Nearly there..

 Hello everyone , how are you all?

The big day is almost upon us and i for one can't wait. I love all the prep and the planning plus all the things we do together to make it special for us. I have baked 3 dozen Mince Pies, made Fruit cakes and i have a baking day planned tomorrow with Iris  for cookies and brownies.

This year for the very first time we have a brand spanking new Christmas tree, in all the years we have been married we have always had a second hand one that was given to us. Not complaining as it was a good tree , however it has like the rest of us started to show its age and lose bits and sag here and there, so we saved up bought this beauty.

It's 7ft tall and pre lit which means no more tangling and getting into a kerfuffle with lights. The girls decorated it and it looks beautiful. It is very heavy and has connecting wires for the lights , i was so excited to get it put up and decorated. I am so proud of us for being able to buy it. Our old one is going in the bin. I had to clean up fake pine needles from the top of the house to the bottom, and i am still finding them a few days later. We do not decorate until 12 days before and it is our thing,everyone does there own thing but i do think end of November is a bit early but each to their own.

I have done my shopping and it's just a few fresh bits to get and we can all relax. Hubby, dude and Fern have a few days off to celebrate and then it's back to work .

The whole Christmas saga is going to be over and quick as a flash it will be 2026. I still haven't got a calendar but i will.

We are all looking forward to our Christmas eve tradition of going for a walk to see the lights on the posh estate and having a takeaway for a treat. We love going on our walk..the light displays are amazing and there is a big one which raises money for Charity so we pop some money in the bucket. Back home to a nice cozy house and tea being delivered.It's just bliss for me, no cooking, until the next day.Our other tradition is to watch Arthur Christmas with popcorn to snack on. If you haven't watched it you really should it's a lovely film.

The myth and legend of our Christmas eve walk is very simple really, we had to have a way to distract the older girls when they were little. Daddy took them to see lights and out the way for about an hour or so, whilst i whisked the stash box downstairs and stocked up the Pantry and moved all the presents to the back shed out the way so there was no rustling of wrapping paper that is absolutely guaranteed to get any child out of bed on Christmas eve. Their little faces lit up when they came home to find lots of goodies and treats in the cupboards just like Magic .It has carried on until now they all know the magic is Mum and Dad.

I do cook our Turkey on Christmas eve and prep the veggies so i can just enjoy the morning with everyone rather than being stuck in the kitchen. Breakfast nowadays is Pancakes, Waffles and Croissants all warmed up in the oven and fresh fruit juice with tea for those who want it. I used to do a huge fry up for Christmas morning but to be honest it was too much and we all felt over stuffed.We have a relaxed breakfast after opening gifts. I so love the whole thing and i understand people don't .

So i am on a count down until it's here. 

Take care all

Love Ftm🌲