Wednesday 7 January 2015

Christmas catch up...



 



Wow it's the 7th of January and I haven't even wished you a  happy new year yet. I have missed you but I was poorly with a horrible virus that came just before new year,  muddling up all our lovely plans and making me loose my voice, and sound like Ann Widdecombe when it came back...(Not a good sound.) 

But the Christmas holidays were lovely and busy and full of friends and family. A couple of days before I seriously doubted that I'd even have a kitchen.  But in a cat's whisker things fell into place with beautiful synchrony. Miraculously everyone pulled together giving up their weekends or evenings. They put down oak floors, fitted radiators, the new cooker and our old 1950's school sink. And even though the plaster is still pink and some things are a little unfinished (well actually a lot is unfinished) and the floor tiles didn't get laid in the kitchen or the cupboard doors put on and I was a bit shell-shocked with all the noise and bluster, my sweet neighbours brought me a big bunch of yellow roses to keep me going; it was fine and we were ready for everyone to arrive.

Hannah came the day before Christmas eve and we decorated the tree together. The one we thought we'd never find at such short notice. It was big and wide and beautiful and bright green, and reduced to a quarter of the price because there were only two days left. 

We cleaned and tidied as much as we could, making up beds for everyone to sleep. When they came, we roasted the birds and cooked the vegetables, played games, listened to music and exchanged gifts. We watched the controversial Boxing Day Hunt meet in town and someone mentioned Downton Abbey. Went for walks, ate afternoon tea like Miss Marple would and watched the latest Hobbit movie at the cinema wearing big black 3D glasses. We cooked pizzas and fish and steaks and  spicy Indian scrambled eggs and made this chocolate torte. Everyone helped doing everything, even the washing up. It was so much fun but sad to wave goodbye to everyone.  

Here is wishing a happy, happy new year to you and yours. May 2015 be the  (whoops) better that you could ever hope for...
debx

19 comments:

  1. dear debby,
    your christmas tree looks wonderful. your chocolate cake looks very good. love the tea table,it looks very,cosy. your home is a dream!!! thanks for the fantastic photos!!
    i wish you for the new year all the best!!!!
    love and hugs regina

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  2. Happy New Year Regina. I hope that it's a good one for you. Thank you for all your kind comments.
    Lots of love,
    debx

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  3. I'm so sorry you were sick Debby, but am thrilled to see you back in this space. I know you said the kitchen isn't complete yet, but from the parts I can see I love it, especially the school sink.
    Happy 2015 to you, it's going to be a great year!

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    1. Oh thank you Tracey. It seems that everyone here has been ill. But thankfully all better now and an excuse for me to do a little knitting whilst I make sure I'm completely better.
      The sink is amazing to use, so practical and worth all the years we've been carrying it around hoping that it would have a permanent home...at last it actually has.
      Thank you...the same to you and your family.
      debx

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  4. sometimes it takes chaos to yield a good time lol

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    1. I agree Monica, and you appreciate the good times even more after the chaos.
      Have a good weekend,
      debx

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  5. Debby, I'm so sorry you were sick--hope it's all behind you now. I've been wondering how your holidays were, and it looks like they were beautiful! The kitchen looks like it will be--already is--worth the waiting and hassle! (And I agree with the comment above--that cake!!! Wow). Happy 2015--may it be a year of good health, joy, and peace for you and yours.
    Erin

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    1. Oh thank you Erin. I'm much better thanks but really looking forward to a quiet weekend. I'm so pleased with how it's coming. It gets better each day. Hopefully if we feel up to it we'll paint it this weekend. I wish all the same for you. Happy new year...
      debx

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  6. I'm so sorry you were unwell, Debby, especially over the holidays. It did, however, sound like you had a lovely time inspite of it. I love your tree and especially the lovely little corner you chose to put it in. Your kitchen is wonderful!!! You must be so pleased with it. Your home looks so inviting and cozy.

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    1. Hi Emily. I'm so much better now thank you...I've got my voice back at last. It's still a little husky though and Ahmad is still teasing me about it. I'm so pleased with how it's coming and can't wait to get back into making bread and cakes.
      Have a wonderful weekend,
      debx

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  7. merry christmas and happy new year! I'm so glad you got the tree of your dreams at a discounted price. I was wondering during the photos what the fuss was with the horses. I would love to see something like that through my town :) Glad your daughter was able to spend the holidays with you! Sorry you were unwell but hopefully you are on the mend and healthier than ever!

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    1. Thank you Karen. I hope that you have an amazing year ahead. I know I did go a bit overboard with the horse photos. I was obsessed with riding as a child and these horses are all so beautiful and the hunt exciting to watch setting off with the horn and the hounds. Shades of Downeton Abbey. Especially with the side saddle rider in her gorgeous victorian riding suit.
      Have a good week,
      debx

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  8. Hello Debby!
    Happy new year for you and your family.
    I am glad that Christmas in your new home have been happy.
    Have a good weekend.

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    1. Oh Happy New Year Montse. It's good to hear from you. Thank you for all your good wishes. I hope that you have a wonderful week.
      debx

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  9. how amazing that everything came together!!! (and you recouped from the crud...YUCK. It's been going like wildfires around here, too).....the kitchen looks fabulous, your tree was gorgeous....and spending family time together is always the best! Hoping 2015 is the best for you, too!

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    1. Happy New Year Steph I do hope that 2015 is amazing for you too. We were really fortunate that everyone helped us so much before the holidays. I hope you escape the lurgy. This one seems hard to shake off and just when you feel much better it catches you again. I love how the kitchen is coming along. When it's completed I'll do a before and after and try and share some more peeks in-between.
      Enjoy your week.
      debx

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  10. Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas and it all came together at the last minute. Hope to see more of you in 2015, I promise to make more regularly appearances too this year. Love what you are doing with your lovely cottage.

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    1. Thank you. It was a really chilled out one. Everyone that came was very relaxed and everyone stayed longer than we expected so even better than we could hope for. I'm glad that you will be around more this year, I hope that 2015 will be a perfect year for you and your family.
      Take care,
      debx

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