It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

There is no better time of year than this to indulge in all things so good (or should I say;- so bad!!) without a second thought or the usual pang of guilt.

Christmas is about family, although admittedly the pendulum swings ferociously from laughter and loving to fighting and insult throwing within a second around here which some may say only makes for more unpredictable excitement!
At winter's first cold snap I never fail to be over-come by christmas tingles...
Every year I say I will make my own christmas decorations...I am yet to get around to it this year but if you have better time management skills than I (!!) go and buy yourself some transparent baubles and fill with anything from feathers, sequins and stars to pieces of music sheets, pencil sharpenings and even little photographs for a personal touch then hang with pretty ribbon from the tree.

As a family, we don't have any christmas traditions to pass through the generations  so I have begun some of my own...and you should too!!
I began sending parcels to the troops in Afghanistan a few years ago every christmas. What was supposed to be a kind and selfless gesture actually ended up giving me hours of enjoyment wrapping cigars in funny paper and filling boxes with silly bits and pieces. To my utter astonishment one year I received a heart felt letter from 5 of the soldiers, thanking me whilst eloquently describing their surroundings and the lives they were living. I was blown away and it only shows that a tiny thought or gesture can go a long way!


The usual red and green colour code of this time of year doesnt wash around here...this is my mother's hobby...creative genius with an eagle's eye for perfection...oppulent, glittering and a perfectly sumptious christmas table setting.

Canapes served on butterflies

Feed your guests eyes before their stomachs...