A Pause In Advent....

Ohooo I could cry I am that tired.

I definately need to pause for advent, yet would feel a little guilty if I do. I shouldn't really be on here, seeing as I have presents to wrap, cards to write, parcels to send off, 3 yr old to look after, wash hair, though thinking the latter is far to frivolous.
We had a flying visit to Wales at the weekend to deliver some presents as I think it shall be my little family of four at home this year and go back and see Family on boxing day. We realised we didn't actually have any presents in our sleigh to deliver, so spent the weekend in shops, purchasing presents, wrapping presents and delivering presents and that is only for the children in our family, Yet to do the adults.

I really don't have a love of new, big, bright with bells on department stores, yet often find myself get really stressed running round them like Supermarket Sweep doing my best to pick the perfect gift. I remember when I was courting Mr. Poppins, B.C. before children, we realised on Christmas Eve that we hadn't bought one Christmas present, so went on a mad dash and spent the rest of Christmas Eve wrapping and missed Christmas Day as slept for most of the day due to sheer exhaustion and maybe too much slow dancing with our wine ;)



So my Pause In Advent is going to be some reflection on all this present buying, I love it I really do, and truly in my heart get a bigger smile on my face giving rather than receiving but sometimes feel it takes over my Christmas holiday.


What is important is the getting together with the family you love, the little things, you know, like the little boy hanging a sweet decoration on the tree, but it is sometimes so hard not to get too wrapped ;) up in it all. I am going to sit back for a little while and take stock, though hopefully not for too long, there is too much to do.





Whilst shopping found a lovely little bargain in the aptly named store Home Bargains, no snob factor here, I love it, and have purchased some lovely pretties for my home. Anyway a lovely pack of wrapping papers caught my eye, 5 rolls, 2 cellotapes, 30 stickers and a Christmas Sack, all for the wonderful price of 39p.



Now all I need to do is get wrapping.

Hope you can reflect with me :)

Merry Christmas

I Lubs Ya Kirstie....

Well there is mucho talk and discussion going on regarding Kirstie and her Christmas programme, and some of it not too complimentary. I love a good olde friendly debate so thought I would say what I thought of her programme. I loved it, warts and all. One reason why I loved it was a, nice to not have a repeated programme on at Christmas for a change, b, I love to see some of the quirky outfits that Kirstie wears, c, I am Christmas crackered and actually looked forward to being transported to another Christmas world, where I can sit back with my green and blacks hot chocolate and 1 or 2 boxes of matchmakers.






In all probability for me, I shall not achieve nor wish to spend the high price tag to pursue any of the crafts that the programme highlighted, though I thought it was interesting to see what crafting can be achieved with a higher than normal budget and an array of helpers. I felt the programme, although in most probability was filmed in July or August had a very special magical feel to it and if nothing else certainly got me in the mood for Christmas, and being a lazy olde mare actually enticed me to get of my backside and do something crafty for Christmas. Yes not in the same league as madame Kirstie and her crafty elves, but inspired me, isn't that what it is all about.

Of course I have one or two little gripes with the programme, soap that indeed cannot be made in time for Christmas, yet obviously the programme may not have had that Christmas feel to it had it been aired 4 weeks ago.

I also thought Meadowgate had a decent olde airing, Meadowgate this, Meadowgate that ;) But by heck if I owned a property like that, I would be shouting it from the rooftops and after all it is available to rent and aren't we all encouraged to network and self advertise our goods.

Having had my little T.V. stint, I have, albeit a very little understanding, of how things operate, there shall be a swarm of, researchers, a big production crew, directors and how much Kristie is actually involved in the choosing of these crafts, only she knows, and anyone whose charming little son shares the same lovely name as mine goes in my good books :)

Anyway I loved it, and if I want to re-mortgage my house to make some gold leaf pear place settings, I jolly well shall ;)


Merry Christmas

X

She May Not Be Big, But She Is Beautiful....

Is it me, or is really hard to photograph one's decorated Christmas tree. Our trees look so beautiful and glorious in the flesh but I can't seem to capture it in a photograph, maybe I need to go on a how to photograph your Christmas tree course ;) We have two decorated trees, an artificial one, bought in the sale from M&S years ago, and a real one in the lounge. I have to say the artificial one is very real like and also is a fantastic shape, tall and not too wide so fits in our hallway superbly. Yet can I take a decent pretty photograph of it, not really.

The real one in the lounge is a 6 footer though looks much smaller to me, once bought, the kindly man plonked it into a tree stump and we have left it as it is. I do think Christmas trees get a little thirsty and should be in water, though Mr. Poppins says they don't have to be, I am normally almost always right ;) Anyone know how to keep one's real tree looking sprightly. We have plumed for pretty paper chains this year rather than tinsel. Myself and the two Poppins got a little sticky putting them all together, but worth it.

Well here she is small, yet perfectly formed in my opinion.





A couple of my favourite decorations.

All I want for Christmas....





A gorgeous and well loved vintage wooden Father Christmas, he has a little crazing, but in my opinion makes him all the more charmful.





A beautiful crocheted Icicle kindly made for me by a lovely Lady





And on the artificial tree, I am always reminded by my first born.





And of course a Mary Poppins tree wouldn't be a decorated tree without a sparkly pink heart, kindly sent to me from a fellow blogger friend last year in a little Christmas decoration swap we did.





Thank you so much for your lovely comments on my newly found engagement ring. I am enjoying it all over again, 10 years old, yet feels brand new.


Merry Christmas


X