Saturday, December 24, 2011

A Little Gratitude and a Give-Away

One of the first things we teach our kids is how to say please and thank you. Mumma, Dadda, and ta were the first words my girls learnt to say. This post is all about showing a little gratitude and saying thank you, I think it's especially important to be thankful at this time of the year, don't you? 

So without any further adieu, here are some things I'm thankful for at the moment:

I'm thankful for having a family to spend Christmas day with, Anthony is away working and it would be rather lonely with just me and the girls...to be honest we'd probably be eating sandwiches for lunch if it was up to me!

My family...there was one more sister to come a few years later...
x

I'm thankful for receiving gorgeous presents from far-flung lands and lovely bloggy friends...

You could have knocked me over with a feather when I received a parcel from Liz yesterday. I knew Liz was sending me this gorgeous apron

 A cross stitched boxing kangaroo and a map of Australia!
Apron perfection!

but look at all the other wonderful treasures I found inside her parcel...

* the most gorgeous calendar

* 150th anniversary of W.A. souvenir tablecloth in pristine condition

* one of Liz's famous hand-made tea cosy's. So thick and, well...cosy. Guaranteed to keep your pot warm and in one of my all-time favourite colour combos. 
Liz makes them to order btw. You should see her liquorice allsorts cosy! Gorgeous. Click here  for more info.

* a funny Scottish t.towel (I always wondered what mingin meant Liz!)

* the little book is an old grade one school reading book issued by the N.S.W. Education Department. It's a perfect example of how greatly the standards and expectations of children at this age has changed over the years (and not in a good way!) Have a look...

 I wonder how this little Australian reader ended up in a charity shop in Scotland...

Lovely Max, dolls house maker extrordinaire (and all round nice girl) sent me a package of loveliness too

that groovy looking retro fabric you can see at the back is a peg bag...hands down, the nicest I've ever seen.

Please spare a thought for Max and her family. Poor old Christchurch has been battered by earthquakes again and more are expected. Some Christmas! Max was in the garden with her little daughter during the first one, she describes it like this:

"surreal. with the ground waving up and down like someone shaking out a sheet. And so long I thought it would never stop. I had to hold a tree so as not to fall"

What can I say?

I am so thankful that I have not had to endure a natural disaster like the people of Christchurch. I hope they are spared further quakes. Stay safe Max and co. Stay safe Kiwis.

To top it off, this time a little closer to home, I also received this

gorgeous vintage chenille sun-dress from lovely Tam who read I was on the hunt for one and kindly sent it over, just like that! Lucky girl, aren't I. 

No pics of me in it because it's a smidge on the short side, and my legs (and my ego!) are not up to public scrutiny. Perfect for popping on over my bathers though. 

 x

I'm also grateful to be Adelaide and Annabel's Mum. They are healthy, bright and gorgeous and I love them even though their bedrooms are always messy and they drive me crazy when they fight.

Christmas 2009...I've always loved this pic

and I still need to remind them to say please and thank you btw.

x

Now, the give-away (you deserve one for getting this far!) To thank you for reading Lucy Vi during the year, and to wish you a Merry Christmas I am giving away a 2012 Frankie diary...

I picked up the little nativity from Vinnies a couple of days ago...couldn't resist it because it is made in Bethlehem!

All you need to do is comment. Open to anyone, anywhere. No need to be a follower, but I'd be particularly chuffed if one of my lovely followers was the lucky winner.

I don't know about you, but in my neck of the woods these things are as scarce as hen's teeth! So get commenting!

I'll use random generator to choose a winner, lets say on the 7th of Jan, that should give you plenty of time...

Please note: I've changed my mind regarding the cut-off date for this little give-away. After all, what good's a diary if you can't start writing in it in the beginning of the year! The winner will now be chosen on the 1st of Jan. I hope that's ok, it just makes more sense to me doing it then x


x

p.s. still looking for a new home for this 

32 comments:

  1. Aren't you very thoughtful having a giveaway...Merry Christmas to you and yours x

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  2. Merry Christmas Kylie and family.
    I am totally jelous of your amazing Kanga apron *HOW CUTE IS IT?!?*
    And the Chenille sundress is completely awsome, I would be tempted to wear it with a floral bathing cap.
    The pic of your girls is great.
    (Love the huge chalk board)

    SANTA WILL BE AT MY HOUSE TOMORROW NIGHT YAY!

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  3. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    I never tire of seeing the beautiful parcels which are exchanged via the network of thoroughly good people around the world who love to blog.
    THANK-YOU for your support. Thank-you for your fascinating and visually stimulating feast of a blog.

    I get all overblown on Christmas Eve!


    Have a wonderful time,

    Lucy x

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  4. Merry Christmas! I got myself the Frankie diary for xmas, so don't enter me in the giveaway, but have a great day tomorrow!

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  5. Merry Christmas, have a lovely day with your family xox

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  6. I my, yes please enter me in this delightful give-away.
    Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas. x

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  7. Have a fabulous Xmas, Kylie. Thank you for your wonderful blog. Look forward to reading more of you in the New Year. Xx

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  8. merry christmas kylie and your gorgeous family, I've LOVED reading your blog this year and so glad I 'virtually' met you xxx

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  9. Dear Kylie, your positive attitude is brilliant and yes we do have lot's to be thankful for. Please don't enter me for your giveaway I really just wanted to say, I've really enjoyed reading your blog and the snippets of your life you share, so thank you.....
    Happy Christmas from across the pond
    Sophie xx

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  10. That piccie of your girls reminds me of my boys - except when mine fight there are no smiles. It's all-out war. They're on their best behaviour at the mo, though. Of course.

    I wish you a lovely happy Christmas Kylie.

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  11. It' devastating isn't it? My dads been in ChCh rebuilding but went home for Xmas so thankfully missed the quakes..our hearts and prayers are with everyone though.
    Merr y Xmas Kylie, I hope you and your girls have a wonderful day.

    Ps I have a diary for twenty 12 so please don't enter me :)

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  12. Merry Christmas!! I wish you ALL the best for 2012 and look forward to seeing more of your beautiful blog in the new year!

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  13. Lovely post hun, and what fabulous gifts :o) Wishing you an amazing christmas and a wonderful new year, here's to another fabulous year of blogging - its been a real joy to have 'met' you. Big Love Scarlett x

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  14. Glad you liked all the little bits and pieces. Have a wonderful Christmas.
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  15. I love that Christmas Pic of the girls too. It's those fluke captured moments of life that say so much more than a posed shot but you have to be lucky enough to get them. Merry Christmas to you my thoughtful girl.

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  16. Have a wonderful xmas Kylie!! Have loved all your childhood santa piccies. So cute. That towelling number is gorgeous. You could add some length with some cotten tassles or pom poms,

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  17. Love the sun dress. That has inspired me to try and make a small version for my friend's little girl. Now I am going to start hunting for fabric! I really like the pic of your girls too- it's a winner!

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  18. I love the chenille sun dress sooo cute! Love the pic of your girls and all your new goodies lucky you!

    xx

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  19. i saw a blog post about this journal the other day and NEED one cos i have absolutely no ide what its all about! haha!!

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  20. Kylie, enjoyed all the photos. You're lucky to have so many sisters! (Of course I would be jealous, I have two brothers.) Lovely gifts and sentiments - we really should think about what we're thankful for.

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  21. I just love reading your posts, you are one of the sweetest bloggers. I think that goes a long way to explaining why you receive such lovely packages. Merry Christmas once again.

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  22. Happy Christmas lovely! You look gorgeous in your post above, as to your girls in this one. I predict an unedifying scramble to get our hands on the lovely giveaway prizes you're offering, I'll join the scrum please!

    xxx

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  23. a frankie journal! that must be something...
    that photo of the girls is quite amazing, actually!
    n♥
    merry, merry, love.

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  24. Yay for another giveaway! Love your pretty op shop maxi dress too. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Xx

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  25. Aw what a sweet giveaway! I've enjoyed your thrifty finds this year! Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year!

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  26. i would love to be entered thank you! :) xxx

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  27. There is so much to be grateful for.... thanks for reminding me of that and thanks for doing an awesome giveaway, Happy 2012, bring it on I say!

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  28. Hi Kylie, so glad you liked the dress (it looks soo much better in your photo) and the biggest thank you for the gorgeous calender, we love it!

    LOVE the crazy penguin!!!!!!!!

    Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and heres cheers for a fantastic 2012, full of good health, happiness, and lots of lovelies.

    ps, thanks for the link.

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  29. Have been a Frankie fan for a while now, but only a new fan of LUCY VIOLET VINTAGE. The two together, almost as awesome as the penguin. Here's wishing you a happy new year!

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  30. I would love to enter this giveaway :)
    Also your Christmas tree post made me smile, thank you

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  31. Hoping I'm not too late to be counted in for this one,been away at the sea you see! Love that sun dress- can you model it sometime? Melx

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  32. I LOVE Australiana and that bag too!

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