent off-line. It was interesting to read how you've been spending this new found time.
    I love your Saturday Snippets. Thanks for sharing them!

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    1. Hi Donna - Happy New Year to you too. I don't think I've been as quiet on my blog as you have recently - it's funny though, how a change of schedule and cutting back for a while can give us a bit of refreshment and hopefully it will rev us up for the year ahead.

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  5. It is so nice to get caught up for the month! I have been battling a cold/cough for most of the month and my husband actually has pneumonia! The fun couple, keeping a low profile and looking forward to clear lungs for the New Year!! Wishing you all the best for a Happy New Year!

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    1. Sorry to hear you've both been unwell Haralee - the joys of Winter I'm afraid. We're here basking in the Aussie sunshine and colds and flus are a distant memory - they'll be back with a vengeance just as yours are being conquered though.

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  6. Hello Leanne, wishing you and your family and loved ones a very Happy New Year. I hope you find even more contentment with life in the coming year. I'm looking forward to reading your blog posts in 2019. All the best. Cheryl

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    1. Hi Cheryl - thanks for your good wishes. I can't believe we're into another year already and 2018 has been and gone. I'll be popping over to read your posts too - don't forget to link them up with us at #MLSTL if you get the chance x

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    2. Thanks Leanne! Yep, 2018 was over in a flash. Let's hope 2019 takes a bit longer to get through :-) I'll get to #MLSTL this month, promise!!

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  7. Happy New Year my BBB, I know 2019 is going to be great because WE WILL BE MEETING IN REAL LIFE! Can you tell I'm just a little excited LOL:) Your December looked so relaxed and happy and you have such a gorgeous family. I think we need to match your two beautiful granddaughters with my handsome grandsons! I also enjoy your Saturday Snippets and as always your coffee catchup. Wishing you every happiness and joy for 2019 and more happy blogging adventures together. xxx

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    1. Hi Sue - only a few weeks until we actually get to sit down and have a real cuppa together - really hard to believe isn't it? I'm looking forward to it ridiculously more than I expected :) It will be lovely to meet some of the other girls too. I definitely think we could match our grandies up - it'd be another great connection - we just have to figure out how to get them to meet in 20 years time :)

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  8. Sounds like a lovely December and holiday. I love your coloring books and jigsaw puzzle. I also find them 'zen'. I've set up my puzzle table again and just finished one this week. Now to find another -- we don't have them at the libraries here. Happy New Year!

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    1. Hi Janet - I'm about to get my jigsaw table out again too. It was purloined into being part of the Christmas table set up and then put away while we had the grandgirls here. I got a lovely puzzle for Christmas so I'll be tackling that in the next week or so.

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  9. I need to do some coloring!
    Happy New Year dear Leanne!

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    1. It's very theraputic Lusine :) Happy New Year to you too x

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  10. We love movies, board games and crafts too and you can never have too many unicorns and rainbows.

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    1. I think we might be kindred spirits Chantelle! Nothing beats unicorns and rainbows (except maybe mermaids and fairies!)

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  11. I have two adult coloring books. They are fun aren't they? I've been trying to read more too so that's something I enjoy when I'm away from the computer and my phone. Happy New Year to you and yours! #AnythingGoes

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  12. Leanne, you'd think we would by a certain age have this whole "balance" thing figured out, but it sure doesn't look like it! It will continue to be my goal for yet another year. I can't really cut back on my blogging--I post just once a week--but I can step away from some of the "blogging-related" stuff and maybe gain a bit more balance.

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Thanks so much for your comment - it's where the connection begins.