Family Christmas.

A very relaxed Christmas Day. After a late breakfast of croissants and bacon it was time to open those presents so lovingly wrapped and placed under the tree. Despite appearances Patch was enjoying sitting on Linas' lap.

We like to give silly presents and generally attempt to disguise our presents using recycled packaging.
Vytas was very happy with his Dremmel (craft drill) which he wanted for his model making.

At the end of the present opening we sit amid a sea of wrapping paper, some to be saved but most destined for the fire. The boys spent most of the day attempting to repair the straps on the snowboard before hitting the slopes (Ron's field) and taking advantage of the snow while we still have it. A late Christmas dinner followed, it's hard to cook a dinner which mainly consists of items needing to go in the oven - bird, sausages, stuffing, parsnips and roast potatoes, when the rayburn with its tiny oven drops its temperature every time a new dish is added. Nevertheless it was a slap up feast and there is plenty left over ,( and from our fish based Christmas Eve meal), so that we won't need to do any major cooking for the next few days. Not to mention all the chocolates, German salami, Indian sweets and dried fruit that made up a large part of our presents to each other. I foresee a return to the diet in January but for the time being I'll enjoy the nice things that have been given to me. A wood fire and light tv viewing are now making for a relaxing evening.

(It would have been fool hardy to drive out to Shirwell for the midnight service so we listened to the morning service from St Martin's-in-the-fields.)

Christmas Greetings.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

to all my friends and visitors.

Have a wonderful day.

The Night Before Christmas.

T'was the night before Christmas

and all round the house

the garden was covered

with snow and with ice.

(Say that in a posh voice and it will rhyme.)The air was all still

as I marched round the hill

with cards from afar

left safe in my car.

Two sons then came down

with food bought in town

and stored in the car

by their Ma and their Pa.

Then off sons did trot
to the Muddiford Inn
but no bus to be got
so a bit more walkin'.

Not much to buy
when to town they did go,
but they gave it a try
before meeting big bro'.

Down motorways long
from the north he had come
for the call it is strong
to spend Christmas at home.

Now all are home safely
Christmas can start.
With Jesus and family
close to my heart.

Disclaimer - I'm not a poet, and I do know it.

Snow Joke.

Same old snow keeping us stuck in our valley. I went for a walk up the hill to stretch my legs and see what the road at the top was like but there is no chance of driving out. I would just like to get those last few presents and collect any parcels and letters that are waiting at the Post Office and pick up some library books. I tend to leave that job till last and often end up with nothing new to read over the holidays. I'm hoping that Peter isn't working all day on Friday so that we could go in then. I haven't heard anything from Vytas who is due to drive down on Friday but the road conditions don't look very good so he might be stuck up North for Christmas. Sheep always look grubby and yellow against the gleaming white snow.
There were a few moments of sunshine but the wind was really icy. I could hear the Hunt's dogs down along the valley (must stop thinking evil thoughts about people who kill animals for fun). Some of their vehicles were parked up at the top of the drive, fleeting thoughts of flat tyres crossed my mind but I resisted.

Both Linas and Romas have got heavy colds. Linas spent most of the day under his duvet but Romas who is a hardy soul went outside to enjoy the snow and I could see him cutting swathes down Ron's field with his snow board. I'm trying to put school to the back of my mind and have spent time reading lots of blogs and checking out webcams around the country to see what the weather conditions are like.

Final job of the day was to bake a batch of Christmas biscuits. I don't know if it is due to me nibbling the dough but it always seems a lot of work for not that many biscuits (30) and they could still do with icing. That's probably the reason I only make biscuits at Christmas.

Bonus Post.

Had to post a picture of my 'home-made' tree which I rather like though I could do with a chunkier star on the top. It is making the sitting room smell really nice, no need for pine scented candles or room sprays.
And just for fun some typical views of my kitchen Rayburn festooned with drying clothes & shoes. The cats have been taking it in turns to occupy the warmer oven and the boots were there to be made a bit more flexible by the heat.

Elwen doesn't usually get a chance to occupy this prize position and is making the most of it.

Slayer Christmas Lights

Credits for unique christmas lights!



Post was inspired by Finnish magazine Iltasanomat.

-N-

Decorate Your Home For Christmas

It's not long untill Christmas arrives and it's time to start preparing your home for it. Here some inspirations.

Pictures from marthastewart.com, skonahem.com and livingetc.com

-N-