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How To Enjoy Christmas on a Budget

December 21, 2025

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@mylifejournal_1980

mylifejournal - holistic lifestyle with cats

A blog about my holistic journey of life and cats

There’s something extra comforting about baking at home — slowing down, getting your hands messy, and letting the oven do its thing 🤍

Today’s bake: thick, bakery-style choc chip M&M cookies that are crisp on the edges and soft through the middle.

Ingredients
• 2 1/4 cups (270g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• 1/2 tsp espresso powder (optional)
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 egg + 1 egg yolk (cold)
• 1 cup salted butter, cold & cubed
• 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste
• 3/4 cup semi-sweet choc chips
• 3/4 cup M&M’s

Method
Cream cold, cubed butter until smooth. Add sugars and beat until light and fluffy. Mix in the egg, egg yolk and vanilla until well combined.

In a separate bowl, combine all dry ingredients. Gradually add to the wet mixture, then fold through choc chips and M&M’s — don’t overmix.

Scoop large cookie dough balls onto trays.

👉 Place no more than 6 cookies per tray, leaving space so they can spread while baking.
Bake at 180°C for 15–20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

Let them cool for around 10 minutes once out of the oven… then enjoy with a cuppa ☕🍪

Sometimes the simplest moments really are the sweetest.

#MyLifeJourney #BakingAtHome #AussieBaker #SlowLiving #CookieTime SimpleJoys

Soft light, cool breezes, and river views at Woronora 🌿
We took our niece and nephew down to the river after a yummy lunch at the Como Hotel—an easy, breezy escape from the heat.
One of those simple afternoons that feels just right 🤍

Little moments, big calm.

#WoronoraRiver #FamilyMoments #SlowLiving #SummerEscape #MyLifeJournal

Whipped up the easiest little sweet treat today 🍌✨
Banana + peanut butter + melted chocolate = simple, cosy perfection.
Proof that you don’t need fancy recipes to enjoy the little moments 🤎🍫

#SimplePleasures #EasyTreats #CosyMoments #SweetCravings #MyLifeJourney

Goulburn day trip ✨
Good food, quiet streets, and a little nostalgia stop at Paragon Café ☕️
Sometimes the simple getaways are the best 🤍

#GoulburnNSW #DayTripVibes #CountryCafe #ParagonCafe #SlowTravel

🐱 Prepping the Cats for a Hot Day ☀️

Before the heat really sets in, we start slow and simple.
A little play to burn off energy, fresh food, topped up water bowls — and then they disappear.

Once the sun climbs, it’s all about cool floors, quiet corners and long naps hiding from the heat until the afternoon.
Listening to their rhythm reminds me to slow down too.

Sometimes the best summer lesson is rest. 💤

#MyLifeJournal #CatLife #SummerDays #SlowLiving #LifeWithCats MindfulMoments HeatwaveLiving

One of my favourite things to do at year’s end ✨
Even though this was a quieter year, making these little flashback videos reminds me just how meaningful it’s been — a year of slowing down, reflecting, learning and gently realigning. Not every season needs to be loud to be powerful.

Grateful for the still moments and the inner growth they brought.
Happy New Year ✨ Here’s to moving forward with clarity and intention.

#MyLifeJourney #YearOfReflection #QuietGrowth #SlowLiving #ReflectAndReset InnerJourney GentleLiving NewYearIntentions MindfulMoments

Quiet holiday days done right ✨
Staying home, slowing down, playing games and soaking up the simple moments — with my cats close by, of course 🐱💫
No rush, no plans… just peace, presence and a little playful fun.

Sometimes the best holidays are the quiet ones 🤍

#MyLifeJourney #QuietHolidays #SlowLiving #HolidayAtHome #CatLife CosyDays SimpleJoy RestAndReset HomeVibes 🐾✨

🎄✨ Merry Christmas ✨🎄

Wishing you a gentle and meaningful Christmas — a time to pause, reflect and reconnect with what truly matters 🤍
Thank you for being part of this journey and for sharing space with us throughout the year.

May the season bring clarity, comfort and inspiration as you move into the year ahead.

#MerryChristmas #MyLifeJourney #SeasonOfReflection #ChristmasCalm #MindfulLiving EndOfYearPause NewBeginnings

That’s a wrap 🎁✨
A little Christmas present wrapping timelapse — slightly behind wrapping on Xmas Eve, but better late than never. I’ve got my gingerbread and candy stripe PJs on by Peter Alexander, Xmas music playing in the background. Enjoy

#ThatsAWrap #ChristmasWrapping #GiftWrapping #FestivePrep #ChristmasVibes BetterLateThanNever ChristmasTime HolidayMoments

Nothing brings the festive spirit to life quite like a family gingerbread house competition ✨🏠
Laughter in the kitchen, icing-covered fingers, a little friendly rivalry and plenty of sweet memories made along the way. It’s not about who wins — it’s about coming together, slowing down and celebrating the magic of being present with the people you love 🤍

Moments like these are the ones worth journalling and holding onto long after the holidays are over.

#MyLifeJournal #FestiveMoments #GingerbreadHouse #FamilyTraditions #HolidayMagic