24th December: Merry Christmas!

 

1. There is something magical about the crib on Christmas Eve - complete with penguin!

2. Judith felt sad for the lonely-looking Passing Place sign, so she gave it a hug!

3. Our house looking festive in the darkness, and with a luminous glow in the sky!

4. Added decorations in the kitchen

5. Reflections and the table football

6. Christmas Eve sunset

7. Tesco didn't have any bell peppers apart from ones from Israel, but Judith was pleased to have a reason to branch out!

8. Tracking Santa on the NORAD website

9. The most exciting calendar arrangement!

10. The Judith Glue fairy on the top of Mummy's Christmas Tree

11. Christmas Eve pre-sunrise

12. Weasel season!

13. The dogs loved their extended walk while we delivered Christmas cards, followed by a trip in the car. 

14. Impromptu chips!

15. A different view of the sunset this evening - I was in the kitchen. 

Like New Year's Eve, there is something magical about the last light of Christmas Eve day!

16. Orlando is not impressed at being told he cannot open his presents yet!

17. Martini and lemonade - a festive drink of choice this year!

18. This selfie appeared on my phone...

19. ...as did this picture of me sorting presents!

20. The Fimo crib has been updated with a hanging star.

21. A shining light to welcome us back from our walk.

22. The stars in the bright sky!

23: These pawprints demonstrate why we don't have many logs in the log-basket.

24: Dinner tonight: turkey, dressed tomatoes, and potato salad. Followed by lemon posset. This is a perfect Christmas Eve dinner!

Well, that is us signing off for 2024. We would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and lots of good health and happiness for 2025!

23rd December: Christmas with the Little Ones

 

1 - Christmas with the Little Ones

2 - Clemency making lemon possets - they were amazing!

3 - There is something very pleasing about a dish of sweeties.

4 - The cleanest the high chair was all day!

5 - Judith and Clemency being hoopla-ed on their antlers

6 - Waiting for Christmas...

7 - Big and little.

8 - Two little sisters

9 - It was all too much for Jess, so we built her a little den.

10 - Orlando was on his best behaviour, which was exhausting for the old man!

11 - Judith modelling the antlers for the game.

12 - A lovely and yummy early present

13 - I love that these two were excitedly listening to Frank Sinatra

14 - Elfi insisted on turning the sign around, but I did manage to snap this one!

15 - The lovely team at our local Tesco had sorted out little pouches of sweeties in Merry Christmas bags.

16 - the chickens have been busy so we packaged some eggs up for the Crowditches!

17 - cuddles with Auntie Ginny!

18 - The visit concluded with singing carols around the piano - perfect!

19: Jess loves visits from Auri, who is very happy to get sloppy kisses!

20: Saying grace. 

21: Magic of balloons!

22: Christmas in Puddle Lane. There's always tomorrow...

23: Serious business!

22nd December: And the Jigsaw is Complete(ish)!

 

1: Balloons Judith got when she left Lybster - still going strong as Christmas balloons

2: Pig in Blanket has been in 4 different places today!

3: Looking very promising!

4: A Santa Russian Doll which has been with us for a loooong time!

5: (One of) Orlando's tree decorations

6: One Mum and Dad brought back from their trip a few years ago.

7: The nearly complete jigsaw (read on...)

8: Jess being wrapped-up for Christmas. She was very interested in the paper, so wrapping her up was a logical step!

9: Blood Orange Cider - a festive tipple!

10: The promise of spring... Bluebell shoots shooting!

11: It took a lot of commitment today...

12: Four candles (fork handles?!) lit on the Advent Wreath - not long now!

13: Oh dear! There is a piece missing and we're pretty sure Jess is responsible!

14: Orlando has also been in the doghouse...

15: ...Because of this. He decided he wanted Euan's present and just went ahead and unwrapped it!

16: Alexa is also getting into the festive spirit (she has been trying not to, but Judith is insistent)

17: A festive quiz! We love sitting down together and having a go at these!

18: Judith is now on her third colouring-in picture of this season...

19: ...She does it while Mum reads this to us!

20: One of a pair of beautiful bonbon dishes Lydia and Euan gave us.

21: Where there isn't a wreath on a door, there are still decorations! This is a crocheted Christmas Tree made by our friend, Dot.

22: And then there are the decorations which are a bit worse for wear after the years of use, but you still can't bring yourself not to use them!