Christmas is coming!
The tree is up and decorated. I did intend getting a real tree this year, but after wasting a couple of hours out and about trying to find a not too large Norway spruce (I like the smell of a Norway spruce, why else bother I think!), I decided to plump for the cheaper, easier option and retrieved the artificial tree from the loft.
The tree fits well in the corner of the bay window and minimal furniture rearranging was required to accommodate it.
These photos were taken on a lovely sunny day. Imagine lots of banging noises to accompany the pictures as the roofers were busy fixing the slates while I faffed around taking photos of the sunny and tidy (for us) living room. I'm so glad the roof is now sorted, we've had another few days of very windy wet weather and it's good to know the house is weathertight again.
My favourite decoration, the matchbox nativity set makes its annual appearance...
...in its usual position in front of the clock on the mantlepiece.
The children decorated the tree and did a good job once again, I don't think there was a single bauble left in the box once they'd finished.
We've been having some lovely sunrises,
fabulous clouds,
and pretty sunsets.
I've made 48 of these things. I've still lots of mincemeat left. I'm not sure I can face making any more individual pies so I may try spreading the mincemeat on some puff pastry and making a giant mincepie slice. Anyone tried doing this before?
N had one of his friends round after school and they decorated some fairy cakes. This was the last one left. It was yummy, despite the polar bear only having one ear.
I've another essay to write, I find essay writing surprisingly hard. I hadn't realised how much of a scientist/engineer I actually am - I'd much rather be given a big set of experimental data to analyse than screeds of academic waffle to make sense of and draw meaningful conclusions from. It's not due till Jan 6th so I'm sure I'll find plenty of opportunities for procrastination till then. It is nearly Christmas after all!
Hi Anne, Your home is looking so cosy and festive...I love your blue fox, he's really sweet.
ReplyDeleteThose sunsets are stunning and the baking looks yummy.
Wishing you a happy and relaxing Christmas, and good luck with the essay.
Jacquie x
I love your lounge with your tree. It is so festive and cosy Anne. Your Nativity is so sweet.
ReplyDeleteRosezeeta.
what lovely Christmas preparations. the matchbox nativity is adorable! I've made giant mince pies before they work quite well, and Mary Berry did one on Christmas Bakeoff special. Also surprisingly it works if you use a pizza base and make mincepie pizza!
ReplyDeleteDespite the cost of a real tree I can't bring myself to get an artificial one. One of my colleagues showed me a photo of her parents' tree last week - it has real candles!
ReplyDeleteFunny you saying about the scientist/engineer in you. My 14yo started her GCSE coursework in September (year 10, so another year to go before the real thing) and is very much an Arts girl, like me. The number of times she's come home and exclaimed about an experiment 'they're boring, I just want to write!'
Have a lovely Christmas Anne, you and your family. Looking forward to your blog posts in 2014.
Your living room looks so cosy and inviting. Very festive.
ReplyDeleteYour home looks lovely! I love that matchbox nativity. Where did you get it? As for the mincemeat - why dont you try a puff pastry/filo pastry roll thingy? With icing sugar on the top. Like a roll that you slice. x
ReplyDeleteI adore the little matchbox nativity and feel like making one! With regards to the minemeat slice - Mary Berry made one on the Great British Bake Off Christmas special. She thinly rolled out a pastry base to line a large rectangular tin, spread over the mincemeat and made a streusal topping. It looked really easy to make and very tasty too!
ReplyDeleteYOur house looks so comfortable and inviting. I'd love to sit right there looking out the window with a cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteenjoy,
Meredith
Very festive looking! One the mince pie front, I have a magazine cutting that rolls puff pastry with mincemeat, then cuts it into slices and it's pressed flatish before baking....makes kind of mini danish pastry looking mince pie things....I'm planning on trying it as also bored of making pies. Have a fabulous Christmas! Bethxx
ReplyDeleteThat nativity set really is the most perfect thing!
ReplyDeleteHere's wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas holiday ... you certainly sound as if you're ready for a break.
What a beautifully proportioned space your living room is.
ReplyDeleteHave a marvellous Christmastide.
I like your concept for plenty of time to procrastinate in....sounds like me! I did mince pies yesterday, along with a few other bits and bobs, it was a couple of hours of relative ease in among the chaos! Your tree and lounge look lovely, very cosy. I do Hope that you all have a wonderful christmas!
ReplyDeletePS love your mini nativity, perfect!
ReplyDelete...what a beautiful festive room it is...it looks all so cosie, warm and inviting.....gorgeous tree too..
ReplyDeletePixie xxxxx
Have a wonderful time x
It's not procrastination ... it's a clever method for getting the job done quickly. The later you leave it, the less time it will take. :)
ReplyDeleteYour tree is beautiful, and how nice to have east-facing windows for the sunrise.
Isn't it astounding how noisy roof work can be? Like living in a kettle drum.
Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year.
Lovely tree, loved seeing the children decorating it. Mince pies wonderful, one of my jobs today.
ReplyDeleteI really loved your window stars in the classroom, I used to do stained glass windows with black paper cut out and tissue paper, similar effect. Glad to hear all went well in your placement, enjoy your Christmas break.
The tree is beautiful, I do like it when the children decorate. How delicious those mince pies look. I often make a big one, but with shortcrust pastry - I find that puff might be soggy if it's used underneath. I love your matchbox nativity set - lovely. Hoping you all have a very happy Christmas. I've enjoyed reading your blog a lot, so I'm following along now.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year xxx
ReplyDeleteAll sorted, it looks wonderful and Christmas is here. Have a very happy time.
ReplyDeleteAnne, your living room looks so inviting with all your bits and bobs everywhere.
ReplyDeleteThe Nativity scene is so cute, I was trying to figure out what it was in its' matchbox!!
Beautiful sunrises too, I was thinking you would be up very early to catch them, but I guess not being WInter?
I think the mincepie slice is a great way to use up the leftovers, those little pies do look delish......enjoy.
I'm with Jacquie, the little blue fox is super cute...
Have a great Christmas........
Claire Xx
Such beautiful photos, very cosy and heart warming!
ReplyDeleteI have a request,....please please can you tell me more about how to make those AMAZING paper window stars????? I would be so grateful!
attic24@hotmail.co.uk
lots of love
Lucexxxxxxxxxxxxxxx