(I didn't much love the taxi driver who slid into me on an icy road yesterday though! Good job I was in the Land Rover - BIG dint in his bumper, not a scratch on the Landy and just a bit of whiplash for me but First-Born was fine. Would have been much worse in an ordinary car!)
If you look very carefully you might just be able to make out the rose on the bush by the front door - it has kept flowering for months and hadn't cottoned on to the fact that it is winter!
Acer x Conspicuum 'Red Flamingo'
A tantilising glimpse of the tea house roof......
....and another!
Ceefer cat walks on water - well, okay, the iced up pond.
I suspect the woodpile will have to wait a bit longer to get chopped up now.
Cornus Albus.
Snow on an old tree root in the yard - found on a beach and carried about a mile to 'safety' by the 4 of us. It was flippin' heavy, but lovely! I have yet to find the perfect spot for it - but I will.
Looking up the back garden to the 6ft high snowman me, Himself and the Gnomelets built in the dark last night after a snowball fight :)
Snow on an old tree root in the yard - found on a beach and carried about a mile to 'safety' by the 4 of us. It was flippin' heavy, but lovely! I have yet to find the perfect spot for it - but I will.
Looking up the back garden to the 6ft high snowman me, Himself and the Gnomelets built in the dark last night after a snowball fight :)
We only went out to take the nets off the fruit cage and the brassica cage, but things sort of developed from there really!!!
Colour in the snow.
Whilst all was white and wonderful outside, Christmas colour was developing in the house.
This is our 'Danish branch' in the kitchen. We nicked this tradition years ago after spending Christmas with our Danish friends and it's now an integral part of Christmas for us - and reminds us of our friends.
Even the piano has a bit of Christmas cheer...
Everyone is expected to join in!
Himself always asks me to buy a small tree ..... and I really do mean to but somehow the big ones always call out to me - so what's a girl to do?!
Danish candles
Ceefer cat was singularly unimpressed by Christmas preparations!
Meanwhile, back out in the garden;
Regular readers of my blog are well used to seeing me attempt to win the 'the worst dressed gardener' award ....... I think I was on a full set of thermals, 5 other layers, 2 pairs of socks and hot packs in my gloves at this point!!!!
with Himself trying to get an honorable mention....even HE had thermals on that day!
However, in the interest of proving that we don't always look like complete slobs, this is us on our way to Himself's company Christmas 'do' last week........ it was a Bond themed evening and great fun, but proved that I am rubbish at Blackjack and Roulette!
...we scrub up quite well really!
and I'm trying to match the Bond girl siloutte - almost!
and on that note ........a Merry Christmas to everyone and a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year!
35 comments:
You do scrub up nicely! And I love your tree. I think trees look smaller in nature because there's no ceiling! I didn't realize howmuch my Norfolk Island pine had grown outside overt he summer... until I brought her back in! Also, I'm glad you weren't injured in the little fender bender. And we've only had an inch of snow, but it's better than nothing!
A delightful post, dear Nutty ... and such a handsome couple under the thermals and Wellies! Thank you for sharing a bit of your beautiful life with your fans. Happy Winter and Christmas Blessings!
Lovely Liz, glad you enjoyed your snowball fight!
No snowman here yet, but we do have a snow angel! :D
Our snow had finally begun to melt, we've had some snowy sleet earlier so I think it's helped it reduce it a lot - however now we get the fun ice instead! Joy.
Hmmmm Buddah in a santa's hat... Interesting! lol.
So Liz, which one is the real bond girl? ;P
You look fabulous, dahling! Merry Christmas to you!
Hi Monica - thank you (she said, gracefully accepting the compliment!). The tree is a 7ft one from the local nursery - I go there every year and I'm beginning to think he keeps a big one back for me!!!
The fender bender has left me achy and sore around my neck and shoulders today - the car slid down a steep hill before he clonked into me ...but it could have been so much worse. I'll ache more tomorrow, then be fine by Christmas Eve.
We've got 2-3 inches of snow in layers of snow,ice,snow and THAT's the problem! And whilst I want more snow, we need to be able to get across to my brother's in Northern Lancashire on Christmas Eve - hope they keep the roads clear!
Have a wonderful Christmas :)
Aah Joey, what a lovely thing to say ..thank you!Bet you never guessed what was lurking under all those layers?!!! :)
Enjoy the solstice and have a happy, joyous Christmas :)
Hi Liz - the snowball fight was excellent fun but I am useless at snow angels ...I laugh too much and they go all wobbly!!!
It wos the ice wot caused the accident - and the steepness of the hills round here!
Buddhah didn't object when I put the hat on, so it stayed ...rather fetching I though ;)
I couldn't be a real Bond girl ....all this 'high maintenance'stuff is too much like hard work on a regular basis!
Happy Christmas my friend - enjoy the red wine :0
Ooh Kylee, for that comment alone it was worth all the hours of prep!
Merry Christmas to you too :)
You naughty nutty gnome... "a tantalizing glimpse of the tea house roof"! And about those tattered clothes that you and himself are sporting, there is a lot of good wear left in them! ;)
Liz you two look absolutely gorgeous! My husband and I wish you and your family a blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with good health and much joy. Thank you for all you have shared with us this year. Diana
Oh dear, I hope you're ok after being smacked by a Taxi... On the way home there was a car across the road and police cars which must've had an accident.
We have nice hills too, our cul-de-sac is on a steep hill and I live almost at the top... Joy... I was panting by the time I got to the house slipping around in the snow, it's as difficult as running in sand!
I wonder if my team leader's been able to get into work, she also lives in Chesterfield - south/west.
We're going all out this year and being real snobs - got the bucks fizz for new years eve!! lol. Well it was two bottles for £5!!!! ha ha ha.
Diana - thank you so much for your lovely, kind words - and you're dead right ...there's lots of good wear in those clothes!
Himself's a handsome man and I'm a very lucky woman :)
I am so looking forward to Christmas with my family and I hope that your Christmas is filled with laughter, peace and joy too!
Thank you too for all your have shared with us - and I'm so glad to have found you :)
Liz - I'm fine, just a bit sore and achy around the neck and shoulders.
I took First-Born to work (at Sainsbury's) earlier and the main roads were fine and even the side road where I got bashed yesterday was almost clear so your team leader has NO excuse for not getting to work!!!
Ha ha - you're really pushing the boat out then?! :0
just a quick visit to say Merry Christmas to you my friend and a very happy new year
Thanks Tootsie and the same to you too my friend! :)
That's what you look like?! I never would have recognized you.
LOL
Daawling you look Marvaalous!
You and Himself do scrub up quite nicely my dear. A very handsome couple.
I would like to wish you and Himself and all the little Gnomelets a very Merry Christmas. I hope you all have a wonderful day!
Very pretty dress Ms. Nutty Gnome! I'm assuming you didn't wear your gardening boots underneath all that glitter. I hope you and the Mr. had a great time.
I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and a joyous New Year!
P.S. I love getting a glimpse inside your beautiful home!
How fun to have the snow! It looks so pretty there. I think I remember reading about you and your kids having a snowball fight last winter. We're still waiting for ours.
You and Himself do look very nice all ready for the party.
Merry Christmas to all of you :)
Hi LeSan - I know ...seeing me in something other than gardening clothes can be a bit of a shock sometimes! :)
I'm glad you approve of our outfits - doesn't Himself just look so handsome?! Took a bit longer to get me to that state of gorgeousness LOL!!!
I wish you and your family a very happy Christmas too - may it be filled with laughter and joy!
Hi Thomas and thank you! Funny you should ask about gardening boots under my dress......because of the snow I went to the party in my Bearpaw furry boots and changed into my 'party shoes' when we arrived. Later on, my feet were cold (and a bit sore!)so I popped my Bearpaws back on - no-one noticed them because of my long dress....until someone spotted that I'd shrunk back to my normal height of 5ft2!Much hilarity ensued!!
I'm glad you like the house.We are lucky to live in such a beautiful place. Next year I'm planning to finally decorate the rooms that still remain as they were when we moved in 8+ years ago - so you may well get to see more!
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and that Santa is good to your son!!! :)
Hi Catherine - you're right about last year's post, we did have a snowball fight then too! They may be in their late teens, but not to cool to play in snow......mind you, I'm only 8 on the inside when it snows!! I hope it stays until Christmas Day - but allows us to drive to my brothers' on Christmas Eve! Hope you get a white Christmas for you and your family to enjoy :)
I hope you and your family have a fantastic Christmas. Enjoy! :)
Hi Liz,
Didn't you need to go to hospital to check your neck/hips and so on??? If I were you I'd take it easy for Christmas and I do think you have a jolly good reason to do so!
I think my manager lives on the outskirts somewhere, so I don't know what her roads are like into the centre of Chessy, I assume she'll be in but since I'm on holiday I'm not concerned! :D
And yes most definitely pushing the boat out this year... I have to admit I am no drinker, I drink perhaps a couple of times a year.
It's too much of a hassle for me, I have to be very careful otherwise I end up with a migraine before I've even gone to sleep. I have to always have water available to take between alcohol so I stay hydrated.
Hi Liz,
thanks for your concern. I'd decided to see how I was today - as this would be the worst day if there was a problem. I'm relieved to say that I'm just a bit stiff on my left shoulder, so I'm going to be fine - but I am VERY glad I was in the Landy and thus well protected when he bashed into me!
We're just west of the centre of Chessy and quite high up, but not as high as a couple of the villages! I love being on holiday in the snow :)
I do quite like a drink, but I hate hangovers so I'm like you in having lots of water between drinks and a pint of water before bed .....it means I have to get up for the loo in the night, but better that than a headache!!!
Have a great time :)
Liz sorry for taking so long to get over here to see your photos. I loved the "colour in the snow" shot and the one with the cornus and the acer. You had quite a good dusting of snow from what I could see from the roof of your teahouse.
BTW You look great in those photos. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Hi Leavesbloom - we had an inch or so when I took the photos the other day...it's coming down like the clappers now and I've got to collect First-Born from work at Sainsbury's at midnight. I am SO glad I've got my trusty Land Rover! We've also got to get over to Rawtenstall tomorrow - hopefully!
Thanks for the compliment - I had a great time at the party but am now back in my more normal attire of furry boots, jeans and a big thick jumper!!!
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Nutty Gnome, You are always entertaining! :-) And a tantalising view of the tea house roof, indeed! You have some beautiful photos. Have a Merry Christmas! (Say, by the way - your tree and my tree look like siblings!) Only, mine isn't wearing Danish candles...
So glad you got snow !
Everything looks so pretty.
The last picture with the shadow on the wall...very clever.
Best wishes for the holidays.
Looking good, Nutty.
Liked your Danish candles too. We went on camping hols to Denmark when the kids were younger and really liked it. We noticed how keen they were on candles and brought some of that approach home with us.
And finally, Happy Xmas to you, Himself and the Gnomelets.
And a very Merry Christmas to you also.
You did look lovely. Hope that you had a wonderful time.
Jen
Glad to see someone else knows how to celebrate the snow properly :)
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!
Merry Christmas Ms. Nutty Gnome! I hope your day is filled with dancing and joy!
You and your home looked lovely for the holidays - we had a white christmas, also! Hope the new year holds more delight for you!
Hi Shady - hope you had a wonderful Christmas :)Sibling trees across the pond eh?! Now there's a lovely thought - especially as I envy your creative talents!!! Have a great New Year's Eve!
Hi Patsi - hope your day was as fun as ours was :)Our snow has just about gone now ...except for our magnificent snowman (who is headless, but erect!)
Hi Woody - good to see you and I really WILL get round to answering your last email! I do love the Danush touch to our decorations - but I draw the line at their Christmas pudding ...it's semolina with almond bits in!!!
Hope you and Wilma had a great day - did you spent it with the new addition?!
Hi Jen - and a merry Christmas to you too :) Yes thanks - both the party and Christmas were great fun and I hope yours were too!
Hi VP - the snow has now gone :( - but more is forecast :) ...we can replace the snowman's head!!!
Hi Thomas - thank you ...there waas lots of joy and a fair bit of dancing too! How did you know? Were you watching?!! :)
Hi Shirley - it's the first white Christmas we've had in a looong time here, so it was wonderful! Lots of work still to do inside the house ...hopefully this year (but I've been saying that for about 5 years now...!)
May 2010 be a good year or you too!
Lovley snowy photos. Hope the whplash has worn off. Wishing you a belated happy Christmas and a happy and healthy 2010. I look forward to seeing more progress in the garden. Ceefer does look handsome with his Christmassy hat on!
Liz, I must leave another comment. :-) What is the tradition the Danes have with a branch? My maternal great-grandparents came from Denmark, so my Mother's Mom was Danish. But because she died shortly after my Mom was born, we didn't "inherit" any Danish traditions at all. So, I'd love to learn a bit about that!
Looking forward to continued communication during 2010 (and seeing this wonderful tea house you're creating!!)
Wonderful, and personally, I think you beat the bond girls, all of 'em. A Land Rover seems to suit a Bond's gal as well, you should have rammed that taxi driver!
Enjoy all the parties and a Happy New Year!
ps. can I say Mr Cat is absolutely gorgeous
Hi HM - yes, I'm feeling a lot better now thanks, no permanent damage!
We had a lovely Christmas with family and are about to have a small New Year's Eve gathering of about 10 friends at our house....which I'm really looking forward to :)
Progress continues in the garden.....!
Hi Shady - the Danish tradition (as we understand it) is to collect a nice branch - preferably one that smells good (I used a blackcurrant bush pruning)and then hang it in either your kitchen or your hallway. This can be done any time in December to bring some Christmas spirit into the house because they don't put up the tree until Christmas Eve - which is their main day for celebrations.
The branch hangs up near the ceiling out of the way - not a problem in our house as our ceilings are 9ft6 high!
The tree is placed in the main room with space all round it. It's decorated by the whole family then everyone dances round it whilst singing carols and Christmas songs (interesting to hear Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer in English and Danish at the same time!!!). They then have their Christmas meal of roast goose, sauerkraut and candied potatoes, followed by a rice pudding with almond pieces in - whoever gets the whole almond gets a prize. Father Christmas then arrives and leaves the presents somewhere in the house - much harder for him than leaving them when everyone is asleep! It's a really nice day... even if it's on the wrong day!!
Hi Camellia - thanks for that, glad you approve of the dress! Apparently I'm cool amongst the Gnomelets friends because I drive the Land Rover! But, yes, you're dead right - I should have rammed him!I'm fine now though :)
Have a wonderful 2010 my friend!- anyone who loves Ceefer Cat is my friend for life!!!
Finally! I saw you on Blotanical! Hopefully they got the difficulty fixed, and for the time being mine seems to be running smoothly too. ;)
Happy New Year m'lady... to you and yours, a great year ahead. Diana
Hi Diana - may 2010 bring you all the good things that you want and deserve my friend!!! :)
Happy New Year to you and your other half and the gnomlets! I look forward to more tea house posts in 2010.
So interesting to see your transplanted Danish traditions over there, as we have so many of them at our house!
Hi Pondside - and a very happy new year to you too!
It's way too cold to be out 'doing' in the garden. so I may well be able to have my posts finally catch up with the progress we've made! ;)
Oooh, are you of Danish origins then - or have you nicked their nice ideas like we have?!
Hahaha, ignore that last comment Pondside ...just remembered that your husband is the Great Dane isn't he?!!! Doh!
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