Christmas tree ....

.... Just a quick post - no card, but we have got our tree up!  We couldn't put up the big 9 foot tree - it was too wide for where we wanted to put it.  So we've used out 6½ foot tree instead - it's very pretty - decorated with lots of lights, tinsel and baubles.  Some of the baubles are shop bought, some are ones I've made and some were made by the children.  So pleased to have it up.  Here are a few photos:

I made this decoration last year - it survived the trip over!!

Decorated by Jonathan and Kathryn - lots of lovely sparkle!!

A couple of close ups showing decorations made by me and the children!

That's all for now.  See you tomorrow!

It's Christmas in our house ....

... and that's official!!!  The first Saturday in December has become the day on which we put up our Christmas trees.  Ever since the children were tiny and they wanted the trees up, we decided that we'd do it - so today's the day.

We started off by visiting Chester to see the Big Wheel that has been put up.  But unfortunately the weather was really miserable.  I don't mean snow.  I mean dull, grey and rain - and, of course, cold.  So we didn't actually go on the Wheel today - we're going to save that for a better day.  But we did some Christmas shopping.  And then went for a most excellent lunch at 1539 - which is the restaurant attached to Chester Racecourse.  It was superb!!!  All the better because I didn't have to prepare it or wash up!  Seriously, a really lovely meal.

Then we came home - and put up our trees.  We have two - one in the Snug and one on the upstairs landing.  Both are really beautiful.  We don't do clean and simple trees, or ones that have a theme.  We go for lots of tinsel, lights, baubles and kids bits.  They are such fun.  So here they are:

Our Big Tree - in the Snug - it's about 7 feet tall - and it's totally wonderful!!!

The Big Tree - in the dark showing how the lights sparkle

Our smaller tree on the landing - I've realised there's a bit of a theme here - silver, white, pink - pretty!

I love to sit in the Snug in the evening with the lights off and watch the Christmas tree lights as they sparkle.  It's so pretty and so relaxing.  A great way to unwind.  So I'm going to be the first to wish everyone Season's Greetings!!

And that's all for this evening.  I'll be back tomorrow with some more cards - I still have plenty to make.  I also have to come up with a couple of simple designs for our Cub Scouts (aged 8 - 10) to make for their parents, as well as some for the Scouts (aged 10½ - 14) to make.  See you tomorrow.