Christmas time equals no time

Late night decorating the tree, inbetween cooking christingle making and panic sketching greeting cards - it is most definitely the season to be jolly.

It's rather comforting, transforming the lounge which is used to pale blues and stone shades into accepting bold reds, glitter and extra foliage from the garden. 

Ivy, holly and mistletoe are all making an appearance, as is the fire. We've finally stocked up on kindle and wood so we can enjoy a warm and toasty evening Nd marvel at our first, real, Christmas Tree. 

A real spruce has more character and a better smell than the fake ones, and we are learning how to care for it and keep the pines off the carpet as best we can. 

A further signal that we are approaching winter is that we have finished the bramble jelly made in September. I am looking forward to seeking out more berries next autumn, and perhaps be more prepared and make a larger batch.

For now, it's time to make the Christmas preserves and puddings, with only weeks to go we better find more hours on the clock.

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Graduating & eating too many waffles

I graduated last week! For three whole years I've watched every year above adorning the Potter-esque gowns in jealousy. How I wanted to be them, and then the time came! Patience is a virtue and all that. To celebrate we visited my much loved cafe Halladays in Bedford Place, then in the evening went out for a luxurious meal at Stovells in Chobham.

'Twas a bit windy.

Accidently visited this pudding place recently called 'Creams' in my local town a handle of times, which is actually too much considering the size of the portions. It's just opened where Pizza Hut used to be and it's very addictive. I mean how can you resist this chocolate sprinkled waffle with strawberries and ice cream? I can't, that's why I'm making a regular appearance.

Staying true to my word, I've been playing on my sewing machine a bit more, making some Christmas cards. Here I was on Sunday, with scraps splattered across the table with my Kitchen Spice Yankee Candle alight. That candle should win an award.

Hoping to do more Christmas shopping this weekend, and to also visit Ripley's Christmas Market, with the switching on of the lights, I've never been before so I am very much looking to it.

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Singing Christmas tree

Literally no other way to make you feel more festive than taking a trip to Longleat Safari Park. The beautiful grounds are decorated with England's first singing Christmas tree, surrounded by gift stalls and the usual array of over-excited children.

Needless to say we stood around like them, often joining in for a little jig and giggle as the tree sung, quite literally the best selection of Christmas tunes. Nothing sounds better sung from a tree than the Home Alone theme. Fact. Don't believe me? Watch it here.

Having a cup of hot chocolate in the Orangey was also a real treat. Warming you up after spending so much time outside with all the animals. Managing to fit it all in one day was quite a skill looking back.

Now to continue the countdown towards Christmas. I've been hand-making/decorating a lot of presents this year. I'll be sure to show you how you can make your gift have a more personal touch to it.

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Working 9 til 5

Firstly - a bit of apology on the lack of posts this month.

I am definitely understanding the true meaning of third year thanks to the overwhelming amount of work.

It seems all I am doing at the moment is sleep - library - food, in whatever order I choose! But I have got a few things to be looking forward to this Christmas to make up for all the hard work.

This weekend I'm off to Longleat - yes the safari park with the monkeys - for some well deserved giggles and good food with friends.

For New Year we are also escaping again to a little cabin in the South of Wales to have a right laugh in our onesies and drink copious amounts of Wine.

But for now - I have to continue my hunch over the Mac to get all this work completed for hand in which is only a couple of weeks away. One of the things I've been creating is a blog - funny I know as I enjoy this one - but do take a look if you are interested. It's called 'Keep calm and just graduate'... I've also been developing a beautiful sketchbook and reliving the fun I used to have in college, basically cutting and sticking, but predicting a trend for 2013. Looks fab so I"ll photocopy some page for you to see in due course.

Speaking of college I managed to un-earth an image I sketched about 5 years ago. Shame I don't sketch half as much as I used to. It used to be a way for me to relax and occupy myself when I was younger, now I find I don't have the time! Maybe something for the Christmas holidays I can look forward to again?

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