Our Christmas decorations are down ...

Hi everyone, this year I was actually ahead of myself after being very late last year to get my tree up,

My tree went up on the first Sunday of Advent so it has been up a full 4 weeks. However,  it has also had to come down early so while taking them down, I have photographed them, realising that I have not shared them this year.

I am partial to deer & stags & so I opted for the homespun / artisan look again of deers & stags along with some very pretty coloured glass ornaments which soften the look & reflects the light.

I found some of these vintage glass ornaments some years back & love how they reflect the light ...

Traditional & modern ornaments together - the common theme being deer / stags

By day, our tree, tucked in the corner, looks pretty ...

... by night it shimmers & glows with its warm lights & shiny decorations

A modern, homespun star adorns the tree top

Our clocks always have some greenery to soften them & this year is no different ..

My new picture shelves hold some of the daughters tiny, special ornaments given each year ....

Our large inglenook is always adorned with a long garland that just fits. Some new berry lights wind through the garland providing welcome colour at night. Some of our cards are displayed on festive twine along it because our house bunny, Vivaldi likes to nibble at them ...

Our fabric stockings are hung along the 2 side windows in the inglenook where little gifts are popped in to each one as they are wrapped.

Pretty heart decorations frame the card twine ...

A family of deer on the coffee table - they are not strictly festive & might stay a little longer ...

A gift of a large poinsettia is always a welcome challenge - they can be temperamental to keep going because they like a constant temperature & conditions or they drop their leaves & sulk ...

Our conservatory sideboard has once again displayed some favourite Christmas china & things. However, I have added a woodland theme to it with the addition of miniature trees & deer.

Greenery & berries are always about at Christmas

Even our drinks tray on the console table in the conservatory has some adornments

More berries about in the dining- room

My ladies on the dining-room sideboard get their adornments too

The large mirror has its green garland on too

 Our front door welcomes friends with a handmade wreath from one of my student Mums

Our small entrance hall's noticeboard holds our handmade South African decorations - a connection to my roots & a warm welcome to visitors as they enter or leave our home.

The decorations are now once again carefully packed away for another year - before 12th night but needs must & the house looks bare without all the lights & greenery. When do yours come down? How do you fill the gap between festive brightness & January dullness? Thank you for stopping by,

Dee ~♥~

The Viszla's Aura & Apollo

Hi everyone

Allow me to introduce A Wondering Star & Andy's gorgeous dogs - Vizsla Apollo  (who is 10 months old) & their new pup Aura (who is a mere 9 weeks old).

Head over to daughters blog where Vizsla Apollo has his own section that he shares with Aura now.

They came over to visit today & ran around in the (very wet) garden. They are such fabulous pedigree dogs who are well trained & such a joy.

Even though Aura is only 9 weeks old, she already understands various commands she has been taught ....

The lovely pair waiting for treats in our kitchen

Apollo is a thoroughbred Hungarian Vizsla with stunning colouring & is such a lovely dog

Little Aura - just 9 weeks old & so cute already ...

Apollo surveying the garden for them both to make sure it is safe from birds, squirrels & the likes ....

Aura taking his stick from him

Apollo being very tolerant of the pup ....

Come Aura - I found where she keeps the stash of sticks (in my chimnea)

Apollo enjoying the fresh air while Aura rans inside for cuddles from Aunt Stacy when she was too cold




They are hunter, pointer, retriever dogs & they certainly have the right build & stance for it ....
























Make me warm Stacy, cuddle me ....

I hope you have enjoyed meeting the Vizslas - pop over to their Instagram Vizslaapollo  & check out their feed if you want regular photos.  What family pets do you have?

Thanks for your company & comments,
Dee ~♥~

TIME for 2016

I would like to thank you all for your support & comments this past year again. It is a real joy to read your comments & visit your blogs in return.

As this New Year begins, the sideboard changes to reflect T I M E

That precious thing we all take fore granted

Ralph Lauren pocketwatch plates,  all different times, symbolises that time is different for all of us

This one will stay up all year as motivation ...

The large charger plate ready to receive the New Year

Celebrate the New Year, celebrate the TIME you are given

Star light, start bright

First star I see tonight

I wish I may, I wish I might

Have this wish I wish tonight 

I wish health & happiness to all my nearest & dearest  & all others.  May you have what you wish for yourselves in this New Year

Precious TIME of another New Year - use it wisely & appreciate the gift you are given. Thank you for stopping by & blessings for you & yours for 2016

Dee ~♥~