Wednesday

 

My day began very early, as it always does. Mog was slow to stir, still feeling a little sorry for herself, having eaten a mouse which disagreed with her! I enjoyed my coffee in the quiet of those early hours, without so much as the gentle hum of the central heating boiler in the background. An hour or two of calm before heading out to work. It's been a busy week and I'm looking forward to enjoying some time off after I finish on Friday. 

Just as I had hoped, a quick trip into town and I've completed my Christmas gift buying. I admit, it's a relief. I don't have many people to buy for but it feels good to know I have one less thing to 'worry' about. I don't get caught up in the frenzy at this time of year, I'm just not a natural shopper and if I'm not careful I can find the whole thing quite stressful. This is something I have simply refused to get on board with these last few years - first world problems at their best. I'm going to see if I can set aside some time to make a start on the wrapping tomorrow, as I would quite like to have it finished in time for the weekend. 

This afternoon I planted some hyacinth bulbs into my copper pot. Six bright green shoots, with the promise of some beautiful scented flowers in the coming weeks.  I did intend to display some sprigs of holly in the centre of the dining table but, for now at least, this is where I have put the bulbs, as a reminder that, 'If winter comes, can spring be far behind?'

J. X

Putting My Feet Up

 

It has been a gentle sort of  a day, and as such it has been most welcome for this time of year. A time to recharge and restore. Uncomplicated and routine. I've hand delivered some more of my Christmas cards, taken a trip to the post office to send those which are for friends further afield, and collected an online gift order. I only need to go into the town tomorrow to find one more present, and I can relax, as then there will only be the food to sort out. 

More cards are arriving each day and there are already several presents beneath the tree. This year it looks like I'll be set for wine and chocolates :)

J. X

A Very Berry Christmas

 

I was awake early this morning and immediately I felt a slight sense of panic. I was feeling exhausted, a little bit shivery, and my neck and shoulders ached. You can probably imagine what I was thinking. Thankfully, it was just a few moments later, that I realised my tiredness was probably because it was still only 5.30am. I was shivering because the heating doesn't come on until 6, and my neck and shoulders were aching as a consequence of my mildly aggressive use of the hacksaw yesterday. Suffice to say I was feeling  lot more 'with it' by the time I had finished my coffee, and the aching lessened as the day went on. 

Today's 'festive' has been the making of more blackberry and elderberry compote, and finally straining the spiced blackberry vodka that has been quietly resting at the back of the kitchen cupboard for the last three months - I had almost forgotten about it! It seems such a long time ago now that Lily and I went foraging for those fruits, way back in the middle of September, but the vodka, especially, is always worth the wait. The length of the steeping process works out perfectly for Christmas enjoyment, and the added cinnamon and cloves help give it a delicious festive flavour.

It was 'such a pity', therefore, that I didn't have enough bottles. I ended up needing to pour myself a small glassful. Well, I really wouldn't want to waste any :)

I've finished decorating for Christmas now. I just need to cut some more holly for the dining room, but I will leave that until next week, so that it stays fresh. Oh, and I've finally made a start on my gift wrapping!

J. X

Christmas Trees

I had a rather un-festive start to my day, which involved a supermarket shop, cutting my replacement drain cover to size (the last one blew away in the recent storms), and then, just to top it off, I needed to clean the drain pump filter on my washing machine, after it had stopped mid cycle with a drum full of water. Thankfully, after taking an age to empty the machine manually, the problem was quickly rectified and the offending hair tie removed :)  

I've spent a little while tidying and clearing today. I know it won't be long before the clutter begins to accumulate once more, but for now, at least, the house is looking a lot better. The dining table is visible again, which will come in very handy for when I commence the gift wrapping. I feel quite organised this year with my wrapping paper, ribbons and tags etc. all neat and tidy in their own box. Although, I'd be even more organised if I was actually putting them to use!

This afternoon we went out to visit a charity Christmas Tree festival. It is an annual event where you can buy tokens, which you then donate to your chosen charities as you view the trees. It is always lovely to see the displays and it raises some much needed funds for worthy causes. 

I will leave you with some pictures of my favourites. 

J. X