Happy Holidays!!!

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, most of you will have holidays this time of the year, so I wish you all the very happiest of holidays, and hope that you are all having a wonderful time, doing what you really want to do and like doing best.

Yesterday we had our annual Fondue with our friends Will and Theresa and their daughter Mae, and for the first time in a few years, Stefan, No.2 son, and his family were able to join us, he has time off over Christmas for a change, woohoo! Today DH and I are just vegging out with two of our sons, No. 1 and No.3, before the family gathering tomorrow.

I had some really wonderful surprise gifts from three very dear bloggie friends, and despite the horrid weather delaying so many things, they arrived in time for Christmas! I was totally bowled over, because I really wasn't expecting anything at all. But you may have noticed that bloggie friends are just about the best you can have and loving surprising people.

Yesterday, on Christmas Eve, an envelope arrived from the States. Who could that be from??? I had no idea, but then I thought, hang on a mo, there are not many people in the States who have my addy, it can only be...........

YES! It was from Diane! I am sure most of you know Diane Knott and love her blog just as much as I do. She is such a very talented artist and look what she sent me for Christmas -


It is such an exquisite piece, beautifully embroidered, and I wish you could see it in real life. After Christmas, when all the decorations are gone, I will find it a proper and permanent home in our drawing room, so that I can admire it all year round.

And just look at this beautiful card, so precious -


Thank you so much Diane, for a really beautiful surprise gift, you know it is something I will always treasure.

A couple of days ago, a parcel arrived from Denmark, and I knew it had to be from my dear friend Dorthe. I was so excited, because Dorthe makes the most amazing angels, fairies, dolls, little pillows etc. and she had sent me a gift! Woohoo! Oh boy, did I have fun unpacking these beautifully wrapped packages. Some people, and Dorthe is most definitely one of them, really have the knack of presenting their gifts in the most delightful way. See for yourselves -


And inside? Inside I discovered this stunning angel, made from a beautiful vintage handkerchief


It is now hanging from my candle stand


together with these two beautiful ornaments -


and the lovely decorations she had attached to the outside of the packages -


Don't they look fantastic hanging there? -


She also enclosed this gorgeous Christmas card -


and attached to the envelope was this, the loveliest little angel -


It has now joined the other decorations on the fireplace garland in the family room -



Dear Dorthe, I'll thank you properly when you get back to your home on Sunday ;-)

And then there was the parcel from Germany which arrived a few days ago, and although I wasn't supposed to open it until Christmas, I just couldn't help myself, I had to open it there and then. Because............... it was from the ever so sweet Alexandra ( knuddel, knuddel ), and I was way too excited to wait. Look, can you blame me?

Alexandra is another one of those people, who have the art of presenting gifts, absolutely nailed .


Sigh, such treasures -


A Christmas soldered charm -


The prettiest glass sweeties -


A heart made from beautiful silvery fabric -


A handmade journal, gosh, I wish I could make covers like that -


And........ these two little plates, which are just gorgeous, and asking to be filled with little treasures, perhaps a little bling


This beautifully made Christmas card -


For the time being, the heart, soldered charm and the card are also on the mantlepiece in the family room, the heart on one side, the charm on the other, and the card on top, above Dorthe's Angel -


Ganz herzlichen Dank, meine liebe Alexandra, knuddel, knuddel.

I am so very lucky to have such incredibly talented friends. Thank you again for your beautiful gifts, and also a big thank you to all the lovely messages I had from so many of you.

Have a wonderful time, dear friends. Toodlepip, Liz xxx