Boxing Day birds -

I love English robins. 

I love American robins too . . . . . . I love all birds.

Little chubby, round English robins are so different from our 

big hopping all around the lawn American robins. 

English 'robin redbreasts' are always welcomed on Christmas

 cards arriving from across the pond.

These are on my fridge right now, reminding me of my childhood,

 and being enjoyed over the holidays. . . . . . and they will remain until

I pack away Christmas decor, a job I really dislike!

English robins seem so happy perched on snowy branches around

the winter season while ours just do what they always do, wander

about on the ground, stand still listening, pulling up a juicy worm now

and then . . . . . . and of course coming to the bird baths or fountain

 for an often lengthy splash, swim, or bath, not sure which, but 

they really love water.

Boxing Day is my favorite holiday. I call it "my day" because I only do

 what I want to do!  I may just sit here all day in my pj's and robe, or 

I may get out and enjoy the beautiful weather we are having right 

now - all day sunshine and 74F - who can complain. I would have 

enjoyed a "White Christmas' of course but it wasn't in the forecast

 so there was no disappointment. . . . . . .and we do have January

through March when snow often pays a visit to North Carolina.

So, hoping your Christmas was memorable in many ways.

Ours was quiet, very quiet.

We watched the Queen's speech, as always, and thought she

 looked and sounded amazing at 95 years!

Did you watch the wonderful "Downton Abbey" movie last night?

The scenery, costumes, ballroom waltzing, kitchen scenes - and new

love stories for the future perhaps - were outstanding.

We really enjoyed it a lot. 

Followed by the Christmas episode of the always excellent

 "Call The Midwife" we got a big dose of English

 Christmases past.  I admit to wiping away a few tears and said

 a prayer that we will get to cross the pond again in the

coming year!

Enjoy your Boxing Day and this slow week ahead as we

await the ringing in of the New Year. . . . . .which we all hope 

will be a better one.

We forgot to even open the champagne last evening - but

there's always tonight.

CHEERS! 

Rainy Sunday before Christmas -

Today is cold and dreary. Rain a steady heavy drizzle. Skies leaden.

The only lively spot is the leafless fig tree with birds waiting on the 

rain-soaked branches for a turn at the feeders. 

Three Eastern bluebirds attacked the suet feeder at once - a family

enjoying Sunday breakfast perhaps.

 

Note my favorite vintage rolling pin and cookie cutters - and the
 baking tins I brought from England so many years ago.

My traditional English mince pies - ready for the oven.

My weekend has included baking - mince pies, ginger crinkle cookies, 

a delicious apple galette (shared with the new next door neighbor), and

 then sitting and thinking about other traditional foods I will make in the

 coming days and into the new year.

Sadly, no usual Christmas Eve party, but for some reason I still feel

the need to bake and cook like I always do . . . . . . . you just

know someone will eat the food!

A bit bedraggled this morning - but always a pleasure to see in the garden.

I'm struggling a bit learning the New PicMonkey - - there really are a lot

of differences but thankfully they have great tutorials - I just need to set 

aside more to read them, and watch their videos. 

Moving along with Christmas decorating. . . . . . .

A brighter day. . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . as this morning, following another dismal weather day of rain and heavy fog

shrouding the landscape, I awoke to sunshine creating light and shadows in the 

dining room.

Last night I worked on dining room decorations as at last I'm getting some relief

 from the shoulder pain. 

I recently sprayed the last of my Fall pumpkins with 'nickel' paint. They are 

still solid and I haven't the heart to just throw them out yet. I'm using them on the

 table, as I've done some other years, and like how they look mixed with

 Christmas themed ornaments.

Note the row of cutout white squirrels on the top of the Welsh dresser - they

 have tiny battery operated lights attached and look cute in the dark evenings. 

 A recent IKEA purchase and perhaps my only new Christmas item as I'm really

 trying to downsize the decorating this year!

How is your holiday decorating going?  Are you doing more or less this year?

Does your neighborhood go to town with outdoor Christmas decor?

December weather - a wet Christmas. . . . . . . .

Around North Carolina we've not had the usual weather the 

month of December brings. . . . . no bitter cold, no snow or icy

 conditions, no roaring winds, but quite a lot of rain falling heavily

 like grey sheets of gloom, such as we're getting today. It's

currently "pelting down cats and dogs" as we said in England when

 I was growing up. Do they still say that - maybe my UK readers can

oblige with info - thanks.

We've also had very warm weather and some lovely

sunny days. . . . . .to rake leaves, hang decorations outside, go 

shopping, walk for a little exercise now and then, even sit on the 

front porch with a refreshing drink in hand, in between the pre-holiday

 hustle and bustle of errands and chores December always brings. 

This has always been one of my favorite depictions of December

as Christmas approaches - snow, wind, a red dress and warm wrap, and a huge

 bunch of mistletoe.

Christmas love to you all.

Décembre

Eugene Samuel Grasset (Swiss, 1845-1917)

Color wood graving from his portfolio Les Mois - 1895

Getting to look a lot. . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . like CHRISTMAS!

When today's date - the 20th - popped up as I opened 

the laptop, I realized I need to get moving with the remaining 

holiday baking for the Christmas Eve open house. 

Shopping is done, cards mailed, wrapping is completed, 

decorating done - although I'm always titivating the holiday

 vignettes, and added a lot more candles yesterday.

I'll be using fresh greenery on the mantel soon - it's ready

 on the porch, in water, because it's just really warm and sunny

 and needs to quench its thirst before coming into the cottage!

Brilliant sunshine this morning - the beautiful light meant

 'take more photos' of course.

 I'll soon be heading to the kitchen to make traditional little English mince pies.

 My filling of rich dried fruits sat overnight soaking up a nice swig of rum - so

 I'll be off soon to make pastry and get those little gems into the oven to bake.

I also baked most of Friday and then again yesterday afternoon.

This afternoon I'm hoping to grab one of these mugs (CALM looks perfect)

 of hot chocolate, a cookie, and just sit outside in the sunshine for a while.

 Knowing the baking is done, only the house cleaning is left to keep me

busy during the next day or so.

 

Are things are ready around your home? 

These next few days will definitely fly by fast. 

I'm just waiting for the 25th to arrive. 

For us it will be that lovely quiet and peaceful day -------- time to enjoy

 the true meaning of Christmas without all the commercial clutter.

Dawn to dusk --------------------

We were out on Sunday doing what many of us are doing these busy days.

The morning started here - a quick bite at a newly opened breakfast/lunch 

place. . . . . . . 

. . . . . and by early evening we had ended up here just a few minutes from home.

 It was incredibly warm and balmy, not at all like traditional Christmas weather.

 Strolling about in just light clothing, enjoying blossoms in December.

As always, Anthropologie had great windows, and with snow! Wondering if we'll

 get the real thing some time this Winter.

All pix via my iPhone