Saturday 26 December 2009

What a wonderful couple of days

Ahhh, it has been great. No stress, no arguments, just a wonderful Christmas Day with DH's parents, my two sons who are still at home and middle son and his partner and darling daughter yesterday, and a day of blissful vegging out, watching films, cuddling dogs and nibbling on leftovers and lovely little tidbits today.

Christmas Eve was a little tiring, because as usual, I had left most of the clearing up til the last minute. The hall did finally get tidied up, and looked very Victorian Christmassy with the colourful tree, quilts and candles -


My granmother knitted this Santa, oh, probably 45 years ago or thereabouts. I treasure it -

All the prezzies were finally wrapped in the evening and put by the fireplace in the drawing room

Christmas morning I started early getting the dining room ready for the Christmas meal in the afternoon. The fireplace was decorated, the table was laid, and the table centre was put together. This year I put the candelabra into a lovely old pressed glass bowl, and filled it with vintage baubles.


I love the way the candles drip down, and see the gorgeous old Santa ornaments in the bowl, aren't they just so cute? Oh, and you can probably see this here David Bailey in the baubles as well, tehehehee.

I love the muted colours of winter potpourri, and this one scented our little dining room beautifully

Our guests arrived at lunchtime, and once everybody was happily installed, we opened our presents. It was hilarious, there were many fun presents which had us all in stitches. More about the prezzies another time though. Here are just a few piccies -

Our darling Grace opening her presents
and thoroughly enjoying playing with Mummy and Daddy's stocking presents, lol, I think they have lost them to her

DH's dad was of course wearing his precious Christmas socks again. I really don't know how they have survived this long, we bought them as a silly little tree present for him about 25 years ago, and they are still going strong.

Things did a get a little silly

before we all settled down to our Christmas meal -

It was yummy. We started with a clear chicken soup, just the way my mum and my grandmother used to make it in Germany. Instead of a huge turkey, we had roast chicken and a most delicious honey and mustard coated ham with roast potatoes, roasted squash, carrots and onions. Of course there were brussels ( which we all love ), creamed parsnips, honey glazed carrots, a white onion and parsley sauce for the ham and gravy for the chicken. We did manage a bit of Christmas pud for dessert, but left the cheese and biscuits for much much later.

We really had a most relaxing day and the hours just flew by. Nanny and Popeye left about 9pm, and we realised then how pooped we were. Didn't stay up much later than that, lol, we all went to bed quite early. Such lightweights, lol.

And today, well today was a day for just vegging, nibbling, watching a few films and just spending some happy time together. I love Christmas. And I sincerely hope that all of you had as good a time as we had. I am still full of Christmas joy, lol, and could smile at and hug everybody, so watch out!!! xxxxx

20 comments:

Lyn said...

Your house looks lovely and Christmassy! what a lovely family day you all had.
Love
Lyn
xxx

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful day!

Victoria xx

Country Nanny said...

I'm happy you had such a lovely day with your family! Little Gracie is so pretty!
Your house is very beautiful and perfectly decorated.
Hugs.
Elisa

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

That sure did look like a lovely family day. Glad you enjoyed yourselves. Your little granddaughter looks like a right little cutie, she must have made the day so special for you.

I have to say that your house does look very festive and you have truly outdone yourself dear Lizzie! Won't it be a shame to have to put it all away? Enjoy the rest of the Christmas season.

Ticking stripes said...

Glad you had a great day! It all looks very festive!

Helsie said...

It all sounds perfect to me. Glad you had a lovely family time .
Cheers
Helen

sadie said...

absolutely gorgeous! I love your Christmas, totally trad, and very lovely.

:o) x

Michela said...

Everything just looks perfect!

Andi's English Attic said...

I love the Santa your grandmother made. No wonder you treasure it.
I'm going to check my candleabra - I'm sure it's the same (or very, very similar) to yours. Got mine from an ethnic shop on Googe Street in London about 20 years ago. xx

Karen The Graphics Fairy said...

It looks like you had a beautiful and fun Christmas day! I hope you have a Happy New Year too!!
Hugs,
Karen

Kate said...

Looks like you had a great day.
Take care
Kate.

LissyLou said...

what a lovely christmas xxxxx

Elizabethd said...

What a lovely day, and everything looked so pretty and festive.
Everything is packed away here!

Floss said...

Looks lovely - I'm so glad you had had such a good day. Some similar baubles and drippy candles are about to go up on my blog post too, and we did have a knitted santa (must be younger than yours as it was knitted by my BIL who is only 44) but I didn't get a photo of him! So, matching Christmasses...

Pattie said...

Beautiful Christmas decorations ! lovely blog i am loving looking around !
Happy New Year x

Priscilla said...

Hi, I am new to your blog and just wanted to say your house looks lovely for christmas! Have a Happy New Year..

Priscilla x

Beki said...

Those socks must of been real good quality 'hehe'!
Looks like you had a great Christmas and your GD is a real sweetie, an arranged marriage in a few years maybe ? ;)
The book would be a great book for hubby!
Take care and Happy New Year
Love and ((hugs))
Beki xxx

*Ulrike* said...

Your house looked so lovely, and the food sounded delicious!! Hope that you and yours have a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Ulrike

nattyj said...

You decorate so beautifully! And I love the knitted Santa too - so special!

Mom E. said...

I love the mirrors in your home! The gold frames are some of my favorite looks....Your home decor and table are beautiful, I love your fireplaces in the drawing AND dinging rooms...your home is gorgeous!I KNEW my style was Country English!!! LOL
Thanks for all your inspiration! I may actually finish some of my plans because of it!
Lanette