Tis The Season

 

A few things that have made my heart skip a Christmas beat. My hand made organic wreath created at a local Hospice fundraiser, not as perfect as others that were made but I'm happy enough to hang it on my door. After all, it is what it symbolises that is important. Please note my recycled Chatsworth ribbon from last year, makes it look a bit posher :). And my beautiful new Emma Bridgewater mug, the first day of Christmas. I have a number of her mugs, I love them and like the fact every purchase from her supports an old  British industry and local folk.

What are you especially enjoying in the run up to the big day?

Getting A Teeny Bit Organised For Christmas

 For the last few years I haven't really felt like dressing the house up for Christmas. My great friend who passed away in 2020 would start decorating her cosy cottage in November. She adored everything about the season and her sweet enthusiasm was infectious. We haven't hosted over the last few years either which also makes me feel less like 'going to town' with dressing the house.

But this year I have planned a few things. Starting with this home made large bow and decorations for my sitting room mirror, which I'm rather pleased with. The little lights are gold metal mistletoe and filigree leaves, they add a lovely golden hue, without being over the top.

And I found this delightful chap enjoying some Christmas pudding.

I've been making mince pies and sausage rolls and freezing them so I have them ready for when folk visit.

We do have a number of friends popping round and staying in the next few weeks. Starting tonight. So today I have been busily making tasty food to go with our very chilled pink fizz, which we will all enjoy later.

I even bought a new (to me) chair for the sitting room, to add to the comfort.

How are all you getting on with your preparations ?

Are You Resisting?

 How are we all doing in the run up to Christmas? Are you managing to resist the money making machines of big business? I consider myself very good now at 'thinking over' purchases, it wasn't always thus. I love nice things and I do succumb sometimes to 'pretties'. This time of year though I feel bombarded with constant special offers, which let's face it most are not special offers at all.

I saw these beautiful little hedgehogs yesterday and thought oooh hand made, wonderfully cute packaging, what a lovely gift. Friends I was tempted, BUT I took a breath and regained my senses.

 They are £9.99 plus p&p, for three chocolates, with a total weight of 60gms.

These little chaps below are from the famous Bettys, it sort of feels like you are getting more for your money.

But beware they weigh in at 50gms and cost £8.75 plus p&p.

Whereas  my favourite chocolate of choice from Lidls weighs in at 125gms, with only 12% sugar (added bonus), and costs under £2.00 or thereabouts.

The brand is lower end and the packaging doesn't scream GIFT, but I feel with a little effort it could be fancied up, is that a term? It is now.  The chocolate itself is divine and good for you, that's what I like to believe anyway:)

I did however recently purchase a Victorian brooch which I was quite unable to resist. In my defence when will I find another? It depicts the Goddess of the night Nyx and the Goddess of the morning Aurora, with two wild companions, an owl and an eagle. I haven't worn it yet but I have gazed at it often and it brings me such joy. 

See what you can buy if you save your pennies on other things? Yes I hear you cry, essentials like Victorian cameos.

Snow White Apples & Beatrix Potter's Hill Top

Look at these beauties. Our first crop from our two year old apple tree. Organic and they taste as good as they look. Growing our own food is becoming increasingly important to us and when we eventually move we will be filling a poly tunnel with wholesome fresh produce. As we get older protecting our health is a must and we feel the better we eat the more chance we have of keeping nasties at bay.

It's been a while since the Mr and I visited Hill Top House in the Lake District, but oh my the memory lives on.

I hadn't realised that Beatrix Potter didn't actually live full time in the house, after marrying William Heelis she moved to a house just about opposite, on the other side of a field. A larger slightly more modern house. But she wanted Hill Top kept in a pre electric, honest country style. All the things in the house were chosen by her and owned and used by her. I was very excited and actually felt quite emotional. Potter's books meant so much to me as a young child and to visit Hill Top was a tremendously important and touching experience.

Young Beatrix Credit V&A

I spent a long time taking everything in and funnily enough saw a number of her possessions that I also have at home, mainly Staffordshire figures which I adore. Her Dolls House has recently been restored and is extremely charming, appealing to every single visitor.

Her bedroom felt very personal to her, with the bed hangings embroidered by her. I fell in love with the William Morris wallpaper, which luckily for me is still available. Imagine that, I can have the same wall coverings as Miss Potter. Be still my beating heart.

It rained the whole time the Mr and I were in the Lake District, no surprise really, except the day we visited Hill Top. So of course we felt especially blessed as we wandered the gardens, spotting little areas that feature in her books. Quite magical.

Rants & Makes

 Yes, you guessed it, the bloomin computer has been playing up again. So took it back to Currys for the second time, who told me they would repair it again! I put my foot down and eventually they agreed to replace it. Apparently if you purchase something from them and have it for longer than 30 days they won't refund or exchange. Be warned they are VERY NAUGHTY.  I had to quote various trading standards and consumer rights acts to make them change their tune. End of rant........

Back to nicer things. I have started the most difficult knitting pattern I have ever encountered. With a great deal of hlep from Youtube I am managing. I will post about it soon. It is a garment oft made, which I have only just discovered. Ranunculus by Midori Hirose. I wonder if any of you lovely folk are making it too?

But first, I recently made a very sweet fancy scarf, for a very sweet fancy friend.

This is me very carefully blocking it. It is made in two parts and then invisibly stitched together.

Close up of the pattern, looks complex but with concentration not too difficult. She was very happy with the scarf as she has a coat that matches it perfectly, what a happy coincidence.

In other homesteading news I have been making my own butter blended spread, as I don't like the additives and ludicrous expense of spreads like Lurpak.

All it takes is 250gms of room temperature butter, 100mls of EVOO and a pinch of salt. Blend all. The recipe is curtesy of one of my home craft heroines Nancy Birtwhistle. Do you all know her? If not seek her out immediately, you can thank me later, ha ha.

I also found the sweetest dish for my 'butter' at a local charity (Op) shop. Very pleaseing when new ones are super expensive.

Blessings

 

I will be lighting a very special candle this evening, Fen Bride, made by the lovely Imogen Ashwin. You can find her musings at Braken & Wrack. Her posts are naturally magical.

Bright blessings to all of my wonderful blogging chums, I hope you all have a special All Hallows Eve.

A Little More From Marie A.

 A few more titbits from the V&A exhibition. Towards the end of the displays are some of the 'modern' interpretations of early French court fashions that have appeared in various films over the years. Some especially frothy and candy coloured from the 2007 Marie Antoinette film starring Kirsten Dunst, directed by Sofia Coppola.

This jewellery casket however is the real deal. A wedding gift to Marie Antoinette when she first arrived in France in 1770. This of course set a trend for small jewellery chests decorated with Sevres floral porcelain plaques, she was nothing if not a major trend setter. Jewels in the top compartment and a delicious drawer beneath that extends into a green velvet writing surface that can be used as a desk.

The exhibition closes 22nd March 2026.

Ooh La La Marie Antoinette at The V&A

 

The V&A 'Marie Antoinette Style' exhibition is literally mouth watering. I went along with my chum Vanessa and we walked around the sumptuous rooms grinning from ear to ear. It is such a confection and a delight in this time of weariness and worldly turmoil. 

I know she came to an awful sticky end and the exhibition doesn't shy away from that, but that fact doesn't determine the whole experience. 

This very clever picture above, which greets you as you enter the first room, was actually a moving image of her smiling and looking around, I did film it for you but my naughty computer will not load the film. Quite a lot of people entering the exhibition didn't even notice this clever portrait of her. I loved it.

But not as much as this chair.

I suspect most of my blogging chums know I have 'a thing' about the 18th century and the costumes from that era charm me and maybe even make me a bit giddy, how could they not?

The small fluffy white circles on this extraordinary dress panel are swan's down.

The delicate black ribboned collar was worn by Marie Antoinette as were the dazzling diamonds shown above. I have subsequently watched a short V&A film about these diamonds . They appear to be the catalyst for the downfall of Louis XV1 and Marie Antoinette.

I'll post another day with some more images from the exhibition, but I'll leave you now with a picture of a chair I spotted today in a local charity shop. Sadly already sold.