To 2012

2011 is almost over, a year full of ups and downs for me and I think most other people in the world. I hope that 2012 is positive, the politicians decide to stop acting like politicians and make the brave decisions necessary to support the world's economy and that all my friends and family have a positive, fun-filled and loving year!

Here's to health, happiness, friends and family! Happy New Year!

Now to end 2011 - here's a few photos of the destinations travelled to this year..... more images from 2011 to follow!

Oh Christmas Tree

The tree is decorated, I've finished work for the holidays....Christmas is a coming!

The tree is decorated and the lights are bright both inside and out!

Here's a few of my favourite decorations:

This little Inuit was bought at the shop of the Newfoundland and Labrador Craft Council in St Johns, Newfoundland - she and 2 of her sisters came home with me - there was a black felt one for my mum and an orange felt one for my friend Ally. They are beautifully made and I know I will always treasure mine.

The grumpy Christmas panda - made by me with pre-felt and needle felt.

Snoopy and Woodstock - my oldest decoration, given to me by my parents when I was a child. 

Hanukkah Santa - bought at the Christmas Market at the Jewish Museum in Berlin when I went to the Christmas Markets with my friend Allyson and drank gluwhein at 11am and felt a little merry!

And here's the natural Christmas lights from sunrise the other morning!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas Chez Moi

I went to buy my Christmas tree yesterday - it was already netted when I bought it so it was only once I managed to get it in the stand (had to buy 2 of those and take the first one back as the trunk was too fat) that I realised I had a tree that was as wide as it was tall!

I didn't go out with the National Trust today but did do a little tree destruction at home - took quite a number of the branches off the tree just to neaten up it's shape a little.

I always love getting my Christmas decorations out of the boxes, but it was all the more special this year because this is the first time I have had a tree in my flat (well the first time in the flat that I bought last year - my first owned home) as I didn't have a tree last year (too much going on). So out came the box of decorations and with them many happy memories.....

The 3 moose on the tree, one I bought myself when I visited my aunt in New Hampshire, one my mum bought me when she visited my aunt in New Hampshire and one my relatives in Vermont (one of whom died this year) sent me......the Snoopy ornament I have had since I was a child, the Inuit I bought in Newfoundland, the many I've bought at German Christmas markets I visited with my parents or friends in Aachen, Cologne and Berlin, others from Freshly Blended's Annual Ornament Swap .....I am still in search of my "new" decoration for this year.

I love this traditional German decoration that my friend Mariana gave me - it's from Seiffen, a small town in eastern Germany famous for it's Christmas decorations (that have spawned many a cheap imitation).

Here's the mantelpiece - my parents gave me most of these decorations -  apart from the Danish tomten which I bought myself from the Danish Christmas shop 2 years ago. 

December

It's been a busy couple of weeks, working lots and lots trying to get a funding bid submitted. It finally got submitted last Wednesday (arrived 40 minutes before the deadline). Then this weekend friends arrived from London for 4 nights and that involved trips to Edinburgh and St Andrews, dinner with friends and a trip to the cinema.

Edinburgh at Christmas time always looks magical. The architecture is lit, the trees are sparkling and the German Christmas market is in full swing. 

 Princes Street Gardens

 National Galleries of Scotland

We had hot chocolate, gluwhein and warm pretzels and enjoyed the spirit of the holidays.

On Saturday night we went for dinner with friends - we had raclette followed by mulled wine cake and feuerzangenbowle (red wine, a sugar cone, rum and flames). 

Wandering on the beach at Tentsmuir on Sunday was bracing - blue skies and a chill wind certainly helped to blow the cobwebs away.

 Looks like we were on stilts!

After the walk we headed off to the cinema to see Martin Scorsese's Hugo - I loved it - my friend Karen thought it was a little long - I guess 2 hours for a children's movie is quite long, but it was beautifully shot. I would recommend it! It was a lovely way to pass a cold Sunday afternoon!