....a lot like Christmas!!
After my busy week last week, visiting my mum and dad down in Cornwall and then up to Cardiff to see the kids, I really needed a week at home to get organised and catch up with local friends before the real Christmas madness begins. So on Monday I met up with a friend for lunch....
...Tuesday was my last time walking with my friend Lynn, for the year.
I went over to hers, to walk along the river. It was a misty, murky morning but the sun burnt through eventually and then it was back to hers for a coffee.
Tuesday evening and I was out again, meeting two of my old Sainsbury's colleagues.
One is still there, the other now retired, so it was lovely to spend a few hours together.
Wednesday, and my plans changed. I had been asked earlier to go on an Art trip with school but had to decline as I was meeting a friend. That friend then had to cancel, so after two things in the diary I was down to nothing!! So, I decided to get decorating! Only a few new additions this year!
Taaa-daaa!
A few of my treasured decorations.
The 'Christmas Cupboard' doors were opened for another year!
And we are Christmas ready!!
I love all the decorations in the build-up to Christmas. I haven't got time next week as we are away, and then everyone will be coming home..... so why not have them up for longer? I'm always itching to get everything down and packed away before the new year, so by going in early, I get to enjoy them in the run up to the big day and for a little longer.
The weather this week has been very mixed. Jeff got soaked on Thursday evening walking home, then going to Wells cathedral in the evening for the school carol service. But Friday morning we opened the bedroom shutters to this fabulous sky! This weekend we've hunkered down enduring Storm Darragh, which even activated the red alert on our phones. Other than the garden furniture and recycling bins being blown around the garden, we've escaped it unscathed!
Friday, and Jeff broke up!
I met an old family friend in the morning over at Avalon Marshes. I've not seen her since my wedding day. She is the daughter of my dad's best man at his wedding. She's 10 years younger than me, so would have been a teenager when we did last see each other, but with social media and the yearly Christmas card update, it was as if we'd seen each other yesterday! After a lovely walk (we spotted Kingfishers) and a coffee, it was home for a quick change, then out to meet a different friend in the afternoon. I'm trying to squeeze everyone in before we go away and then get super busy with everyone home!
I was meant to meet my sister on Saturday, but storm Darragh meant everything was cancelled,
so I finished decorating....
......and spent all day Saturday wrapping presents.
I LOVE wrapping presents!
I wanted to get them all done before we go away, as last year I still had them all to do on our return and was poorly, so felt really rushed. It's one of my favourite things to do at Christmas.
I also got Jeff to help me put up and rearrange a few pictures
and help me put up my early Christmas present.
After visiting the fabulous 'Arktisk' exhibition by Emily Powell last week, and falling in love with at least half a dozen, if not more, of her fabulous Arktisk squares, I knew, after seeing her work in person, that I had to own my very own little piece of Emily Powell brilliance. Sadly I couldn't afford a square but then she did a live stream the other evening, of affordable paper works, I didn't hesitate to acquire a vibrant, joyous, colourful painting. 'If you love them, tell them'. I've put it at the top of the stairs, so that every morning and night, just before bed, you are reminded to tell those who are special, that they are loved.
I hope, one day, to add to my collection. If I could afford to, I would fill my whole house with her vibrant, colourful, joyous works of art.
Anyway, I'm off to make lunch now, then must get packing!
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