Christmas Star

The top of our Christmas tree was lacking a star until I came across this one just before Christmas.  It added the finishing touch to our tree and when the lights are lit; it shines out in the darkness; just as the Christmas Star shone in the East thousands of years ago, guiding the pilgrims to Bethlehem.

Merry Christmas!

I am rather late in wishing you all a Merry Christmas!  I hope that your festivities are going well and that you are with those whom you love. This year's Christmas cake has a slightly different look after I bought this cute cake ornament during my trip home in October.

 

Rudolph (described by my husband as looking like a bulldog with antlers!) is pulling his sleigh through the snowy icing and I'm glad to see that he is bringing lots of presents.  I'm not certain what happened to Santa, but I hope that he was good to you this year!

Memories Are Made of This...

 

On my recent trip home to the UK to visit my family, I visited the National Trust shop in York.  I was browsing through their displays when I spotted these two tree ornaments. 

What better reminder than an English telephone box and postbox, complete with robins!

Secret Santa

We had our departmental Christmas party recently and as part of the festivities, there was a Secret Santa.  I didn't know the person whose name I was given very well, so I played safe and bought her a pretty Christmas bauble for her tree.  Whoever got my name had certainly been paying attention and knew that I was taking cake decorting classes....just look at what Santa delivered!

Joy

 

Emma Bridgewater has produced some fabric which is aptly named 'Joy'.  How could I not feel joyful looking at these beauties?  Mince pies are a favourite of mine at Christmas so I was drawn to this beautiful heart, which now adorns the handle of the pantry.

 

This sweet Christmas themed fabric has been fashioned into a delightful tree complete with presents.  I found these two on eBay and I just couldn't resist adding them to my Christmas collection.

The View From Here

It's interesting that whenever we put our Christmas tree up and decorate, it always seems to end up in a corner, so we only see one side of it.  This year, although it is in a corner, it is close to the door, which is divided by a low wall/shelf.  I was cleaning the hallway up after our recent painting when I looked up and saw this view: a completely different perspective of our tree and living room.

On the shelf there are tea lights in pretty gold holders, two of which were a gift from my friend Tracy at Prana Light and Christmas stocking holders.  In the absence of a chimney, we have no mantelpiece on which to hang our stockings.  I just hope that Santa approves!

Oh Christmas Tree

Our Christmas tree arrived on Saturday and we brought it indoors on Sunday afternoon.  It sat rather forlornly for a couple of days until I strung a few lights on it yesterday.  I don't seem to be in the Christmas spirit this year, as there is a lot of stress at work.  Anyway, I thought that it was time to decorate it, so I spent this morning doing so.  I must say that I am pleased with the results.

My absence from the blogging world is due to the aforementioned stress.  I can't go into details, but it has been one of the most stressful periods of my life.  All that I can say is that I miss visiting everyone and hope that you understand when my visits are so infrequent.  I also hope that your Christmas preparations are coming along faster than mine!  Ready or not, Christmas will be here in less than two weeks....