Getting Closer

Thank you so much for your wonderful comments on my last couple of posts, they were a joy to read.  Having the family together meant a lot to me and brought me a lot of pleasure so it was lovely to be able to share that with you.  I also appreciate how difficult it can be when times are tough and thoughts of Christmas are dreaded.  We visited a couple of our elderly neighbours yesterday, taking some home baked goodies and preserves.  We hope we were able to lift their spirits a little, it is our intention to pop around again next week.  Technology is a wonderful thing our Grandson was a Shepherd in his first school Nativity and we were able to watch his performance, words cannot describe the feelings that overwhelmed me throughout he was amazing.  Lily and Daisy are in a dance show at the weekend to which we have been invited unfortunately Lucy has tonsillitis and Daisy has a chest infection.  Time will tell now if we are able to go as Gerard has a compromised immune system due to his medication so not wise to knowingly be around infections.  A little disappointing but health is a precious thing.

I still have a few gifts to wrap but apart from that I am enjoying the season.  Catching up with friends, listening to Christmas music and watching Christmas films.  Now that I have a little time I intend to catch up with a little reading.  I have also been adding to the gifts, making hugs for the mugs filled with sachets of chocolate and chocolate stirrers.

 

All ready to be popped into a hamper I have ready for when we go to Victoria's.  I have also made some for our good friend who looks after the dog when we go away.

 

A Christmas Eve box has been made in readiness for Lily and Daisy, Lucy intends to pop a few bits in for after church.

 

 

 

I have managed to get the house back to some normality, it never ceases to amaze how quickly it can be achieved when you look at the mess.  The mountain of washing up was a bit of a chore but I am not a fan of paper/plastic products although I can understand how much easier it would have been.  I am the same about napkins preferring cloth to paper, although you do have the added job of  another washing load.  The table is now set for two for us to enjoy some quality time and meals together.

 

 

This time the napkin is folded into an elves boot with a spreader popped inside.  The napkin folding is a little fun and can easily be found using google.   So far we are enjoying the season and have a lot to be thankful for.  How are your plans going?

 

See you soon.

Christmas Lounge Tour.

Thank you for all your lovely comments on my last few posts, it is such a joy to read them and know that you enjoy what I write.  Today I thought I would take you on a little tour around the Christmas décor of my home.  The tea is made and there is fresh mincepies and jam tarts in the tin, I have the makings of a hot chocolate if you would prefer.

I am blessed with amazing memories of my childhood Christmas's, there were six of us siblings so we didn't get loads but there was always love and laughter and little traditions.

 

Once I had left home, married and had children of my home we retained some of our traditions and then made some of our own.  Making Christmas, the Christmas we now know.  Although I am sure now that my three daughters have little families of their own there will be new traditions made and added to suit them.

 

I love getting the Christmas decorations out and remembering and reflecting on where each piece came from.  There are so many memories in those boxes, which is why it takes us so long to decorate as we laugh and reflect amidst the odd tear.

 

 

The carol singers always make us smile, they came from my late Mother in Laws home and bring back lots of wonderful memories.  She loved Christmas and ironically died on Christmas Day suddenly with no warning several years ago.

 

 

The windows are decked out with some greenery and fake poinsettias which enhance the beauty of some of the Santa's and Royal Albert plates.

 

We have an eclectic mix of decorations but for me that is what makes it so special.  The love and friendships that have been made over the years and the wonderful places we have visited are highlighted amongst our décor adding to the charm.

 

 

The tree is always a joy to decorate, although not to everyone's taste this year I went a little crazy with the Santa baubles and a tree topper that explodes from the tree in a burst of colour.  I wanted to please the Grandchildren.  Once again a eclectic mix of baubles filled with memories from Christmas's past.

 

 

Finally for the lounge I want to share my mantel, I know that Amy over at Love Made My Home will enjoy this she did a wonderful monthly post on her mantel display which was enchanting.

 

 

...and of course there needs to be the obligatory side view.  Hope this made your smile Amy.

 

 

 

Love for me makes Christmas so special, special times filled with love spent with family and friends celebrating Gods love for us through the Christmas story.  Hope you enjoyed my little tour as much as I enjoyed sharing it with you.

 

See you soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reflection Of My Week..

Amy is not doing the Five on Friday link for awhile but my husband and I still had fun around the house and garden looking for groups of five.  It has become a little bit of a ritual that we enjoy.   We treat ourselves to five biscuits on a Friday with our tea too,  a great excuse but fun none the less to be over indulgent.    Hope all is well with you Amy.

So, for my post today I thought I would share some of my snippets from the week past.  I have finally completed all my craft gifts and little tokens and have started to package some up.

 

I have had fun with a stamp, bah humbug.  A perfect little something for when friends and neighbours drop by.

 

 

Harris Tweed brooches have been packaged ready to be popped into gift bags.

 

 

Last years advent calendar inner was used to make some chocolate toppers for cup cakes.  An ideal treat for the children.  All stored in a plastic container ready for use.

 

 

The advent ring has been newly decorated all ready for the candles to be put in.

 

 

Another little elf has been added to the collection.  They certainly have been busy in the craft room, all ready for when Santa stops by to make his deliveries.   All the overseas mail, cards and parcels are all packaged and ready to go to the post office.

 

 

 

I have also finished a zig zag cushion and throw all ready to be packaged.   I am loving every moment of all my preparations.  Although early with some of the things it has taken the stress out of it all.  I can now sit back and enjoy the season, take time to wrap the gifts and spend time thinking of each person I am wrapping the gift for.  I can now take the time to write some letters to pop inside my cards and spend time thinking about each person I am writing to.  The most wonderful time of the year...catching up with friends old and new.  My family live all over the country too but December sees them all visit, so always a busy month.    I have 4 sisters, 1 brother 12 nieces/nephews and 12 great nieces/nephews as well as family from my husbands side who we generally visit in December.  My calendar is bulging and groaning at the seams which is why I have to be so organized early.  We have plans for the weekend but next week will see the start of some of my batch cooking and baking for the freezer.

 

 

A couple of poinsettia have found their way into the house to add to the seasonal décor.  My husband always treats me and my Mum at this time of year, a seasonal tradition.  I am now going to put my feet up for a couple of hours and watch a Christmas film, I am loving the Christmas channel on TV.  It is definitely addictive along with the hot chocolate and stirrers.

 

See you soon.

 

Christmas Is Coming...

I have succumbed, the Christmas music is blaring in the craft room and I am enjoying every moment of it.  I have been beavering away with gifts, cards and tags.  Apart from a little shopping for final gifts they are now complete.  The mammoth task of wrapping begins.  We did debate a cull of the Christmas cards due to the rising costs of postage.  But when we actually went through the list there is  no one we wanted to miss out.

Wreaths are in the process of been made or adjusted.  I am also in the process of making a tree topper rather than put the traditional angel on top.  Time will tell if that one succeeds, the girls like things as they remember from childhood.

Come on in and take a peek, a little glimpse of the works in progress.

 

Table runners for Christmas dinner are in the process of being made along with mischievous little elves.

 

It is the most wonderful time of the year...

 

See you soon.