This way to CHRISTMAS.....................

I'm still doing a little decorating..........it just 

seems a nonstop thing around the cottage, perhaps I'll

still be adding odds and ends on Christmas Eve!

I should be baking not decorating.

I have a list of cookies I like to make.......

especially Ginger Krinkles.

I want to bake a Dundee cake because I didn't

get around to a real traditional English fruitcake.

I will bake English mince pies - I know, I know, I've

said that several times now.

I still have to decide on a Christmas dinner......perhaps 

a small ham for DH and a nut roast for me.

There will be vegetables, lots of them.

Remember now my dear British readers - perhaps busy stoking 

your fabulous AGA in the kitchen - I do not cook a 

turkey at Christmas. We just had one at Thanksgiving 

and I refuse to do it again.....roasting two birds in less 

than a month sounds like a vegetarian's nightmare!

I've been trying to replicate a photo I saw of 

the neatest looking stacked books 

which made a Christmas tree. 

Sadly I cannot get my books to revert to being trees 

again. Instead I have this 'different' pile of books, 

bells and balls.

What do you think? Personally I think it's cool and will 

keep it this way.

My decor always includes interesting books. 

Old books, worn and yellowed books, French school 

books, antique illustrated books, leather prayer books.

I really love the miniature Christmas books. 

Their secret stories inside?  

Nothing, just blank pages. 

They are ornaments, but such lovely ones.

I'm off now to really get my Christmas act together.

Yesterday was a crazy day. DH couldn't walk - well he 

couldn't put any weight on his right leg as his knee was 

killing him. We spent 3 hours waiting to be 'worked in' at 

the orthopedic office. Diagnosis is a type of tendinitis - 

he ended up with a big needle full of cortisone and is 

already getting relief thankfully. 

Last night we attended granddaughter Jasmin's big choral

concert at the high school...........it was fabulous. The 

radio station personalities presented the $5,000 check they 

won for the school in the local radio Christmas music competition. 

The kids sang their hearts out and everyone felt warm and fuzzy.......

peace and happiness reigned.

It's beginning to look, and sound, a lot like

CHRISTMAS here in North Carolina!