Linking in with this Friday’s Hawthorns December Photo Hunt. Today’s theme is: Tree – a snap shot of your tree, this year’s, last year’s, the black and white one of you as a tiny tot helping to decorate, the one on the village square, that shiny white one in the shop, a native tree bedecked with lights and bird feeders – any festive tree 🙂
2020 Christmas Tree
Due to 2020 being a dire year and with stresses at home, I decided to put up my little 4′ Christmas tree earlier than the usual 1st December. So mid November, out came the tree and decorations. I spent the next two hours decorating the tree with polar bears and birds, it was very therapeutic. I know black trees are not in fashion at the moment, but I like the striking contrast between the black boughs and the white twinkling lights.
Not from want of trying, I haven’t been able to link in with any of the previous Scavenger Hunts hosted by Hawthorn this year. However December’s hunts are looking a little different, posting a picture on Friday’s instead. So I’m linking in with this first Friday’s Hawthorns December Photo Hunt of: Decorations – a favourite one – was it inherited, did your kids make it or was it one you bought on a whim and love dearly?
This year, the one decoration I was looking forward to get out of storage and putting on the Christmas tree was this Statue of Liberty decoration I bought from a 5th Avenue store in Manhattan, New York City!
Looking at the smiling statue, surrounded by twinkling lights makes me reminisce on a wonderful trip David and I took last December.
Day One: I chose an easy prompt for the beginning of my December Photo Challenge. The prompt being Christmas Tree. This year, I bought a new tree. I stayed with the black theme but chose a 4ft tree. I’ve still kept my little 3ft tree, and have placed that in the dining room. The 4ft tree stands in the living room, resplendent with polar bears and birds. So here’s my 2018 Christmas Tree.
Since I’ve managed to snap a few photos this week, I thought I would participate in another Sunday Sevens, devised by Natalie at Threads and bobbins.
Last Sunday was a hectic one! Not only did we visit Warrington looking for Christmas presents, we also managed to acquire four new friends for the aviary! Welcome to the Connor-Evans family, Forrest and Tarn, the Blue- faced Parrot Finches and Bill and Silvie, the Chocolate Silverbills.
Blue-faced Parrot Finches
Chocolate Silverbills
White Poinsettia
On our travels we also popped into Bents to purchase a Poinsettia. I have been after a white Poinsettia since David gifted me one last Christmas. All the shops we visited had red ones, but at Bents they had a selection of red and white! Poinsettia’s can be poisonous to pets, so I’ve kept Artie away from mine.
Taking about Artie, he has been enjoying his Advent Calendar this month, as can be seen in the video below. 🙂
Keeping with the theme of Christmas, Friday 16th December wasChristmas Jumper Day. As I don’t have a Christmas jumper, I wore my winter themed t-shirt to work! I also managed to (finally) purchase a Christmas wreath for the front door. It’s festooned with pine cones and even has festive lights! I think it looks quite fetching on the door!
Christmas Wreath
Earlier in the week the yarden was visited by a pair of Great Tits. I managed to film one on the feeder.
Mid-week, while out walking the family dog, Riley I counted:
2 Blue Tits
1 Robin
1 Dunnock
Numerous Goldfinches and Pigeons
1 Sparrow
1 Grey Wagtail!
To fill the dark, cosy nights I have returned to a book I started reading last year! The Night Falling by Katherine Webb. It’s a pretty grim read but I will persevere.
Family Meal
On Saturday, David invited his family around for a curry night. He served his signature dish with naan and sides.
To finish off this post, I will share with you a snap I have taken of some home made mince pies. They have just come out of the oven! I will sample one later with some cream. 🙂
Mince Pies
Have you been doing any cooking for Christmas? What are your favourite traditions at this time of year?
Christine Lucas 