Twinkling December Magic…

Every day we get a little bit closer.

With baubles and shimmering stars strewn everywhere.

 The magic of Christmas is definitely upon us.

Clowns and puffs of tulle…

Bobbing in cool and cloudy winter light.

It’s been so chilly here, that the twinkle lights are more welcome than ever.

The fairy light sparkles in the house are so beautiful in person, quite difficult to convey in a photo.

With giant unicorn casting a wonderful illumination glimmer through the whole house.

Christmas corner stays up year-round.

Cloudy days make the Christmas trees all the more lovely.

Here are a few little close-ups if you fancy a peek.

All my favorites are happily dancing from tree branches.

A huge strand of antique gold tinsel garland has been stuffed in this year.

Teddy and I have had daily cozy cuddles in this spot, right in front of the fireplace.

The dining table is our favorite place to sit this season.

Some green and baubles are what decided to grace the table this year.

It has been a very busy December, but Teddy knows just how to relax from the hustle and bustle of the holidays.

Here are a couple more up-close tree peeks.

I will take a full photo this week, when it is not so cloudy.

I have been baking, making, painting and packaging all month.

The fairy of the secret rose garden decided to pay us a visit this month.

I sat down to paint something else entirely, but she insisted on emerging.

The two large roses look like they want to form a floral owl face.

What a whirlwind of a month, and to think it is already the week before Christmas.

I’m honestly not even recovered from Halloween being over, and time is just giving me whiplash.

I will never get over how fast time files by, especially when you are having fun.

I have had a lovely birthday party with my family that I made tons of food for.

Then I had another fun family visit, which was just delightful.

And there has been all the Christmas cake making, and shopping for gifts, and taking care of my boys.

Oh and, making sure gifts get to Ireland in time…

Well, with all of that, and making many gifts too, I have been deep in the spirit of the season.

It’s been very chilly here, and it is citrus season, which I am wonderfully drowning in.

I send everyone home with buckets of citrus.

Matty is cuddled up in the coziest way right now, snoring at my feet as I type.

It is definitely time for orange spice tea right about now.

I hope are doing just lovely in your neck of the woods.

Staying warm and cozy yourself.

I will see you again in a couple of days.

I am off to steep tea.

Lots of love, 

Vanessa

 

ps:

Some pics of the Christmas cakes being made.

I made 6, and this is the recipe I used.

The cakes are all done and aging in the fridge.

I am using one of the cakes as our tester, and I just checked it whilst it’s in the Triple Sec aging phase, and it is incredible.

It needs 1 – 6 weeks to age.

However, it’s only been aging a couple of days in the Triple Sec cheesecloth, and it is already wonderful and could be happily served.

It is not a standard fruitcake, but more, a cake of many delectable fruits, if you will.

I hand chopped dried figs, tart cherries, peaches, apricots, golden raisins, dark raisins, prunes, candied ginger, and a ton of grated lemon and orange zest, just to name a few.

The dried fruits soaked in rum for 30 hours, and the cake batter itself was super easy to make.

I really recommend it.

I will share more pics soon 🙂