Snow Day

 

It came as a huge relief when we heard that school would be closed today. I didn't relish the thought of trying to get the car off the snow covered drive first thing this morning, and even though the main roads are mostly passable now, the untreated side roads are going to take a lot longer to thaw out completely.

 

Instead, I spent an unexpectedly relaxed morning at home, using my time to write some Christmas cards, compile various lists and place several online orders for gifts. It feels good to have finally made a start, especially with the cards, as I always forget how time consuming it can be just to write them.

 

This afternoon, I set about making my door wreath, using the greenery I'd gathered at the weekend. I had thought about using some pink coloured velvet ribbon, which was why I hadn't added any red berries at this point. I later changed my mind - I do love a traditional red - so I might upload the photograph tomorrow. By the time I'd decided to add the holly, it was early in the evening and had already gone dark.

This afternoon Lily and I went into town. The pavements were treacherous, as the compacted snow, which had begun to melt, left them like an ice rink. It was all we could do just to stay upright. We wouldn't have ventured out at all, but we had a dental appointment, which had already been rescheduled twice previously. I'm pleased to say that we both received good reports, with no need to be seen again for another six months.

J. X

Deck the Halls

 

I am very aware my eating habits have left a lot to be desired lately.  Meals have generally been rushed, thrown together and not as healthy as I would like. With this in mind, and with no need to hurry out of the door first thing, I began my day slowly, with a large bowl of delicious warming porridge, complete with a generous dollop of blackberry and elderberry compote stirred through. It was delicious. I really should take the time to make this on weekday mornings as well, as there are still plenty of berries in the freezer. 

I spent much of the morning catching up with housework I'd missed during the week. I quickly washed the dishes, which I'm ashamed to say had been left over from the night before, and yet another mountain of ironing was dealt with. In between putting even more loads of laundry in the washing machine, the houseplants were watered and the pine needles swept from the porch. I also completed the thankless task of cleaning the bathrooms.

Mundane chores accomplished, I had set aside the afternoon for making my wreath. I've done this for several years now and I really enjoy the process. You might remember I collected some fallen branches and pine cones a couple of weeks ago, and since then I've been waiting for an opportunity to transform them into something I would be happy to display on the door. I made a quick dash into the garden in the pouring rain to gather some fresh holly and ivy before laying it all out across the living room floor. Yes, it was messy, but I didn't care, it was much too cold to have done this outside, I learned that lesson last year :)

I began by attaching the pine branches to the base hoop using some floristry wire, then wrapped around the ivy, weaving it in and out. The pine cones were added next, leaving the sprigs of Holly until the very last - it is so spikey! The finishing touch was some festive coloured ribbon tied in a bow. As you can see, I've gone for a traditional look this year and I'm quietly pleased with the result.

So much, in fact, that I used the leftover branches to create a small table centrepiece. 

I just realised I never did post a picture of our little tree. So here it is, in all it's perfectly imperfect glory. 

J. X

Christmas Wreath

Yesterday, following our long awaited visit to Hill Top, we took an afternoon walk through the woods. The rain had cleared since the morning and I'd wanted to gather some greenery to make my Christmas wreath with, while I had the opportunity.

While the sky still looked dark and grey, I could tell the sun was trying it's very best to break through the cloud. The ground wet and muddy beneath our feet, made me glad I'd decided to wear my wellies. 

It didn't take long to find what I was looking for. Some fallen branches to the side of the path provided most of what I needed. Then, with a couple of very small sprigs from a nearby fir, I'd got enough.

By this time, the sky had brightened and, although the sun was beginning to set, there was still enough daylight to allow us to finish our walk at a relaxed pace.

On returning home I disappeared into the garden for while, to gather some fresh rosemary. The forecast for today was not good, so I though it wise to be prepared. I don't enjoy going out in the pouring rain, so if I didn't need to, I wouldn't. I was satisfied I now had everything I needed, but with daylight fading quickly, I would wait for the morning to make my wreath. 

It must have been the quickest time in which I'd ever made a wreath. Kneeling on the cold floor and feeling chilly probably helped speed things up a bit, but it didn't take long at all until each little bunch of foliage was fixed to the wire ring, then the fir cones I'd collected last weekend were attached. With the scent of rosemary hanging in the air and my fingers beginning to turn black from the florists wire, I attached some red ribbon, and I was done.

And here it is. I'm really pleased with it and I have to say, out of all the wreaths I've made previously, this one is my favourite. 

This afternoon we've been keeping cosy indoors and I've been helping Lily with writing her Christmas cards to hand out at school tomorrow. I'm now rounding off my day with a small glass of Winter Spice Vodka. Cheers!

J. X

Festive

We've decorated the tree, the gifts are (almost) all wrapped and the cards have been posted. With just one week to go until Christmas Day the excitement level is increasing and we've been taking time to enjoy everything about this most wonderful time of the year. We've visited a Christmas tree festival, seen Santa on his sleigh and enjoyed the school's Christmas celebrations - Lily was a rapping King!

Our little tree is spending it's third Christmas with us and has three new decorations this year. A little robin, a snow covered house and a star which Lily made at school. The living room lamps keep getting switched off, so we can sit in just the glow of the fairy lights. The tree is slightly wonky but to us it is perfect, and I expect I'll feel a little sad when I have to return it to the garden again in January.

In the kitchen I've enjoyed a change from making mince pies by baking gingerbread cookies instead. I use this recipe here but with the addition of some ground cloves to give them more of a festive flavour. Lily assisted by rolling the dough and cutting out shapes of stars, snowflakes, Christmas trees and snowmen, and, just like the mince pies, they're disappearing fast. I've strained (and tested 😆) the blackberry vodka and bottled some as gifts, and also made up some jars of hot chocolate mix to give away.

At the weekend we had the greatest surprise when we awoke to a covering of snow.  Lily had been super excited to decorate the tree but it was nothing compared to the thrill of snow, especially on the lead up to Christmas. Lily made a snow angel and there may have been a brief snowball fight. ❄ We enjoyed a leisurely walk and, although it was a very cold morning, afterwards we were able to warm ourselves with a hot drink in front of an open fire.

As we made our return along the riverside I was lucky to spot a long pine branch on the ground, a suspected casualty of the recent strong winds. I must have looked a bit of a sight carrying it over my shoulder but I knew it would be perfect as the base for my door wreath. I collected a handful of pine cones and also added them to the wreath, together with some holly and rosemary from the garden. It smells amazing.

Aside from the period of calm between Christmas and New Year, this is probably my favourite time of the season. Most of the preparations are complete and I can relax and enjoy myself knowing everything is taken care of, except from perhaps a little food shopping, icing the cake and baking some more mince pies.
Will someone please pass me the Quality Street?

J. X