Monday 31 December 2018

End of the Year





Just like in the words of the song, we had ourselves a merry little Christmas and I really hope you did too. Thank you all so very much for your good wishes. We enjoyed a relaxed day at home, just as I like it and Lily had the best time. She received some lovely presents, including some roller skates, a dolls house and lots of books. The house has been in a complete state of disarray this week, with toys scattered everywhere and, as is usual, some of her old favourites have made a reappearance. The chaos is probably not helped by the fact  I use the excuse of the decorations being up to avoid doing all but absolutely necessary housework.

This time between Christmas and New Year has felt rather indulgent. Lazy mornings spent at home, followed by gentle afternoon walks, wearing woolly socks and muddy boots. It hasn't been cold, in fact it has been quite mild for this time of year, but the air is damp, so we've made sure to keep well wrapped up. Twinkling fairy lights adorning  small cottages with smoking chimneys, lent themselves to a cosy, festive feel. We've been through the fields, through the woods and down by the sea - where it was slightly more blustery than we were expecting, but it felt good to blow away the cobwebs. Taking along some mincemeat slice and a flask of coffee containing a splash of brandy was a special treat.

The week before Christmas, I took advantage of an excess of vegetables on offer at the supermarket, so on Boxing Day we enjoyed some very tasty homemade  parsnip soup. Usually, I add some cumin or curry powder but this recipe called for thyme, which gave it a really delicious flavour. I expect I'll be making more like this in the weeks to come, as the weather turns colder. 





Tomorrow we greet a new year and today I've been looking back at 2018 with fond memories. Often, I am eager to move on and leave behind the ups and downs of the previous  year, but not this time. Looking back through this blog reminds me of all the adventures and fun times we've enjoyed this year and I feel very blessed.

As I look ahead towards 2019, I would like to wish you all the  things I hope for myself and my family during the coming year. Thank you all for visiting and for your continued friendship.

A very Happy New Year to you all.
J. x


54 comments:

  1. Such beautiful photos. I'm pleased to hear that you had a good Christmas and those indulgent days between the big day and new year are what it's all about. Wishing you and your family all the very best for 2019.

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    1. Thank you, Jo. We indulged a little too much some days. I might have even eaten lunch while still wearing my pyjamas!
      A very happy New Year to you and your family. X

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  2. Wisps of Words was here....

    Happy New Year!!!

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    1. Sending you my very best wishes for the New Year. Xx

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  3. I love that time between Christmas and the new year. Time to reflect on the old year and decide what to take forward and what to leave firmly in the past.

    I hope you and your family a very happy and healthy New Year.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. I've really enjoyed relaxing at home, even if I have been a little too laid back at times. Thank goodness I have another week off to sort the house out.
      Like you, though, I enjoy the time for reflection and the idea of a whole new year ahead of us. X

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  4. Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year. Best, Jane x

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    1. Thank you Jane. A very Happy New Year to you, too. X

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  5. Wishing you peaceful and relaxed moments as well as fun and happy times ahead for 2019

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  6. Your Christmas sounds perfect, I bet Lily was so excited, I used to love playing with the dolls house, it certainly is an indulgent time of year, but a least you go on some long walks, I wish you and your family a wonderful 2019, Happy New Year.xx

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    1. We had a lovely time, Marlene. Lily has been excited for weeks now, although, she loves everything about Christmas and not just the presents.
      A Happy New Year to you and your family. X

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  7. I love the last photo Jules, it's gorgeous :) And there's nothing wrong with still being in your pj's at lunchtime - I've hardly been out of mine for the last nine days, even when I went round to my friend's :) All the best to you and your family for the New Year, I hope 2019 is a good one :)

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    1. Thank you, Eunice, I managed to capture it in time, just before the sun set.
      Stopping in my pyjamas some mornings has felt like a guilty pleasure, although, I'm not sure I would go out in them. I like your style, however.
      Happy New Year to you. X

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  8. Oh.
    I just loved reading this.
    I love the cozy, warm, family feeling here!
    Happy and Blessed New Year, my friend!

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    1. Thank you, Billie Jo. It has been a lovely time.
      A very Happy New Year to you and all the family. X

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  9. Happy new Year to you and your family!

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    1. Thank you Janice. A Happy New Year to you, too. X

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    1. Thank you, Julie. I hope it's a good one for you too. X

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  11. Happy New Year Jules. Sending my good wishes to you and your family for 2019.

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    1. Thank you Eileen. I hope this year is more positive for you. X

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  12. I've really enjoyed touching base with you this year Jules, hearing about your life and seeing your lovely photographs of your countryside. Thank you. Wishing your family a happy and healthy 2019, and heres to more running for you xx

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    1. Thank you, CT. It means a lot to read that. Between you and me, I might just have been for another run this afternoon. I just wish I could be as dedicated as you. X

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  13. A lovely way to spend the days between Christmas and New Year. Spectacular countryside too. Wishing you a very happy 2019. B x

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    1. Thank you, Barbara. We've really enjoyed ourselves. X

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  14. Happy New Year Jules. Your Christmas sounded good. It's all about getting back to normal now.

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    1. Thank you, Tania. A Happy New Year to you and your family, too. Although, normal can wait a little longer for me. I'm still in a holiday frame of mind. X

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  15. Happy new year, lovely photos and I definitely want to make soup now. Cathy x

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    1. Happy New Year, Cathy. I've bought more parsnips and I'm going to make another pan of soup tomorrow. X

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  16. It sounds like you're having a wonderful time. I love the weeks after Christmas more than the lead up I think. It's family together time, doing what we want and no timetables in sight! I wish 2019 to be a wonderful one for you. xx Susan

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    1. Thank you, Susan. This year, I've really appreciated the in-between time more than ever and I've still got another week at home. A Happy New Year to you. X

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  17. "We've been through the fields, through the woods and down by the sea"
    That is just wonderful, and I've enjoyed seeing your gorgeous photographs.
    Your soup looks delicious :)

    Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you Jan. Reading it back now, you'd think we'd been on a bear hunt! 😃 I enjoy this time of year much better when we can get out for walks. Far nicer than being stuck indoors because of bad weather.
      A very Happy New Year to you and all your family. X

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  18. Wish you and yours a very happy new year, Jules. May 2019 be a happy and healthy one. Looking forward to reading all about the new adventures you and Lily will find in the coming year. :)

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    1. Thank you, Bless. My mind is already wandering to possible adventures this year. There may have already been some little ones :) X

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  19. Your soup looks so good! It has been very damp and gray here with off and on rain and temperatures in the 50's. I must say, I'm ready for a cold, sunny day. Happy New Year to you and your family!

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    1. Thank you, Julia. I'm going to make some more soup later today. A very Happy New Year to you and your family. X

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  20. Happy New Year Jules xx love that glittery edged wooden tree x

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    1. A very Happy New Year to you too, Rachel. X

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  21. Happy New year to you!!! Your soup sounds good and you know Thyme is a good herb for when you have a sore throat so it is a good choice for these germy months!!!

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    1. Thank you, Kezzie. Your comment couldn't have come at a better time as I've been unsucessfully trying to find your blog this week. I didn't realise that about thyme, although, I do know that it tastes good. A very Happy New Year to you. X

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  22. Happy New Year.

    Your posts always make me wish I was the outdoors type, maybe I'll wander out sometime just for the sake of it!

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    1. It's not too bad out there, especially when the weather is good. X

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  23. thankyou for your kind words on my blog really touched my heart. loved your merry christmas posts, i love your photography and the snap shots of your life with your daughter, so precious. happy new year ;)x

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  24. Happy New Year, m'dear. Wishing you love, laughter, health and happiness, xx

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