Wednesday of few words...

We're going to the beach to get some perspective...much needed this time of year! Isn't there this undue pressure to make everything perfect for Christmas? Why do we do it to ourselves? Ordered gifts not yet arrived due to the snow. House-related DIY projects that suddenly need completing. Wrapping paper everywhere. Random Christmas cards from people we have not seen or heard from in years. I am waiting til Christmas Eve when I will have all of my family around me, but until that day, they are scattered. I need some sea air...and some hot chocolate in the beach hut and a pep talk from my friend P. Then I promise I will return with some Christmas spirit!

via flickr

How are you this fine day?

I think we spent the weekend relaxing just a little too much and faced a Monday morning come-down today! My husband couldn't find his wallet (eeek!), I realised just how much there is to get done (in amongst Christmas parties and ferrying children here and there). Tonight we are in London for a proper old fashioned big Christmas do; one that requires a party dress and party shoes and a party bag. Quite excited, as long as the snow doesn't stop me in my tracks.
 
Hurry, hurry, hurry!

I wanted to say a GINORMOUS thank you for all the voting you did in the Best Blog 2010 contest. The results were posted and as I suspected I did not make the top 5 - I think we needed about 500+ votes to make that! However it was cool being a part of it and I was delighted to get that far.  I got a lovely feature on the Blog Guidebook site to boot.

Thank you so much...these beauties are for you...

via ms muse

Things are still beautiful...

Life goes on no matter what...so here we are on another Friday. I have a visit tonight with one of my best friends, who is over from the Netherlands. Can.Not.Wait. It has been the longest of weeks, the children have finally broken up for the Christmas holidays; I don't think they could have gone on another day! They are exhausted. So here's to many quieter times snuggled up watching films and staying out of the cold.

Thank you for some lovely comments this week; you are getting to know me so well...

via crush cul de sac

via mary loves

Mini doughnuts and hot chocolate anyone?

I love Christmas lights - especially at dusk when you drive past people's houses and see their decorations within...

Drew Barrymore

This time of years makes me want to watch 'Anne of Green Gables'...nothing like it. A kindred spirit?

Here's to a quiet weekend...shuuuush ;-)

Precarious...

I learned something today that has made me realise how utterly precarious life can be. How we charge around making a million little decisions and worrying and wanting; thinking about everything and nothing. Then sometimes something blindsides us and we find ourselves in an unknown world, facing unknown truths. Where everything we thought to be real isn't. To watch this happen to someone else, as a bystander is a surreal experience and makes me quake with the realisation of how precious my life is. I read my previous post of just yesterday, what was that? When today, although my life has not changed, I have seen someone else's change beyond recognition. Makes me want to package my little life up in cotton wool and protect it. Not take it for granted. But the worst of it is this: why is it that someone else's heartache is what it takes for me to appreciate my life with its current lack of heartache?

via tinywhitedaisies

Preparations and planning...

I would like to bring you beautiful pictures of Christmas cheer and stories of my wonderful relaxed build-up to the festive period. However today has not quite fit that mould! Crazy-busy at work, big scary presentation (what is it with presenting that no matter how many times I do it, it still instills fear in me? Public speaking; you are either a natural or you are not). I so wanted to get everything done for Christmas this week, I'm writing a list and checking it twice (make that fifteen times). I feel distinctly out of control...

by Anne Taintor

I think back to those carefree days of the past where Christmas meant catching up with all of your old school friends when they were home to their families for the holidays. Mulled wine and late night shopping.  Family time and enjoying it all. No pressure. Now, with my own children there is a subtle pressure to make it all just right. To form those memories just like those I cherish from my childhood. Memories which came from my wonderful Mum's sheer hard work and determination to make family Christmases special, despite little things like divorce.

So I am trying to keep my Christmas cheer, to be nourished by this special time of year. To recall the true message.  To be neighbourly. To chill...OK so just one more lovely, restful image to help me on my way ;-)

What is Lou thinking today?

So, we are on the home stretch...in many ways! I got to next round of the 2010 best blog (hurrah!) but to carry on I still need your votes - I have grown ever so slightly weary of repeatedly asking you; it feels all wrong to me. So this is all I will say - please vote if you like my blog, that would be very nice. 'Nuff said. Consider these beautiful flowers from me to you by way of thank you! xxx

via bippityboppityboo

I am also approaching my one year blog anniversary just after Christmas - who would have thought?! I am planning a giveaway extravaganza - well almost! For me giveaways are a bit like shopping and (shamefully) that's about my favourite thing, so I am quite excited about the prospect...

And whilst we are sharing, this quote says it all...along with some images that reflect my thoughts this Monday in December...

 

...aga-warmed cosiness when trying to put the house back together after the weekend onslaught...

...pomegranate-jewelled colours...

...old school glass baubles on the Christmas tree...yes we got the tree!!

...just can't stop listening to this; love her voice...

...contemplative loveliness in muted colours...

Happy Monday!

Things of beauty...

Friday; happy day! This weekend calls for all sorts of Christmas preparations; 'feeding' brandy to the Christmas cake we made, sourcing and decorating the tree, searching for those presents that have so far alluded me. The tree is a BIG deal for me - it's got to be real, it's got to have that unmistakable fresh nordic pine smell, it's got to feature all the years of decorations and baubles from the time my husband and I first lived together, to now.

This week I saw my daughter sing in her school choir in a Cathedral; it was just spine-tinglingly lovely. But as the weeks wear on, I am ready now for them to finish school and try to ease into the Christmas 'proper'.

For me it's been a reflective week as I ask myself yet again - what's it all for? I mean this in a good way...but it's telling to me that this question arises in my mind so much. I find myself thinking a lot about the past. I understand that this preoccupation with the past and with nostalgic thoughts is prevalent in my generation as we struggle to reconcile the massive changes in everyday life since we were young. Before mobile phones and home computing and when on winter's evenings my friends and I would ride our bikes around the neighbourhood, breathing in that cold air as we peddled. It all seemed so simple then! But no matter how much I look back, I have to say, I would rather be here than there...so time to embrace the future - with whatever it holds.

Rachel Weisz

This would be my kind of Christmas decorating - simple, traditional and to be done in front of a roaring fire.

Lovely, contemplative image of Kirsten Dunst...

Emerson Made

There are those Eames chairs again...what a beautiful, simple, white setting. Love this.

Elie Saab

The very lucky Diane Kruger...

Santa Claus - if you wouldn't mind, these would be very welcome underneath the Christmas tree... ;-)

via the bottom of the ironing basket

I unexpectedly won a Vogue subscription this week from The Bottom of the Ironing Basket! Thank you!! In the words of Carrie:

"When I first moved to New York and I was totally broke, sometimes I bought Vogue instead of dinner. I found it fed me more."

More simple decorations...here from Country Living.

Twinkly lights; they are magical...wherever this is (the corner of nowhere?); it's got that special Christmas feel.

Picture the scene: it's 1983, I am 9, I get roller skates for Christmas! This image brought that all back! Oh the excitement of that first roll!

via crush cul de sac

Here's to a wonderful, excitment-building weekend!