Solstice

The year turns, and at last the days will start to lengthen and there will be the promise of Spring. I can feel my spirits lifting already :-)

Christmas tree

The best bit of Christmas for me is the Christmas tree. It has to be real, and it has to have multi-coloured lights - none of this tasteful white light business (although equally let's not be having flashing lights either). We decorate the tree with a collection of ornaments gathered over the years since I left home, many of them acquired on our holidays - we have olive wood kings from Cyprus, a tau from Assissi, wooden figures from Germany and Switzerland, motmot birds from Costa Rica, brass medallions from Kathmandu, and sea shells from a Cape Cod beach, among other things. This means that every year decorating the tree is an opportunity to remember good times and all the fun we've had together. It makes the tree trimming extra-special.

Christmas presents

Started wrapping the Christmas presents today (although I haven't finished my Christmas shopping yet). Every year I can't help but think that it's a lot of effort to go to for something that gets ripped up/off so quickly. I suppose at least we get to look at them under the tree for a few days before they get opened. And a beautifully-wrapped pile of presents does look so good :-)

A Christmas drink

Another of my Christmas photos, this one courtesy of my helpful daughter once again - always a willing model for me :-)

Cambridge Christmas

Went into town to do some shopping today, and took the camera with me in the hope of snapping some colourful Christmas window displays. However, Cambridge seems very lacking in decoration this year - the lights look like they'll be quite good after dark, but the shop window dressers seem to be lacking in a certain razmatazz this year. So I took some scenic photos instead. This is Kings College chapel, where today the BBC were recording the carol service that will be shown on TV this Christmas.




The Trinity College bridge over the River Cam. The weeping willows are still holding on to their leaves - they seem to have a long season, greening up early in the year and retaining their foliage into December.




Christmas decorations in Rose Crescent, leading onto the market square. The only really festive shop I came across.

Christmas Cactus

The plant featured here is a scruffy individual acquired by DS to go in his room. Despite virtual neglect all year round, it never fails to produce glorious blooms a couple of weeks before Christmas.

Secret Santa

DD is on the case, thinking up things I can photograph for my photo-a-day Christmas challenge. This evening she dug out an old Santa hat and beard and clowned around in front of the camera insisting I photograph her. Here's the result :-)

Christmas cards

DD is making all her Christmas cards for her schoolfriends this year. We had quite a little production line going on the other day on the kitchen table - on of us printing the trees, and the other applying the glitter glue as tree decorationsd. The resulting cards are looking pretty good, and she's very pleased with them :-)

It's that time of year again...

Now that December is here I suppose it's time to start thinking about Christmas. Yesterday I saw some beautiful Poinsettias for sale in the supermarket, so I bought one to brighten up the living room and gently ease me into the Christmas spirit.