A Restful Christmas

We're having a lovely restful Christmas in our hired cottage.  It's very cosy and comfortable. Just big enough for the three of us and the dog, who you can see here has made herself at home. Here's a couple of pictures of the living room. 

There's a definite horsey theme due to the fact that it's situated in the grounds of a Polo Club. We stayed here last year, but in a different property, when my sister came to visit from Australia, and had a lovely stay then too.Although there is an open fire, we've only lit it once.

After such a frantic lead in to Xmas this year, mainly due to working, we've spent some lovely down time here, some of which I've spent completing this lovely jigsaw puzzle of Dicken's London.  I do love a good jigsaw.  So good for clearing the mind and passing time slowly.

I remember when I was a child and excited for Christmas to come.  It seemed to take an age to roll around.  I often used to spend the time completing jigsaws. A lovely old fashioned tradition that seems to have all but disappeared.  Occasionally, we get back to it and feel better for it.

We spent Christmas Day with OH's family and yesterday, we were planning a lazy free day with no visits. Unfortunately, we had some bad news in the morning when we woke up.  OH's father was taken ill overnight and was taken to the hospital, so we headed out to visit him later and take OH's mum home.  Very unfortunate, but he's doing okay and it's better that we're here to be able to visit him and help where needed.

I've been quite picky over my TV viewing this Christmas. So far, we've watched the Muppet Christmas Carol on Xmas Eve (because you've got to watch at least one Dickens film over Christmas). I then stayed up late to watch The Great Gatsby and was so pleased that I did.  I loved it.
Boxing Night we watched both Little Women and The Minaturist, which I loved and can't wait to see the conclusion of tonight.

Yesterday, I Skyped my sister in Australia and we had a nice long chat. I'd left her a video message on Christmas Day, when she hadn't answered.  It felt like being the Queen and delivering a Christmas message to the nation. Technology is amazing isn't it.  Watch out YouTube, I might even start my own channel.  (I don't think so).

I still need to visit my sister who lives locally and we're meeting up with some friends for a dog walk later in the week. Today, OH is out cycling with some friends from his cycling club. Later we'll probably have a potter around the historic market town, which is a couple of miles down the road or maybe go visit his dad or my sister and her family.

Simple pleasures are definitely making me happiest this Christmas. 

I hope you're having a lovely restful Christmas.