A small step in the right direction......

My apologies to those of who who have emailed me and haven't received a reply yet.

It has been quite a turbulent week for many reasons, not least because many of my friends and family are having very difficult and sad times. I have never been homesick for England since I moved here, and haven't been back there since 2006, but this week I felt quite sorry at not being able to support people that I love dearly. There was some good news too, the safe arrival of two big healthy babies to celebrate.

 Meanwhile I do not feel at all ready for the festivities, I suspect because the weather is so mild and sunny. Christmas decorations usually bring out my Kitsch side, but this year I have been hankering after fresh green decorations.
 Today I went up the mountain behind the house for inspiration. There were pockets of snow right at the very top, otherwise it felt like Springtime. I came back with armfuls of greenery, a huge bag of plump cushiony moss and some nice bark.

So far I have filled some favourite containers.

 I am going to add some candles, plants and scented pomanders made from clementines studded with cloves.

I bought the heavy copper fish kettle in Lyon and am going to use it in the centre of the dining table. It isn't finished yet, but I have tucked blue hyacinths in amongst the moss and I am hoping that they will flower for New years Eve. I like to keep the table centre arrangement low otherwise it blocks conversation.
 So I've taken a step in the right direction, quite a few more to go though!