 |
| View from my office window on 12.12. |
The few days between Christmas and New Year usually find me in a strange mood, and this year is no exception. I am happy - Christmas was beautiful, with each of the three days (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day) having its own character and activies; I do not have to work (and I really can do with some rest, much as I like my job), and everything is right in my little world. But I am also a bit sad to let go; similar to the way I feel when summer comes to an end and the leaves start to turn.
 |
| Our Christmas tree (at my parents'), with REAL candles, of course |
 |
| The new red dress I bought earlier this month to wear on Christmas Eve |
 |
| Singing Christmas carols at my parents' on Christmas Eve |
Anyway, there is plenty to look forward to! Apart from not having to work until January 8th, there will be New Year's Eve to celebrate (the decision as to who will host the party this year has not yet been made), New Year's Day at O.K.'s parents, then a whole week off together. January also sees my sister's and my Dad's birthday, plus there will be a start-of-the-year celebration dinner with my boss (still the same RJ) and colleagues at a restaurant during our first week back at work.
Yesterday, I spent a very lazy day. No household work with the exception of doing some washing and of course making myself something to eat and washing up afterwards. I spoke to my Yorkshire family on the phone, which was very nice. Other than that, I spent the day reading, playing my favourite computer game, watching TV and relaxing. I ate up all the remaining Christmas cookies my Mum had made, looked at my beautiful presents and cards and thought of all the lovely people in my life who gave or sent them to me.
Not once did I step out of doors.
 |
| Can you detect the general theme? :-) |
Today will be a bit different. I have no fresh food left in my fridge and need to do something about that. Also, there is ironing to do, maybe a walk to my parents' later, and/or a long overdue visit to the gym. But I'll do it all at my own leisurely pace; today and tomorrow, the emphasis is still on relaxing. I was very busy the last half year, working more and harder than I'd done in some years, and it is catching up with me now; my body tells me to REST, which is exactly what I'm doing.
On the weekend, O.K. will be here (he has to work this week) so that we can celebrate New Year's Eve together. It will be fun, and I am going to wear the beautiful new earrings he gave me for Christmas - they match my silk shirt perfectly, don't you think? They are made of Murano glass and to me look like tiny worlds with golden continents on light blue oceans.
I hope all of you have had a lovely Christmas and will bring in the New Year just the way you like - either with a big party or quietly -, and that 2018 has only good things in store for you and your loved ones.
Your family's Christmas tree is so pretty! I love the idea of real candles. And your red dress is perfect for the holidays! You always look so stylish. And what a sweet gift those pretty earrings from O.K. are!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your (well deserved!) time off. Happy New Year!
Thank you, Jennifer! You too enjoy your time off (as I know you do!).
DeleteWe wouldn't have it any other way than with real candles.
I also find this week a sort of no man's land, a time not quite belonging to the past and not to the future either...I'm glad to read of your lovely Christmas and plans for some time to relax! Our Christmas was magic as it usually is when there are children involved...Today I am giving my granddaughters a cooking lesson (which they requested) and then my children and grandchildren will come and join us in eating their creation. I wish you everything good and satisfying in 2018, and for all your family, too!
ReplyDeleteCooking with your granddaughters sounds like a lot of fun - and even better when you all get to eat together what you've been making.
DeleteAll the best for 2018 for you and yours, too!
I had a very restful Christmas, which I felt was what I needed and wanted. A bit more busy "between-days" (we have a word for it in Swedish: mellandagar") with more of the usual household chores + preparations for my usual New Year Eve party (expecting the same four guests as usual). Wish you a Happy New Year with O.K.! The earrings are beautiful. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Monica, and the same to you! I like your New Year's Eve party with your good friends, you told us about it before on your blog.
DeleteHere in Germany, we call this period after Christmas and before New Year "zwischen den Jahren", between years.
You look fabulous the red dress - and those earrings are gorgeous, O.K. has great taste!
ReplyDeleteHope you two have a great time together before returning to work.
Our Christmas was quiet but enjoyable - our New Year's Eve, as you already know, will be more in the way of a big downtown party, BUT for the actual ringing in the New Year we should at our favorite neighborhood pub for the midnight glass of champagne before heading home to a good night's sleep. New Year's Day will be with our neighbors when they return from Florida and we get together for a Swedish-inspired belated Christmas.
Happy New Year to you and yours dear Meike.
Mary -
Happy New Year to you and yours, too, dear Mary!
DeleteYes, O.K. has great taste and knows just what I like. I hope he is as happy with his Christmas present from me as I am with his.
My sister will be hosting a small party of six for New Year's Eve; we'll be eating raclette and bring in the New Year with locally made champagne.
You are taking much needed time to unwind - glad you had such a lovely Xmas. Happy New year to you and your family and OK,
ReplyDeleteAnd to you, Fi!
DeleteWith every day that passes without work, I sleep longer - this morning, I was in bed until 9:00, such luxury!
It is a sunny day, and I am going to go to the gym and then into town for a few errands later.
You have some lovely gifts there. Happy New Year! Jo x
ReplyDeleteYes, don't I!
DeleteHappy New Year to you, too!
I hope that you are having a wonderful New Year. Your Christmas Eve dress suits you well. The Murano glass earrings are beautiful. What more can I say that I is so good to be sharing your Blogworld again.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, Graham! It is so nice to read from you again, too, whether on your own blog or when you comment on others.
DeleteMeike, what can I say? That red dress is gorgeous and it look perfect on you! I wish you and your family a wonderful New Year!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Francesca, and the same to you and your daughter!
DeleteGood to hear that you are relaxing and recharging your batteries. The new earrings look lovely. Are they heavy? We don't want your earlobes to be stretched to your shoulders! Happy New Year Meike!
ReplyDeleteThe earrings are glass spheres but not too heavy, as they are not too large. Yes, relaxing feels good, and the wet stormy weather does really make it easy to stay in and not do much besides eating and resting.
DeleteHey Foxy Lady! (Yes, I certainly know you love those foxes!) I LOVE those earrings!!
ReplyDelete"Tiny worlds with golden continents on light blue oceans"- what beautiful words and yes, they look exactly like that. You know I had to look up Murano glass, I had never heard of it. Fascinating to me!
Hope you got some good rest "between your years"! :-)
Hey Kay! Murano glass is popular and well known in Germany - we love all things Italian, not just the food :-)
DeleteThank you, yes, I am getting plenty of rest. It is so wet and windy that we can hardly do anything else! Yesterda, for instance, I spent all afternoon reading and got nearly half way through one of the books I got for Christmas.
This was a real joy to read. I really loved every word.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nan, how very kind of you!
Delete