Found Them!

I hardly stopped yesterday.  A last minute rearrangement of plans in school meant that Lily ended up staying with me for the morning, therefore, any plans of my finishing the Christmas shopping were well and truly scuppered. The errands I could still get on with, we did together. Before we set off I prepared dinner in the slow cooker. It's always good to know there is something prepared for when I finish work. 

Some jeans got returned - a little too snug for me - oops! We took a parcel to the post office, then finally we went shopping for our new tree decoration. On returning home, I received a lovely and most unexpected surprise. My amazing friend, who I've known for many years now and who is aware of my difficulties in getting a full night's sleep, sent me the nicest little care package. It contained some spiced apple, vanilla and camomile tea, some chocolates (always welcome), also some lavender pillow spray, bubble bath and oil. What a thoughtful gift. The chocolates have already disappeared :) and I tried the pillow spray last night. It hasn't made any difference so far, but it does smell lovely. I messaged her immediately to express my gratitude.

With Lily then dropped off at school, I dashed straight from work to meet some more friends for coffee, then it was back to work again until 6 o'clock. By this time I was feeling pretty tired and wasn't really in the mood to start thinking about the tree, but I had promised, and Lily was determined to decorate it on the 8th.

Fortunately, once the lights were hung and I began to unwrap all the decorations, it wasn't long at all before the tree was finished and we could stand back and admire our handiwork, complete with the dried orange slices. 

And you can probably guess what I discovered right at the bottom of the decorations box...

J. X

We've Decorated the Tree

I've had such an exhausting day, so I'm taking myself off to bed shortly. But before I go, I'll just introduce you to 'Glittery' the mouse angel. The newest addition to our tree decorations. 

J. X

Dried Orange Slices

 

Those bells are still hiding somewhere. I'm sure they will turn up tomorrow, once I open up the Christmas boxes and unwrap all the tree decorations. I am looking forward to finally having the tree in the house, although I expect Mog will probably just raise her eyebrows in typical cat fashion, as if to say 'here we go again!' I don't mind, she's always been very good with anything like that. The first year she was with us, she climbed up into the tree but she was much smaller then, I doubt she would manage it now even if she tried. She will occassionally tap at the baubles on the lower branches but that's all. I realise I'm very lucky. 

It's been a busy day. Time has passed quickly at work, which is always enjoyable at this time of year. Exhausting, but definitely a lot of fun.

The storm has been wreaking havoc throughout the afternoon and although the strong winds are beginning to die down now, I can still hear sudden gusts against the windows. I do hope there won't be too much damage.

During a short break this morning, I took the time to dry some orange slices ready for when we decorate the tree tomorrow. I did this for the first time last year and I loved how they turned out. They looked so pretty hung from the tree branches with the warm glow from the fairy lights shining against them.

Some drying methods require the oranges to be in a low oven for several hours, but I sliced mine thinly, then placed them on a wire rack, and they took just 45 minutes at 120°, turning halfway through.

Tomorrow  I will thread them with some floristry wire and if I'm feeling fancy, I might even add some ribbon :)

J. X

Bringing Home the Tree

 

This year, we didn't have very far to travel at all to get our tree, as it has spent the last twelve months quite happily in the garden. I've been keeping it in the pot for now, making sure to keep it well watered during the summer months but I expect I will plant it out properly some time in the new year.

My personal preference is for a real tree. For several years, when Lily was very small, and for the first Christmas after we got Mog, we used an artificial tree, but for me it just wasn't quite the same. I love the irregularity of a real tree, the imperfections, the scent and yes, even the needles which always get absolutely everywhere. But...it has to still be growing. With roots. In a pot. 

When I see cut trees, it makes me sad. I know, I know. This probably makes me sound a little bit weird to most people, but it's just how I feel. 

Anyway, with the forecast looking a bit damp for the next few days and Lily intent on decorating the tree on the 8th this year (because that is how old she is, of course!) this evening, after school, between us we carefully carried the tree into the porch to give enough time for the branches to dry out. It is looking surprisingly fresh and even survived being blown over in the recent storm. But regardless, I think most trees look pretty once adorned with fairy lights and some favourite decorations. 

Being a little impatient, we made a start by decorating the small tree instead. This one was looking a little sparse by comparison, but with the addition of a small string of lights and a few simple star decorations (I still need to find the little bells), it is beginning to look lovely and festive. 

J. X