09 December 2008

All Is Quiet

Christmas Time & A Christmas Give Away!


I have enjoyed this past week. I can get out and drive my car, at last. The Christmas shopping is almost finished, always a great relief. The decorations almost done. Mince pie's made and eaten, two times now. Just the cards to finish and post.



I awoke on Sunday to a bright and frosty morning.
Jobs done and Mr N. & Mr P. both home safely from Sunday Football!, we decided to wrap up well and set off to Greenwich for the afternoon.
The Old Naval College.
Seen from the steep path that leads from Greenwich Park into the town and very close to the Cutty Sark which is still undergoing surgery.
Going down the steep frosty path was easy, climbing back up, pushing the prams was not!
We huffed and puffed, giggling all the way.


The town itself is always lively.

Lots of families out enjoying a winters day.

Babies in prams.

Men in Bobble hats.

Ladies laughing.

Cold breath in the air!


There are lots of interesting shops. This little bakery with it's wonderful aroma of baking bread and cakes was beckoning us in, who can resist fresh crusty bread like this.

We had a bite to eat and some Mulled Wine, emmmm, in the covered market, enjoying the heat from the overhead heaters. Jude so well wrapped he could not move a thing! only his eyes.



Returning back to the cars, the sun was going down, such a beautiful sky.


Nelson stands here looking out towards Docklands and the City.



After 'doing' the shops and buying our dinner from M&S.......not just any Lasagna!

We went back to the car's.

I was the passenger! I took this image of Blackheath which is just outside Greenwich Park.
The tall Georgian Houses that surround the heath are so elegant.

Sorry the image is blurred, we must have been shifting a bit!


And then...
Home to a warm house.
The tree waiting to be switched on with two little boy's who can look but not touch!


Candles to light.




Dogs to feed.




And me, to potter in my kitchen late at night when everyone is in bed.


Heaven, pottering about.


And onto the Give Away, please feel free to leave a comment, even if you have not left one ever before!

I will be entering all the names into a 'Hat' and Freddie will make the draw next Wednesday.

The winner to be announced next Friday.

the Gift is a surprise!

Have a wonderful wintry week.

Love and big hugs,

Carol

X

57 comments:

Deb said...

Hi Carol
Lucky you having all your shopping almost finished! Your home looks lovely & what sweet photos of little boys and hungry dogs :-)
I'd love to be entered into your giveaway, thankyou.
Deb

The fabric of my life said...

Wow i can't believe how organised you are Carol. The house looks beautiful and I assume you must have finished your decorating?

I miss Greenwich. I used to have a stall there when my eldest was a little one. Christmas was always fun.

Claire said...

What a lovely post, I enjoyed 'spending' Sunday with you, especially in your gorgeous cosy home! Your grandsons are all adorable, Greenwich is a fab place and the pics are great. Love the piccie of your cute dogs waiting patiently to be fed, very well behaved. Well done on finishing your christmas shopping, I have a serious mental block this year, cannot think what to buy anyone!!
I also love pottering in the kitchen when everyone is asleep, its very cosy and comforting! Have a good week....Claire xx

JacquiMcR said...

Carol, you have a lovely house and beautiful children. Is it always that tidy - I'm very jealous if it is. My christmas preparations are almost there and hopefully by friday the tree and decorations will be up. I like pottering at night as well, especially when my hubby is night shift and I can't sleep. I would love to be entered into your giveaway. Have a lovely christmas!

Josie-Mary said...

WOW what a beautiful house. I love the photo's of the boys & dogs. :)

Pipany said...

Such a lovely post Carol. Hurray, you can drive! I would have been going mad. The house looks gorgeous and you have panicked me a little with your organisation. Really must get going! xx

LiLi M. said...

This all looks so cosy! Ooh your sons, they really look and don't touch (in the photo though). It brings back memories. When my kids were small I used to have papier maché balls in the lower branches of the tree. Under the tree there were a lot of boxes (emty card boxes) and paper gift bags. When my son was one/two years old he was playing with these boxes and bags all day! Of course they didn't survive, but the tree did (that was until the cat climbed it!). Mmm my eldest turns 15 next Friday. Christmas is a time filled with many happy memories to me. I hope for you too. Enjoy your lovely home and the last preparations, you have everything under control, lucky girl!

MelMel said...

Your home is so stunning!

I love the sitting rom.....so cosy and neat!


Hope you have a good day!

I'm just waiting for my little one to arrive, my niece has just left for school.....and its my half day!x

LinenandRoses said...

Your house looks lovely all decorated for Christmas. Nice memories looking at your Greenwich pictures. I lived there, just five mins walk from the park, about four years ago for a year. I lived in a lovely house with three men! Non of them were my boyfriend I hasten to add, just good mates who all looked after me. Such good memories of that year. I've sat many a time at one of those tables in the market and have even had the mulled wine too. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Sue said...

What a lovely post, and what a lovely 'family' day you had. This is what life is all about, loving our families, our animals and our homes and just living the moments.

Love Sue xx

ginny said...

What a lovely day you had Carol. Greenwich is a lovely place and i have happy memories of working a few times at the theatre there( in my past life).
Glad to see you are settled into your new home...It looks so so warm and inviting...
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas with your family.
Ginny x

Flossie and Tom said...

Your house looks beautiful - I havent got the decorations down from the loft yet !!

Love the dogs - I've been reading your back posts about Guy and I am now daily pestering my hubbie to let me have one - he's gorgeous

Sara
X

MelMel said...

The "To do" lists get longer and longer don't they?LOL!

Hope you get round to it!
They are so sweet......i adpated it to make it quicker to make....so just two sides.....cheat!

I must send my stocking pic into CK today....for the competion!
So want to win the sewing goodies!

xxxx

Mary Poppins said...

Your photographs are beautiful and what adorable doggys, any for sale :)

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful home

Mary X

Anonymous said...

Oh carol, your lovely home! I was just dreaming of the time i had beautiful white sofas and pale pink walls with beautiful Cath, sprig curtains, then i met a farmer and moved to a shack with a springer spaniel, now we have to have brown sofas and carpet to discuise the mud, anyway, keep the posts coming, enjoying them very much!!! kirsty xxxx

claire said...

Gorgeous pics, which have given me a craving for mulled wine!!
You have a really beautiful home that I have been oohing and ahing over for a while now!!
Claire

This Vintage Life... said...

Oooh, your kitchen does look cosy. I love those three little expectant faces!
Deb x

Simone said...

Lovely atmospheric pictures Carol. I almost feel as though I was in Greenwich with you. Poor little Jude bound so tightly that he can only move his eyes! Your home looks lovely and the tree is the icing on the cake! I would love to be entered into your giveaway too.

Sandi McBride said...

What a wonderful post, Carol! And the pups are all so wide eyed and bushy tailed...and the scenes from the town so wonderfully detailed....wish I were there...really
hugs
Sandi

Anonymous said...

Lovely cosy home. Just gorgeous.

Shsjndkdns said...

Your tree and decorations look absolutely gorgeous and I love the little garland in your kitchen! I would love to be entered please X Gemma gemahogan@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

OOOH, Sounds like a lovely day! Especially the Mulled Wine bit!!!

It is nice isnt it having a bit of 'me time'!! I am more of an evening person too rather than a morning person, sometimes in the daytime I think I cant wait for this evening, but then I feel like I am kind of wishing my life away!! But I do love it when the dog is safe in the house, doors are shut, fire is lit, lamps are turned on, glass of wine poured and no one expected to knock on the door at any minute and you are inside nice and cosy and warm!!

Country Cottage Chic said...

Everything looks so very festive! Your dogs are like mine at supper time - very expectant!

Anonymous said...

Lovely looking at your photos - my boyfriend and I visited the Royal Observatory back in the summer so they brought back some nice memories although it was not quite so cold then! I would love to be entered in your giveaway.
Many thanks

Rosie said...

Thanks for taking us on your day out. Your home looks lovely and so cozy. Just wish I was as organized as you. I still haven't sorted out what to give quite a few people for Christmas. Congratulations on your 100th post x

Rosie said...

Thanks for taking us on your day out. Your home looks lovely and so cozy. Just wish I was as organized as you. I still haven't sorted out what to give quite a few people for Christmas. Congratulations on your 100th post x

Rosie said...

Thanks for taking us on your day out. Your home looks lovely and so cozy. Just wish I was as organized as you. I still haven't sorted out what to give quite a few people for Christmas. Congratulations on your 100th post x

Sal said...

Everything looks gorgeous,Carol!!
You do seem ultra organised too.
;-)

Lucy Bloom said...

Oh I love a potter too, managed a short one today! Yes please for the giveaway. Guy is looking so sweet - I am envious!
Lucy x

Anonymous said...

Looks like a lovely walk and mulled wine mmmmm. I love it when you post pics of your house I scour every pic looking for ideas - none of which ever come to fruition unfortunately. I hope you gave those dogs a treat too with those begging eyes.. and your grandsons are so cute
lisa x

Tea said...

Wishing you a Merry Christmas, Carol! I love visiting your blog :)

tea
xo

Amanda and Tim said...

Oh I am SO glad you are able to drive again :o) It looks like you had an absolutely wonderful day - your description makes me think of winters past when nannies used to take babies out for a walk in the fresh air - all bundled up and warm!

And your tree - wow that is exactly what I'd love our little tree to look like - I'm going to show it to T tonight so we can work on it over the next few years and one day have one that looks half as good as that!!

Have a lovely day
Amanda xx

Ragged Roses said...

Hello Carol, wow you put me to shame, you ARE so organised!!! Your home looks absolutely beautiful, so calm and peaceful, I can imagine you pottering around at night ...
I use to love visiting Greenwich, it's such a great place and beautiful buildings.
Take care and keep warm
Kimx

Miss sew n sew said...

Hi Carol
so pleased that your leg is better for you to drive again. Your wintery day out looks so nice love the views of the city. All your decorations look fab your tree looks very simular to mine! I really like the 'Christmas' garland over your door. Your grandchildren and doggies are so cute. Hope you have a really special Christmas with your family!
Sarahx

Oast Farm said...

Hello havent left a message before but i love reading your blog and looking at your piccies you inspire me as we are currently doing up our house and i have a small craft stall with my sister. I have started up a blog page but need to put more info on it - keep getting sidetracked reading yours!! love your dogs, especially the terrier. We have a 15 yr old Fox "TERRORIST" ourselves.Wishing you a merry and happy family christmas xx

Deanna said...

Hi Carol,
thanks for sharing your pictures with us. What a beautiful tree. I haven't even finished decorating my own home yet.

When you get a chance, hop on over to my blog and pick up your award!

Hugs,
Deanna :)

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Hello Carol...
There is something so special about the light at this time of year.. the soft muted skies as shown in your Nelson's photo...I think I have learnt to really love winter though for many years I dreaded it..
I really feel I am dragging my heels behind everyone else.. I haven't put one Christmas bauble up yet.. I just can't get in to the spirit of it this year for some reason. Having grandchildren makes all the difference.. I am sure..!
I felt as though I have been on your day out with you ... a lovely diversion.
Much love
Michelexx
P.s Looking forward to January!!

Unknown said...

Hi Carol,
Your house looks beautiful, so comforting and warm. i love the pic of the boys with the tree, you can tell they are being so good with the tree - for now.
Greenwich looks fab, haven't been there since I was 18 when I took my mum to London for a weekend, we went on a boat on the river and had a wonderful day there, your post brought back lots of lovely memories.
Rosie x

Things Hand Made said...

Sounds like a lovely day. I am nowhere near organised but then I never am!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for helping to make me feel all Christmassy-need to get moving now. Love the photos-esp of a real lived-in kitchen with lots of things around!

OhSoVintage said...

What a lovely day out. When my husband was on a course at Greenwich about 20 odd years ago the wives had to go to stay there for a weekend. I shall never forget dining in the painted hall!
I enjoyed looking at all your photos - the one of the dogs is a study!
Have a lovely Christmas.
Ruth x

Country Bliss said...

Your home is looking beautiful and the dogs are so sweet.
I would love to be entered into your giveaway please.
Yvonne x

Mummy Peach said...

This is my first ever comment! Love reading your blogs, they make me smile. I wished I could make the time to do half of what you get up to...good reason not to start my own blog ...me thinks!

Merry Christmas,
Val

Lesley (Notesfrommydays) said...

hi there :-) where are those christmas letters from in the first pic ? i like them a lot !
the tree looks lovely !! and the boys are so cute!!
Lesley x

MarmaladeRose said...

You sound so happy. You have a lovely home. I'm very jealous, I would dearly love an aga. It all looks so cosy.

Bluebell said...

This post brought back memories of visiting Greenwich when I lived in London over 20 years ago,I loved wndering about and visiting the market and I must have always gone in winter because I remember it being freezing cold!

Happy Christmas to you and your family you look as though you are all oganised and ready for it ...wish I could say the same still rushing around to finish the cards and shopping.

MelMel said...

I'd wait for the sale.....its so reduced in the factory, the seconds are fantastic......i can't tell them apart!

also you get some lovely studio pieces, wonderful!xxx

Pondside said...

What a great post - I loved the photos of your kitchen that you posted at the end....especially the jam and the crumbs! Yummy!
Congratulations on your 100th post - just wanted to say that, but you can leave me out of the draw, as I've already been lucky on Heidi's draw, and everyone should have a chance!
xo

Summer by the sea said...

Hi Carol - What lovely pics - your tree looks lovely - I too am a potterer, my hubby is always saying 'sit down will you' but I find that very hard! - It looks like you had a lovely day out - Natalie x
P.S - What an amazing amount of comments!

Sandi McBride said...

What a wonderful post Carol. You've done well to get the shopping done, me, still at it. All I want for Christmas is Guy! Not Ritchie, either, lol! I can't believe what a beauty he is and the others are lovely, too! Happy Christmas my friend, glad that you're settling in and hope the leg is well and heels are the order of the day!
hugs
Sandi

Greedy Nan said...

I love surprises so please enter me in your giveaway and I'll be surprised if I win!

AndieB said...

I would love a go at the giveaway! Please enter me!

XO,
Andie B

AndieB said...

I would love to be entered for the giveaway!

XO,
Andie B

Phillippa said...

Hi Carol, Isnt greenwich lovely? I blogged about a house on the other side of the river a few months ago and I have a little giveaway myself of some of the ribbons you bought before, your house is looking so lovely too, makes me want to go and ticy up mine!

Tilly Rose said...

Hope its not too late to entre your giveaway..... I love your kitchen it look slightly like mine, used and loved !!!!!

xxx

mollycupcakes said...

Argh! please tell me i haven't missed the giveaway.
pop me in the hat honey yeay!

Merry christmas to you and your lovely family.

Hugs,
Catherine x

Anonymous said...

My name is Ola. I came from Poland. Just by chance i entered this blog. Wish you all the best. Beautiful interiors that I found here really did inspire me. Again best wishes