We have been busy preparing for the Christmas season here at our cottage.
The garden is very quiet this time of year & I have been out collecting Holly & Ivy for decorating the cottage. As I look out of the window it seems I was just in time as now the berries are mostly gone, we will have some very full little robins with big bellies.
The squirrels are still busy burying their nuts & giving great amusement to George who watches them from the window.
All the gifts are now wrapped & cards & presents delivered so all we have to do is to stay at home & enjoy the season together.
The children have some Christmas crafts to do & I have much to bake. It is nice to be at home & not be out in the modern rush of Christmas.
Times gone by are so much more appealing to us especially at Christmas time.
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The front of our cottage, under the tiles we have a lovely thatched roof.
The tall black box next to the middle window is a Georgian water pump.
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Making Gingerbread for Christmas Eve tea.
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We always make this recipe for Christmas, it is a family favourite & it freezes so well.
The recipe comes from an old 1930's Bero flour booklet.
The twins practising their handwriting while I bake.
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Once it defrosts I drizzle icing on top & cut it in to Squares.
We will have this for Christmas Eve tea with all the family.
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The girls made some Christmas hats for Christmas Day lunch.
I couldn't find hats to go inside the crackers this year so they decided to make their own.
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Cawthorpe Christmas Tree Farm.
We love to go to the farm & get a fresh tree, the smell is wonderful.
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On Tuesday evening we had a carol service at our little church.
The girls made holly baskets to decorate the font, it was so nice to see all the childrens decorations.
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The girls decorating the church tree ready for the carol service.
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Brownies for the carol service.
We had a beautiful service, it is wonderful to get together to celebrate Christmas with the other villagers.
Everyone brings a plate of treats to enjoy after the service.
The children did a little play, it was so lovely to see them all telling the Christmas story.
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I got a beautiful surprise in the post last week.
My dear friend Maggie who lives in Ireland sent me a lovely Father Christmas she made for me for Christmas.
She is so very talented, I will treasure him.
Doesn't he look wonderful standing there on the little green stool.
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Simple Christmas decorations.
Holly & Ivy from the garden.
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The parlour.
This year I put some Holly & Ivy in some of my Georgian tea cups using oasis, they turned out just the right size for the mantle.
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Antique pewter on the kitchen dresser.
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Andy's Great Grandfather's piano has a special place.
Above the piano are portraits of my Great Great Grandparent's on my Grandmother's side.
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Our Christmas tree from the farm.
The parlour just smells of Christmas now the tree is up.
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Our Antique glass baubles & Victorian tree candle holders.
Each year I find another bauble for our collection.
The children find such joy in taking the tissue paper off each bauble & remembering them, the father Christmas & little bird are among their favourites.
I mix these with orange slices, popcorn & cranberry garlands.
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Cranberry muffins for Christmas Day breakfast.
The cranberries always look so pretty this time of year.
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All ready for the freezer.
They will be a nice & easy treat for Christmas morning.
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I made a Holly & Ivy ball this year & hung it from the main beam in the hall.
I saw it on the BBC Cranford production & thought I would try to make one especially as we have an abundance of evergreens.
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Grandad's dresser.
We are so lucky to have the original brick floors throughout most of the cottage.
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The Christmas cake all done just waiting for it's red ribbon to go around it.
I always use royal icing to go over the marzipan.
We like to eat ours with a slice of strong chedder cheese, this is a Yorkshire tradition. My Dad & his family were all from Yorkshire.
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To my dear readers I wish you a Merry Christmas & a happy & healthy New Year.
May you all have a special time with friends & family celebrating the birth of Jesus.
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Seasons Greetings.
Fondly Michelle
