We had a lovely time. A very quiet Christmas with just the four of us, highly unusual but very enjoyable nonetheless. It meant that we actually had time to play with the children and go on bike rides and long walks. It did us good to have that concentrated time together, no stress, little food preparation and plenty of sitting by the fire.
Christmas morning was a joy, look who arrived.....................
..................from Father Christmas (via Nicky at the Vintage Magpie). How cute is she, Kit loves her - nearly as much as I do!There was much frantic ripping of paper................
..................squeals of joy, and strumming...........
The weather down here has been perfect for long wintry walks. Boxing day we shrugged off our Christmas Day stupor and went for a lovely walk around the local racecourse, one of our favourite haunts. It was cold, very very cold, but a beautiful day and the perfect antidote to all those choccies, sausages and turkey!
New Year was a much more raucous affair with friends and family gathered here to see in 2009. Plenty of food, bubbly, laughter, singing and story telling, the perfect way to see in the new year.Yesterday saw me having to drag two very warm, sleepy and reluctant children from under the covers to start the new school term. Fortunately for me there was something outside to tempt them..............
..................before they were even dressed and in the low morning light they threw on coats and wellies over pyjamas and were in the garden building a tiny "snow hawk" and throwing snow at the open doors, ie. into the kitchen!
Whilst they were at school I cleared the house of Christmas clutter, boxed it all up and put it away until next year. Now for the big clean up, sigh................
My brief stint at a working life is over, I enjoyed it but have to say I'm glad to have a bit of time to myself in the house again, like the rest of you there are a million and one things to do, now where to start?And no, I haven't forgotten the great button maker give away. I shall be back later in the week with the winner....................
40 comments:
Lovely to see what a nice Christmas you had :-) I have promised next year will just be a quiet one with the 4 of us as it was a little hectic around here! Love the white company pj's did you spend lots whilst you were working there?! Mia got those dotty/flowery ones in the sale last week - i wanted them for me!!!
Lesley x
We also had a nice quiet christmas with just the four of us which was lovely.
Glad you had a good one.
Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year!
Hugs
Beki xxx
Lovely festive celebrations....super!
Love the snowman!
xxx
Happy New Year to you x
how lucky are you to have that sweet bunny living in your house.....
lovely pictures of what looks like a lovely family holiday.
t x
HI Julia, looks like a wonderful Christmas you had there - I like quiet ones the best - mind you, mine invariably are!!! Happy New Year to you.
Lucy x
Looks like you had a lovely Chrismtas.
Happy new year, looking forward to reading your blog in 2009.
Glad you had a nice Christmas sounds good no stress just enjoying quality time with your children. Wishing you all the best for the 2009 I did find your birdie by the way Emily had hidden him, he's now living in my new Studio!
Sarahx
Typical that the snow arrives 24hours late! It may snow tomorrow so race you down Cleeve hill with the sledge?!
Happy New Year Julia, what a lovely festive time you've been having. It was justeh four of us at home this year but anything but quiet. My two are still at teh stage where it's all a bit much an they're not quite sure what to make of it! Next year maybe.
Isn't the snow fab, just a enough for a teeny snowman here too.
Very envious of your lovely rabbit, she's delighful. Wishing you all the best for the year ahead.
Stephx
Oh goodness - sorry about my shocking typing! Will try harder.
Stephx
Your pictures and prose are so lovely. A Happy 2009 to you. Your post has led me to so many other wonderful folks.
May I say thank you!
I really love the photo of the landscape that has three bands, the mountains, the purple middle and the tiny houses at the bottom. Just wonderful. Surely nothing like that to be seen from any window in New York City!
Cheers.
Lovely to have you back in Blogland julia!
We always enjoy a similar Quiet Foursome Christmas and I loved it, wouldn't have it any other way.
Snow here today too, a delicious 4 inches fell unexpectedly in the night, it was a fun walk to school along the canal!
Have a lovely day
Lucexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I love Kit's bunny. So gorgeous. Glad to hear Christmas and New Year was good for you all.
doesn't it seem a long time ago already?
Hi Julia, Happy new year to you. V. jealous of the snow, it never seems to snow in Devon! My boys returned to school today and yes the house is quiet...although I have a lot of laundry and blogging to catch up on! Kathyx
Hello there - I shall really enjoy looking at your Blog and it was so nice of you to leave that long and interesting comment on mine! The tidiness thing is a real issue for people in different ways, it seems. Funny how when I think I am going off into long digressions those are often the bits people pick up on. Perhaps we should also start a Down with Smeg campaign... or at least get one of the fridge makers to make a decent, functional, eco-efficient AND good looking fridge - honestly, they could clean up!
Will really enjoy looking at some of your back posts over the next few days. Love what I see so far.
All the best for 2009
x Elspeth
hi there - trip to dunelm today and purchased the button maker and buttons to cover - gosh its quite addictive isnt it!!!
Lesley x
Happy New year and may it be a good one... Mmm your work stint... nice PJs on the babes... perks of the job if I am not mistaken?
Just dropping by to wish you a fantastic Newyear !!! Sorry I'm so late, but I have been terribly busy already in this new year ; ) Lots of happiness and health !!
Great snow pictures and such lovely gifts. It looks like you had a marvelous time !!
Happy New Year. Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas and New Years, wishing you all the best for this year.
Cheers Linda
How nice to have a quiet Christmas and not be in a panic about cooking! we also spent time having long walks during our break from work and these were even better as we had some lovely cold but sunny days. Happy New Year.
Tracey
Hiya, happy new year to you all! A stunning place you live, the view of the hills are beautiful! I imagine the kids had a fab time in the snow, it never settles here in Cardiff...boo!!! Sweet litte rabbit, I love her outfit!
Claire xx
Love your photos Julia.. they really capture the essence of the festive hols...
Just wanted to wish you a Wonderful New Year.. I hope it brings happiness and good health...creativity and a certain amount of wealth!!
So pleased to hear the little nick nacks were well received..
Lots of love
Michele xxx
We had a lovely quiet Christmas, the four of us and then went to Wales to see the Family, can't believe how quickly the time flies, hope the job is going well and I want one of those button maker thingymajics, they look brilliant, Mmmmm am seeing many uses for pretty buttons, was talking to Lesley and she has one too :)
Wishing you a very Happy New Year
X
Snow! We only had ice ;-( Looks like you have had a great festive season. Happy New year :-)
Sounds like you had a lovely christmas, but like yours, my kids were non too impressed about going back to school either! - Natalie x
Happy new year my lovely friend, so great to hear all about your Christmas and new year.
Sounds like a fabulous time was had by you all.
Loving the mini snowman, so cute.
Hope to see you sometime this year, maybe have a coffee at the gorgeous Anna's at No9?
Hugs,
Catherine x
Oh ps: if you're in the mood for making somemore pretty bunting for me, I'm after some for our wedding when ever that is? lol
Colours, lots of pale pinks, sage greens and florals please, let me know how much honey? big kiss X
What a lovely christmas!! love the little bunny !
I have a bunny too! I would love to have more!
Love your blog too! Samx
Hi Julia, Nicky's rabbits are so lovely aren't they, how sweet you have one called Kitty! looks like you all had a great time over the Christmas holidays. Now back to reality with a bump for all of us..and the dreaded cleaning!
Happy (belated) new year to you all x
Why are there no nice pj's for grown ups. Especially ones with sleeves in them. I do not live in the maldives, just Northern Ireland, so I have to either dress for bed like a siren, with bits popping out, and all extremities frozen, or dress like I am in a nursing home. Why is there no 'in between pyjama maker? Loved this blog, it just sounded very relaxed.
Such sweet pictures. I read your post below about the books. My adult children still say, "you didn't get rid of the books did you?" I am in the process of unpacking all the books and making some type of library. I think they were more concerned about their books then old toys. I guess it's what us mothers strive for, so I've decided to rejoice in keeping all the books. (It's finding places for them, that's a chore!)
A happy New Year to you too! A little late!
Hi Julia
Thank you for your lovely comment about life after kids return to school. It was great to know I am not the only one! Everyone out there in blog land is so lovely. A friend of mine read my blog and said she had been feeling like it too but couldnt put her finger on what was wrong. Now she knows! She read the comments too and said they all helped her too! Hope you enjoyed your work before Christmas.
Love, thanks and hugs Emma xxxxx
You still alive Julia????????????
I do miss you, hurry back
Lxxxxxxxxx
I love your blog, i must read back on some of your previous posts!
Come back soon!
Aqeela
(previously raindrops2rainbows)
Your Christmas looked lovely, I just love the bunnies that Vintage Magpie makes. The snow we did get up here in Suffolk didn't last long before it turned into ice so i didn't see any snowmen at all! I would half like some more, but i'm wishing spring to arrive too much to really want snow.
Just popped in to say hi!xx
Hiya, are you lucky enough to have snow where you are? Hope you are well! Claire x
Hi,
just to let you know I am awarding you the Lemonade Award! Congrats!
Come visit my blog to collect your award.
xxx
hope your having a lovely valentines day :-) its quiet without you in blogland hope all is well :-)
Lesley x
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