We plunged into Christmas crafting in early November. Remember we foraged pine cones? (Let's gloss over my small misunderstanding about 'the right kind of cone'). The cones were dried out and decorated. C set about spray painting some in gold, silver and white. Others were doused in glue the glitter. I preferred to sit and gently brush on glitter glue to the very tips. like little toenails. I like the overall mix, eclectic as they turned out. A wreath template was bought and I had high hopes to make one but as time ticked way there was still no sign of a start being made. It was only on Saturday I finally mustered the momentum to kick off proceedings by gathering some suitable material. Green and variegated holly, conifer and some ivy complete with berries. It's got to be the loose ivy otherwise stripping it off a tree will only look strange and will be dusty.
I have no idea why holly wreath DIYs don't bang on a bit more about how painful it is to make. Dear me, I winced and yelped no end! To secure the greenery to the wrath I used green florists' wire then once it bulked out I just resorted to jamming stems into the already secure matter. I started with a layer of frilly, airy conifer just like a little base doily then hollies then ivy and as a final flourish the cones were bound on with wire. You can't really see any wire unless you get almost rudely too close.

We have multiple trees. Unashamedly more is more. As well as hanging cones on the tree (glue gun used to attach string to the tops), we dried out orange slices, made little wooden ornaments which were spray painted then adorned with crafty bits (not pictured). Mine looked satisfactory but not exactly etsy-worthy.
Being able to immerse myself in Christmas crafting has offered a welcome escape.
Are you making anything this Christmas?
Take care,
Sophie

 


That's me done for the year, I'll pop up a couple of round-up posts next week then see what 2018 brings.
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas time, take good care of yourselves.
Sophie

This year more than many others in adult memory I'm feeling festive. The cold weather in late November and snow showers along with a general widespread welcoming of Christmas has softly fanned the embers of excitement. The Christmas tunes have been played on the radio weeks earlier than before, I'm certain of it. My reindeer jumper has been the best thing to pop on at every opportunity. As always, we got our Norwegian spruce delightfully promptly and decorated the house with garlands, tinsel and lights. Chestnuts have been roasted on our (not open) fire, gifts have been bought and a little wrapping started plus all cards have been posted complete with a few letters to relatives. Mulled wine, mince pies and carols sung. A Christmas meal out. It's all been happening.


We've been opening our advent calendars each morning, even Lincoln has a cute one with rawhide chews which he gets so excited about. Back in autumn I potted up some hyacinth bulbs and an amaryllis which are now growing strongly (the amaryllis is alarmingly tall) so in the coming weeks there may well be some fresh flowers back in the house, hallelujah!
With 10 sleeps to go 'til Christmas are you up to speed with Christmas spirit?
Take care,
Sophie

Although it's not up for negotiation, I have often considered that Christmas would be better placed at the end of January. The mild early winter weather hasn't been in keeping with those snowy scenes on the Christmas cards we send to each other; good King Wenceslas' deep and crisp and even snow hasn't materialised. The build up to Christmas day is supposed to be filled with fun and festivities. I can't help feeling that the neglected, miserable months of January and February would be better filled with such festive spirit. Once Boxing Day is over all talk of Christmas is shelved for another ten months, with the tree and decorations looking like leftovers from an abandoned party. It often seems to be that Christmas has been tidied away well before the brunt of the brutal winter weather has hit.
While the days may be technically getting lighter, the dark still grips tight and won't let go without a fight.

Yes, I am quite aware of how many pictures of dead weeds I take. But, my, they're so beautiful.
Sophie

It's Christmas Eve and the magic of the season reaches far and wide. Much as I'd love to take a Christmassy trip out to see the landscape all frosted, white and snowy the climate has other ideas, not to mention the fact that there is a list of jobs as long as my arm.
I'll be hastily getting all the last minute preparations finished off which simply cannot be done before Christmas Eve. Though it's the kind of day where you cover about 10k just going round the house all day and only have time to gulp down lukewarm coffee and stuff a couple of those soft ginger spiced biscuity things in your mouth every few hours, it's actually one of the most exciting and heartwarming days of the year.

Dream a festive little dream tonight of magic, sparkles and happy thoughts... May you find all the things you truly wish for are in your heart already.
Much love this Christmas to you,
Sophie xx

My very first festive jumper! I feel like this is a real moment to savour;one of those milestones reached and a point from which things may never be the same again. To my delight I stumbled across this distinctly jolly knitted Christmas jumper in a charity shop for a mere £3.50. Whilst Joe Public was out basking in the last rays of summer sun, I was squirrelling away my finds for winter. This beauty is going to come out year after year for a good spot of cheery advent fun.



We walked on the beach in weather more akin to late summer this weekend; at 15 degrees C it was absurdly mild and was it not for the salty coastal breeze it would have felt warm. With the occasional tide of glittering sand flowing across the beach's surface and lazily setting sun it had a special feel to the place. Wells is always a favourite place, not least when it's so quiet and special.
Not a traditional festive activity but it felt perfect just putting one foot in front of another across sands that reached beyond the horizon. Hair blowing all around and a slightly sandy feeling round my toes. Holding hands.

Sophie

For us, Christmas starts on the first of December when we put the decorations up, get the tree and get into the festive spirit. This year the first fell on a Tuesday which was all wrong so we dived in on November 29th to ensure that we didn't miss out on any days of Christmassy fun. It appears we were one of the few households to take this approach as we had the pick of the Christmas trees to ourselves that afternoon.
This year we bought our tree from a new place, one that I'd seen a sign for during the week which filled me with excitement. In previous successive years much to our chagrin we'd frequented our local large home/garden chain store as they were the only dependable real tree retailer we could find. From now on we're going back to the lovely independent farm for a fabulous selection of healthy, bushy trees and a much lighter heart. We found the perfect one; tall, bushy, bright and fresh. After getting it bagged and squeezing it into the car C took care of trimming it at home and then as a team effort we got it put up and finished.


We've been indulging in some Christmassy eats and treats too; making sausage rolls of the plain, mustard and pickle kind. Far too tasty and moreish. A terrible attempt at rationing only ends in disaster! I've enjoyed a little mulled cider (a premix from boxes we picked up on the cheap at Tesco in summer, best buy in ages!) and I've bought some mincemeat and pastry so mince pies could be in production any time soon. As a personal preference I am a fan of puff pastry mince pies, they are far superior in desirability in my eyes. All hopes of baking gingerbread has been abandoned this year, but maybe next year I'll get myself in gear.

Advent calendars are always a must! Sadly, our Thorntons ones are a real disappointment as the chocolate tastes like cheap rubbish. Mine is the Gruffalo, C has The Snowman and the Snow Dog.




Our pilgrimages to Dalegate Market and Elveden Estate have been made which are so fun and festive. Both are great for picking up lovely local produce and gifts for loved ones.
The wrapping has commenced, parcels have (just) been posted, I've sent most of the cards which don't need letters inside. Watching of Christmas films and specials is well underway and I'm immersing myself in festive tunes to relish them as best I can.

How is your Christmas shaping up?
Sophie

That was it.

I always think that the build up to Christmas is the best bit; the main day itself is over before you know it and by Boxing day it all feels rather old. This year had a different feel to it than ever before in that we decided (I suggested) that instead of inviting family around to our house as we had the last six years, that we have a quiet Christmas of just our little family; me, him and our dog. It's selfish isn't it, but in the eleven Christmases we've been together we've never spent any time together on the big day. We didn't live together until we were married (not religious reasons, lol, just a practicality) and we spent the day with our respective families, then once we had our place we invited them all to ours. As the most capable in the kitchen Chris was designated head chef and I the hostess-cum-sous chef, which let me tell you is the hardest job as you have to juggle everything all in one go. The last few years Chris has been slaving in the kitchen all morning with me barely exchanging any non cooking based words at all then by the time the meal is over we're too tired and emotional/drunk to communicate anyway.

This year I wanted to have a cute and private Christmas.

We ordered a turkey from a friend-of-a- friend which meant a rather larger one than we needed but at mates rates it worked out as the absolute best value (in fact I feel like we stole it) so we planned a proper full roast but with just enough for the two of us plus a generous quantity of leftovers.

We woke up nice and early to make sure that the bird went in the oven on time then opened our stocking presents (yes we do stockings!) Mine is my childhood original and I love it so much) and went for a good walk with Lincoln. It was notably quiet and still which was very peaceful. We wrapped up warm, held hands and enjoyed the fresh air.

Then we enjoyed coffee and exchanging our own presents before preparing the rest of the food. I was spoiled rotten with thoughtful gifts and I tried to buy a few surprises for Chris too, think I did ok.

 

Although we planned to eat at 1pm, inevitably things took far longer to prepare which tends to be the case, it wasn't a worry that everything was ready nearer to 2:30pm. No stress! We changed into smarter clothes to eat – tradition and it adds to the sense of occasion. I wore my vintage emerald green dress (£1.50) which even got me a compliment so I guess it looked nice enough.

We couldn't manage pudding and instead fancied a stroll before it got too dark which Lincoln was most impressed about and it felt most refreshing to get outside in the cool air. Not long after getting home there was a knock on the door from my brother and his girlfriend as they were passing by. We washed up, unwrapped our presents then flopped on the sofa for The Holiday and The Polar Express (apparently, I fell asleep before we even saw the train) and the 'oranges' episode of Dad's Army before heading to bed.

On Boxing day we took Lincoln for a walk after a lovely lay-in, then had an early obligatory turkey sandwich lunch before heading to the coast for an afternoon walk then another sofa-based evening. More to come on that at a later date.

Oh its been a delight! I could burst with joy.

Sophie