Little Cotton Rabbits

All I want for Christmas...

 

 

 

The two little animals above have been gifted to friends, the cards are all sent, the tree is up, the presents for the children are wrapped and the larder is full - I'm at last prepared for and looking forward to a few gentle-paced, family-based days. We have a quiet and simple Christmas here, centred around sharing time together, eating and relaxing. There's nothing I'm hoping for in the way of physical presents, but if my Christmas day includes some of the following then it will be a good one...

• A crisp, frosty dawn with mother-of pearl coloured clouds high above the rising sun and the song of a robin heralding daybreak from the top of the plum tree as I give the hens their breakfast,
• A cup of good coffee to warm my fingers after coming in from the cold,
• Toby and Amy having a long lie in, so I can sit with my soulmate and spend a little time alone together,
• Christmas carols on the stereo so I can sing along as I peel potatoes and prep for lunch,
• Hoping that my roast potatoes get crispy and the turkey stays juicy and flavourful, so that I can show my family what they mean to me with a gift of good food,
• An afternoon family film on the tv so we can all curl up together and feel nostalgic,
• An evening cosying by the fire with a glass or two of something warming,
• A bright moon floating in a clear sky studded with stars, so I can send up grateful thanks for a day well lived before heading off to a warm bed.

I'm signing off now but will see you in the new year, I hope your holidays bring you what you are hoping for and a little peace and pleasure and time with those you love most,

J xxx

 

Christmas tree bears & a new friend

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This year it seems to be proving harder than ever to get organised for Christmas. I had so many things on my to do list for this week but on Monday Toby developed some snuffles, and although he has no other symptoms and isn't unwell in himself I felt that keeping him home from college was the responsible thing to do because the current situation has us all feeling a little paranoid and extra sensitive to other peoples coughs and sneezes. Anyway, I'm going to be deleting a few of the less essential things from my list and what doesn't get done by friday will simply have to stay undone :)

I have ticked one thing off my list today though and that is to upload a new and updated version of my tiny bear Christmas tree decorations. I first shared this in December 2008 and I thought it could use a make-over and a few new photos. The instructions are the same as they were and are very simple and fairly quick, if a little fiddly, to follow. If you wanted to make some of your own you can download the new copy of the file from here:  download now 

And you can see all of the projects that others have made over the years (including lots of sweet adaptations) over on Ravelry.

Lastly, out in the garden I have a new friend. I am still missing Kit the fox and will never forget her frequent visits over the last 2 years, but the antics of this little squirrel definitely put a smile on my face. We've had plenty of squirrels in the garden before and they have all been typically skittish and wary, but this little chap is a very friendly character and follows me around the garden. I now have hazelnuts in my pocket whenever I go outside, and he politely takes each one in his little paws before scampering off to stash them somewhere - by now he must have the largest stash in the area!

 

 

 

Preparations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It always seems that early December is a time of mild panic, spent trying to remember things you've forgotten, making lists and losing them and trying to juggle far too many different tasks. Leastways, that's what it's like in our household. As usual I am woefully behind in ticking off things on my 'to-do for Christmas' list but I have made a little progress this week with finishing off some animals for family and friends. And as an antidote to my chaotic Christmas preparations I've been taking myself off to the woods regularly - just to have some time alone in this peaceful place is a precious thing and I always come home with more ordered thoughts in my head. 

The first winter storms have already blown through, taking most of the remaining leaves from the trees and leaving rainbows in their wakes. Dramatic sunrises signal the arrival of the next bout of wet and windy weather, that old adage 'red sky at morning, shepherds take warning' really does work. With most of the trees bare the forest has a kind of stark, twiggy beauty and I love the way the low winter sunlight slants through the trunks, illuminating ferns with a golden glow and casting long shadows across the forest floor.

Next week I'm planning to work on an updated layout for my little free Christmas tree bears pattern. I'll pop back with news of that once a new version is ready to download - they only take a couple of hours to make so hopefully there will still be time to make one or two if you wish.

J x