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: O.k, this was meant to be a photo of the sign 'Weakness is staying inside your comfort zone', but then this guy leapt into the picture. (Glebe, Australia)

Rae: After all my succulent posts this summer it may not surprise you that I made a little succulent corner. And I LOVE it. (Pai, Thailand)

Leaf: This is the colourful and welcoming main living area of our friends house (where we are staying). Isn't it gorgeous? (Yarramundi, Australia)

Rae: And the Christmas trees in the mall go up! (Chiang Mai, Thailand) 

Leaf: Pete found a place to make music while his four kids play below…a little loft! (Colo, Australia)

Rae: This is the home of a dear, dear friend, one of the prettiest places I've ever seen. Chinua and I slept under the stars (and down blankets-it's getting chilly) on sofas in the backyard. Beautiful. (Ojai, USA)

Leaf: My Mama making a delicious udon noodle soup for lunch. We shopped for those scales (on the right) together in the Varanasi steel bazaar when my parents visited about six years ago. (Corrimal, Australia)

Rae: I sat here for a while and washed a whole lot of clothes. When you're traveling with five kids, you use the washer that takes the mega load. I've always loved laundromats. It was a quiet hour. (Long Beach, USA)

Leaf: This is an example of my Mama's fun taste in decorating. (Corrimal, Australia)

Rae: Isaac was captivated by this basketball playing in the park. (Long Beach, USA)

Leaf: This was the beautiful sight that awaited us when we arrived at our Aussie home. (Yarramundi, Australia)

Rae: I had a couple mornings of delight with this little love of a baby niece. Mmm, I love babies! (Detroit, USA)