Well it's Christmas eve for certain !!!!
Everyone is so excited here. Claudia (at 22 years old) hasn't slept for the last 2 nights !
We got up early to change the sheets, just have to have clean sheets for Christmas, and do the last minute tidying. Actually it's more like 4 hours tidying, but who cares it's Christmas!!!
The cards are hung, and the candles are lit...............
....................The dresser is looking lovely
This is one of a set of 4 ladders. I can't remember where I bought them from, I've had them years, but they are so lovely they have to come out every year.
I usually make mince pies on Christmas eve, but I had to make some for the carol service yesterday so I made mine then too.
After the last clear up I shall sit for a while this afternoon with tea and mince pies watching Muppets Christmas Carol, and later, after the Christingle service, will probably watch White Christmas, maybe followed by Holiday Inn and Miracle on 34th Street.
The carol service last night was lovely. A simple service of 9 readings and carols with a short message toward the end. Although the message was short, it was very good and full of truth.
And the truth is Jesus is the reason for the season, Jesus is the Light of the world, and we need Him more than ever.
I'll finish with the blessing we had last night.
May you be filled with the humility of the Shepherds, the faith of the Wise Men, the praise the Angels sang of, and the Peace of Lord and Saviour. Amen !!!!
With love and Blessings in Christ,
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
................a week to go, and I'm all ready !!!! Only joking !!! I'm nowhere near ready, so this is a quick post, just so you know I haven't emigrated or anything.
I did get all of my cards written and posted yesterday, just a few to deliver by hand now.
And just a smidgen sewing left to do (about 2 hours worth, I hope)
Then it's the cleaning (yuk) and shopping, and making mince pies. I volunteered to make some for Sunday's "Carols by Candlelight" service, just hope I don't have to buy them instead (that just wouldn't do.............or would it..mmmmmm???)
Anyway, hopefully I'll have more pics before the big day, so I won't say "merry Christmas" just yet.
Thank you for the lovely comments, my 100 set of lights gave up last week. I think they need jiggling, but I'm not about to do that (not after last years fiasco hehehe) and I still have 320 lights working.
Love and blessings in Christ
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
As I have been challenged by my friend Raspberry Grace I thought I'd best get some photos on here ASAP. Her tree is so pretty, it had me oooooo-ing and ahhh-ing for ages. You can see her tree and other decorations on her blog.
This is our tree at 5pm on Friday, 7th December. My OH thought I was bonkers taking a picture before it was decorated, but as you'll see from the others, it's probably the best one (hides face with embarrassment!)
420 lights, 1 angel and 2 and a half hours later.......................................
........................ this is a close up of the angel. She is about 20 years old now (or at least that's how long she's been an angel) She was originally a doll given to Claudia by my niece. Each year I think about making her a new dress, but she still looks very pretty (even with her taped wings ) and below is a rather fuzzy full view (embarrassed again !)
Below is a close-up of some of my favourite tree-nkets
I'll try to get some better pics of them, but the baubles that have been hand painted with snowy cottages were a real find. I saw them in a window of a small charity shop in our town and thought I just had to have them but I couldn't see a price. I went into the shop and asked (always a worthwhile thing to do, doh is me) and guess how much? Go on have a guess. OK I'll tell you. Get ready for it ..........................£1.95 for 4 !!!!!!!!! What a bargain !!!!!
I saw some similar on TV tonight and (although a bit bigger) they were £6 each !
In the above picture is 1 of a set of 4 angels we've had for years too, they are made from crimped paper with wooden heads and hands, each holding a different stringed instrument. To the left is a glass bauble. Originally it was 1 of 6, but over the years 1 got broken. They are hand-painted too, and another bargain, even though I've had them at least 10 years I found them in a small £1shop.
To the right of the angel is Claudia's bells. She made them at playschool when she was 3 and the tree just wouldn't be the same without them.
Underneath the tree we put all the little Christmas cuddly toys we've had bought us over the years, but this year they have been relegated to the sides because of these.........
.............................. they usually sit on the window sill and get hidden by the tree, but because we have our nice new stand instead of a bucket they fit very nicely at the front !
Hope you've enjoyed the little tour around my tree. Now all I have to do is put out the ornaments, make the mince pies, finish (or should I say start) my cards, do some sewing,..........
With love and blessings in Christ
Elaine
XXXXXXXXXXX
We went to the garden centre today to buy this years Christmas tree.
It's such a lovely place to be especially this time of year, it's a shame I never think to take the camera. There are robins that bob around quite happily among the trees (all under cover) and even inside the building part. It's as if they like to check that we're buying the right one.
This is last years tree
............................and without flash
(sorry about the quality, they were taken before I learned to work the camera!)
Unfortunately, just 1 hour after these were taken the tree was flat on the floor !!!
It was too front heavy, and toppled out of the bay window. We had to strip it bare and take it back out side. There was water all over the carpet, and very wet lights (of which we have about 400!)
The lights had to go into the airing cupboard for 2 days before we dared try to use them again.
Thankfully all was well the second time around, and this year Claudia has bought us a sturdy, heavy metal tree holder so we're hopeful that we shan't be having a repeat performance.
I'll post some photos of this years tree asap, and I know how to use the camera now.
Blessings
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The cards are hung, and the candles are lit...............
....................The dresser is looking lovely
This is one of a set of 4 ladders. I can't remember where I bought them from, I've had them years, but they are so lovely they have to come out every year.
