What a lovely way to start a day....

Well today started off by a tabby cat insisting that any form of a lie-in was a luxury that I had not earned, so after various ruses to get me up her final act was to push the book I am reading off the bedside table - which worked since it is a library book and I was worried she may chew a corner or worse! So with the kettle on and the kitty cats munching I looked out of the kitchen window to see a parcel poking out of the mail box by the gate - ooh, how exciting.....

And guess what, it was from my Secret Santa, even more exciting!! So with a cup of tea by my side I opened it.....

How lovely,a gingham stocking!!! I would have been happy with just that, but it was full of beautifully wrapped little presents.....

The contents were wonderful and so thoughtful: the most scrumptious-smelling shower gel and body lotion - rose being one of my favourite scents, a little votive candle, a rose face mask, a beautiful handmade brooch and lastly the most scrummy looking bag of homemade cookies.....

So it would have been rude not to try one this afternoon, wouldn't it? Or two or three.......

Can I just say to whoever sent it that it was wonderful to receive something so thoughtfully put together, I am touched and very grateful !!

And while on the subject of gifts here is a photo of my gift from the lovely Connie - who I did a stocking swap with - apologies for my lateness posting this (what with Birthdays and markets.....)

She made a number of the items herself so once again THANK YOU, THANK YOU !!

I feel very privileged to be part of such a wonderful  blogging community, to chat to so many funny, warm, generous spirited not to mention talented people is one of the many pleasures in my life - so thank you all for taking time - time to read my posts, time to comment (and also time to make cookies, Secret Santa - they were DELICIOUS.....)

So today,I had a lovely, lovely start to my day.....

Warm Winter Wishes for a Wonderful Weekend

Cally x x x

Secrets,Stockings and Santa....

If it's too early for Christmas for you then don't read on!!

 This is my lovely little patchwork bear called Adventina sitting on a shelf with her friends.They have been very excited this week as there has been lots of festive preparations going on.

I am doing a secret santa and a stocking swap so I have been busy reading the blogs of the ladies that I am paired with and picking out some little things that I think they may like, I have selected the goodies now and have photographed their parcels but obviously we can't see them before they do!!

But it has really got me in the festive mood and as I am having a Christmas coffee morning soon I thought that I should set about preparing for it!

As the cake and mincemeat are all sitting in the pantry ready I thought I should turn my attention to the surroundings and get things looking festive...

 

 A Cosy Corner....

 

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree....

 

Warm as Toast...

 

  All Done...

Now onto making sure that the Christmas Cupboard is ready too....

Warm Wishes for a Wonderful Week,

Cally x x x