Inspiration for Christmas

It is that time of year when I start to think about how to decorate our home this Christmas. This year I am faced with the new challenge that the layout of our home has changed and our usual spot for our Christmas tree has gone. So its out with the old and in with the new...

Whilst day dreaming about where to put our tree this year I checked my facebook account and I had received an update from Decorative Country Living www.decorativecountryliving.com and became greatly inspired by their new Christmas products, I particularly liked their candle holders and Christmas wreaths, why not check out their selection of wonderous things www.decorativecountryliving.com/christmas/christmas_2010.html

So after browsing through these lovely items its back to daydreaming.

You can't just have one.....

Like most people I find Christmas and the New Year a great opportunity to catch up with family and friends. This is something I usually love, but this time to swap stories etc is currently tainted by one thing which drives me mad.

Since having my daughter nearly three years ago, every time I see an Aunty, friends of the family or indeed some friends of mine, they insist on asking me (like its a ritual of theirs) "Are you having another? Any news you want to share? Any baby plans for 2008?"

GRRRRRRRRRRRR

First of all I think this is a very personal question which you should just not walk up to someone and ask. What if someone had a medical condition they did not want to discuss which meant they could not have children. How would these questions make them feel? They may want more children but it may be medically impossible.

I am also a great believer that if my hubby and I chose to have another child, I would not discuss our plans with the world and his mother, I would wait until an appropriate time when I was pregnant and then tell them.

When they asked the question this year, I promptly replied "I am busy doing my course" to try and divert their attention, but oh no they go straight back for more. "Oh you cannot just have one, they will be lonely, you will regret it".

By they way I have not said to them that we will only stay at one, they just assume this is what we are doing. Never assume!

If they don't feel they are getting enough information to sattisfy their curiosity then they proceed to ask my parents. This drives me even crazier.

To be honest, we have really enjoyed watching our little one grow over the past two and a bit years and feel having one at this stage has meant we can devote more time to her. We then had Johns death which to be quite honest, took away any bit of faith I had in the NHS and has made me nervous about ever going into hospital, so you may see why we hesitate in making a final decision. Especially when I had an emergency c-section last time.

Would it be so bad if our little one was an only child? Would we be selfish and bad parents? Would she be lonely and resent us for it?

I cannot answer these questions and only our little one could in time, if we chose this path.

I just wish people would stop and think before asking these very personal questions. We have had a tough time and what would be a simple decision for most couples to make, is not a simple one for us. So please stop asking and let us enjoy being the best parents we can be.

Deck the halls with bows of holly.....

I know some people prefer not to decorate their home for Christmas until closer to the big day and I fully understand why people hold this view, however I have always loved decorating the house and getting all festive. So as soon as I turned the calendar from November to December, it was time to get trimming.

We set aside the afternoon yesterday, put on a Christmas music CD and spent I can honestly say a lovely afternoon trimming up the house. My daughter for the first time helped mummy to decorate the tree and what a natural she was, putting the bigger baubles on the bottom whilst mummy did the smaller ones at the top. She was so excited when we turned on the lights and kept saying Merry Christmas.

Once the house was looking festive, I prepared beef in red wine with vegetables for everyone (well not the red wine for my 2 1/2 year old).

I know some of you may think I am slightly mad wanting the house decorated on December 1st, but I think when you have had such bad times in your life you want to grab the good times with both hands and really enjoy them and believe me that's what I intend to do this year.

My time of year

Some people love the summer with its long warm days, but not me this is my time of year. You probably think I am mad as we have long dark nights and lets be honest it is freezing, but there is something magical about this season and all it has to offer.

I love the seasonal events such as Halloween, Bonfire Night and of course everything that Christmas brings. I love winter clothes and wrapping up warm on a Sunday afternoon stroll, before coming home to a hot chocolate in front of the fire.

But most of all I love preparing the house for Christmas ready to welcome friends and family, cooking the Christmas treats, choosing presents for my loved ones and watching my little one as she becomes excited about Christmas lights, decorations and the visit from the man in the red coat.

If you come over to my house in the weeks that lie ahead, you will probably find me with my pinny on covered in flour or some other ingredients or glitter on my face as my daughter and I make Christmas cards, but do you know I would not have it any other way.

It's just magical.

Christmas present challenge

I love the challenge of thinking of what to buy my loved ones each year. I started my Christmas shopping a couple of weeks ago and have already purchased presents for all the little people in my life.

It's now time to get creative and think of some great gifts for the grown ups.

I thought I would share with you two great sites I have come across this week which have brilliant gift ideas:

http://www.bahhumbugs.com/

I love their sweet hampers, great if you are looking for something a bit retro.

http://www.stgeorgesday.com/shop/gifts

A great site for those who love all things English, check out the wine section.

If anyone has any other gift ideas or websites to share please feel free to post them.

Here comes summer

It has been wonderful this weekend having such glorious weather and being able to get into the garden. I have just planted some bedding plants into the boarders, the sunflower and tomato seeds are growing at an incredible rate and the whole garden is suddenly coming to life.

I love to go out into the garden early evening and look at how things are changing and growing, I find it so relaxing and peaceful being outside in our garden, it is our piece of tranquility.

In the Night Garden....

As we settled down to watch Cbeebies last night during the bedtime hour, I was intrigued to watch the new programme In the Night Garden....

My daughter loved it especially as one of the characters shares the same name (don't worry it's not Makka Pakka).

The characters are unique, colourful and fun I especially love the Tombliboos.

If you have not seen it, take a look I think you will like it.

If anyone knows anywhere I could buy toys from the programme please let me know, I know my daughter would love one.