A Chilly Morning Walk

This morning, after waking at a much more respectable hour, we got wrapped up well and headed out for a walk. Following a busy week and with the temperatures having dropped quite dramatically we decided not to take on anything too challenging, opting instead to enjoy a gentle stroll around the village of Grasmere.

Although overcast when we set off, the sky looked promising and it looked as if the sun would break through as the morning progressed. Our walk took us alongside the River Rothay, past the little Gingerbread shop and a short way up the Easedale Road, before crossing the fields towards Allan Bank, a large Georgian house which is owned by the National Trust. The property is currently undergoing some renovations, but we were able to walk through the wooded grounds and enjoy the beautiful views of the lake and the surrounding snow capped fells. The path through the trees, although steep, makes for a really pleasant walk and has the added appeal of being an area which is home to red squirrels. We saw two today but they move far too quickly for me to even attempt to get a photograph.

After a short rest, overlooking the lake, to enjoy a delicious caramel hot chocolate and some Gingerbread, we returned alongside the river once more, where I picked up a large handful of fir cones which I will use when making my Christmas wreath during the week. 

On arriving home I surprised Lily with the snow globe and, just as I expected, she was absolutely thrilled with it and it was just lovely to see the delight on her face. She keeps turning it upside down to watch the snow fall, and the tune? Well, I've lost count of the times I've heard 'Jingle Bells' today. I'll be sure to post a picture of it tomorrow.

I spent this afternoon making some more headway on my Christmas jigsaw. It has 1000 pieces and is proving to be quite the challenge. I set this out on the dining table a few days ago and I'm hoping to finish it by Christmas Eve. I don't have any choice really, as we're going to need somewhere to eat Christmas Dinner : )

J. X

Little Tree

Yet another early start for me this morning and by 7 o'clock I was enjoying my second mug of coffee. Friday is my busiest day of the week, but after a good night's sleep (Mog did not wake me, thankfully) and a bowl of porridge for breakfast, I was ready to go. What I hadn't prepared for, however, was a frozen car windscreen. It had been another chilly night here, and after hurriedly scraping it clear I managed to get Lily to school with seconds to spare.

The day passed by without further incident and before I realised it, I was home again to a cosy house and the warm glow of the fairy lights from our little tree in the kitchen.

We haven't yet been to buy our main Christmas tree this year, but last week, knowing there was limited stock available, I bought this tiny tree to display in the kitchen. It had been sitting in the porch until Tuesday, when I had the opportunity to bring it indoors and hang some lights from it. Yesterday, I noticed the lights were flickering and, realising that it was in all likelihood that they would stop working completely only once the stores had sold out, I decided to replace them. The only ones available in a warm white were some copper wire lights. I was a little unsure as I placed them in my shopping basket, but I can't tell you how pleased I am with them. They are so simple to hang, you can bend them in order to position them how you like and they give off a gorgeous glow. I've still to decorate the tree but for now I'm enjoying the simplicity of how it looks with just the lights on.

J. X

Shopping and Snow

 

I didn't have the best night's sleep. Being woken at 3.30 by Mog miaowing loudly in my face did not help matters. I'm not sure why she did this, other than perhaps to protest at the fact it was raining and she wanted to go out, or maybe she was getting her revenge at me having recently put her on a diet. Last week she had a appointment with the vets for her annual vaccination and although she is in very good health, she is a little bit heavier than we would like, so now I am trying to address this. I hope she doesn't disturb me tonight.

This morning, in an attempt to finish off my Christmas present shopping, I took a trip into town. Heading in nice and early meant it was lovely and quiet. I had my list and knew exactly which shops I needed to go to in order to get everything I wanted. If I had any time left I also wanted to call in at The Works to get myself an easy read Christmas novel and to the florists for some fresh stems of eucalyptus.

The weather was cold and wet and really not ideal for trailing around the shops, but it wasn't long before the rain turned to sleet and I busied myself getting what I needed from my list and wishing I'd had the sense to wear my gloves. 

Recently, Lily has been pleading with me to get her a snow globe. Now, she really isn't a child who for asks for much at anytime, so in this instance I am more than  happy to oblige and I have managed to find a really lovely one, quite inexpensively, from TK Maxx. I had seen a gorgeous, much dearer one at a local independent store, but I want Lily to be able to enjoy it and not have the worry of it getting broken. This was originally intended to be given to her on Christmas Day but, as it would be a shame for her not to be able to enjoy it for as long as possible, I think I might just surprise her with it at the weekend. It really is very pretty and even plays a tune.

By the time I left the store the sleet had turned into snow and I can't tell you just how lovely it felt to now be getting my Christmas shopping with snowflakes landing on my hair. Doesn't that only happen in Hallmark films? I really wanted to take  a picture and  I know it's not the best of photographs but I tried to capture it as best I could. The last stop was the florists and here I had the added excitement of being greeted by the owners new puppy, a gorgeous little spaniel. Only eleven weeks old, he's absolutely adorable and I might find myself needing to buy fresh flowers from there more often : )

It should have been my last stop but on the way back to the car I just had to call in at Greggs for a Festive Bake and some mince pies. Now it really does feel like Christmas. 

J. X