Friday 22 December 2017

Feeling Festive








There are only three sleeps until Christmas day! How do I know this? Because Lily tells me exactly how many there are left each morning as soon as she wakes up. I remember last year was the first time she became aware of the build up to the big day, but this year she is literally bouncing with excitement.
And I'm really enjoying this special time of year too. Of course, it helps when there is a little one around as you cannot help but get caught up in their delight, and mine is often to be heard singing 'Away in a Manger' somewhere around the house. I also had the absolute joy of seeing the school Nativity this year - Lily was an angel and did an excellent job, even with a slipped halo and wonky wings!
At the beginning of this week we spent a few days in York. It was lovely to see the shop windows all dressed for the season and the Christmas Markets so busy. The aroma of mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and crepes filled the air and the Christmas decorations and lights were all so pretty. We even got to see Santa (from a  safe distance) and the reindeer.




The last few days have been mainly spent on Christmas preparations, although we managed to get out for a rather misty walk on Wednesday afternoon. There weren't any views to be seen but still, it was good to get out and have a break from the chaos for a while.
I still have things to do and I've yet to start wrapping presents! However, I think I've got most things covered and after a quick trip to the shop for a few things tomorrow I should be able to sit back and relax. 
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. 
J. X

42 comments:

  1. Hi...love your posts and these pics are so christmassy - love seeing shops lit up this time of year. Do I recognise a certain Yorkshire town, that has a famous tea rooms? Happy Christmas to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ann, and thank you for your comment. I'm not big on shopping but I do love to see the beautiful window displays - so pretty! You're right, the top photograph is Betty's Tea rooms in York. Merry Christmas to you too. X

      Delete
  2. Lovely Christmas post Jules. York's shop windows are marvellous and views of the river are lovely too,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Pat. It was lovely by the river, although we had to watch our footing as it was quite frosty. X

      Delete
  3. What a beautiful place to wander and soak in the atmosphere, I love York and have some wonderful memories of my visits there. The shop windows were a delight to see, such a wonderful time of year. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. York is a beautiful city and it really helped to get us in the festive spirit. A very Merry Christmas to you too and I'm looking forward to seeing what the new year has in store for you in your (not quite so) new home. X

      Delete
  4. York looks just as beautiful as I remember it. It's a long time since I've been.
    The window displays look fabulous.
    I do miss having children in the house in the lead up to Christmas. They make it just so magical. This year is the first year that Ruby's class don't take part in the Nativity. Having seen every one she has done I really missed it. Oh well...it will soon be Marlowe's turn.
    I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.
    Hugs-x-

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It had been many years since my last visit Sheila, so it was lovely to return and see the Christmas markets, decorations and lights.
      A very Merry Christmas to you and your family. X

      Delete
  5. Oh Jules those shop windows are beautiful do us your tree and wreath display. I love York and those winding streets. Have a lovely Christmas. Tx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The winding streets and old shop fronts lend themselves beautifully to hosting the gorgeous window displays. It was a treat for the eyes. A very Merry Christmas to you Tania. X

      Delete
  6. Aw, that's so cute that Lily tells you how many more sleeps there are till Christmas! Everything looks so festive! I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Bless. It's every morning without fail! I'm not sure what she will do after Monday. A Merry Christmas to you and your daughter. X

      Delete
  7. Hi Jules your town and shops and Cathedral all look amazing, how sweet listening to Lily singing, we love Christmas and still do even though our son is 20 we all find it a magical time. 2 more sleeps now, little Lily must be so excited now. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is such a magical time isn't it Marlene? And it's even better, that as grown ups, we can still get excited about it. X

      Delete
  8. Have a wonderful Christmas Jules with your family. I did my fresh food shopping yesterday and could barely find a free space to park in the supermarket car park. All done now and just two more sleeps :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Eileen. Thankfully, the supermarket wasn't too busy when I went this morning and there were plenty of items left on the shelves. I've just the presents to wrap and my mincemeat slice to make tomorrow then I can relax. Have a lovely Christmas. X

      Delete
  9. That's lovely, I remember when my boys were growing up the build up to Christmas. Now we have grandchildren, its lovely again. How times have changed though as one of my sons has Father Christmas on speed dial on his phone for naughty children!

    Julie xxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like that. Lily has been warned that naughtiness will result in a phone call to Santa but I haven't quite got him on speed dial (yet!). X

      Delete
  10. I love York, especially at this time of year, I'm lucky to live so close by. Christmas is so magical when there's little ones around, I miss all the excitement in the build up now there's no children here, but I do still love this time of year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are very fortunate Jo. York is a beautiful city. I'll send a little excitement your way, it's overflowing around here! X

      Delete
  11. York is beautiful and at Christmas-time I imagine it's wonderful. I'm dragging Thomas out for a walk this afternoon much to his disgust - made even more horrific because he has to have a shower before he gets dressed haha.

    I remember those days of "only 3 more sleeps", such fun. And the nativity plays were always lovely and were definitely all the better for wonky wings and slipped halos. Hope you all have a lovely Christmas. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. York was lovely Suzanne. The old style shop fronts looked beautiful all decorated for Christmas and the markets were an extra treat.
      Poor Thomas. I'm sure he'll enjoy a bit of fresh air once you're out, and if he doesn't then you will.
      The nativity was lovely. The children looked so angelic dressed up in their costumes. Of course, we know better!
      A very Merry Christmas to you and your family Suzanne. X

      Delete
  12. Lovely photos Jules, the window displays are something aren't they. They have a magical look about them that is lacking in modern shops and supermarkets where people want to 'buy everything' under one roof. Although my teens are looking forward to Christmas, the magical excitement and build up with parties, nativity, carols and Christingle services are sadly forgotten now. I did take them to a local C of E for midnight mass a few years ago but they giggled a bit as the Vicar knocked back the wine and then wished the locals merry Christmas loudly from the car window on the drive home. I was mortified and haven't been back since. Oops! They weren't actually misbehaving, probably a bit bored. I ought to join in with the carol services instead at my own church - bit further in distance. Kids, always a mystery and a delight!
    Have a lovely Christmas, Cathy x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Cathy. Yes, that's just what I thought. The shops look so much more inviting don't they?
      I suppose it's only to be expected that the magical element of Christmas fades as children get older but it's fun to celebrate in different ways. The idea of the merry Vicar makes me giggle too!
      Enjoy your Christmas. X

      Delete
  13. Your photos are beautiful. Many, many years since I went to York. Only two sleeps now for Lily :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jayne. Yes, the excitement is peaking now. X

      Delete
  14. How lovely to be part of a child's excitement...thinking I'd love to soak up some atmosphere myself....but there's no way I'm venturing out today! Have a wonderful Christmas Jules and family...here's to a New Year full of love and hope. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jackie. The excitement has reached a whole new level today! A very Merry Christmas to you and your family, and enjoy it in your own home!!! X

      Delete
  15. Merry Christmas Jules. York is a wonderful city. We are hoping to jump on a train to Whitby on Tuesday or Wednesday. Have a lovely Christmas and a peaceful, prosperous and healthy new year. xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Cherie. Whitby will be so nice at this time of year, have a lovely day out. X

      Delete
  16. Loved seeing your photographs.
    It is such a special time of year, doubly so if you have young children/grandchildren around. You really do see Christmas delight through their eyes and excitement.

    Have a wonderful Christmas and all good things for 2018.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jan. It's a very magical time of year, especially for young children. Sending my very best wishes to you and your family. X

      Delete
  17. York looks LOVELY! I wish you a happy Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. It really was, and so good to have a little break on the run up to Christmas day. X

      Delete
  18. lovely photos. Merry Christmas x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sadie. I hope you, Bill, Violet, and HMM all had a lovely day. X

      Delete
  19. Your pictures of York and the festive windows are lovely.
    Having a granddaughter Christmas is exciting again for us too.
    I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Julie. We're having a lovely time.
      Having your granddaughter around must be a joy for you especially at this time of year. X

      Delete
  20. York looks nice...

    ...the nativity is great and everyone gets a part :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, we really enjoyed our time there. It was our Christmas present this year.
      It's always so lovely to watch children perform in a Nativity isn't it? X

      Delete