Leaf: Hand painted Christmas present tags under the tree. (Corrimal, Australia)

Rae: When you sent me this photo, I couldn't resist the urge to show you our tree as well. (Pai, Thailand)

Leaf: Christmas with Brendan's family always involves cricket; indoors and outdoors. (Barrington, Australia)

Rae: Our Christmas Eve gathering was sweet and beautiful, with lights and flowers and lots of food. (Pai, Thailand)

Leaf: Today we feasted on mulberries. These are some of the simple pleasures of life at Mundi Farm. (Yarramundi, Australia)

Rae: People always look so lovely when they are sending lanterns up, lit by a flame and waiting for the warm air to take it out of their hands. (Pai, Thailand)

Leaf: Everywhere I look there are blessings…the Australian bush, a small veggie garden, the sweetest man on earth and a miracle baby. (Yarramundi, Australia)

Rae: Last night we watched the Loy Krathong parade. Isaac was very excited about the big floats, and kept yelling out, "Wow! Pretty! Flowers!" (Pai, Thailand)

Leaf: There are fresh eggs to find every day, if they are still warm Taran keeps them in his pocket for a while, he says that it would feel wrong to put them in the fridge straight away. (Yarramundi, Australia)

Rae: This lady is making Kratong, tiny floating boats, for Loy Kratong here in Thailand. You know I love that they're made out of banana leaves, and that many people seem to know how to make them. Maybe we can get a lesson one day? (Pai, Thailand)

Leaf: I wish I could send an Indian marching band to your house today with more 'quirk' than you could ever dream of. May today be full of smiles and dancing. You are so beautiful! Happy Birthday Rae! (Varanasi, India)

Rae: I'm thirty-four today. For me the year ahead is about learning to live in joy. I've developed some impressive skills at absorbing sadness, but I'm not so good at happiness. I want to learn! (Pai, Thailand- this picture was taken elsewhere but it doesn't matter where, really.)

Leaf: We celebrated the spring festival of colours Holi with our community. So fun! (Varanasi, India)

Rae: I got "got" by people in the road and my face became a map. (Arambol, India)