Oh Christmas Tree!

I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Christmas with all it's glory - singing carols, shopping for gifts, wrapping them, decorating, snow - if we get some, the stillness - even the bleakness but most of all, the celebration of our Saviour's birth. It is a perfect reason to bring out all of my seasonal dishes, crockery, cutlery, cookie cutters and moulds for the feast of the year. *Ü*

I get very nostalgic and very sentimental about my cookery books, of which I have many - bookcases - from Mrs Beeton's, Delia, Mary Berry, Nigella and more. Since I was married - 43 years ago this month, I have watched cookery programmes on tv and started a collection of recipes, some that many years old which are from magazines and shared from friends. They are part of me - my life, my passion and who I am. Food is something I enjoy, cooking and designing and of course - eating! *Ü*  For me, it has to be the 'WOW' factor.  Maybe I should consider starting my own cookery programme on tv! *Ü*

This year, we have a new 6 foot Christmas tree. *Ü* Actually, I bought it just after Christmas last year as it was just £15 in the Argos sale and the box has been sitting for a whole year waiting to be opened! I LOVE it. It has lots of 'snow' on the branches and fits in with my snow theme which I have most years.

 ...and my mother and fawn - I bought in a charity shop years ago. My polar bears are beside them and snowman adorn the mantle.

For the top of my tree this year, I bought a big silver star from Ikea and partially frosted it with white glitter.

As a child, we used to have a fairy on the top of our tree. I recently reburbished her wings and it looks like she has a newish skirt that my mum probably revamped some years ago. As my mum is now 97 and in a nursing home, the fairy is being looked after by my eldest sister. I got to see the fairy earlier this year. Ahhh....memories. I LOVE nostalgia.

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year. *Ü*

Have a Wonderful Wednesday yourself.