A Traditional Cottage Christmas

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