A foggy day....

Boxing day is a relaxing, recharging day for us.  However,  we always start the day with a walk in the Lickey hills. This morning was a foggy day with the air crisp and fresh. 

Take a walk with me

 

        The Tearoom is in sight 



 

Ah, that welcome cuppa

 

Advent Calender ~ Day 24

It's been fun linking up with KC's Court and creating an advent window each day leading up to Christmas. Today has been busy for preparing bits and bobs to make for an easier cooking morning. This evening has been relaxed with our traditional Christmas DVD :

 

 

We're off to church now as DS is playing his cajon drum at the late service.  It'll be late to bed then, an early start for me in the morning and a long day with family around our table.

May you all share tomorrow with those you love, enjoy good food, laugh and be joyful

Merry Christmas

 



Advent Calender ~ Day 23

Advent Calender ~ Day 22

 

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,

Born is the King of Israel



Advent Calender ~ Day 21

 

Santa is getting ready

 

 

A friend in Canada sent this Christmas card a couple of years ago.

 I haven't been able to part with it.



Christmas traditions

I'm linking up with Lucky Snapping everyone is sharing Christmas traditions.    My children now in their early twenties love to  keep the traditions alive. Traditions that we started when they were young

A Christmas tree is always chosen together: we like to go to our local Christmas tree farm to choose just the right one, which is generally too big for the space we have. 
I think we made a good choice this year.

We decorate the tree together and each year I buy a new decoration for each of them. They have quite a collection now.  What I like about this is one day when they have homes of their own I will go on a spending spree and stock up with new decorations. For now I am content to use the children's decorations and keep them at home for longer.

We buy a new Christmas book every year and it will be read on

 Christmas eve as we cuddle in the sitting room around the fire burning in the hearth. 

I have quite a collection now and although most of the stories are children's stories we love to browse through them over the Christmas season.
Only son always makes a wreath with the greenery he cuts from our neighbours garden. The neighbour is in agreement of course.  It is always a gamble each year as to whether we will get the wreath before Christmas eve.  Normally it just makes it in time for the last week leading up to Christmas, although I'm not so sure this week. He also makes delicious shortbread

Only daughter makes light and fluffy cup cakes

It is a wonderful season of year that we cherish, spending time together, singing carols going to church and rejoicing over the birth of Jesus



 

For unto us a child is born

And his name will be called Wonderful,

counsellor, Mighty God,

 Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

 



http://luckysnappingin2013.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/nostalgia-christmas-festivities.html

Advent Calender ~ Day 20

 Presents wrapped and ready to be exchanged.

Turkey and duck waiting in the freezer

Mince pies baked and stored in my favourite Christmas tin

 

Time to put my feet up and relax...........

 

Advent Calender ~ Day 19

Our annual visit to the Christmas shop in Stratford upon Avon

 

Advent Calender ~ Day 17 & 18

Oh dear I missed yesterday's window:( I'm getting like my children who end up having to eat a couple of chocolates from their advent calendar. Does that happen in your household?;)

Only daughter and only dog were mountain biking yesterday in the forest at Cannock Chase. I drove up to fetch pup and go for a short walk. Such a pretty scene surrounded by trees

 

It's time to bake those mince pies. Last year I added extra dried cranberries to the fruit mince which went down very well.  I think I will do the same again this year.





Advent Calender ~ Day 16

 

All the shopping and preparing for Christmas calls for a little me time

Orange and cranberry muffin

Gingerbread Latte

Advent Calender ~ Day 15

 

 

I think this is the only glimpse of snow we're going to get this side of Christmas

Advent Calender ~ Day 14

 

Another childhood Christmas decoration that has stayed with me

 

 



Advent calender ~ Day 13

The Christmas tree is dressed

 

 



Advent Calender ~ Day 12



O star of wonder, star of night, 

Star with royal beauty bright, 

Westward leading, still proceeding, 

Guide us to thy perfect Light. 

Advent Calender ~ Day 11

At last we have been to the Christmas tree farm

 

 

 

 

Advent Calender ~ Day 10

Well today was supposed to be our tree picking day, but we have run out of time.  It's a slow, enjoyable task, choosing our christmas tree.  It will always be a Norwegian Spruce and we take our time enjoying the music and having fun around the trees.  Tomorrow will be our day for tree picking.
Today's Advent calender gives you a view of a family tradition and the humour of my man and twenty something children :-)



Advent Calender ~ Day 8 & 9

Apologies for missing yesterday's window, my reception was not good  and we travelled home from Bath quite late. I had a wonderful weekend browsing, spending, enveloping myself in all things Christmassy.

The smell of Christmas - Garlands

 

The tastes of Christmas - Roasted Chestnuts

Advent Calender ~ Day 7

 

A special treat on this seventh day of advent ~ two windows:)

 



 

 A visit to Bath and a shoppers carol service in Bath Abbey

 

 

My first visit to Bath Christmas market ; what a treat.

Advent Calendar ~ Day 6

Our precious cocker who loves to be a part of family occassions, especially where there is food involved

Advent calendar ~ Day 5

 

Not a recent photo but I do like this little group of snowmen

Somewhere in Shropshire....

There is something about wooden stiles in England that are such a representation of the freedom we have here. The fact that we have open passage through farmlands  always amazes me.
We have enjoyed these walks into the heart of the country as the children were growing and now as adults, especially with a cocker who loves the freedom of these byways.



A stile always gives one the promise of something unexpected on the other side. Come with me on a walk through the Shropshire countryside and see what we will see.

Passing by a rural cottage 

And next we pass through shade and overhanging branches

 

The path begins to go uphill

 Boys stopping to admire their surroundings as we come across a stream

A very happy pup

 

Advent calendar ~ Day 4

 

Another corner in my home

I guess you are beginnning to gather I like small groups arranged in little corners ;)

The  snowman has been with me since childhood, which brings back many memories each year of fun and family time at christmas.



Advent calendar ~ Day 3

 

 

 

A little corner of my home

Advent calendar ~ Day 2

 

 

A special Christmas letterbox made by my mother a couple of years ago.

Advent Calender ~ Day 1

At last the 1st December has arrived, we have been holding on with bated breath for this exciting day.
Christmas carols playing....check
Decoration boxes ready for unpacking....check
Fun times ahead....

Proud Mama moment

End of the academic year means exhibitions to visit.  My talented son's exhibition for his first year at uni