'Tis the Season...

 

I hope you all enjoyed a calm and peaceful Christmastime. I've been intentionally absent in this space for a while, as I needed some time to reflect on the holiday and acknowledge a few aspects which were rather challenging for me, this year. Even though I thought that I'd been prepared for it, the reality was much harder than I had anticipated. The last few weeks have seen many ups and downs, but as usual I'm focusing on the ups, as that is what's keeping me going just now. 

Keeping everything incredibly simple has been a huge help, as well as being quite the eye opener to what I really don't need to bother with in future. I did, of course, enjoy taking the time to make my own door wreath, using some fir tree branches, which I'd gathered from the woods, and tied with some pink velvet ribbon, which had been wrapped around one of last year's Christmas presents. This is something I really enjoy doing, and I find it so relaxing.  

On Christmas Eve, just like last year, we met up with some friends for a girl's brunch. It was a relaxed and happy occasion and I have a feeling that this will become a regular event moving forward. After all, this is how traditions start.

Even though I'm almost certain that Lily simply does this for my benefit now, we left out the obligatory carrot and mincemeat shortbread for the big man himself. No whisky this year, as for some reason, Lily decided milk would be the more healthy alternative :)

Christmas Day was fairly quiet and relaxed. Dinner was excellent, if I say so myself :) with the only leftovers being five balls of stuffing. This I was thrilled about, as it meant we could get back to eating 'normal' food straight away.

The very inexpensive crackers were a hit. And I've particularly enjoyed transforming the leftover card into next year's gift tags, already. I just adore the robin and holly print.

As is tradition, we went out for a walk on Boxing Day morning. I don't know if it was because of the gloomy, damp weather, but it was much quieter out than usual. The fell tops were covered with cloud, but there were still some gorgeous views to enjoy. I realised that I haven't spent as much time outdoors recently, so I really must rectify that in the New Year. Then it was back home again, where I cooked up a rather tasty homemade take on a Greggs Festive Bake. Simply served up with a side of pickled red cabbage, it was so delicious that it has been suggested as an alternative to next year's Christmas dinner! 

Yesterday, we enjoyed some time ice skating. It's one of my favourite things to do at this time of year, even though I'm sure that, by now, I should have graduated to being the person who sits and watches, while holding all the bags. Even so, I'm quite happy to take my time skating tentatively around the edge of the rink, while Lily glides away effortlessly across the ice.

We're now getting ever closer to 2025, and I'm feeling more positive and hopeful. Prioritising my own needs is still an ongoing learning process, but I'm getting better at it all the time. Looking back over the last twelve months, I'd like to think that I've seized opportunities and made the most of my days. There's always room for improvement, of course.  

I joked with Lily about doing a New Year's Day dip in Derwentwater, and she was, surprisingly, up for it! Maybe in 2026. 

J. X

Christmas Eve

'Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!'

J. X

Christmas Day

 

And just like that...

It's been a lovely couple of days. This Christmas was never going to be easy for me, but with some careful consideration and little in the way of expectation, it has turned out to have been one of the most relaxed and stress free years I have known in a long time. Just what I needed, in fact. 

Following a gentle afternoon walk, the annual family Christmas Eve buffet was a huge success, and I think I may have eaten my own body weight in cheese. Baked camembert with homemade cranberry sauce, and some crusty bread for dipping, a cheese board and some of my courgette chutney, followed by some freshly baked chocolate Yule log covered in Baileys buttercream -  delicious! Excitement levels were high, so it was gone 11pm before Lily finally fell asleep, and I wasn't far behind.

I was awake all too soon. Mog had been keen to start the day and expected me to keep her company. I didn't mind really, it was lovely to drink my coffee whilst enjoying the quiet of the early morning, as I knew it wouldn't remain that way for very long.

The usual frenzy passed me by this year and our morning was a calm and unhurried affair. Presents were exchanged - all of them having been thoughtfully chosen - and, along with many others, Lily was thrilled to receive the one gift she had been hoping would be under the tree this Christmas morning. I'm calling it a success! Our roast dinner was cooked in as simple a way as I could manage and it was incredibly tasty. This afternoon, we went out for a lovely, albeit very chilly, walk down by the river, arriving home just as darkness fell and in plenty of time to call in on family and wish them a Merry Christmas. 

This evening has been spent mainly with my feet up and enjoying a glass of wine. Now, I think I might just treat myself to another mince pie - It is Christmas, after all.

J. X

Happy Christmas!

 

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!" 

J. X

The Stockings were Hung by the Chimney with Care

The house is quiet. There's a mince pie, a small glass of brandy and a carrot plated up on the coffee table, and I'm hoping Lily will soon be fast asleep. I won't be long out of bed myself, as I expect it will be an early start for me in the morning.

I've had a busy, but very relaxed day, a Christmas Eve to remember for all the right reasons. 

This morning we  enjoyed a climb up Catbells, one of the lower Lakeland fells which overlooks Derwentwater and is a popular walk with people visiting Keswick. A beautiful but bitterly cold morning, we took our time on the ascent, pausing regularly to appreciate the views. It was lovely (and very festive) to see the snow on the surrounding higher fells, and we needed to tread carefully to avoid the patches of ice on the path. Well, I did at least. Lily couldn't resist the feeling of it crunching beneath her boots.

It was only a short walk, so it wasn't long before we were heading home, full of excitement to begin our Christmas celebrations. After warming up with a large mug of coffee, I put my bread to bake in the oven and Lily added the finishing touches to our gingerbread house. 

This evening we've enjoyed the (still warm) bread with some delicious baked camembert and cranberry sauce and I finally opened the tin of Quality Street - I didn't trust myself to open it any earlier :) I might have also enjoyed a festive tipple or two.

Tomorrow, I expect, will be full of fun and laughter, a last opportunity for the family to be together for a while. I hope however you are spending it this year, that you manage to have yourself a happy, healthy and joyful Christmas.

J. X

Christmas Eve

Last week was a flurry of Christmas activity. Carol services, a pantomime, a party and carols around the tree. In between times I had all good intentions of finishing the gift wrapping but, just as expected, I only finished it earlier today.  Not that there was a lot left to do, it was just getting the opportunity to do it, if you know what I mean.

Once school finished on Friday, we were able to relax and enjoy a little weekend break in Chester. It has become somewhat of a tradition to take some time out  just before the day itself and visit a Christmas market. Last year we were in  York and, although much smaller, Chester market was just as delightful. Sitting and drinking mulled wine in the cold evening air soon had me feeling festive. We walked the city walls and even managed to squeeze in a visit to Santa before he had to dash off and get ready for his busiest time of the year.

Since returning home we have been finishing our Christmas preparations. I have been baking up a storm in the kitchen and we now have fresh bread, mincemeat slices and gingerbread cookies (which are disappearing at an alarming rate.) The gingerbread house has already been eaten.

As is usual for us, late this morning, we took ourselves off for a walk to get some fresh air. And what a beautiful morning it was - there had been a hard frost overnight and it was a bright, sunny day. The grass was white with frost and Lily skated across the frozen puddles declaring she was the Ice Queen. Further on, through the fields, she was trying to get up close to the sheep to wish them a Merry Christmas. Suffice to say they were not terribly impressed.

This evening there is a star shaped gingerbread cookie and some wine left under our tree for Santa and, of course,  a carrot for Rudolph. Our bedtime story was 'Twas the Night before Christmas and the house is now quiet and still but, I  know, tomorrow it will be filled with joy and excitement.

I wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas.
J. X

All is Calm

On the build up to Christmas this year I have been mainly focused on creating some precious memories for Lily. She is at that wonderful age when she is beginning to understand what it is all about, so excitement levels have been reaching pretty high.

The last week of Pre-School was such a joy. A Christmas dinner, a party, Carol singing at a nearby care home and even a bus ride into the local town to see the big man himself. It could have been very easy to get carried away in a flurry of tinsel, so all the more reason to take some time out from the festivities to enjoy one of our favourite walks.

The air has been still and damp and the ground so muddy we had to wear our wellingtons instead of our walking boots. Of course, that also meant we were able go splashing in the puddles.

Today has been a lovely, family day. We treated ourselves to a delicious lunch out beside the fire at one of our favourite 'proper old style' pubs, listened to Christmas music and watched The Snowman all the way through for the first time ever. While this evening, Lily has been excitedly looking out of the window for a glimpse of Santa's sleigh before leaving out mincemeat shortbread, Whisky and, of course, a carrot for Rudolph.

The next few days we will be spending our time at home, with family and relaxing. Possibly enjoying a glass or two of wine.

However you are spending it, I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

J. X