O Christmas Tree

We have had our fair share of trees, little cheap (read crap) ones, a real one that lived in the garden and came in for the festivities until it became too big for it's pot (it now lives in the ground at my in-law's cottage and looks very happy indeed!), a not so cheap one and a huge one we inherited when my parents emigrated last year.

It's enormous and I love it!

I don't do classy, I don't do colour themes, I don't do organised and regimented, I do chuck it all on and laugh and cry at the memories stored there.

Elizabeth's first Christmas bauble that my mother-in-law bought for her on holiday in France before she was even born;

A felt stocking that Francecsa made when in year 2 and an 'ice cube' that Elizabeth made in year 4;

A painted pasta gaarland that Elizabeth brought home from nursery school (2004), a salt dough yellow Christmas tree from the same year and a beaded pipe cleaner that Nathaniel made at nursery school;

A pudding pom pom that I made last year;

A left over button wreath I made for a fair a couple of years ago and a wooden moon that my Mum gave to me when I left home (I have a few from their tree from when I was a little girl);

Sebastian added the tin foil star he made with his childminder last Christmas, he wouldn't hear of anything else on the top;

There are all kinds of decorations that the children have made over the years and decorations we have been gifted or gathered on our travels. It does look a bit like a Christmas shop has vomitted on my tree but I do love it;

This is our 18th Christmas together, I do wonder if there will be room for all the delights we'll collect in the next twenty years and if not will we need two trees....?

Daisie xxx

Still Alive

It's a funny thing, life.

It gets in the way but in a very enjoyable (on the whole) kind of way.

I have been keeping the shop stocked (and collecting my earnings), working hard, mothering intensely, fulfilling wifely duties and preparing for Christmas.

The presents are wrapped, the tree is up (just) and decorated, only some knitting to finish and a couple of friends to catch up with before the madness begins.

I managed to ice the cake too;

I hope the preparations are managable for you all and if they're not I hope there is drink to hand?!

Daisie xxx