Christmas Decorating & Advent Tree Day Nine & Ten.

It is starting to look a lot like Christmas around here...

The various teddies and other characters are out.

Mrs Claus and Santa are enjoying some rest time.

The tree is decorated - never realised just how many snowmen I had!

Father Christmas welcomes all who come.

Lights on the little tree.

Knitted nativity scene.

Another Father Christmas and assorted Christmas softies.

Yet another Father Christmas with various decorations.

The lights on the tree.

The little tree just in the front door.

The window scene.  (Better clean the windows and frames tomorrow!_

From the other side.  The nativity is quite special being made by our older son when he was very young.

Snow village scene.

Advent Tree Day Nine - Another little snowman!

The little Christmas Elf yesterday.

The Christmas Elf today.

Advent Tree Day 10 - A bell

Christmas cushions.

Some Christmas lights.

Now all the empty boxes have to go back in the loft, but I am leaving that for DH to do when he gets home!

Choir tonight - so will really be getting into the Christmas spirit with our Carol Concert rehearsal.

A Pause in Advent - Two

Joining Floss from Troc Broc & Recup  and friends in taking time out from the rush and panic of Christmas to pause, reflect and enjoy Advent.  

Today is the second Sunday in Advent,and we have been continuing to take things fairly easy, although have a fairly busy week ahead.

I have been enjoying the daily little ornaments to hang on my little wooden Advent tree, and having fun with the Christmas Elf.  Surprisingly even my husband has got into the swing of things with that little Elf.  

The Community Choir I belong to and the Wednesday afternoon singing group have been full of preparation for Christmas Carol Concerts and I am looking forward to these.  We had an impromptu performance last Wednesday afternoon which was very enjoyable indeed.

No real profound words of wisdom or advice from me, just moving through the days with a gentle casualness that I hope will extend over the whole of this season.

I was watching a squirrel in the garden today getting on with his business...and marvelled at the wonder of nature and wildlife so thought I would share these pictures with you.

A few roses, some not at their best but still bravely flowering.  Most have been pruned back, but I try to keep a few flowering all year round to add a splash of colour to brighten the darker days.

Some more decorating will hopefully be happening this week.  There is no rush, what will be done, will be done.

Advent Day Eight

A cute little boy for Day Eight

What are you doing up there?  The Elf is on my Black Forest Cuckoo clock!

Losing Weight

On 1st August 2013 when realising I weighed nearly 2 stone overweight and not being able to get into any of my lovely clothes I embarked on changing my diet. (Actually I already knew this at the beginning of the year, but that wasn't the time to contemplate doing anything about it.)

I can now proudly say I have reached my goal weight and have lost 2 inches from my thighs, 3 1/2 inches from my hips, 4 1/2 inches from my waist, 2 inches from my bust...(not so good!) and 1 1/2 inches from around the top of my arms, plus the almost 2 stone that I was overweight.  

How did I do it?  Sensible eating and exercise (and also being medication free has I am sure helped)  I don't feel I have been deprived of any food in particular.  I mainly cut out bread - I no longer eat any bread (unless it is the odd slice of gluten free, and then only on occasion), and all the evening snacks we used to have.  I also cut down on my meal portions.  I juice several times a week  and that will serve as one of my meals, varying to whether it is a breakfast, lunch or dinner. The only treats or cakes that I will eat are if I have baked them myself and know exactly what is in it.  

I try and walk for a couple of hours most days, although that has cut down now since the weather has not been so good.

This weight loss has made me feel a whole lot better about myself AND the bonus is I can now get back into all my 'slim' clothes.  The 'fat' clothes will be going in the charity bags this weekend or during the week, this will of course help with my continuing battle with 'clutter'.  A review of the wardrobe is always a good thing.

I can only sing the merits of juicing.  Great for both feeling good and weight loss.  The juice and smoothie if that is what I end up making - using soft fruits and vegetables as well, come out in all sorts of interesting colours (and some not quite so interesting looking)  ALL are very tasty though!

On of the most common juice/smoothies I make uses:

1/3 - 1/2 a pineapple depending on the size

3 apples

chunk of cucumber

broccoli stalk

slice lemon or lime

a couple of handfuls of spinach (or chard/silverbeet)

a couple of carrots

a couple of sticks of celery.

then put in smoothie maker with:

1/2 to a whole avocado

1 - 2 bananas

spoonful of Manuka honey.

blueberries.

When blueberries are added the colour looks a bit 'muddy' but the taste is really delicious.  

Advent Day Seven

The little ornaments are increasing on the wooden Advent tree.  Today's was a little snowman.

It seems that finally another member of the family has got into the spirit of the Christmas elf, as today when I got up to move him, he had already moved!

I discovered him sitting on the roof of the dolls house.

A rose for December...I braved the cold this morning to take this photo.

Oh and the woodpecker came back for another visit yesterday afternoon.

Advent Day Six

Another little tree today to add to the Advent tree.

The elf seems to be sitting on Elfred's knee today...Elfred looks especially happy with the smile on his face.

Glancing to my left this morning as I sat at the computer I saw a woodpecker on the feeders through the patio door.  I was lucky enough to get one shot of him before he flew off!

Advent Tree Day Five & Elf

A little 'gold' ball

Warming his bottom!