A Few of My Favourite Things...........

I can't believe I haven't blogged for the past two days. I kept meaning to but I just didn't get round to it. There was so much to do and I must admit I am a bit of a last-minute-Larry. But everything is now done, presents are wrapped - ready to be open, food is in the fridge - ready to be cooked, batteries are charging for my camera and I have my long 'skype' list ready and waiting for tonight, (my family in Hong Kong and Australia) and tomorrow for my family in England.

So whilst I had a bit of time on my hands, I thought I would share with you a few of my favourite things in my house at the moment.

I have got to start with my most treasured Christmas possession, my hand knitted nativity scene. I picked this up six years ago at a little Christmas Church Fete in a very small village called Bloxham in Oxfordshire.

I can't believe that every singe piece is hand knitted. Some Granny had spent weeks knitting these wonderful pieces.
I could just look at it for hours, I truly love it. I have been on the hunt for a wonderful wooden manger to put them all in but have not found the perfect one as of yet. I am also paranoid every time I put it away that the moths are going to attack it. I make sure I load it up with loads of cedar balls just in case!!
Our Elf-on-the-Shelf. What a wonderful tradition this is. I had never heard of it until I moved here and I am so pleased I found out about it. My children love it and love the little elf.
When I saw these enormous nutcrackers last year, I knew I had to get them. I have got two, one for either side of the door. They really should go outside but I am a bit scared that they might get pinched. I am sure they wouldn't but I would be heart broken if they were, so better to be safe than sorry.
This is something I picked up this year and couldn't be happier with it. I saw it at Goodwill weeks ago but it wasn't for sale, it was for display only. Then I went back a few weeks later and they had decided to sell all their Christmas display bits. I lucked out big time, it was only $8 and exactly what I was looking for to store all the Christmas books. Again, this is an American Tradition that I have picked up on, I have never seen or heard of it back in England.
Another American Tradition that I rather liked, putting all your Santa photos over the years in frames and putting them on a table. Love, love, love this.
I bought these a few years ago when I was going through a kind of 'Scandinavian Christmas Theme'. I am over that phase now but still love these little guys.
I bought this when going through that same phase, I love it. Each Christmas Eve, I light all the little candles . It is just beautiful.
I would like to wish all of you a wonderful Christmas Eve. Not long to wait now for the big old guy................