In the past I always prided myself on being really organised for Christmas. It helped that it was always a nice family day, and even though we never had a big family Christmas, it always had its traditions. But the older I get (and being married to a man who is a definite Bah Humbug about it, and has to work on it), I’ve slackened off. Christmas always seems to happen, but it would be nice to be a bit… Continue Reading “How to prepare for Christmas early”
Whenever we go to dinner or lunch at friends’ houses, the women usually bring along a dessert. Yes, there’s always pressure not to have your pudding the one that’s hardly been touched. Meringue is always one of the first to go. This cherry and chocolate meringue wreath is perfect for Christmas celebrations. Or it can be made in a traditional circle like a pavlova, or in log shape to make it a lighter alternative to a yule log. I love… Continue Reading “Cherry and chocolate meringue wreath”
I love Christmas tree light photos, and working through Emma Davies’ A Year With my Camera for this week meant trying out different shaped bokeh photography. Of course, N refused to be in my photos – he wouldn’t sit still anyway which didn’t help. So one of his bears helped out. I tried hearts and stars, although my free form stars weren’t great. I still like this photo – and it’s something to work on next year…maybe try and work… Continue Reading “My Sunday Photo – Christmas tree bokeh”
Every year I make the family members homemade food gifts. Now we’ve all got children, we buy presents for the kids, and don’t bother with the adults (except the in laws). The rest I do family gifts, and that means Christmas treats in the way of food. In the past I’ve done fudge, biscuits, candied oranges and others, but this year I did a mix. I always do some fudge because everyone loves that, and added some chocolatey ‘kisses’ pretzels… Continue Reading “Homemade food gifts: 3 easy treats for food lovers…and kids”
Year 1 and the Christmas nativity performance is over for another year. This year it was an alternative nativity – Lights Camel Action. What made it more fun was it being a Strictly Come Dancing themed show. N had been quite existed ahead of it, and got into Strictly Come Dancing. He could relate to the different characters and could tell me everyone’s roles in their play. N’s school do a nativity for reception, year 1 and year 2s. He… Continue Reading “Strictly Come Dancing Christmas nativity and morris dancing costume”
I’ve never been to Coventry Cathedral but recently we combined our love of music with Christmas and headed off there for The Snowman Tour concert. I’d seen it advertised a while back, and as N loves the Snowman and quite enjoyed the Paddington concert last year, I booked for us to go. I’d planned for it to be a good festive treat with us spending the afternoon in Coventry. I’d hoped to check out the transport museum that I’d been… Continue Reading “The Snowman and Nutcracker concert at Coventry Cathedral”
This year I’m really struggling to persuade N to come out with me. I guess most families go out all together, so if the OH came out then he’d be more willing. But this week the guys were turkey picking (ie plucking them) ready for Christmas orders. Usually N loves sitting in the box while the 3 or 4 of them pick the birds. But this time his dad said no because the box gets really dusty and full of… Continue Reading “A Waddesdon Manor Christmas festive visit”
This week’s Living Arrows isn’t the best technical photo, but the placement was just fab. It was half posed, half in the moment. A moment while we were decorating the tree with these enormous Christmas baubles.
I love a good Christmas song, although Christmas carols are up there as well. I seem to have passed on my love of Christmas songs and music to N who discovered my Christmas compilation* album and has wandered off with the 3 CDs. I anticipate having to buy another set this year (again!) to replace it. Some might say Christmas songs are cheesy – maybe they are. But just listening to them makes me think of family memories from childhood,… Continue Reading “My cracking top 10 Christmas songs”
When Blenheim Palace first announced their Christmas at Blenheim light show, I was always champing at the bit to be able to get hold of tickets. But then I heard the cost. When you are a National Trust member you get to see amazing shows like the displays and installations at Waddesdon for free. So as annual pass holders it was disappointing to see how much it was going to cost. But with it being the first year the light… Continue Reading “Christmas at Blenheim Palace – light fantastic”
