Category: christmas

2018 · christmas · recipe

Shortbread recipe.

JustBindyLeave a comment

Hi friends,

I hope you are all having a beautiful December.
Today I did a little Christmas baking (Kringle the elf insisted we do it), so shortbread was made!

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This is my shortbread recipe, I posted it over on Bella In Bindyland years & years ago, but I thought it was worth sharing here!

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It’s a simple recipe but always seems to be a winner. I personally don’t eat a lot of shortbread, so it’s not my favourite – but Trent loves it and every time I take a box to a party or get together they always disappear quickly.

Ingredients:

  • 175g or 1 1/2 cups of  plain (all purpose) flour
  • 125g or 3/4 cup of rice flour
  • A pinch of salt.
  • 200g unsalted butter, softentend
  • 4 tablespoons of caster (super fine) sugar
  • Extra caster sugar for sprinkling on the biscuits when they are baked

Directions: 

  1. Preheat your oven to 190 degrees (or 375 degrees F).
  2. Line baking trays with baking paper.
  3. In a separate bowl sift the two kinds of flour together, add a pinch of salt to the bowl.
  4. In your mixing bowl cream the butter and sugar together until light & fluffy.
  5. Slowly add flour mix to creamed butter & sugar, gently mix until combined.
  6. Roll out dough into a disc and cover with baking paper or cling wrap. Place in fridge to chill for 1/2 hour.
  7. Now with a cookie cutter cut out shapes!! (If you don’t want to do this, you can make it in a slice tray and just pre-cut little squares into the dough every 3cm).
    I just think stars look pretty!
  8. Bake for 5 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 150degrees or 300 degrees F & cook for a further 15-20 minute or until shortbread is a light golden colour.
  9. Remove from oven and sprinkle caster sugar over top while still warm.
  10. Cool on rack and then enjoy!

This recipe made about 60 small stars.

I hope you enjoy this recipe and if you make it please let me know.

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2018 · activities · christmas

Elf on the shelf plan & Dec 1st box video!

JustBindyLeave a comment

Hey everyone,

Ok December is TOMORROW… I really thought it was just new years… But here we are almost at Christmas!!
Anyway – December 1st means…. THE ELF ARRIVES!

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Elf house construction has been happening for the past few days here…

Yes, if you remember from previous years – we have an elf, Kringle…
In our house we go all out, I love Christmas and love any excuse to be over the top festive!
I’m not really a fan of the elf doing naughty antics, so I plan more funny little set ups or he shows what we are doing for that day…
Tomorrow he will arrive and bring with him our 1st of December box full of lots of goodies for the children, I just posted a video showing the contents of the box – so please CLICK HERE to watch that!
Here is our monthly plan for Kringle’s time with us…

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Now I don’t follow this plan to a tee, it’s more an outlook for our December, so I can see what’s coming up and honestly we all have those moments as we just settle in for a good nights sleep in our comfy bed and then that thought pops into our minds – “darn it – I didn’t move the bloody elf!!” and you have to get up out of bed, half asleep and find the blasted thing and think of something on the spot.
So for me this list is an attempt to avoid too many moments like that.
It’s just our basic monthly plan, I can easily see what’s planned and what is happening at a glance and be inspired…
When I have funny set ups planned, that leaves me space to search for inspiration for a new setup or use one I’ve listed to the side… Also if we have something come up in December like a Christmas outing I’ll just work it into our plan…
I also have purposely left some blank days, that’s to give flexibility to swap things around and for last minute activities or outings!
I wrote this blog post last year with 5 tips to stay sane while our little festive visitor is with us… So I highly recommend you CLICK HERE to read that!

If you would like some elf inspiration please check out the hashtag #KringleTheScottsElf on instagram to see what I’ve done in previous years, or CLICK HERE to see it.

Also for December I write out our Christmas Bucket List and this also gives me ideas for what to do during the month…

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I find writing these lists gives me constant inspiration on what to do during the month and just helps my mind be a little less cluttered with trying to remember every tiny thing.
Do you have a rough plan for what you are doing with your elf or for the month of December?? What is your favourite antic your Elf got up to last year! I would love some inspiration for new cute/funny antics! Comment below or on my social media!
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2017 · christmas · video · youtube

Meeting Santa’s Reindeer. {Vlogmas day 4}

JustBindyLeave a comment

Hey friends,

So, so far I have uploaded for 4 days consecutively, woo hoo go me… Going into vlogmas I was a little worried how I would go, but that being said the month is still young and I will congratulate myself properly on boxing day.
Anyway, on Saturday our local shopping centre hosted Santa’s arrival complete with a reindeer to meet!
Naturally we were there eagerly waiting to see Santa and his sweet friend and I vlogged that day – well, the best I could, on my own with 2 small children…
To check out our vlog from that day, please click HERE.
And a few snaps of the star of the show, “Radar” the red deer…

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I hope you all have had a lovely weekend.
I hope you enjoyed our first “daily vlog” for Vlogmas… If you have any video requests please let me know in the comments. 
If you have missed some of the vlogmas videos so far you can watch
DAY 1,
DAY 2 &
DAY 3 –
by clicking on them. Or check out my youtube channel HERE.
Have a lovely day
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2017 · christmas · video · vlogmas · youtube

VLOGMAS Day 1.

JustBindyLeave a comment

Hey friends,
So after much deliberation and then asking my instagram followers I have decided to do VLOGMAS this year…
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Vlogmas for those that don’t know is one video per day between the 1st of December until the 25th.
To check out my first video please click HERE.

If you have any suggestions for videos you would like to see during vlogmas please comment below or connect with me on social media!
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Have a great weekend!
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2017 · christmas · tips

5 tips to stay sane with THE ELF ON THE SHELF! 

JustBindy1 Comment

Hi friends…
It’s the 27th of November… Despite that being both of my brother’s birthday, it is also 3 days until DECEMBER!!
Meaning, if you have an Elf on the Shelf – his arrival is coming up rather quickly…
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For today’s post I have 5 tips to make your elf’s visit pleasant rather than stressful…

  1. Make a plan, but don’t be too strict. I set out a monthly plan so I have inspiration and a general idea of what will happen – but I know I can easily swap days around, I also leave a few days blank so I can see how our month is going and add in plans we come up with later on. I even coordinated a few days with my best friend, so our kids can have Christmas themed play dates on certain days that the elf will announce. Having a plan is my top tip or even just 25-30 rough ideas of how to stage it, or just make a Pinterest board of elf ideas you love & wish to recreate. Basically, just have some ideas going into December with what you want to do. (Also have a plan for nights that you can’t be stuffed doing much with it, or a plan in case you forget to move it!)
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  2. Don’t go overboard, do not set unrealistic expectations or plan too big… December is a busy and big month for everyone – add in planing and setting up an extra visitor every night can be a lot of work. Keep it simple.
  3. Use what you have, don’t feel the need to buy all new props for the elf. Raid your kids toys. Our Generation, Lego, Barbie, basically any toys are great for elf accessories and props – even your Christmas decor!
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  4. Have fun, with it. Don’t view it as a chore – encourage your husband to even think up a few stunts for the elf so you can set it up together. Don’t over think it, like I said in point 2, just keep it simple and just have fun. Remember why you are doing it, it’s meant to bring happiness not stress…
  5. Your family, your rules… Everyone does the elf on the shelf differently, some people let the kids touch the elf, some don’t… Sometimes the elf comes earlier than December 1st & others only visit for 12 days before Christmas. Some elves just do funny antics, some bring little gifts or treats and some announce daily activities or do a combination of all! Every elf is unique – do what works for you and your family. There is no set rules, the elf & it’s antics can be as simple or as extravagant as you want… Don’t compare your elf to others. Comparison is the thief of joy, even with elves!
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Do you do Elf on the Shelf? What is your top tip for staying sane while staging your festive little friend?
Let me know below or on my social media…
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Keep an eye on my social media, I will share a photo of our elf Kringle’s new house this week!
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2017 · christmas · video

Christmas decor haul {VLOG}

JustBindyLeave a comment

Hi friends,

I cannot believe in 1month & 1 day we will be celebrating Christmas! Our elf on the shelf plans are coming together and my house is starting to feel very Christmassy… (If you like I can share some of our elf plans in the next blog post on Monday! In my last blog post HERE I shared our 2017 festive bucket list!)

I went shopping with my best friend the other week & purchased a few (a lot) of new Christmas items… So of course, I thought I would film a haul video to share with you all!
Click HERE to check out the video! I have purchased some extra Christmas things since filming this video, so make sure you keep an eye on my instagram, because I will share those over there!
Now on the topic of videos, I’m considering doing vlogmas… Maybe? Thoughts? (Vlogmas for those that don’t know, is 1 video everyday between 1-25th December…) 

Let me know what your favourite item from the haul was in the comments below, or catch up with me on my social media! (I would love to see your latest Christmas decor finds too!)
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(I have a competition running to win a December Domestic Goddess box, to enter check out THIS POST!)
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2017 · christmas · Uncategorized

Christmas bucket list 2017.

JustBindy1 Comment

Hi friends!

I can’t believe we are just over a month away from Christmas!! My mind is blown… Our tree is up and most of our decorations are out… To get into the festive season even more I have jumped on board the “Christmas bucket list” band wagon… (Thanks Kelle Hampton for the inspiration!) 

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Yes, I am well aware I own wayyy to many christmas DVDs.
What is on your Christmas bucket list? What is the one thing you MUST do every festive season?
I would love to know, comment below or connect with me on social media!
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(I have a competition running to win a December Domestic Goddess box, to enter check out THIS POST!)
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2017 · christmas · giveaway · Uncategorized

Kmart Elf door GIVEAWAY

JustBindyLeave a comment

Hey friends!
Well, this weeks been a bit of a whirlwind… Last week I posted about finding an elf door at Kmart, that went viral (over 267,000 views on Facebook!)

Then the Daily Mail shared a post I wrote which you can read HERE… From that came an offer to be in a magazine & also a spot on a morning talk show… Yep – TV.
I am a tiny bit nervous about that, yes I make YouTube videos – but they aren’t live TV! So yes, it’s all exciting and when things are more confirmed I’ll let you know. And what does one wear for a TV appearance?? Help!!

The Daily Mail also shared another one of my article todays, kind of stretched what I said a bit in that one though, but that happens… You can read that one HERE but keep in mind what I actually wrote can be found HERE & HERE... (my child does watch TV occasionally, mainly animal DVDs (movies or documentaries) but I stand by disliking Peppa Pig!) 

To celebrate a great week & to thank you all for liking, sharing & always supporting me, I am hosting a giveaway on my Facebook and Instagram.
You could win yourself an elf door! I have 2 to giveaway, so make sure you enter on both Facebook & Instagram so you double your chance to win!

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So make sure you head on over & enter!!
Good luck!
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christmas

Merry Christmas. {2015}

JustBindyLeave a comment

Christmas is almost here, 3 more sleeps and it is Christmas Day!
My house has been cleaned countless times, the gift shopping is done, surprise gifts have been sewn, parcels and Christmas cards have been posted and most gifts are wrapped. 
Tomorrow it all starts for us, my Uncle is flying in to stay at our house for a few days for Christmas and we are all very excited. 
We are hosting Christmas at our house for the 2nd year in a row and I am so full of joy.
I love Christmas, you know that, but I really love hosting Christmas. I specifically purchased the largest dining table we could afford when we bought our furniture for this house because I knew I wanted to host Christmas as often as I could.
I love the busyness, the chaos, the loudness, the laughter and just my people all being together under my roof enjoying themselves. 
Admittedly at some point during the prep of cooking everything I may stress at one point or another, but it’s all part of it. Being flustered and a bit overwhelmed is to be expected when you are cooking for 10 people.
It is the only type of stress I really look forward too. 
Like I said I love Christmas, and everything that comes with it. 
I am trying to purposefully take time at the end of each day and just soak it all in. Soak in what we did during the day, soak in my favourite moments and just remember why we celebrate Christmas. Remembering Jesus is always important everyday to me, but especially at Christmas. It can be a time when we get distracted with earthly possessions and become materialistic – but I strive not to be. For me I get more joy out of giving gifts than receiving and when I do receive a gift it doesn’t matter about the price tag, if someone went out of there way to select a gift for me – I am thankful. That is so kind of them and I am grateful. A way I stay focused on why we celebrate Christmas is by reading nativity stories to LuLu as often as I can, to me it is important that we remain focused on and I teach my daughter why we truly celebrate Christmas and not have it be so much about gifts and selfish reasons. 
One of LuLu’s favourite Christmas carols is “Away in a manger” – she loves it because I love it and because it’s about “bubba Jesus”. She is such a sweet girl. 
Well, I best be off, it is after 10pm! 
I thought I would quickly write this post to wish you all the most lovely Christmas.

Merry Christmas to my lovely readers, my friends. 
I hope you have a joyous Christmas Day and you are surrounded by all those you hold dear.
I wish you a day full of love, laughter, too much delicious food and good times that become memories you’ll cherish forever.
I pray that you take a moment amongst the craziness that comes with this festive season and remember why we celebrate Christmas and give thanks to our Saviour. 
I hope to have another post up before New Year, if you want to stay up to date with what I am up to remember to check me out on my social media…
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Instagram; @Modernwifelife31
Twitter; @Modernwifelife3
Snap Chat; Bindy_30

Merry Christmas.

christmas · craft · diy · toddler

Deer oh deer, some deer-lightful Christmas crafts. {Toddler Craft}

JustBindy1 Comment

Hello fellow Christmas lovers,
How are you? Are you waving your festive freak flags proudly? Crafting up a storm? Or did you just finish your Christmas shopping yesterday, like I did? (Yes, Christmas is next week and my unorganised self just finished Christmas shopping!)
Now, it’s no secret I love deers, we all love deer. I like them just as animals, their antlers, their tasty meat (sorry) and as ornaments…
And of course we love the most famous reindeer of all, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. 
So here are some adorable little Rudolph crafts…


To make these adorable little fellas you will need some basic things you probably have laying around your house;

  • Paper plates
  • egg carton 
  • Brown paint (or crayon, or pencil) 
  • Brown cardboard
  • Red embellishments for a nose
  • Googly eyes
  • Scissors/stapler for parent to use
  • Pen/pencils
Now the simple steps;
1. Cut your paper plate in half and then cut 1 half in a triangle.
2. Staple together.
3. Cut out 1 section of egg carton. 
4. Draw around your child’s hand for antlers on the brown cardboard, cut out 2 copies of a hand print per paper plate reindeer you are making.
5. Also cut out 4 legs for each reindeer.
6. For egg carton reindeer, draw antlers (mine are not very good) and ears and cut out.
7. Paint your reindeers.
8. Let dry.
9. Attach googly eyes, red noses, antlers and ears.
10. Ta-da you have the most adorable little sweet reindeers.
I also made a few other “reindeer” things this week.
I whipped up a stocking for Trent with some lovely fabric from Spotlight. This is the first stocking I have ever made and I was impressed that my basic sewing skills created this…
And yesterday LuLu and I baked some gingerbread cookies, I used The Pioneer Woman’s recipe and it is really nice. If you use this recipe keep in mind it does make a lot of dough. I decorated the gingerbread men like deer, please excuse my basic icing ability. Trent & LuLu think they are tasty and cute though!
  To end this deer-lightful post I will leave you with some photos of the “reindeer” (red deer) that were at a shopping centre in town the other week, LuLu loved them and wore her sweet little “deer” print top. She loves deers and says “doe” & “buck”.
Comet is death staring me down because he knows I have a relative of his in the freezer, Blitzen is in the back oblivious, singing Christmas carols. 
Have a beautiful week before Christmas friends.
If you make these sweet reindeers, I would love to see them so tag me in them on social media!