The Christmas Spirit

The little crystal Gingerbread House always gets displayed in my home in December

It's made by Swarovski.

There were several snowfalls, but sadly it didn't last for very long.

A few autumn leaves were still hanging on

until some strong winds blew them away.

The colder days inspired me to make hot and comforting meals:

Risotto rice with cheese and courgettes and bell peppers

with a small glass of light red wine.

I don't have a Christmas tree this year, 

but I like to create candlelit scenes around my home.

This little snow-capped wooden house, which holds a candle,

was given to me by my grandson a few years' ago.

One day this week, I crossed the lake from Lausanne to Evian in France.

It only takes 35 minutes.

Although the weather was fairly grey, it wasn't too cold.

It was lovely to take the steam boat which was going on a luncheon cruise afterwards.

The clouds were clearing on the Swiss side as we left the port.

The front part of the boat, with the French flag flying, shows us grey weather ahead.

Inside the warmth of the boat, the Christmas decorations were beautiful.

With big red bows either side of the staircase leading up to the upper level.

By the late afternoon, the weather had become sunny

and the snowcapped mountains were bathed in light.

By the time I took the boat back to my side of the lake, the clouds had returned,

but the sunset was still beautiful.

At home, a cheeky little angel brings in the Christmas spirit

I've been crocheting some snowflakes to hang up.

I used a white yarn with a metallic thread running through.

Today is the Winter Solstice in the Norther Hemisphere.

It is when the days are at their darkest.

I hung up six snowflakes against two of my windows and I took this photo this morning

just as the day was starting to lighten the sky.

The colourful bokeh is created from the lights in the houses on the other side of the road.

I've been busy crocheting a two-sided cushion cover to match my Winter Blanket.

Now the two sides have been joined together with red yarn.

This is the other side of the cushion.

The traditional Christmas Cookies are being made.

Everyone's favourite are Viennese Crescents made with almonds.

The Christmas garland is on the wall

Let's shine!

In the true sense of the word.

Let's shine for ourselves

so that we may shine for others.

Where there is darkness, may there be light

Where there is sadness, may there be also joy

Where there is solitude, may there be a hand reaching out

Where there is despair ... let us give hope.

Every evening I light my red candle whose flame is reflected in the window.

Wishing all who visit me here, a very Joyful Christmas

and a Healthy New Year!

Sandra

 

The First Snow of the Season

This week has been a mixture of blue skies and sunshine, but also dull, grey days.

On this particular day, I passed this beautiful tall Beech tree with still a few leaves hanging on.

There were also some pretty Winter Jasmine in bloom.

Two days' ago there was an icy wind blowing

and snow had been forecast!

When I got up this morning around 5 am, I put on a coat before pulling up the blinds

and going on my balcony!

It was indeed snowing and it continued to do so for most of the morning.

I took this photo just before 8 am when the street lights were still on.

The house is just across the road from me.

You can see the snowflakes falling against the dark paintwork on the house.

A pretty snow scene in-between two houses.

The first snow of the season is always so special!

I am happy to say that the roads were cleared by a snow-plough and the paths cleared by a blower.

I had a snug day at home, reading and doing crochet

I lit candles and this one looks so pretty on an orange tablecloth.

The little house is made of ceramic.

I did some reading about the life of a vet

and his love of animals.

This is a beautiful hand-painted Christmas bauble

which represents figs and their leaves.

This week, I visited a friend who lives further down the lake

We went to a Christmas Market and she gave me this lovely candle holder

with the winter trees and a moose.

A thoughtful Christmas present!

Isn't the Christmas card adorable too?

I finished crocheting my winter blanket.

It looks really pretty on my grey couch.

Now I'm crocheting some more squares in the same colours to make a cushion cover.

The little Tomte wearing a long pointed hat, is a Scandinavian gnome.

He was given to me by my daughter.

Isn't he adorable?

The tomte is an essential part of Scandinavian folklore.

He's a little gnome who is dedicated to one home or farm.

He looks out for the farm animals and children of the home.

He patters about by night, unseen, to check on everyone's welfare.

I chose this Swarovski crystal star for my blog header.

It sparkles so prettily by candlelight.

I hope that this month of December is treating you well.

Do you like this time of the year?

Do you have special traditions that you like to honour?

*********

Christmas Eve

 

Little cyclamen on my balcony under the snow!

A walk in the higher part of my neighbourhood to enjoy the delicate colours

in the sky with a hint of pink in the mist.

You can just see the lake below.

Some pale green leaves still hanging on with a little drop of ice on their tips.

Orange and pink spindle berries brightening up the leafless trees.

Now we go downtown to see the barrel organist playing cheerful music

and singing along!

I met a friend here to do some shopping.

As I was waiting, I saw this lady set up her stall with wreaths

and candle arrangements and mistletoe hanging on her striped parasol.

I went to the craft market here full of beautiful handmade objects.

I really liked the coloured crocheted blankets on the chairs outside.

A florist was selling seasonal plants displayed in the street.

I went to the hairdresser's and he greeted me in this amusing

Christmas outfit! Look at his sweet little dog called Jack

who is looking at us with a surprised expression! I liked his Christmas kerchief!

The church, called St. Laurent, with part of some Christmas lights zigzagging across.

I crossed one of the big bridges in the town and took a photo of Lausanne Cathedral

through the spokes of a big wheel put up over the Christmas period.

You can see the words 'Bô Noël'

Bô being the phonetic form of 'beau' meaning beautiful

Noël is Christmas!

Back home again and my velvety red Amaryllis plant has eight blooms

flowering at the same time!

There is one more stalk still growing and that will certainly give me another four flowers.

I can already see the red buds bursting out of their layer of green.

Such beautiful plants.

Little Miss Mistletoe

hanging against one of my snowflakes.

My tiny Christmas tree with fairy lights and smiling angels.

I have been crocheting tiny red bells with a silver edging.

They're so gratifying to make!

I had all my Christmas cards sent off by December 16th - and it would seem

that they have all arrived safely. 

I love the pretty Christmas stamps.

I put a sparkling snowflake into certain envelopes for a little surprise!

I baked some traditional Viennese Crescent Christmas cookies.

They seem to be everyone's favourite.

Here is half a batch cooling and some of them will go into the little robin tin.

In this Christmas season where many people spend lots of money on buying gifts

and luxurious foodstuffs, there are many who cannot do this.

I had the idea of making little cellophane packets containing some pre-wrapped chocolate

and a crocheted snowflake or star.

I made eleven of them with a little message inside saying:

'Celui qui trouve ce paquet,

C'est pour toi!

Joyeux Noël!'

This simply says: 

The person who finds this packet.

It's for you!

Happy Christmas!

I went out into my neighbourhood discreetly placing the little packets in 

easy to find places!

I really had fun doing this.

Some I placed near potted plants in local shops, in the post office,

pharmacy, even one yellow star next to yellow packets of coffee!

I think I giggled a little as I went around until my bag was empty!

I really hope that people will pick up these little gifts and that they will give them a smile!

To finish this pre-Christmas blog post, I give you lots of happy baubles

which I photographed in the shops when I went downtown.

I hope you like my festive antlers and big green bow!

I wish you all a very Happy Christmas!