Christmas Cheer

I am slowly, gently, secretly breathing my customary post-christmas Sigh of Relief. Whhhooooooaaaaaoooh. Exhale. It's all over for another year, and I am full of gratitude, relief, and waaaay too much food. Thank goodness for days spent loafing around wearing pyjamas with an elasticated waist.

Our Christmas was wonderful and everything I hoped it would be. It was relaxing, fun and joyful, with just the right sprinkling of excitement and chaos. I was predictably sleep deprived following many false early starts to the morning... No no NO, it's 3am and you may NOT go downstairs yet, Get Back To Bed until a 5 appears on your clock. Variations of this same sentence were repeated at least 4 more times. I wish I was kidding about that, but that's how it really was.

The Little People are thrilled with their gifts, it's been really terrific watching them work their way through the possibilities of so many new things. This is especially true of Little B who is having a complete ball with his new toys. Who knew a pop-up toaster could generate such laughter and amusement time after time after time?

The older the Little Peeps get, the more unsure I become about the whole present business. I found I was holding my breath through much of the present unwrapping, secretly keeping fingers crossed that the gifts would be gratefully received. It's quite easy to get it rather wrong, to spend precious time and money buying the Wrong Kind of Thing, and they sure let you know it (Shower gel??? What a boring present!!!). But like I say, on the whole, pretty much every gift was received with big smiles, and on occasion even a spontaneous and excited whoop.

J is reluctantly back at work today, it's been so lovely having him home for the past eleven days. It still seems a long time until Normal Routine will resume here though as the Little People don't return to school until the 9th January. I'm kind of glad we've still got eleven lazy mornings left but also kind of wishing for some sort of calm and order to return. The house is in complete chaos and all the sweet new routines that I carefully built up during the Autumn have evaporated in a fug of festive laziness. The laundry basket is overflowing. Stuff has piled up everywhere, on every surface in every room. But this is the remarkable and lovely thing :: yesterday I realised that for the first time EVER I am actually missing doing the housework. I am actually looking forward to doing it!!! Wow. Wonders will never cease.

In amongst all the full-on chaos of the holiday season, I've been finding a few quiet moments to create. My festive bunting is progressing nicely, and although I didn't manage to get it made in time for Christmas, I'm aiming for a New Year ta-dah. I am also itching to get back to some rippling, it's been weeks and weeks since I worked on my blanket.

Mostly this Christmas has been about giving in to laziness. Allowing oneself to Slob Out and do very little. It takes a wee while to unwind and slow down the pace doesn't it? After such a lot of rush and activity in the run up to Christmas, I've had to almost force myself to just hang out at home with no plans to do anything much or go anywhere at all.

The fire has been at the focus of our stay-home days, and as a family we've spent countless hours sat around it, enjoying it's cosy light and warmth. Watching films, playing games, toasting marshmallows, listening to music, cuddling, snuggling, hanging out. The pleasure it gives us is huge, and each Winter I always give thanks for it, most especially during the Christmas period.

Bedtimes too, oh how I give thanks for Bedtime!!! HaHAHA!! It can be remarkably tiring sitting around eating and drinking and slobbing out all day you know!!!!

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Comments

[Annie]

Gorgeous post! Love the foot shot :D I hope the remaining 9 days of Christmas are as good x

[maypole]

sorry bad grammar that should be "an" old house

[maypole]

Sarah, sorry to butt in, we have just had our chimney lined as we are opening up our fire again, we live in a old house and the chimney might have had holes in it.
The company call out and put a camera up the chimney to see what state it's in, give you an estimate and then you just ring them if you want to go ahead. there was no pressure selling. "Thermocrete" was the name of the company we used. Hope that helps.

Real fires are so cosy.

[Angela]

You pictures are lovely. It sounds like you had a lovely christmas. I am so envious of your fire. I used to have one, and I miss it like crazy. Especially at this time of year.

Angela

[Jamie]

Hi Lucy,

I love your blog, and I wanted to let you know I linked back to your granny stripe tutorial on my blog. I'm making my own granny stripe blanket! It's a bit of a challenge for me, though ;) I'd love you to check it out! The post is here: http://scissorsandsteam.blogspot.com/2011/12/i-have-spent-last-several-evenings.html

I'm so glad you had a nice wintery holiday! Here in Georgia it still feels like summer... *sigh*

~Jamie

[faith76]

Sounds so very much like my home with laundry piling up but hey it's the festive season and a time for enjoying every second with family x

Leah x

[elpha]

Belated Merry Yule and Happy Christmas to all in the Attic.
This blog, Lucy, is that rare thing - a source of utter guiltless no-strings joy. I've had the best time in years this Yuletide, and I swear it was partly because your relentless cheer and joy in the small things reminded me to recognise those same little pleasures myself....and make the most of them.
Brightest Blessings wished..... on someone who recognises and counts every one :)

[Sarah]

Your Christmas pictures are great :)
I wanted to ask you something about your fire, because it looks all cozy and snuggly, we've just moved house and we have an open fire in the sitting room but I'm too scared to use it! Do you have any tips to share?
Also I can totally relate to the gift giving anxiety with kids, when asked what she wanted Santa to bring her this year Madam told me she wanted a car...she's 9...not happening! So bless her she really lowered her expectations and was over the moon with new clothes games and dolls :)

[Kiwi]

I have another 10 days home with my peeps before I have to go back to work and like you I am reveling in slothing about the house, doing the bare minimum to ensure hygiene. This is what Christmas is all about!