In Memory

I know this seems very morbid and a bit weird. But on the afternoon of Christmas Becky and I left the boys to watch over the dinner whilst it cooked so we could go and see my Grandma, who sadly had to go into hospital before Christmas. She was in good spirits and was keen to hear all about weddings and holidays.

Near to the hospital is the graveyard where my Grandad was buried in August and we thought it would be a fitting tribute to visit his graveside. We took 2 white roses, similar to the ones the three of us granddaughters lay on the day he was buried, I had kept these aside from the bouquets I'd given the women of the family. 

It was beautiful at the graveside with the winter light and all the snow. It looked like a picture postcard or the scence from a movie. So I took a wee photo. 

We had a giggle remembering fun memories of my Grandad at Christmas over the years. I am glad we went.

 

We also marvelled at the view from Liberton. Not a bad view. It made me think of the 'Edinburgh' calendars or books that my Grandad would always get for Christmas! Not a bad resting place.

 

Becky and Dougie's Christmas Table

 

After Lily & Neil's house Nathan and I made our way to Becky & Dougie's for Christmas Dinner. We helped with some of the final stages of prep although Becky was very organized and they had their table all set. 

 

I loved their table. Silver and White. I bought the monogram table settings in Pottery Barn. 

  

 Becky and Dougie's Tree with lots of pressies underneath.

  

 I made a wee spray of flowers for my Mum, Becky and my Grandma.

  

 Nathan and I made a Chocolate log which was filled with orange cream and cranberries. It was delicious!

Lateness

It was pointed out to me last night that I could just skip all the Christmas posts and then start from what I am up to now.

I am however keen to turn my blog into a wee printed book which I will keep as a photo journal and to do this I need to post everthing! I used to do scrapbooks for each year of my life but I am hoping blogging can replace this as a memory of my year.

So please bear with me. I will be up to date soon... I hope!

x

 

In the cold and frosty morning. Christmas day was pretty chilly and so quiet in our street. There also seemed to be even more pressies under our tree when we got up in the morning!

 

Each year Nathan and I are good and set a budget which we pretty much stick to. This year Nathan- for a bit of fun introduced categories. 

1. A Christmas Decoration
2. A candy or a sweet
3. An item of clothing or an accessory
4. A DVD
5. A mystery gift

Nathan's mystery gift for me was a scrapbook he had made me of our trip to the States. He did a really good job and put all our tickets etc into the scrapbook as well as photos. I loved it! 

 

Nathan looking sleepy with his presents. We then got ready and went for breakfast to Nathan's parents house. I guess this is the advantage of living so close to both sets of parents.

  

 Nathan's Mum and Dad's front room with their Christmas Tree and surround all decorated.

  

 Nathan's dad, Neil. His Mum, Lily and Nathan

 

We had a lot of snow before Christmas and although it didn't snow on Christmas the streets still looked like a winter wonderland with lots of snowmen in gardens. The roads were very slippy!

We had a great breakfast of eggs and ham at Nathan's parents and spend the full morning with them before they had to get ready for their own dinner. It was so lovely to spend time with them.

Christmas Eve in our home

Starting our own traditions. After we got back from my parents house Nathan, as he'll be the head of our household. Put our newly purchased (inexpensive) angel on the top of our tree. He embraced me taking photos of him and their was much messing around. 

  

Nathan holding the angel before she went on our tree. This year I did white and silver, using decorations that I had previously purchased over the last few years. No new decorations were bought apart from the angel. I was very proud of myself for this as I am a crazy person for Christmas purchases! 

 

 

What a goon!

Presents under the tree! And Santa came out again this year. You can see him on the bottom right of the picture. Nathan protests at this little character every year. It freaks him out and every year he tries to get me to put him away. I love his cheery little red jumper and skis. So far I've won each year and he's made it through!

 

 Silver and white decorations.

  

After Nathan put the angel on the tree we lit our candles and sat back and had a cuddle excited about the next year and the fact that next Christmas we will closer to our wedding date.

  

 I love the candles!

 

 Nathan and I infront of our tree.

Christmas Eve

Every Christmas Eve Nathan usually goes out with the guys from his school and has dinner and drinks. This year as some of them were travelling for the holidays and others have new babies they decided to roll it into one of the guys stag weekends just before his wedding.

This was great news as it meant Nathan was freed up to spend Christmas Eve at my parents. Every year since I was little my Mum always cooks a Chritmas Eve dinner. Similar to the Scandinavians who actually have their main meal on Christmas Eve she cooks delicious meats and tasty food.

I loved when we walked down their snowy road she had put out little lanterns to guide us up their driveway.

 

 I realy liked the Christmas shapes of the lanterns.

  

 I love seeing everyones decorations come out each year and I liked this little display of animals that have been collected over the years.

  

 My Parents decorated the tree that Becky and I picked up for them. It looked magical with the twinkling lights.

   

 The Christmas Eve table laid out for our dinner.

  

Becky and Dougie making a face (he didn't want his photo taken!) Both Bex and Dougie were tired as they had just flown back from New York that morning after a week's holiday to the Big Apple.

  

In our household every Christmas Eve after dinner my parents would give Becky and I a small present of a Christmas decoration. The idea being that when we grew up we would take them with us to decorate our own family trees. Both of us don't want to take the decorations with us for the moment as my parents tree wouldn't be the same but maybe one day when we have family of our own!

Then my Dad would put the angel on the top of the tree, as we did this year (see above) and then we would light real candles on the tree, as they did traditionally in Germany. (I have taken this tradition on in my household)

  

 Me, Nathan, Bekcy an Dougie.

 

The real candles on my parents tree. It makes the room look so beautiful. 

When we were younger we would then lay out treats and milk for Santa (maybe even a whisky if he was lucky) and then my Dad would read us 'Twas the night before Christmas' before we got tucked up in our beds.

A Christmas Lunch

 

 Just before Christmas a few of us got together at Tempus for Sunday lunch. It was great to see the girls especially Emma B who was up from London. Pictured above with Emma G.

  

 Hillary and Hilary (Emma B's old flatmate)

 

Me and Hills after our lunch. I gave all the girls their Christmas Pressies- the frames. They all had to laugh as somehow I had managed to place their other halves home town in the centre of the frame and they all knew they would appreciate that.

We had a great chat and catch up. I made an effort to see a lot of friends over the holidays as I felt I had been working so much before we went on holiday I hadn't seen people in ages. I caught up with Shona, Herculine, Julie, Hannah and Kate amongst others.... I never took any snaps though but they were equally as fun get togethers.