Tuesday 18 December 2007

Happy, happy Christmas!


Well it's been a long time! I have been lurking and checking in with you all whenever I've had a spare minute and it's been fun watching you all preparing for Christmas. There seems to be a common theme running through all the blogs I read, NONE of us are ready for Christmas!

How did it get to 7 days before the big day?? Last I knew it was the beginning of November and all of a sudden Christmas is upon us, HELP!

Since I last posted, an eternity ago it seems, lots has happened. The craft business is going from strength to strength, it took off better than we could ever have hoped, thanks to some well timed fairs and parties. Not that it's all been plain sailing, we had one totally disastrous fair that we know never to do again, but you learn from experience and although it was a bit depressing at the time, the next one was the best we've ever done, which boosted our confidence and our Christmas shopping fund! It seems from reading other crafters' blogs that we've all had our fair share of c*****y fairs, with the usual "you could make that" muttered to friends and looks of dismay when you tell people the price - how rude people can be!
We've had tremendous support from partners, husbands, children, neighbours and friends, really unbelievable, without them we couldn't have got through the past two months. The last order was finished last night so I can breath a huge sigh of relief, put anything I didn't sell on the Christmas tree and open the wine (again) - Hurrah! Andrea and I treated ourselves to a trip to Bicester Village (without children!) as a reward and spent a few happy hours shopping (there's even a Cath Kidston discount shop there!).
Christmas preparations are now well and truly under way in this house, there seems to be a bit of a bird theme going on! My family arrive on Sunday for about 10 days so we need to de-clutter in a big way! This house will be bulging at the seams, but I can't wait. I love Christmas and I love having family around, there will be plenty of chocolate, nuts, turkey and alchohol consumed - once I've been food shopping that is! There are lists everywhere, things that need finishing, wrapping or buying. The basement bedrooms have been cleared, we're still waiting for the building work to be done after the floods, but they will be prettified for Christmas in order to put up the 6 extra people.
We must be the only family with a special "Beano" bauble, courtesy of Jack! I've taken about 263 photos of the tree and they're all terrible so I've settled for a close up of one of our homemade decorations.
Thanks to everyone who sent get well wishes to Mum. Her operation went well, nothing nasty was found and she's well on her way to a full recovery. As usual she kept the full extent of the problem to herself until after the op, but she's well and looking forward to Christmas, making her famous sausage rolls in huge quantities for her grandchildren. It's an enormous relief and means that we can look forward to next year with excitement instead of worry.

It's been a great year on the whole, we've had some fab holidays with good friends and family, watched our children grow and change, laughed, cried, talked, danced, argued and shouted (and shouted again - if only our kitchen walls could talk!) a lot, picnicked with grandparents, and made some difficult choices which have turned out to be the best decisions and made us much happier in the end. A typical year in any family I would think!

I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and a fantastic 2008. Enjoy, try to relax, and spoil yourselves a bit, and no running off with Santa - his work/life balance is not good! My thoughts are with all of you who've lost someone this year, gather those that matter around you, close the door, light the fire and enjoy each other.

As a postscript I just had to show a couple of photos of some of the lovely things I've received from a couple of you lovely folk out there..........

Firstly, ages ago I won "Little Pinkie" over at Suzie Sews and he now lives proudly on the old coffee grinder (out of grubbly little fingers reach!). How cute is he - don't know why I've decided it's a he, it seems that all our soft toys whether they be pink, green or yellow are boys! The coffee grinder was a "must-have" purchase after our Featherdown Farm hol, the kids love grinding the beans, great, as long as you're not desperate for the next caffeine hit! Anyway, thanks a million Suzie, here he is at last!
Next I received my Christmas order this morning from the lovely Catherine over at Molly Cupcakes, with a few little extras thrown in. I can't wait to give Kitty the baking set in her favourite colour, or to use the red spoon. All of her stuff is just lovely, you have to visit! I had the great pleasure of meeting her when she came to collect a vintage ironing board I had for sale, and she is as lovely in real life as on her blog!


Phew! Well done if you're still with me! All that needs to be said now is HAPPY, HAPPY CHRISTMAS, see you in 2008!.................

80 comments:

Locket Pocket said...

Great to have you back for a pre-Christmas visit Julia! Hope you have a super Christmas with all your family. Lucy x

Ali said...

Where on earth did you get the coffee grinder? I hunted all over after our FF visit, but failed to find one.

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Betty said...

Your kitchen looks so sweet. I love your little bird decorations. There's a Cath Kidston discount store?! Oh my!
Have a wonderful Christmas!

claire Maraldo said...

So good to have you back and I will forgive you as you have been so busy. It's so manic this time of year. I keep meaning to take pictures of my tree but they never look so good in real life do they?
Catherine from Molly Cupcakes is a sweeties isn't she? I'm lucky, she's only down the road from me!

I really enjoyed reading your mammoth post and looking at your gorgeous house. Don't leave it so long next time!
Love Claire x

Curlew Country said...

Lovely to see you back Julia and your house looks fabulous! Brilliant to hear that your business is doing so well. Have a fabulous Christmas, you set the tone for settling in and letting Christmas wash all over you perfectly. Right, I'm off to do it right now! Where's that plonk?
Stephx

Louise said...

Hi Julia - I missed you but glad it all went well. I think we'll close the doors and turn on the air conditioner if that's ok with you. Have a lovely family Christmas!

Garden Girl said...

A lovely post- did you know there's a Cath Kidston sale at Cheltenham Town Hall in January sometime? It's on a monday-not sure of exacte date but I for one shall be booking a day off work! Have a lovely Christmas- the house looks beautiful.

Nonnie said...

Your pictures are all so lovely. Your kitchen looks gorgeous. Particularly jealous of the gorgeous blue fridge! Hope you have a lovely happy time at Christmas with all the family. Very best wishes for 2008. Nonnie x

mollycupcakes said...

Hey Julia,
That was lovely catching up you and you're home looks just gorgeous.
I do hope Kitty enjoys her baking with mummy and makes lots of yummy treats.
It was very nice to meet you too and see yor beautiful home and family.
I think coffee next time we're in Cheltenham and trip to the CK shop lol without the kids is on the cards hehe!
Lots of love and have a magical time x
Catheine x

French Knots said...

Welcome back! Sounds like you've had a busy few months.Lovely pictures, very festive. Have a Merry Christmas.x

dragonfly said...

Hi Julia
Just discovered your blog but will have to dedicate some more time to reading it - time is running away with us all at the moment!
I love all your photos and look forward to reading more of you and yours in 2008.
Have a lovely Christmas...

dottycookie said...

Oooh, your house looks really stunning all prettied up for Christmas! I hope you have a really wonderful one, and don't go sticking your fingers in any more toffee!

Anonymous said...

Hello Julia,
Lovely to hear from you again, thanls for dropping by. So pleased that all the crafting paid off! Your house is looking lovely and Christmassy having just finsihed the food shopping mine looks awful, bags everywhere and not a decoration in sight -yet. Well the tough stuff is done ao now for the fun bit. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Carolyn x
Willow House

Anonymous said...

glad to see you back again, and that all is well with your mum, and she is on the mend, thanks for the lovely post, and hope you have a great christmas.

Suzie Sews At DOTTY RED said...

What can I say, I am speachless...odd for me!!! Thank you so much for my little bird and card...you mad e me smile all day!!!

Kathy said...

You have a beautiful blog. Thank you.

Racheal Miles said...

I hope you had a great christmas, I really enjoyed the photos.

Racheal x

Anonymous said...

Hello Julia,
just checked in to see if you any lovely pictures to inspire me and there you were back again.Havent got around to organising myself to do a blog but my life is not so creative as yours. The house looks fantastic and glad you mum is well. happy new year love Liv

Anonymous said...

Gostei muito desse post e seu blog é muito interessante, vou passar por aqui sempre =) Depois dá uma passada lá no meu site, que é sobre o CresceNet, espero que goste. O endereço dele é http://www.provedorcrescenet.com . Um abraço.

Mary said...

happy new year

Anonymous said...

Glad to see you back, as ever, your home looks lovely. Hope you have a happy and very enjoyable New Year!

Angel Jem said...

Whoo! You did have a busy time! I hope 2008 so far has been wonderful, too and that it brings you much love & jollification!

kari and kijsa said...

Wonderfulness!! Happy New Years blessings,
kari & kijsa

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