Pre-Christmas moments

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As we hurtle towards Christmas I am feeling slightly unprepared compared to previous years of precision organisation.  It has been hot and dry and life has been busy.  So, this week I am going to work hard on breathing and focusing on what is important and meaningful in my life.

I have generous, thoughtful blogging friends and Celia is one of them.  Celia recently sent me a gorgeous little parcel containing a bracelet, earrings and a pendant handmade from sterling silver and vintage Swarovski crystals. Celia tells me that years ago she used to make jewellery and collect old Swarovski crystals.  Is there anything this talented woman can’t
do or make?   Thank you Celia.

Every sunrise is special.   The cool stillness of the morning is my favourite part of the day, no question about it.

This year I have already gifted countless bags of homemade Christmas biscuits to associates, family and friends.  A handful of special people have received mini gingerbread houses.  I favour an understated gingerbread house and prefer simplicity over thickly layered lollies and sweets.  Tiny pendants from Paperboat Press always feature just to add a little non edible magic.

Tomatoes and basil from my garden, it doesn’t get much better than this.

Family, friends and horses in the early morning light, I will never get sick of capturing moments like this.

My snake beans have just started to produce their long, crisp beans.  These are one of my favourite vegetables to have in the garden.

 

Pip’s blog posts are always full of useful thoughts and tips and I found this recent post about keeping cool at Christmas really helpful.  You might too!

Are you feeling organised this week?
Are you finding some special, quiet moments?

Merry Christmas, friends.  xx

December 11, 2015
December 29, 2015

30 Comments

  1. Reply

    Say Little Hen

    December 20, 2015

    There is an air of calm in all of your images Jane – they are lovely as usual.
    I adore your little gingerbread house! I've never been brave enough to make one 😉

    Enjoy the holidays,
    Sarah x

    • Reply

      Jane S

      December 29, 2015

      Try a gingerbread house next year Sarah, they are so much fun and not that hard. If you make small houses it doesn't feel like so much of a sugar/butter overload! x

  2. Reply

    africanaussie

    December 21, 2015

    oh I love your gingerbread house! I just brought cookies and gingerbread in to work and the gingerbread was the first to go. Happy Christmas to you and your loved ones

  3. Reply

    Dani Elis

    December 21, 2015

    Your photos are always so lovely 🙂 and I love the idea of making mini gingerbread houses as gifts! I made some almond toffee and mexican wedding cookies as gifts this year but already thinking I didn't make enough and might have to make another batch tomorrow, I am hoping we get some freak cool days before Christmas so the oven won't turn my apartment into a sauna 🙂
    Merry Christmas and keep safe x

    • Reply

      Jane S

      December 29, 2015

      Your baking sounds amazing…I am not surprised you needed to make a second batch! Thanks for calling in.

  4. Reply

    katiecrackernuts

    December 21, 2015

    Merry Christmas. Keep the homemade theme going. There's been a lot of home-baked and homemade in our household this year, and that's a good thing.

    • Reply

      Jane S

      December 29, 2015

      Thank you Katie…I know you understand x

  5. Reply

    Cheryl

    December 21, 2015

    Merry Christmas!
    Thanks for sharing your warm thoughts and beautiful photography with us through the year!

    • Reply

      Jane S

      December 29, 2015

      I always appreciate your kind comments Cheryl x

  6. Reply

    Anne

    December 21, 2015

    I'm feeling far from organised; the weather has been so mild that it feels as though Christmas is at least two months away and we've been dealing with Christmas related things for so long that I find it hard to get motivated.

    I love your sunrise photo. It looks so still and calm and I know that all day I shall have the start of Shine on You Crazy Diamond in my head because (for some strange reason) I associate it with sunrise.

    Wishing you a calm week. Happy Christmas. Anne x

    • Reply

      Jane S

      December 29, 2015

      Thank you Anne…I don't think I know that song! x

  7. Reply

    acoastalplot

    December 21, 2015

    I feel as though I'm wading through thick custard at the moment – there is still so much to do. I love the calm that emanates from your photos and your post. Thank you Jane. Sam x

    • Reply

      Jane S

      December 29, 2015

      Thank you Sam, you are a very kind blogging friend. I hope the thick custard disappeared! x

  8. Reply

    Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things

    December 21, 2015

    Yes, I am feeling organised this year, Jane, and feel well too, which is better than last year! Thanks for your lovely round up of pre-Christmas photos. Wishing you and yours a peaceful festive season, with plenty of welcomed rain xx

  9. Reply

    pip lincolne

    December 22, 2015

    Thank you for linking to me! I am loving tomatoes and basil too – on a piece of garlic-rubbed toast (with a drizzle of olive oil and a splash of white wine vinegar!) I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, sweets! xxx

    • Reply

      Jane S

      December 29, 2015

      Linking you is a total pleasure Pip! x

  10. Reply

    look see. by naomi fenton

    December 22, 2015

    Those tomatoes and basil look absolutely perfect! And I love your understated gingerbread house! Merry Christmas, Jane x

    • Reply

      Jane S

      December 29, 2015

      Thank you Naomi, sending you a virtual chunk of gingerbread house to nibble on! x

  11. Reply

    Kate @ Kate Writes

    December 24, 2015

    I love your gingerbread house. Happy Christmas and stay cool. Fingers crossed for Santa to bring a little rain xxx

  12. Reply

    passionfruitgarden.com

    December 25, 2015

    Hi Jane, checked out Pip's post and watched the movie. How bad is it? 😀

    • Reply

      Jane S

      December 29, 2015

      Good to hear from you Glenda 🙂

  13. Reply

    almostitalian

    December 26, 2015

    A simple plate of tomatoes, basil and salt- that is so appealing after the excess of yesterday. All the best for the holidays Jane, Francesca ( can't seem to sign in or out again )

  14. Reply

    Kizzy Bass

    December 29, 2015

    Hope everything came together for you. I love the idea of a gingerbread house with a special surprise on it!

  15. Reply

    frogpondfarm

    December 31, 2015

    What a lovely post! And those toms and basil looked just so yummy. My tomatoes are still green … I hope you had a lovely Christmas 🙂

    • Reply

      Jane S

      January 4, 2016

      Thank you so much Julie, lovely to hear from you x

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