It's CHRIIIIIIIIIISTMAS!

 

I hope you had a magical Christmas with all those you love, and were spoilt rotten! Working in retail meant my Christmas run-up was hectic to say the least, I didn't get any crafting or baking done at all which is most unlike me! I will just have to make time for more things like that though-out 2017. I love to hibernate after Christmas day and only leave my house for dog walking, I'm sure many of you can identify with that - very sensible.

I would like to thank you for visiting my little blog this year and I hope to be a lot more productive on here in 2017! Hope you continue to enjoy the rest of your festive season.

Katie

December Inspiration

How did we get Christmas sorted before the days of Pinterest?? There are so many fantastic ideas over on my Christmas board that I would need a whole lifetime of festive seasons to use them all....but hey, it's fun just to window shop!

I am preferring a far more parred down look this year, more emphasis on sparkle than colour, and a good hit of Scandi because lets face it, you can't go wrong! I actually have only just begun decorating my house so pictures of that will have to follow next time, I have been so hectic at work I am behind schedule!

Please do follow me over on Pinterest if you are a fellow fan, I hope you enjoy having a peek inside my idea of Christmas!

Thanks for dropping by,

 Katie

Joys Of Christmas

I hope you and all those you love had a wonderful Christmas time! We had far too many presents, too much food and too much TV time...can't wait to do it all again next year! Christmas day itself passed in a flash after I was done 'doing a Jamie' on the dinner - the Norfolk Black turkey didn't disappoint and thankfully the roast potatoes were tasty - I think as long as the potatoes are crispy, you've got nothing to worry about! I did manage to get all my wrapping done in time (who's silly idea was it to stamp my own wrapping paper?) and I used the monochrome Christmas inspiration I had coveted on Pinterest, which wouldn't suit my more traditional home but was perfectly suited to my presents! 

Candles and fairy lights reigned supreme, and I did manage to sit down for the artistic genius that is Muppet Christmas Carol - it's not official Christmas without it! Mia (AKA - Santa Paws!) was super spoilt for her first Christmas as part of this mad family in the UK, she keeps gathering all her new toys into a pile like she can't believe they all belong to her! She also coped really well with the influx of visitors, noise and children, I couldn't have asked for anything more! Hope yours went off with a bang too, now we must face the confusion of the days until New Year - if in doubt, check the TV Guide!

Thanks for reading, hope you have a super start to 2016!

Katie

Christmas Memories

Just as we we're getting used to the idea, Christmas has indeed flown by for another year! I had my close family over for the day, and I was in charge of all the cooking - glad to say it all went well, a good batch of mince pies and roast potatoes, they're the important bits! We all went present-mad again (swathes of wrapping paper within minutes!) and it was just a very festive, cosy and loveable day. Just thought I'd post a few details of my home this Christmas, I did try and get it all looking jolly!

“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!” 
― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

And after a gorgeously lazy Boxing Day that was filled with tasty leftovers and festive telly, we are now in those blessed awkward days where no-one knows quite what day of the week it is, or when to put the bins out again...better just keep it lazy! No snow to be seen here, it's blue skies and sun over Hampshire, I think I need a good walk today!

Hope you had a wonderful time, bring on the New Year!

Katie

Christmas Memories

Well, after the whirlwind of Christmas, it's that time of year when no-one really knows what day it is, only the TV guide can set us straight! I had a really fantastic time this year, and was very spoilt indeed, my whole family were still unwrapping long into Boxing Day! I was in charge of the Christmas dinner, as was actually very pleased with my attempt, I highly recommend Jamie's tip of placing the turkey on a bed of clementines, very yummy indeed! We all managed to sit down and stay awake for Muppet Christmas Carol and Downton, still wearing our cracker-hats of course, it was lovely! I was back to work pretty sharpish so I thought I'd just revel in those Christmas memories for a little while longer with some Iphone photos of the day, I am usually too distracted to take any pictures but I was determined this year! As you can see, Bruce bought my my own 'Bear and the Hare', they will be included in the Christmas decorations for a long time I'm sure! Hope you enjoy this time before New Year, despite the weathers best efforts to dampen our spirits!

I'll be back blogging in 2014, as always, thanks so much for reading! 

Katie

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I do love my home this time of year, more candles than bulbs, the smell of spices, rustling of wrapping paper...seeing presents with your name on ready and waiting, I still get just as excited!
The weather has been wet and wild the last few days, thoughts to anyone who's suffered flooding or damage to their homes, seem even more unfair when it's at this time of year!
I have had quite a calm Christmas Eve, just about to finish off the mince pies, then it's smoked salmon and Christmas cocktails in the Shepherds Hut. Tomorrow is with close family, and I'm wearing the chef hat!

Wishing you&yours a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year, thanks for reading!

Katie