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Monday 14 December 2009

Pause in Advent - Week 3


This week I shall be taking the pause in the title literally. We haven't had the greatest of weekends. A weekend that started with such promise, a great night out on Friday, the arranged visit to see Father Christmas on Saturday and carols in the dark at a local Christmas market on Sunday. All, except my night out, was halted by a poorly little boy who couldn't go anywhere, and the extra washing produced by said poorly boy, which needed drying even if it was raining.
Also my big boys face some uncertainty in their life. And, as is the norm, are testing the boundaries with the one constant in their life...that'll be me!!! So yesterday was spent pausing. There was no rushing around and going out, filling our day with Christmas activities. We pottered. I tinkered with the Christmas trimmings, lovely husband and I painted the dresser (finished before Christmas!!), I wrapped some more presents,I opened a lovely parcel - thanks beki xxx, I cooked tea for my parents, I pickled some onions for my dad's christmas present...late I know but he expects them every year and I hadn't got round to it!!
You see one thing my advent calendar cannot plan for is when the boys will be ill, or for other unexpected changes ....but sometimes unexpected changes can be good, even if they are for a not so good reason. And one things certain, Christmas will happen whether we have ticked all the things off the list or not. This is the first year that I have got to the 12th of December and haven't got all the presents wrapped, or cards sent, or finished the house trimming..but also the first year I don't feel stressed. Maybe I am realising that perfection and list ticking off is not what makes Christmas....
This weekends pause in the plans meant that this got made.....


I bought a ready made wreath from the garden centre and wired in the hydrangea's and orange's myself. It is exactly the look I wanted, and I am rather pleased with how it turns out. I know my limitations which is why the wreath itself was pre bought, but it only cost £5 and the hydrangea's were snaffled from my neighbour's garden and the oranges didn't break the bank... I know I would have paid a lot of money for something similar online or locally.
And as mentioned the dresser got painted...its not finished, it needs another coat ideally, though thats not that obvious, but we forgot to paint the door catches and they are bugging me!! And may have to change the hinges - but i got 'the look' when I mentioned this yesterday so won't be bringing that up again before Christmas!
So by last night it was all trimmed up too.....

It has now started to turn chilly in East Anglia, so its definately starting to feel a lot like Christmas....Just 5 more days at school then we can snuggle in and enjoy!!

12 comments:

Jen Walshaw said...

The wreath looks excellent and does the dresser, I love it and an pretty envious of it.

That does however, sound like a busy day tome. I know what you mean about a hard weekend.

I too am looking forward to Friday no more school, Pj mornings and lots of cuddles and DVD's

VintageVicki said...

Morning

Understand about ill small boys and washing - littlest did similar here on Thursday night :( Just the once but enough to keep my machine busy all of Friday - trying to dry a winter duvet indoors has been fun - not :(

Dresser looks fab :) Broke news to MrVV yesterday that ours in getting painted in 2010!!

Roll on Friday - no more school for 2 weeks :)

Hope this week things return to plan.

Mary Poppins said...

Ohooo Claire your wreath is lovely, so pretty, I love it :) I have had a funny olde weekend too, quite stressful, lots of what questions and not many answers kind of thing, I think I am definitely pausing for advent, well after I have wrapped the present in pretty teatowels ;0) write the cards, send parcels off, looked after the 3 yr old, washed my hair, actually forget washing the hair far too frivolous ;)

Hugs from me, and I am looking forward to being one chilled Mama rather than a stresed Mama :)

X

Tina said...

Sometimes when things don't go the way we want to it turns out to be for the best.
I love the wreath and the dresser is adorable! Well done!!
xx

Sarah said...

I love the wreath, so pretty.
Hope all is well now in your household. I'm definately looking forward to when they break up - less chance of catching anything!
x

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

Your dresser looks fabulous... I'm meeting a prospective landlord on Friday to discuss taking on a flat which means I will be keeping my fingers crossed that the dresser in the charity shop waits for me to get a moving date so I can purchase and paint up!

Victoria xxx

Unknown said...

I love what you have done with your wreath, lovely, and your dresser looks fab too! suzie. xxx

Unknown said...

I so love hydrangeas and your wreath is gorgeous with them! Praying the rest of you stay healthy and that you enjoy this Christmas season peacefully. :)

Serenata said...

The wreath looks very professional!

I dressed our dresser today :-) I quite enjoyed the calm in the middle of the storm!

The sewing room said...

Hope the boys are better soon ,love your dresser and your wreath and i know the feeling only too well about things not going to plan still having trouble with our water works but your lovely swap cheered me up no end big thanks and big hugs Pat

Lace hearts said...

I think taking it slightly easy should be what it's all about. I love the dresser - I should dress mine for Christmas, but I doubt I'll get to it. The wreath is gorgeous. x

Beki said...

Gorgeous wreath!
Dresser looks great, love the colour and it looks very festive.
((hugs))
Beki xxx