Christmas!

Well I had a look at the calendar at the weekend and suddenly realised that there are just two weeks left before Christmas!  I do not know how it has managed to sneak up on me, but I suppose having had six weeks out recuperating from my Op has not helped!Jayne and I were out yesterday for our Christmas Ladies who Lunch and we had a great time.  We always go to The Cavendish Hotel at Baslow, Derbyshire which is owned by Chatsworth House and is, in fact, on the Estate.  The drive to it is also lovely as you get to see some of our wonderful Derbyshire countryside, although it was pouring with rain and was quite dark so the lights were on all day.  The food was lovely as always, we both had Christmas dinner, and a little drink.  We had drinks in the lounge afterwards where there was a roaring fire and it was so lovely to spend a few hours doing nothing really!

The Garden Room where we had Lunch.

So we have moved back in Youngest, Fiancée, Blaze and Gordon with their clothes, books etc and the rest of their home is going into storage over this weekend and next.  They have done well to get their old room sorted at home and at the weekend we took their family picture for their Christmas cards.

It is very cosy in there.

They went to Youngest’s Dinner and he came Third in the  L2 Technician of the Year 2025 Jaguar Land Rover UK Awards and was presented with a Trophy, Certificate and some other goodies.  We are so proud of him.

It really has been a very busy few weeks, so much so that decorating our home for Christmas had been done over quite a few days rather than being able to get it done all at once.  However we finally got there.  Here are a few pictures that I have taken so far.

Our tree this year and although it does not look big all our decorations have gone on really well.  We also bought some new lights for it and they have made it look great.

The lights on the bookcase.  I love the lights at Christmas when all the other lights are off.

My little village.  I got three of the houses last year on sale and bought the Church, the Christmas trees, the reindeer and the two larger houses this year when they were on sale.

These are our Christmas Cards this year and I always get them from the “Help For Heroes” Charity.  I managed to get them all written, addressed and stamped on Sunday and posted them off yesterday!

I also managed to get all the presents wrapped and put into their various Sacks!

We got the trees from the Garden Centre in our village and they always have a great choice.  This is the display as you go in and then you walk through the Christmas area and they always go a great job with the displays and they also have quite a few different decorations.We got there as they opened and we got the trees and wreath, paid for them and DH loaded it all in the truck and then we went for Breakfast.  By the time we came out the car park was full and you have never seen so many people.  We were very glad we got there early, there was only about ten customers in then!

Here is Eldest, Youngest Sisters and Little Man in front of their tree.  They managed to get theirs decorated and up the weekend we got them!

On Sunday it was the Village Christmas light switch on and there was quite a good turn out despite heavy rain!  One year it snowed and that made it quite magical but most years it is raining!  DH did not get back until 9.00pm having left our home at 2.00pm!  I did not go down, I usually do but decided I did not want to get cold and wet!!!!!

Friday evening The Girls were involved in the Lantern Parade in their home town of Ashbourne.  Little Man and Eldest walked along the side of the parade and they walked from the Church into the Market Square where Carols were sung to kick off the Christmas period.

Saturday evening we were at Great Central Steam Railway to see Santa and Mrs Claus!  Fortunately the rain had stopped for our visit and we had a great time.We got on the tran at 3.30pm and so as we set off it got dark and all the lights came on and it really was a magical trip. We start the journey in Loughborough at the Station which opened in 1899.  It has been restored to reflect the 1940’s and 1950’s.

The Fireplace and open fire in the Platform Buffet which has two doors so it can be accessed from both platforms!

Mrs Claus was on the Platform and having her photograph taken with the young guests in front of the large Christmas tree.Eldest Sister.

Mrs Claus and Youngest Sister.

DH, Little Man, Youngest Sister and Mrs Claus by the steam engine “Witherslack Hall”

 The three of them with hot chocolates and snacks.

The steam engine waiting to pull out.

Little Man and DH inspecting the Engine.

Walking back to the Train after Inspecting the Engine

Little Man getting his gift from Santa Claus on the train.

The Christmas Tree at the Station between the Platforms.

It has been very hectic and the next two weeks are going to be busy too.  This week we have work to do of course, quite a lot of our customers are trying to get things delivered before Christmas so they are ready after the shutdown for work in January!  Today I am doing home jobs, going to Eldest’s tomorrow for work.  Friday morning DH and I are taking the morning for ourselves and then in the afternoon Fiancée and I are having our hair cut and coloured, her auburn and me blond!  Then it is grocery shopping and a night in.  So we may be watching a couple of Christmas films!

Saturday evening it is the Swimming Club Presentation Night but DH will be going up at about 2.000pm to set up and help.  I may have to go up with him as I do not still have my vehicle (!) and it will be a late finish and then DH has to pack everything up!  Sunday will be a day off although there are always jobs to do!

Next week I have work to do, home jobs to do and try and finish some quilting if I did not get it done on Sunday!  DH has a couple of business Christmas lunches to go to and that weekend will be the final push to get everything into storage for Youngest & Fiancée.  SO it will be all tucked up before Christmas.  On the Sunday afternoon we have the Swimming Club Fun Gala!  Then, of course, we are into Christmas week!  

Monday will be a sorting out day, Tuesday I have the Christmas food shop to do, DH is out at his final Christmas lunch and I will be cleaning!  Christmas Eve we are picking up the meet from the Butchers and also see DH’s cousin and taking her for lunch in their home village where they were born.  We will be visiting the Church also with the wreath and then looking at all the Christmas lights on our way home.  

Christmas Day we have Eldest & Partner,  Little Man, Youngest, Fiancée, DH and I, Coco, Gordon, Blaze and Honey at home for dinner.  I am so looking forward to it. Boxing Day is always a laid back day with food being put out buffet style and everyone helps themsleves when they want to eat.

Between Christmas and New Year we have a few other things happening which I will tell you about soon.  Tomorrow I will be doing a post about Christmases Past!

I hope you are all having a wonderful time in the run up to Christmas and all organised.  Don’t forget my Christmas planner on my side bar to help with all that organisation. 

Hugs & Love, Susie & Coco xx

Coco and Gordon, Partners in Crime!

2 thoughts on “Christmas!

  1. Duke – Northford, Connecticut
    Duke

    You have been very busy and your home looks so pretty decorated for Christmas, Susie! Love the photos of Coco and Gordon!

  2. farmquilter
    farmquilter

    Congratulations to Youngest in his achievement!! Well done!!! Your home looks so lovely, just like always! Love the four-legged family on the stairs…how did you manage that? Grandkids make everything so much fun…everything is so new and special when seen through their eyes. You are back to a packed house – so much fun! Christmas day at your house is going to be the best!!

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