Christmas Prep

I wait all year for Christmas, and I am not sure why I hesitated an extra few weeks this year, but today we got going, big time. Miss Biscuit wishes you a Merry Christmas~
This is her first Christmas, but she's settling in fine; she did her thing, "catch me catch me" with the ribbons; snooping around the tree. Mostly she likes to be right with her people and mostly right next to me~

Honey is having her second Christmas, the Grande Dame at 1.5 years old. Last year she ate through all of the light cords, but this year she is more mellow~
I got out in the garden today to gather the greens. We are lucky to be in a climate where winter is so bountiful; I had no troubles finding juniper, toyon and pine~
Everything is gathered into my vintage Moroccan basket which opens flat, like a disc; I adore this basket, despite its sisal handles; sisal handles have their place, and this is one of them; LOVE it and will have it copied~
Everything is fresh and plump after the rains~
We got the tree up today, and started the decorations, my favorites are egg shapes, bought on sale at Rogers~
Perhaps it's the organic shape, oh there is much to say about the egg form, but I love them on the tree~
and also the XL acorns~
lots of organic and natural~
The pups at our feet, the tree up, there is happiness in the house~
Honey was watching the rain all day; "no worries," she told us, "it frequently rains in Norfolk."
I got the tree up with a little help from Mom, the mantel was all me and from the garden;
In front of the fire, I put the giant clam, with kugels that were on the chandelier last year~
I had wanted to enter TartanScot's contest, but I didn't get it done til today. I was very happy with the results~

Last year I had greens as usual, but with a running ribbon, I think. This year it was shaggy and fresh; I debated a bow, but thought this was enough~

Our mantel is Georgian style and about 5.5ft tall. I have long debated if it is original or not; no matter if it is or not, it's fantastic in the large living room.
The painting is of the Loire. It's funny to see the house this year take shape for Christmas, after last year being so worried about every detail for Romantic Homes; this year there is less stress. It was a total thrill to see our home in the magazine; this year we feel a little more leisurely though it will be just as fun & interesting~