Friday, December 31, 2010


AS THE NEW YEAR OF 2011 DAWNS:

May it bring for you blessings of.....

New dreams to fulfill,
New goals to reach....
and new joys to discover....




I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and before we head into 2011 I have selected a few pictures to share with you taken in recent days.

Our countryside remained covered in snow until Wednesday, when heavy rain washed it away.

Click on the pictures if you wish to see more detail......



Open fire are always a joy at this time of year. We have a multi fuel stove in our sitting room which is brilliant.... but unfortunately, not so in our dining room, the chimney there has presented us with a 'smoking' problem for years. However, after trying out different types of dog baskets without success, I had an idea.... one day in the summer, my gaze happened to linger on our chiminea and I thought that if we could fit the chimney funnel of it up into the fireplace chimney, it could well solve our smoking problem. .....and Yes! it works perfectly.

This nativity scene is quite a modern one, carved out of stone.

A beautiful centre piece, new to us this year.... This nativity scene is a wedding anniversary gift from dearest friends Betty & Edward. It is musical too. It's very precious and we love it.

A rustic nativity arrangement placed on the bureau....

This year I decided to make a small collection of miniature buildings to create a Christmas village. I'm pleased with my efforts... I did intended to scatter artificial snow on the roof tops, but took the pictures before I
got around to doing so.


I'm very fond of candles at any time, we always light them on the dining table in the evening when we eat, but Christmas time especially..... they signify the light of the world. Here are a few of ours this year. In our Advent wreath the candles have burned very low by Christmas Day.

When we were in Switzerland last Christmas I enjoyed seeing homes with candles burning in lanterns on doorsteps, hung in porches and in the middle of front gardens. I liked the idea so much we have done the same at home this year.... hanging our lantern on the veranda. We lit the candle on Christmas Eve and it remained burning day and night until Thursday 30 December.





So, from George.....

from Kenzo.....

from John....
and me.....
....we join together in wishing that peace, joy, health and happiness be with you as we say goodbye to 2010 and welcome 2011.

Blessings - Marion

14 comments:

Barbara said...

Loved this Marion. Peeping into your home. I spied a portrait of you on the wall too. Both yourself and John looking well.

Wishing you a Happy New Year and many blessings in this coming year.

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Happy New Year, Marion and John, and George and Kenzo too!

Thank you for the charming glimpses of your own Christmas festivities and decor. That was very clever of you to think of using the chiminea that way. And the first two snowy scenes are picture-perfect in my opinion; I enjoyed enlarging them for a better view.

Willow said...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, too!

Love your wonderful nativity scenes and candles!

Unknown said...

Beautiful pictures! I love the nativity on the mantel! Thanks for stopping by my blog! I haven't 'visited' in a while. My blog went crazy a while back and I don't have everybody's link on there any more! Hope you have a wonderful New Year!!!

Betty said...

Marion and John,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! It's already 2011 at your home....

I enjoyed my visit and admiring each room....if only I could sit down and have a cup of tea or coffee, chat awhile and see your lovely face.

Love to you both...Betty

Betsy said...

I like the Nativity carved from stone.
You and your husband look so nice in front of the fire. What a great idea of the chiminea.
Enjoyed seeing your decorations.
George and Kenzo are so sweet looking, they posed so nicely for the camera.
Wishing you a Happy New Year!
Betsy

Alice said...

Marion - such wonderful photos. They brought back sweet memories of visiting you in your lovely home even though it was a different season. I always feel that winter/snow evokes the feeling of Christmas so much better than blue skies and sunshine.

I too love the candles at Christmas, but again, they don't have quite the same effect here.

What a brillian brainwave for warming your dining-room and maybe even more useful than outside.

Richard and I wish you and John the happiest of times in 2011. May it also be one of very good health, and times of great fulfilment and achievement.

Beth said...

Love your home, and love the photos of you and John. You have such a lovely home and your pets are adorable. Your Christmas decorations are nice, and I'm particularly fond of the nativities. Happy New Year to you and your family!
Blessings, Beth

mrspao said...

Wishing you a very happy new year!

auntpearl said...

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful photos. You look absolutely lovely in your black dress and gorgeous pink flower.
I wish you all the best in 2011.
Sending you hugs,

Tina said...

Happy new year and thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures!

Kerri said...

Marion, those snowy scenes are beautiful. I especially love seeing the sheep against the snow.
Your home looks so cozy with all the pretty decorations and candles.
And how lovely it is to see you and John all gussied up and looking festive.
Ross and I wish you and John a joyful 2011 filled with the blessings of health and happiness. And please give George and Kenzo a pat from me! xoxo

Homemaker's Heart said...

Hello Ms. Marion~ You look beautiful! I want to thank you for stopping by to say hello. It's refreshing to hear from you.

I don't know if you remember, some years ago you posted about your new "wellies". I have been looking for good, traditional wellies and only come up with cheap replicas because I don't know the name of good quality ones. Can you help me?

Please pat George for me, he is so cute. And hug Kenzo. I hope you had a grand Christmas and New years. May the Lord bless you and your family this coming year with peace.

Dee

Mountain Mama said...

Your snowy pictures and Christmas decorations are so pretty. The sheep in the snowy pasture is such a peaceful scene.
I want to wish you and your's a very happy new year.