Beginning to look . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . a lot like Christmas!

For some reason, I've not had much time for blogging or anything else regarding use of the laptop this past week. Since returning from the lovely days at the coast, I've been trying to 'put up Christmas' as we used to say. We're just about done, both in and out, other than putting the flood lights out on the front lawn today before more rain arrives. For some reason illuminating the cottage makes a huge difference. Our fairy lights get fewer annually now - such a painful job, literally, climbing and winding those devilish strings around structures. This year they are just along the front porch rail. I admit to buying new sets when I couldn't fiddle about with the hideous tangled mess I dragged from the storage box. Lights on the arbor remain year round so are one less winding job thankfully. A couple of large green wreaths, each sporting a red and black 'buffalo check' bows are hanging and they will be in the spotlight as dusk descends and we hit the switch!  

Photos here give you an idea as to what's displayed around the house. I did not take everything out this year, but enough to bring on the feeling of this special time of year. I have a ton of candles place around for light and woodland fragrance. The small vintage metal tree flickers with mini lights, and around the base is the gorgeous wool yarn I brought back from the Falkland Islands which I've never knitted up. The large faux fir tree (not shown yet) is out in the gazebo as always and I did treat it to new string lights. It's bright and beautiful in the dark night hours. As for the little ceramic tree, wow are they ever popular again, noticing knock-offs popping up everywhere! Ours is an original from the '80's when one of Bob's office colleagues made it for us. Such a wonderful gift. It still has all the little bird lights, the base is a music box which plays "Frosty the Snowman", even the light bulb in the bottom still works. . . .after almost 40 years of Christmas joy!

Lastly, I found a Christmas cactus to replace the one that never bloomed for years despite my TLC efforts. This was in a fresh plant delivery at LIDL this week, healthy looking, loaded with buds that hopefully will open for the holidays. Sold with an attached hanger which I removed, it's on the dining room table looking so pretty - a lot of loveliness for $8.99! 

All that glitters. . . . . . .

Busy days, but I do take time to think of you all.  

Know you too are sharing in the rushing about, putting the 

finishing touches necessary when preparing for this great holiday.

Several things have kept me extra busy and now I'm looking forward. . . . . 

actually deeply longing. . . . .for time to stay home and catch up during

 those cold January days ahead here in the northern part of the planet.

A crackling fire on the hearth, candlelight reflecting off festive baubles,

 fragrant wood smoke from chimneys, birds at the feeders, squirrels circling

 the tree trunks as they climb to their high nests. Leftover mince pies - hopefully

some remain after Christmas Eve, eggnog laced with brandy, hot

 chocolate in a favorite winter mug, warming pots of tasty soup with 
crunchy farm bread and lots of butter, a glass of sherry to toast those
we love who are not close by but are in our thoughts.

As I said - thinking of you and wishing you well this holiday season.

Christmas in England...................

I'm not going home to England this year,

but yesterday, with a little time to spare (how on 

earth did that happen with Christmas now so close),  

I looked through the photos I've taken 

of Christmas decor about the cottage and 

decided to improve on the English 'cottage feel'

with a wee bit of cheating/editing.

I think receiving Christmas cards from England, 

some depicting authentic country cottages, 

made me realize I don't really have one of those. 

Who am I trying to kid!

This year my favorite card arrived from my cousin.

Cousin David in England gets it. 

He lives in my hometown, we grew up there, spent a lot of time together, and he knows how much I love coming home. Last Christmas Day I enjoyed dinner with him and his entire family. We indulged in everything English, from soup to Christmas pudding, gathered together around a big table in a lovely restaurant on the cliffs above the English Channel. It was the one day of our trip home when the rain stopped for a while and the sun popped out from behind the clouds......it was a perfect Christmas surrounded by special people. It was worth a long journey across the pond and brought back lovely memories of my English childhood.

This year we will be here. The cottage feel is important to me at the holidays. I admit I'm somewhat envious of those at home who will be cozy, tucked into a real country cottage, sipping a pre-dinner sherry, enjoying dinner, munching on mince pies with brandy butter, flaming the Christmas pud', listening to the annual message given by our gracious Queen.........then sitting by the crackling fire, sipping a nightcap, listening to the last of the carols as Christmas fades into the night.

I will soon be baking my mince pies..........we have the Harvey's Bristol Cream sherry ready for a toast - there are two bottles as we don't play Scrooge here - come by and join in. The firewood is stacked and ready to crackle and pop on the hearth, the candles are glowing, the carols are waiting to be played.

Christmas happens wherever one is. 

You can make it happen.

You can dream and remember.
It's etched in stone.

It's in your heart....isn't it?