Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Christmas draws closer ...


Christmas preparations 


Spent Sunday afternoon and evening wrapping presents
and decorating the parcels.   Had some trouble getting
started however because Phoebe demanded was in need of 
attention and was not inclined to listen to reason and 
allow me to work unimpeded.

Since wrapping presents one handed, with a cat slung
over your shoulder snoozing is awkward ... to say the
least ... I had to be firm and put her down near by to
nap on a chair ... instead of me.


Wrapping paper around the boxes doesn't take too long
to do.   It's making the bows and decorating in general
that takes time ... and is the fun part.    Unfortunately my
glue gun died awhile ago and I forgot to get myself a new
one so all the bows and decorations had to be "stuck"
on the parcels with tape, white glue or tied on with fancy
string or ribbon.    Frustrating at times and I'm not sure
how durable these things are going to be so when they
are being given out I'll be warning the recipients to be
careful with how they carry or transport their gifts.

At least I did remember to buy a new glue gun the next
time I was out shopping.   Better late then never.


Don't think that I ever showed off the new addition to the
library which my DH made for me in August.   I've had this
design stuck in my head for ages now and somehow, for 
some reason, this summer he and I got to talking about it
and the next thing he knew he was going out to buy the 
materials and putting it together.

Four bookcases set edge to edge with a large sheet of 
plywood on top and with a raised edge of trim to finish 
off each side of the table top.   It gives me a whole lot
of space for my bigger books on the shelves of the four 
bookcases plus the top is perfect for working on my jigsaw 
puzzles,  crafting ... and for wrapping Christmas presents.   

I had to haul all my wrapping paper, trims, adhesives, 
decorations and ... um ... oh yes .... the presents ....
from the top floor of the house to the basement ... and 
then back up there again when I was done but it was 
fabulous to work on that table and not have to bend over.  
And that table top is a HUGE workspace.



On the 7th of December I took the train down
to Toronto to meet my friend Darlene and we
spent the day wandering around the city 
looking at the Christmas decorations.

The above trees are in the atrium of the building
where Darlene works (she was on vacation that
week).   Note the sheets of sparkly lights draped
across the balconies.   Very pretty, nicely done.


We went to Yorkdale mall for the morning and
checked out the stores and their displays there.   The
above arrangement was in Pottery Barn.  We were
disappointed in the lack of decorations at Yorkdale 
in the mall's common spaces.   All the shops there were
decorated but the mall itself only had Christmas 
decorations around the area where Santa was located.

Dull!  Boring!!!  Bah Humbug Yorkdale!!!


We went to Allen Gardens in the afternoon and were
much happier with the effort made there to join in the
spirit of the season.    Poinsettias everywhere, in a 
multitude of colours.    Mannequins dressed for winter
in dresses made of foliage and flowers were scattered
around the main greenhouse. 


Anyone for a sleigh ride?


Another greenhouse had fanciful birds perched in
trees and plants, some sitting on "nests" with 
Christmas decoration "eggs".


I guess it makes sense that a Blue Jay would lay a blue
egg.



It was lovely to spend an hour or more wandering
around enjoying the plants and the Christmas 
decorations.


Once it got dark we walked to City Hall where the skating
rink was in full use, the Christmas tree was lit up and 
everything looked lovely.


The Eaton Centre mall had it's giant reindeer
set out along it's main hall.    They are amazing
to see in person.


The CN tower was lit up with Christmas colours
which looked great.


Didn't buy anything (except for brunch and
dinner) during our day out except when I found
this hardcover edition of the third book in 
Deborah Harkness's All Souls Trilogy which
was on sale for just $10.00.   I did buy this when
it first came out in hardcover a year and a half
ago because I LOVE the series and this author!

But I had to grab this copy because of the sticker
on it which said "Signed Copy"!!!! 


Yup!   There you go!   Signed by the author!!!
Me want!    Me grab!!!    Me very happy!!!

This is baking week.   I've been at it for three days so
far and will keep at it until I run out of time.   Stay 
tuned for further reports.

Cheers!



4 comments:

Brigitte said...

Oh my, Judy, you were doing a great job on all this gift wrapping. It will be fun for the recipients to see the wonderful bows and other decoration that you added. I am not as creative when it comes to gift wrapping.

And I like the place where you were doing it even more. What a great addition to your library your husband made. This table top is a perfect place for doing all sorts of things. I think I would be spending a lot of time there :)

Your day in Toronto must have been a real treat. So much to see there, just at this time of the year. Thanks for sharing all these gorgeous pictures.

Have a great Christmas season!

Maggie said...

Your wrapped gifts look lovely, I start off with good intentions of making my wrapping look all pretty and appealing, but alas it never turns out that way, i have no patience!

I am in awe of your library!!! I have less rooms for things now so only have books in my cupboard in the dining room, now if we hadn't moved i could have converted the cellar, dam!!

I know a little boy who would absolutely love that reindeer :-)

Have a fantastic Christmas, and I look forward to reading more from you in 2016,
have a good one xxxx

Judy S. said...

Have a wonderful Christmas, Judy. I love the photo of you and your kitty!

Andrea said...

Hope you had a fabulous Christmas Day.

Your presents look so beautifully wrapped. Love the new addition to the library. Wonderful photos of the shopping centres, no doubt next time we all go to them they will be naked and very unattractive. :(

Have a great New Year.