Christmas is here ...

...Well, near enough.
It has been so long since I wrote here that I genuinely couldn't remember what to do. It's taken me a while to work it out.
The house is decked, with naked Christmas trees once again. I did think about getting some red baubles to add, but that's as far as it got. I might add a few non breakable baubles next year, but then again I might not. I love a tree with lights and just a few skiing bears and mice.

It is the most organised for Christmas I have ever been. Normally I'm having to buy last minute bits and pieces, but this time I had it all sorted nice and early, including the festive feast. I decided to make life seriously easy and ordered everything already done and frozen. All I need to do is make sure I defrost the turkey breast overnight, and check to see if anything else needs to be defrosted. Other than that, it cooks from frozen. I don't feel lazy about it, I feel delighted that I don't HAVE to do a thing. That said, I do plan on making my own roast potatoes and parsnips as we've had our frut and veg delivery from the milkman and it all looks so good that I don't want any of it to go to waste. The frozen roasties can be used another day.

The gingerbread house was made a little later than usual, because I wanted to vlog each stage. That added a lot of extra time, but it was worth it. I love that I will forever have a record of my process. If you want to see the videos, visit my you tube channel and take a look. The channel is growing very slowly. But I understand it takes time, and I have to put the effort in to see results. If nothing else it's really nice to have these slices of life preserved in time, just for myself really.

The wreath turned out nicely this year. Offcuts from the tree, foliage from the garden, roses that were fading from the vase, and some walnuts that I hot glued onto wire. Will definitely try to recreate this next year too.

Hard to believe that this year is coming to an end. Next year will be a year of change. Violet will take her A levels, finish with college and move on to university. She's applied for several and has already had an offer from one. She is also half way to getting her driving licence. She's had a lot of lessons, passed the theory test, and put in for her pratical test. The test won't be until late spring, and by that time I'm sure she'll be more than ready for it, so fingers crossed. Can't lie, seeing her behind the wheel of a car scares the crap out of me.
It's bittersweet though. I'm so proud of her and how she does things like driving lessons with gusto and despite complaining that she 'knows nothing' gets good results in her mock exams, I'm also a little heartbroken at how quickly time has gone by. She's not my little girl any more, but a young (almost) independant person ready to make her way out in the world. Going to university and living away from home is going to be so, so good for her and I am excited for her. But I'm also ready to curl up in a corner and cry too, the days when she needed her mum to hold her hand and cut up her food are long gone. Instead of my arms holding her close, I use them to help her fly out into the world. The big old scary world. Exciting and petrifying at the same time. But we do what we have to do, don't we?

On that cheery note (!!) I shall wish you all a very happy Christmas. May 2024 treat you kindly and well.