Tuesday 16 December 2008

That Christmas Feeling ...



When I was younger, the measure of a good weekend was how often I had gone out. These days the opposite seems to be true. When it's cold and dreary and the town is swarming with shoppers, there is nothing I like better than being holed up at home. I think this is the first weekend in months where nothing needed to be done (well I say nothing, putting to one side the million or so Christmas preparations that kept me up all night last night worrying about them). A weekend of choosing what we should do and not having things forced upon us. A couple of days of quiet amidst the madness.



On Saturday afternoon, with a still poorly Big Sister, I chose to sit down with the girls, make a fire, watch a film of their choice and enjoy the moment. It was Little Sister's call so we watched "Pride and Prejudice", yes, even my little one is an Austen fan.



An occasion that necessitated the wearing of ballet shoes and keeping your feet pointed up in the air all afternoon, according to Little Sister. Whilst I kept my feet firmly on the ground, my heart was all a flutter at seeing Mr Firth again, the ONLY Mr Darcy in this house! I have to admit that there is a bit of War of the Roses going on in this house - just who does Mr Firth belong to? Me, Big sister or, well I was going to say Little Sister, but she surprised us all last week by telling us just how handsome Dr Who was. Many a meal time has been spent squabbling with my eldest and I have found myself in the uneviable situation of being Mr Firth's mother-in-law, which makes me Mrs Bennet!!!!!!!!!



Not sure he would like my choice of cake today, for some strange reason I had to buy some fondant fancies, their sweetness and sugary colours were just what I needed. I haven't had one of these since I was pregnant when I craved them all the time. Scarily enough, I'm sure Mrs Bennet would like them though.



So Sunday morning had been earmarked as "putting up the Christmas tree/moving all the furniture/finding the Christmas lights/ last minute bright idea to redecorate/sisterly fighting over who puts the angel on the tree/ losing the will to live" time. Mr Roses comes to the rescue by deciding to go out and buy a new tree that will fit an existing space already, without any furniture moving or painting. Two hours later after about ten phone calls he seems to have tracked down the perfect one, only to find it being wrapped up behind his back and sold to somebody else whilst he is on the phone to me in delight .... Another hour on he returns home laden with a different tree and very bored Little Sister.



The decorations and lights are fetched from the loft and the fun begins. This is one of my favourite times of Christmas, the sign that the holidays have truly begun. A time when the baubles are literally thrown on the tree, Big Sister, because of her lurgy, is allowed to put the angel on top this year, the cats sit in the corner rubbing their paws together in glee imagining all the fun they'll be having each night when they're left alone to play volleyball with the decorations ... And all of this accompanied by Mr Crosby in the background, as much a part of our Christmas as everything else.



Yesterday evening, after Little Sister's school play, I indulged myself one more time. I'd bought the "White Christmas" DVD and we watched it around the fire, eating doughnuts, tree lights sparkling and dare I say it, to quote Bing "it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas ...."

38 comments:

Cape Cod Rambling Rose said...

Dear Kim... I have that very same dvd on the top of my pile of holiday movies! It's one of my favorites. I'm glad you have found the perfect tree. I hope you show us some photos of it in all its Ragged Roses Glory! =) hugs!

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

is so nice when you can stay home and enjoy such special times.

Simone said...

Since I put up my decorations I have 'That Christmas Feeling' too! I would love to be sitting around your fire eating fondant fancies and watching a festive DVD or two. With all the hustle and bustle in the shops it is nice to get home and indulge in a little time for ourselves.

A Thrifty Mrs said...

We had fondant fancies the other day too. I had an urge to buy them, they were two for £2 so my waist has visably expanded, was well worth it.

Lovely DVDs, especially P&P sigh Colin Firth. Yum.

Hope your daughter feels better soon.

Anonymous said...

I couldn't agree more about how a weekend was all about going out , give me a nice warm fire and stopping in any day now - makes me sound old \:-).. Don't you think the fondant fancies have shrunk? I must get that DVD - white christmas that is..
Lisa x

Pondside said...

I have to agree with your measure of a good weekend - I think it's been a good one if the car hasn't left the drive.
You made me laugh with your description of your preparations for tree-trimming. Every year we have the same discussion re lights (coloured vs white), location of the tree, etc etc........but of course none of this happens until The Great Dane comes home with the tree - and I swear I've had that same phone call from the tree lot!

MelMel said...

Love the ballet shoes and the fire looks so cosy....xxx

Shabby Chick said...

Your weekend sounds so cosy and homely, love the roaring fire. I'm afraid I have to agree with your youngest in admiring Doctor Who more than Mr Darcy :-D

Hope your eldest is better soon, it 's no fun being poorly at Christmas time x

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful post. You have such a lovely blog and have inspired me to search out the Persephone classics. Your mention of the 'White Christmas' video reminds me of my childhood. My Dad is a huge Bing Crosby fan and it was a family ritual to watch 'White Christmas' every year. I had a soft spot for Danny Kaye myself. You bring back wonderful memories. Thank you.

Sea Angels said...

Hi Kim yes this sounds just sooo perfect, and the Fondants provide the perfect topping to it all.
Yes it's coming up CHRISTMAS........
Lots of Noel Hugs
Lynn xx

Anonymous said...

Kim
I used that Mr. Darcy therapy when the kids were small and they now quote lines from P&P in fake British accents to provoke me. Cheeky teens. Expose them to great literature and what do I get.
Have a lovely holiday-you're off to a good start.
Wendy(AKA Mrs. T. Potts)

Thimbleanna said...

Oh, it sounds like a perfect weekend Kim! I'm hoping to get caught up enough this weekend for a little movie viewing too -- the original Miracle on 34th St. is my favorite!

A time to dance said...

Polly and I are both in love with Mr F and Miss Austen...I am afraid I havent introduced her to 'the' definitive ..version yet...she is having enough trouble with her hormones with out being tantalised by the wet shirt scene ...oooh I feel all of an unnessary just thinking about him...aaaaahhhhh Colin I love you...

silverpebble said...

That all sounds so lovely - you've suddenly given me an urge to eat doughnuts, and even French fancies! Those pictures of your blazing fire are just wonderful and I'm with you and your girls - Pride and Prejudice is excellent viewing. One bonus of being Mrs Bennet is that you can sit around for quite some time in your bedjacket and be waited on!

Lisa said...

What a cosy weekend.
Hope Big Sister is feeling better.
Lisa x

Heidi said...

Hello Mrs. Bennet! I can just see you this coming weekend with your curls nervously bobbing as you run about the halls organizing the decorating. I do hope Lizzie and Jane are most assisting in the tasks.

White Christmas is one of my favorite movies. I love Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby. You will delight in this movie over and over again!

Christmas hugs ~
Heidi

P.S. ~ Did you see there is a Candleford Christmas special this Sunday? Can't wait to visit them once again!

Poppy said...

Sounds like heaven to me, fire alight, Christmas DVD and fondant fancies.
I’ve not had them in years!
Love Lou xx

Poppy said...

All I feel like now is a fondant fancies! I’m going to blame you for that. :o) x

Pam said...

I love the idea of the cats playing volleyball!

Ally Jay said...

Oh Mr Darcy, be still my beating heart. I agree that Mr Firth is the only one to truly carry off that role. Sometimes staying at home is jsut what the doctor ordered even a time travelling one.

Kathryn said...

Sounds like a great weekend, oh yes we love Mr. Darcy over here as well. We also like to get our fix of Rhett Butler(Gone with the Wind) once in a while as well. Aren't we sad. LOL..
With Smiles
Kathryn

Anonymous said...

What a great post Kim! I loved reading about your weekend.

Fondant Fancies ~ my! I haven't had them in years...Mrs Bennett would definitely approve.

Marie x

Suzie Sews At DOTTY RED said...

all year I have read your posts... each time I see so much of myself in your words... and once again I do today, we do Bing at Christmas, I bought FF last week... So I wish you and your family a Healthy, happy and peaceful Christmas filled with all you LOVE....

Elizabethd said...

What fun that all sounds. We heard on Television that trees are in short supply in England this year. Glad you have yours now.

Country Cottage Chic said...

It's true isn't it? The older we get the more we appreciate those quiet, peaceful times that are often rare in our hectic lives.

Here, There, Elsewhere... and more said...

I can so relate to your post - non school days were always all about going out, nowadays, give me a nice blazing fire, hot mug of tea and a great book and I'm in heaven..!
I love, love P&P - one of my all-time favorites..:)

MelMel said...

Hi there....love the pic of the ck cup n Darcey.....fabaroonie!!!


xx

mollycupcakes said...

Lovely to hear that that Christmas feeling has arrived at the Roses household.
Bless big sis i hope her lurgy goes before the big day.
What is it with cats and Christmas trees? ours just keep walking under it and coming out looking something like a green hegehog lol
Have a magical time, may it be filled with lots of chocolates, cakes and presents.
Hugs,
Catherine x

Margaret Cloud said...

It seems Christmas time is a magical time, hustle and bussel, wrapping presents, secret whispers and egg nog, and having the tree all aglow. I would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas.

The fabric of my life said...

Just wanted to say a quick thank you Kim for the gorgeous lavender sachets that arrived the other day. The smell was divine even as I carried them in from the postman. They are going to make beautiful presents :-)

Teena Vallerine said...

All sounds perfect! Puppy can't wait to join in! You won my give-away - The parcel needs your address! t.x

Betty said...

Your weekend sounds wonderful! I have to let you in on a secret though...Mr Firth belongs to me!! LOL

Paper Roses said...

Love your picture of the fire it looked so cosy.
We have the Christmas dvds out hope you all have a great time.

Amanda and Tim said...

Oh how lovely!!

Tim and I have been watching Christmas movies since the end of November *blushes* - we've seen everything from The Santa Clause through It's a Wonderful Life to Yogi Bear's First Christmas lol... but we're saving the extra special ones (apart from It's a Wonderful Life - I couldn't wait for that one!!) We've got The Bishop's Wife, The Polar Express and White Christmas still to watch... as well as a Christmas Carol - whoooo!! Hurray for Christmas films :o)

Petticoat Lane said...

Your home sounds so inviting.....full of all things Christmassy...I so want to go and buy White Christmas now! So glad you enjoyed your wonderful week-end. PLease show us your tree? I expect it's beautiful.
Jane. x

Shabby Chick said...

Thanks so much for your comments Kim, it's reassuring to know that other people have been through this... and survived! It's so hard when everyone else's child seems to sleep a perfect 12 hours isn't it? I will keep trying, and at least I have nice people on here to talk to!

Mel xxx

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

If you could bottle the whole essence of Christmas at home with the family.. snuggling up and watching these golden oldies.. what would it be called..
"Christmas Spirit"..Eau de Christmas..? Whatever it is .. it would outsell Chanel.. you just can't beat home sweet home.. and if you are going to flaunt fondant fancies in front of me then I'll be round in five.. o.k!?
Dxx

Unknown said...

I agree - so funny how you suddenly find staying in is so much more fun that going out. Your fire looks addictive - I think you wouldn't be able to get me away from it.