happy christmas

the tree has been
brought into the
house
and is
ready
for decorating.
wishing everyone
a 
happy christmas.

christmas craft sale

'tis the christmas craft sale

season

at neighbourhood churches

around the city.

a queue of shoppers

at the church hall door

eager for

sweets, home baking,

knitting, crafts and

christmas decorations,

or baubles for special

occasions,

there is always a

crowd around the

snack bar window

enticed by the

delicious aromas.

yes, i did not resist

temptation,

and brought home

a jolly quartet

of gingerbread

lads.

holiday

wishing everyone

a merry christmas

and

a happy new year.

poinsettia

a friend gave me

this deeply red poinsettia,

the first

seasonal decoration

in the house.

cranberry relish

once the cranberry relish is made i know that

preparations are well underway (i hope).

next, the cumberland sauce and baking cookies,

tomorrow the spiced pears and...

jolly santas

a jolly group of santas

and a lone santa

on a pole.

no snow yet.

pudding, the christmas kind

done! the pudding should be made earlier,

i've made it as late as the week before christmas.

procrastination is usually the reason, although easy

to do it takes time and organization. i enjoy the

colours and textures of the ingredients. this carrot

pudding has less calories and is vegetarian (no suet).

i have been using this recipe with great success for

years and it can be found here.

preparations

christmas preparations are proceeding

at a very relaxed pace.

it's beginning to look a lot like...

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas cards.

this year i wanted to make cards using materials

at hand. security envelopes are always available.

the cutting began... and continues.

next year, printmaking.

the cards will be in the

mail by monday, i hope.

chihuahua

a chihuahua, owl and pussycat in a shop window

waiting to go to their forever home for christmas.

isn't the chihuahua precious (teacup no doubt).

i love the kitty's expression. there are so many

fascinating ornaments to choose from.

christmas craft sale

it is that time of year,

the annual church christmas craft sale,

i haven't been to one for

a number of years.

no disappointment here,

a lot of pottery, christmas crafts, jewelry, decorations,

knitted hats and scarves, baked goodies and more.

at home it was nice to have a cup of hot cocoa

and sample these most excellent biscuits.