A surprise…

 Hello Friends !

This morning, I was going to do some shopping, when I had a phone call from the firm that was going to change my doors and windows. Somebody has cancelled and they ask me if they could come in an hour!

It was the panic! They will stay here until next Tuesday and my son arrives on Saturday ! But I could not say no, I have been waiting since September. Because of Covid all is delayed.

Well I am beginning to freeze in the house, because windows opened I had to stop the boiler.

 I managed to bake an Apfel Strudel and there is a good smell in the house!

I finished my Xmas tree, but tonight we will have to move furnitures that are too close to the windows.

I like small glass birds in the tree, I bought them on Colmar Xmas market a long time ago. Colmar is in Alsace ( east of France)

The only colour in my tree is the red Father Xmas from Alsace.

Back door. My craft room.

Laundry window and store room window.

No more little square windows like the third picture!

Tomorrow french doors and one room upstairs.

I am satisfied of the first windows. Bring more light inside! 

Christmas spirt and Nativity.

Hello Friends,

Yesterday, I baked some more biscuits. It was « Cookie ´ s  day »

Cranberry cookies, chocolate chips cookies ( three chocolates, praline cookies ( pralines are almonds covered with pink sugar) peanut butter cookies…

I the hyacinths will bloom for Christmas 

This is the cake stand I bought last year to prepare my son’s wedding. It is decorated with birds and flowers.

Today, will be the last baking day! I will bake shortbreads.

This afternoon I am going to order the turkey, the cake ( I will be busy with the my son’s arrival and no time to bake a cake) and Mr L present !

My son and his wife will are this weekend and  each time they rent a car and we go to the sea and other places they like. So I must get ready!

I have to decorate the garden and prepare the bedrooms 

For son and daughter. 

I am very glad to have the children at home!

I have a small Nativity , I brought it from Provence ( south of France) they are real tiny Santons.

Usually we don’t put Jesus in the «  Crèche » before  Christmas Day, but just for the picture.

The shepherds with their dog and sheep , the old lady ,

The man carrying wood and another with a drum and the three wise men.

Trying to set and decorate Christmas table!

 Hello Friends ,

Today, I am trying to set the table for Xmas, before ironing the tablecloth.

This year I will use my vintage traditional plates.

I found Xmas crackers at the last minute , it’s difficult to find here, but I like to start the dinner by opening Xmas crackers. Usually my son bring them from Dubai

From Marks & Spencer or from Waitrose , but I don’t know if he had time to buy some.

And what I ask him to bring are mince pies, i love them!

No Xmas without mince pies!

Sometimes he also brings a Christmas pudding.

Do you eat traditional cakes for Christmas ?

Here we have our traditional cake which is a Xmas log 

It has the shape of a wooden log.

I usually put some chocolates , I found some and a Xmas lollipop for each of our guest!

The tablecloth is a very old one found in an antique shop a long time ago. It needs a good ironing.

I used mismatched  glasses , because I wanted a touch of red, Christmas colour ! All the decoration being white.

“ Noel au Château” « Christmas at the Castle «

Hello Friends,

Today, is a long post!

We have spent the afternoon at the “ Chateau du champs de bataille”

( battle field castle)

Here is part of the Castle, we’re the famous decorator 

Jacques Garcia live. He has been decorating most of  the palaces across the world.

The chapel is a beautiful part of the castle 

Father Xmas was there too!

The Cabinet de curiosités.

Here is what I like best, the dining room decorated for Xmas! How magical 

All white and silver!

 

All the waterfalls don’t work during winter, but in Spring and Summer the garden awakens.

We had a Xmas tea and crepe!

This is a view of the entire castle, new topiaires are being created

I love these big waterfall at the end of the garden

More water all along the walk

On these stairs during Spring and Summer

There are waterfalls on both sides

The tea room

This is the end of the visit for this time.

Because of COVID we can’t visit all of it.

I would have loved to show you it’s kitchen with all the brass pans and old cooker!

I hope you enjoyed the magic of  Xmas.

During all the visit we could listen to American vintage Xmas Carols , it was really the Xmas spirit!