Shopping

Christmas is now just a few short days away, and Lily is in her usual state of excitement, with high expectation for the 'Best one ever!' 

Today I have found myself buying some late-in-the-day Christmas presents and finishing off those gifts which were almost complete. The weather hasn't done do much to help me feel festive. It's been blowing a hoolie for much of the day, and it was all I could do to stop myself from being blown off my feet. It did, however, make me feel relieved that I was close to home. Had we travelled to Edinburgh I would have spent all my time there worrying that our return train could have been cancelled. 

Gift shopping completed, I treated myself with a visit to my favourite store. It is full of the most beautiful gifts and homewares and I can always be guaranteed to find something I just need to bring home with me. On this occasion it was another tree decoration and a candle holder. These were actually quite inexpensive, and anyway, I can always consider them an early Christmas present to myself :)

I have, at least, managed to put off getting the main Christmas food shop. Well, I think I probably have most of what I want already. There are just a few more fresh items I need to get, along with the cheeses. I might try and go early in the morning, before it all gets too busy. 

J. X

Cranberries and Carols

 

If I overlook the mountain of ironing I worked through this morning, I have enjoyed a relaxed and stress free day. Simply the fact that I didn't wake until after 6am was proof of that. My brain has clearly tuned itself into holiday mode.

I've also spent some much needed time catching up on some blog reading, and it is  lovely to be up date with everyone's news. Although I'm having a few issues leaving comments on some posts and I think some might also have been sent directly to spam. I will keep persevering. 

This afternoon I made some cranberry sauce and the kitchen was filled with the most amazing aroma, as it simmered gently on the stove. I've put some in the freezer alongside the apple sauce, ready for serving with our Christmas Dinner, and the rest is going to be stirred in with our baked Camembert on Christmas Eve. As I don't really enjoy roast dinners, I'm sure you can probably guess which will be my favourite way of eating it. And I've still to bottle the blackberry vodka. Perhaps I'll do that tomorrow. 

This evening, Lily and I went Carol singing in the village, accompanied by a wonderful community band. We were meant to be on the village green, but sadly the inclement weather put paid to that idea, so the event was held in the church instead. It was just such a lovely evening, filled with joyful singing and punctuated by terrible Christmas Cracker jokes. Also, we were asked to participate a little more than expected during The Twelve Days of Christmas. It was a good way of keeping us warm, at least. 

The evening was fairly well attended, I thought, and I even saw a couple of dogs who were very well behaved and sat beautifully throughout. 

Tomorrow, I think I shall be doing the Christmas food shopping. Wish me luck!

J. X

Calm

 

Today has been my last day at work until the New Year and I can finally relax and hopefully unwind. Yes, I still have a few things I need to do before Christmas Eve, but I now have no need to rush to get jobs done in my lunch break, or quickly before having to collect Lily from school at the end of the day. 

It has been another busy but wonderful day, filled with fun, excitement and laughter. I hardly stopped until I arrived home this evening. And even then it was a quick turn around in order to get Lily to her Karate lesson. Her last one until January. 

I'm looking forward to enjoying some calm over the next few days. I should really have been travelling to Edinburgh tomorrow, but thought better of it, as there have been some severe weather warnings issued. I am a little disappointed, as I always enjoy my trips to the city, but I must confess I am now quite looking forward to a less hectic run up to Christmas Day. 

Tomorrow, I am going to take things easy, for the first time in a while. For once, there's nothing I actually need to do, so I intend to make the most of it. I might make my cranberry sauce or I might bottle up my blackberry vodka. Then again, I might not do either of those. 

J. X

Dark Days

 

Thank you all so much for your kind words on yesterday's post. After a fairly reasonable night's sleep. I felt a lot better this morning. Certainly much less achy at any rate, and I haven't felt quite as chilly. As it turns out, I appear to have a cold. Just a regular cold. I'd almost forgotten what that was like. 

Before I began to feel unwell, I'd had a pleasantly productive day. The last of my Christmas cards were written, I'd wrapped the majority of my presents, and as you can see from the photograph I finally got around to drying the orange slices for the tree. 

It hardly got light today, which isn't exactly surprising seeing as the winter solstice will be here before the end of the week.  I really dislike how dark the days have become, and it's easy for me to see why many people struggle at this time of year. Thank goodness for the Christmas lights, as they bring with them some much needed sparkle. 

This afternoon I attended the school's Christmas celebration. It was a lovely service including several of my favourite carols and various delightful contributions from the children. It's hard to think that this was Lily's very last one, and that this time next year she will be at secondary school. Where did those years go.

Tomorrow, will be my last day ay work until the new year, and I am more than ready for the break. If I've learned anything recently, then it is that I need to do much more than I am doing currently in order to improve my wellbeing. 

J. X