A Wonderful Time Of Year

The Christmas preparations continue, once again bringing back some wonderful memories of gifts received and trips when another trinket was added.  Family and friends are upmost in our minds at this time of year so our thoughts are full of joy, appropriate for the third week of Advent.  We have started to organize the  dining and kitchen crockery.  Each piece handled with care and the story of its origin remembered.  Everything is a mismatch which adds to the charm.

 

Only another 6 boxes to go...  The treasured tea trolley which my son in law bought for me will be used for casual afternoon teas whilst we have visitors. 

 

The hot chocolate station is ready to go, with the addition of a white chocolate mix that I brought back from America from Ghirardelli's, a rare treat!

 

 

The chocolate spoons are still on my list to do.

 

More baking has been done with some more mince pies been made.  I had my sister and niece visit over the weekend so they didn't last long.

 

 

This year I bought the holly leaf cutter, which adds a certain charm.  A Jane Asher gadget for £1, can't be bad!

 

The Christmas cake is ready, a gift from our youngest daughter with a little help from Lily and Daisy, a cake filled with love.

 

 

The whole house is filled with the smell of Christmas, taking us back to bygone Christmas's.  A beautiful aroma of citrus and spices.

 

I half filled an old pan with water, added some lemon juice that was out of date and lurking at the back of the cupboard, a couple of pine cones, a cinnamon stick and some mixed spice.  Let it simmer on the stove and the smell will permeate around the house.  A quick, easy and cheap way of getting the Christmas aroma.  Give it a try you won't be disappointed.

 

 

It works just as well doing it on the cooker, I used the stove to save on the electricity.  With the Christmas music on most of the time in the background all of the senses are heightened...sight, sound, smell, touch and taste.  It truly is a wonderful time of year.

 

Thank you so much for all your wonderful comments and your well wishes for my parents anniversary.  I showed them all of the comments over the weekend and they were thrilled and humbled by your kindness. 

 

Wishing you all well and safe from all the unpredictable weather that is causing havoc worldwide.

 

See you soon.