Christmas

Rosie and I have been busy making garlands for the cottages and the house. This year we have used cinnamon sticks, limes, dried slices of apple, hips, berries, holly, quince and tied bows of raffia. We made a pile of greenery on the kitchen floor and started by binding pieces of fir tree and holly to our hoop frames. Slowly we built up a solid hoop of green, then we wired pieces of berries, fruit etc. individually and wired them into the hoop eventually finishing it off with bunches of cinnamon sticks tied with raffia. We ended up with rather green and tired fingers but we were pleased with the finished results and they now hang proudly on all on the doors.

As always I have chosen a tree that is far too big... you would think after twenty years I could gauge the hight of the ceilings. Hence several inches if not feet has been chopped from the tree but it stands beautiful,tall and twinkling in the centre of the dining room. The tiers we cut of have proved useful as we twined the branches between the staircase banisters and wound fairy lights though. After hoovering loads of pine needles the house is decked with greenery and the lovely smell of pine fills the air. The log baskets have been filed and the carol service sung. This year was very special as Rosie sang a solo. This year we have made Christmas presents and I have sworn I would never do it again but somehow now they are all complete I think I might it has been fun and we have all surprised ourselves what you can make from truffles to tea towels. Our Christmas guests have all arrived and I love to see the Cottage lights at night with the Christmas tree twinkling outside. Tomorrow we ice the very boozy cake, make mince pies and have the exciting job of collecting our Turkey from the farm down the road.

It really does feel Christmasy now. We still await the arrival of Victoria's (The Cow), other wise known as  "Posh"s, calf that, would really make it a special Christmas.... We will keep you posted.