My first day in ages when I can actually spend time doing things I want to do without school or anything to do with Christmas looming overhead and distracting me! The last couple of weeks have been ridiculously hectic and even though I thought I was well organised initially, I still found myself rushing around trying to get everything done at the last minute. Christmas cards, calendars, decorations at school were finished on the very last day of term, most unlike me who is usually ready well in advance. This was partly due to lots of staff absence at work where flu and sickness affected the adults more than the children. Before we broke up I found time to make a gingerbread house with the children 
Saturday saw me writing and posting off my own Christmas cards, another job left until the very last minute as that was the last day we could post if we wanted them delivered by Christmas. It was also my birthday too, thanks so much to everyone who stopped by or emailed me with good wishes. I had a lovely day, spent time with my mum and friends, lots of lovely presents and then a delicious meal in the evening cooked by my personal chef, Dave . Amongst other presents received I was thrilled to be sent two gorgeous hand made gifts, one from Sadie and one from Pixie. A stunning plum coloured rose brooch from Sadie, an updated version of the one she gave me last year plus one of Pixie’s exquisitely knitted lace shawls. How lucky I am to have two such wonderful blogging friends 
.
We decided to have a fairly low key Christmas this year and, as with last year when we were away, haven’t bought a Christmas tree. I’ve always preferred real to fake but they’re terribly expensive and it always seems terribly sad to end up throwing it out with the rest of the Christmas debris once the celebrations are over. So I’m making do with our beautiful little fibre optic twig tree which changes colour. I can sit looking at it for ages! I’ve taken photos of some the ornaments around it too.
Yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting my lovely friend Sadie again. Only a very short stop as we were en route to various other places Dave was visiting in her area. I’m lucky enough to have met a number of people who I first got to know through the internet. Sadie is a great friend and I love her company, I just wish we lived closer!
The weather is very mild, fuelling my theory that winter is now over! It’s been years since we had a cold Christmas so I’m hoping I’m wrong and that Thursday turns out to be cold and bright>
In case I don’t get the chance to write here again before the big day, a very merry Christmas one and all!
aww! thank you!
I love that shawl that Pixie made for you. Oh to have that talent.
Lots of nice piccies to look at. Your tree is very lovely, and no needles to clear up either!
Loving that gb house. I’m already thinking of mine for next year, going to try and do something elaborate and fab. You’ll hear the swearing from yours if the whole think collapses though!
Guess what? Pressie is STILL wrapped up! Can’t believe it. Normally I’d have opened it seconds after you had left the house. Even the ones my sister dropped round on Monday are still wrapped (though I did tear a corner slightly, and know it’s something fabric. I’m thinking tea towels with fairy cakes on them, or maybe an apron). I’ve been so good this year. Must be ill!
Have a lovely Christmas Eve.I’m off to the kitchen to chop, chop, chop and stir, stir, stir. Get all the prep done now, says I!
xxxxx
Merry Christmas Nikki and Dave
So glad you love the shawl and the brooch is gorgeous.. didn’t you do well?
I love your tree and ornaments.. I don’t go for a big tree ours sits on the TV.. neat and tidy lol..
Have a super time and low key sounds good to me
All the best
Luv n hugs Pixie xxx
Merry Christmas to you & Dave (and the pets too !), dear Nikki !
How great to have been pampered by family & friends for your birthday ! I’m so sorry I didn’t think about sending a snail mail card, December has been a bit crazy at home this year.
Your decorations are just so lovely, our tree is fake as well, though we always loved fresh ones, with the carpet everywhere here, it was just impossible.
Sending you much love !! Happy Holidays !! xoxoxo
Merry Christmas!
I’m so glad you are home (even though it was a tough choice), because your Christmas Eve sounded lovely. I switched off Midsomer Murder too. Wasn’t it a bore?!
Have to say such a huge thank you to you for the pressie. It is so beautiful and very ‘us’. Little one won’t let me put it on the tree, she keeps walking around with it. But I hasten to add, under my close supervision. I don’t want it to break. And it won’t be put away after Christmas either, oh no, I’m going to find a nice little home for it somewhere in the kitchen.Too pretty to put away. Thank you again, it’s so lovely.
Hope you and Dave have a fab day. Is he cooking? I always think of you two when I see the Sommerfield advert and the woman nods with her head to the q ‘lovely dress, special occasion?’ she replies with ‘yes, he’s cooking’!
Happy Christmas! xxxx
festive telly has been a bit poo today I think!
No, don’t really think you’d wear that sort of frock that ‘well, Nigel bought it me’! *cue coy look* Shame Nigel doesn’t shop at Chanel is all I can say!
Am fat as a barrel now, and we’ve decided to have the Christmas pud tomorrow. Can’t face it today! Am looking forward to Eastenders too. I feel quite sorry for Shawn, I wish it was Susie they
were booting out, her and her whispering/cleavage get right on my chimes! What is it with Eastenders and the the whispering? I’ve never heard anyone in the East End talk like Phil/Susie/Jack/Archie/Ronnie/
Tony/and all the others who talk in hushed tones.
Funnily enough, since leaving the East End and going up north, the bloke who played Tony
has resumed normal volumes since joining The Royal. Perhaps in the auditions, the producers
ask actors if they can whisper their lines? It’s a notion, I can’t think of any other
explanations!
enjoy your evening xxxx
How wonderful to find your note when we returned from Christmas breakfast with son Matt and family. We are doing Christmas in stages today; they will return in a couple of hours for Christmas dinner with us. Your place looks so very festive, not at all the low key you describe in your post. The gifts are also wonderful. All in all, a Merry Christmas whether the best-organized or not. See you soon. I am setting up a new domain as entered above – never liked that old name. Don’t peek for a few days. Love and best wishes! Julia
Got to iron. lots of love xxxx
Hi Nikki, Is it boxing day there as well? Hope you had a lovely Christmas, mine was quiet but nice. Love the presents for Sadie and Pixie, how nice that you can see her in person. I see you are reading Twilight, I’m on the third book of the saga. Have a nice day. *hugs*
Hiya Nikki Happy Boxing Day! I just came from Kia’s comments to check out your blog…
The gifts look absolutely wunnerful, you are such a lucky person to recieve such wonderful gifts from fabulous friends..
I hope you had a wonderful christmas and I hope you have a wonderful new year.. I shall be poping by to read more about you…. Thanks for sharing your blog…
Happy New Year, Nikki! We’re spending ours at home watching TV LOL. Hope you’re doing something exciting! See you soon!
Happy New Year, Nikki & Dave. Did you paarrrtaay? I slept through as usual, I am so rock ‘n roll!
Wishing you both all the best for 2009
xxxx
hello Nikki!
Happy New Year!
May it bring lots of happiness, health and inspiration.
Hugs!