Christmas and Snow

Hello everyone - I hope you had a great Christmas Day, and that you are continuing to enjoy the festive season.

We had a lovely time at my Darling Mum's house on the Big Day, 8 of us all together, laughing, eating good food, opening presents...

Santa had been very busy!

The drinks are alcohol free as we don't drink alcohol (we are quite lively enough without it LOL!!).  The day was judged to be "one of the best Christmasses ever".

The tree lights shone brightly...

And we were treated to a wintry sunset...

We went home in the evening, all tired but happy, and just sat and watched some films on TV.

Yesterday though I got up with a nasty pain in my shoulder (I have no idea how I managed to get it) and so had a fairly easy day at home.  I finished reading Little Women and re-read a book of Christmas stories by Dickens.  I made a big crock pot of veggie stew.  Dozed a bit in the armchair (painkillers probably helped with this!) only to be woken up by a commotion - it had started to snow...

  
The flakes became bigger and bigger...

and quite a large amount fell for this part of the UK.  The kids (even those in their twenties) got very excited about it! 

This morning, the sun is out and the sky is blue...

snow covers the garden...

little footprints adorn the fresh-fallen snow...

and my back feels much better so hopefully we will get out for a walk later on once everyone is up and about.

I hope you all have a lovely Saturday, whatever it is you are doing.

Helenxx

Santas little "helper" - and Advent Calendar door 23

Hello folks!

Well, we are almost there, and the Christmas tree is being investigated by "Santa's little helper"...

I wonder if he is singing "O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...your ornaments are history" !!

Perhaps there should be a picture before it has any "design tweaks"...

Hope you have a lovely day!

Helenxx

Advent calendar door 14 and Christmas Cracker Swap

Hello everyone.

A few weeks ago Tracey organised her annual Christmas Cracker Swap, and I was partnered with Joy. 

A couple of days ago a very exciting box arrived with a lovely little illustration on the label...

 

Ooooh look what is in the box...

 

 

Who knew so much could fit into a kitchen roll middle?



A pretty card with a sweet message inside...

So many thoughtful treats were unwrapped - Christmas tissues...

cracker themed bookmark...

crafting materials...

Chocolate...yum...

lip balm...

and the fabric used for the outer wrap of the cracker is so sweet, I love that it says Joy on it!! 

Thanks so much Joy for being such a fab swap partner, I love everything you sent to me. 

Onto todays Advent Calendar picture - I think my head is still dreaming away of Nordic Winter, I love this picture of a Christmas tree against a backdrop of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)...

Have you put up your Christmas tree yet? 

Helenxx

Hello 2014!

Good morning everyone - and a very Happy New Year to you all!

Hope you had an enjoyable New Years Eve - we had a lovely time at my bestest friend Sue's house where we had yummy nibbles and a good time catching up with what we had been up to during the holidays.  We watched Big Ben and the big firework display from London on TV, and popped open some non-alcoholic bubbly and fired off some party poppers.  All in all a lovely evening - thanks again Sue for inviting us, we really enjoyed ourselves.

I always make a New Year's heart for Sue as a little "thank you" present for inviting us round for New Year's Eve - here is this year's model:

As usual Sue had the most amazing Christmas Tree

I spotted a particularly lovely glass ornament tucked away within it's branches

can you see the glass dragonfly peeking from behind the baubles?  So pretty.

This morning it is only me and #3 son up, the rest of the gang are still fast asleep.  Later on we are heading to my Darling Mum's house for a New Year dinner, cant wait!!

But before I go I thought I would share a photo sent to me by one of my relatives via Facebook - I rather like the sentiments expressed.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year, full of blessings and happiness.

Helenxx