Period Christmas

[JoceAndChris]

I have acquired an abandoned kitten! Going by my attempt at trying to measure out fabric with the help of 'Keith' a tree is a no no this year

(He has climbed up the chimney, been in the tumble dryer and washing machine and even in the Aga i feel a tree might be a step (or climb) too far :shock:

He is totally adorable and better than any tree!! Happy Christmas to the gorgeous new addition to your family.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Awww, 'Keith' is scrummy - well worth sacrificing a tree for :wink:

Joce, your (previous year's) tree is beautiful (I wouldn't expect anything less :roll: ) and I'm sure this year's will be no different! Sorry to hear your bathroom transformation won't be finished in time though

We have yet to buy our tree - we kept last year's but like a twig's, ours didn't make it - that's a job for saturday when Pip is home. I, too have been busy and we now have a snug that is half F&B India Yellow (not sure that will be done in time either, lol!) We have been trying to replace our lovely glass decorations that sadly smashed when we had a Christmas tree fail (collapse) our first year here. They were a delicious deep purple that has been hard to find replacements for.......

Pics will follow at the weekend hopefully!

Wish list-wise, I'm hoping Santa brings a giant mirror for the 9' Art Nouveau style frame we are hanging in the snug :shock:

Mims x

Hope you get your mirror Mims and I must see the snug! It sounds completely lovely - India yellow!!! Fabulous! I'm a huge fan of all the yellows.

I thought of you yesterday in John Lewis as I was looking at their "Ruskin" tree - I think you'd have liked it! Very splendid theme with rich ruby crystal decorations and red roses.

 

[mims&pip]

Awww, 'Keith' is scrummy - well worth sacrificing a tree for :wink:

Joce, your (previous year's) tree is beautiful (I wouldn't expect anything less :roll: ) and I'm sure this year's will be no different! Sorry to hear your bathroom transformation won't be finished in time though

We have yet to buy our tree - we kept last year's but like a twig's, ours didn't make it - that's a job for saturday when Pip is home. I, too have been busy and we now have a snug that is half F&B India Yellow (not sure that will be done in time either, lol!) We have been trying to replace our lovely glass decorations that sadly smashed when we had a Christmas tree fail (collapse) our first year here. They were a delicious deep purple that has been hard to find replacements for.......

Pics will follow at the weekend hopefully!

Wish list-wise, I'm hoping Santa brings a giant mirror for the 9' Art Nouveau style frame we are hanging in the snug :shock:

Mims x

Hope you get your mirror Mims and I must see the snug! It sounds completely lovely - India yellow!!! Fabulous! I'm a huge fan of all the yellows.

I thought of you yesterday in John Lewis as I was looking at their "Ruskin" tree - I think you'd have liked it! Very splendid theme with rich ruby crystal decorations and red roses.

Wow Joce, your Christmas prezzie hair looks wonderful!!! Years ago as a student I spent several hours - and quite a lot of cash - having hair extensions added (twice - so I was a glutton for punishment even then!) at Antenna in London. I loved them, but recall they were a pain to look after. I'm guessing things have moved on somewhat since then :wink:

Thank you for thinking of me.......and for mentioning the Ruskin tree! I need to get a few more bits - such as crackers - and haven't had the chance to get to a John Lewis for absolutely ages. Have just checked out the Ruskin themed items online and will definitely order some if I don't get the opportunity to visit a store in time!

Piccies of the snug will follow......when finished, lol! I love yellows too, but have dithered over the use of India Yellow in this house. Was going to play safe and go with F&B Olive (have used this in previous houses), but felt like a change......now I'm not sure it was the right decision :roll:

Mims x

 

[JoceAndChris]

You'll get used to it Mims! Bold colour choice often takes a few days or weeks to really like! I love India yellow - have you got warm colours round it?
Glad you like the Ruskin - next year I want to do a whole Ruskin tree in the dining room!
I bet your extensions were beautiful, yes I think they take some fussing over still now, you can't brush your hair sturdily and can't wash it too much! Which is good for someone without a bathroom! They'll have to be completely renewed in 4 months and the hair goes to the Princess Trust to make wigs for little girls undergoing chemo - they can't re use this hair for me. Over a year the cost of the extensions could probably pay for a very nice holiday! but I love it and would sooner have it than a tradesman come and do the bathroom! :lol:

 

[Zebra]

Wow Joce. The hair is amazing. But it does sound like a lot of work.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Thanks Zebra! You're dead right, much easier to have smart short bristles in black and white stripes!

 

[mims&pip]

You'll get used to it Mims! Bold colour choice often takes a few days or weeks to really like! I love India yellow - have you got warm colours round it?
Glad you like the Ruskin - next year I want to do a whole Ruskin tree in the dining room!
I bet your extensions were beautiful, yes I think they take some fussing over still now, you can't brush your hair sturdily and can't wash it too much! Which is good for someone without a bathroom! They'll have to be completely renewed in 4 months and the hair goes to the Princess Trust to make wigs for little girls undergoing chemo - they can't re use this hair for me. Over a year the cost of the extensions could probably pay for a very nice holiday! but I love it and would sooner have it than a tradesman come and do the bathroom! :lol:

Thanks Joce! I know what you mean about bold colour choices, leaning as we do towards the deeper spectrum of paints, wallpapers and furnishing fabrics etc!

We have loads of colour in the room - in the form of rug, cushions, curtains, art, lamps and pottery - including the aforementioned olive, deep burnt orange, brinjal, plum, black and cream, not to mention an assortment of Arts & Crafts/Art Nouveau metals :roll: The room is south-facing, but despite a large square bay window, smaller window adjacent to the fireplace and glazed door onto the verandah, it is not a particularly bright or warm-feeling room as a result of the many trees in the garden, lol, hence my choice of a deep yellow to warm things up a bit.......currently feels rather like sitting in a large vat of saffron custard though :lol:

I'm hoping the large mirror - assuming Santa plays ball by delivering the glass - will throw some light around!

Mims x

 

[a twig]

Suddenly realised that my parents are arriving in 8 days, heralding the start of an entire family descent for Christmas, and I still have an entire bedroom to plaster, a fireplace to fit and a dining table to design and make. I've know about all of this for months, when will I learn... Even now, rather than getting on and doing it, I'm sat on the PP forum.

Argh!

 

[angrybird]

Joce your hair is fabulous it's what all girls dreams are made of you can tell the amazing quality of the hair and what a lovely idea that the used hair goes to make wigs the children that have had chemo.
I've recently lost my lovely Mum to cancer, whilst sorting out her things I found her beautiful long blonde plaits, she had cut off when she was 12!
I was thinking of offering them to a charity that supply chemo wigs, if they don't want them I will have a display case made for them

Keith thinks you look a hot pussy cat too x

 

[Abi Cott]

Abi - I love that idea - grab a photo and don't tell her - I want to see! Though I can sort of imagine. I think I'll nick that idea for next year when I have a bigger amount of entertaining to do - this year is quiet and yes secretly very pleased about that as hosting one lot of parents after the other is exhausting!

He's gone to the loo

That's just the piano, there are similar arrangements on the cabinets and mantlepiece.

 

[JoceAndChris]

That's absolutely Christmassy and lovely Abi, thanks for sharing the pic! I have a plate shelf all round my dining room that would take such a treatment and be cat safe! Great idea! Candles always look so beautiful in a period home!

Joce your hair is fabulous it's what all girls dreams are made of you can tell the amazing quality of the hair and what a lovely idea that the used hair goes to make wigs the children that have had chemo.
I've recently lost my lovely Mum to cancer, whilst sorting out her things I found her beautiful long blonde plaits, she had cut off when she was 12!
I was thinking of offering them to a charity that supply chemo wigs, if they don't want them I will have a display case made for them

Keith thinks you look a hot pussy cat too x

Aww thanks angrybird! So sweet! Yes I'm loving my princess hair and can never be without it now.

How lovely you found your mum's plaits, I think you should keep them! I'm so very sorry for your loss.

The Wendy Cope poem says we should have Christmas as a time to celebrate and remember

"Bring in a tree, a young Norwegian spruce,
Bring hyacinths that rooted in the cold.
Bring winter jasmine as its buds unfold -
Bring the Christmas life into this house.

Bring red and green and gold, bring things that shine,
Bring candlesticks and music, food and wine.
Bring in your memories of Christmas past.
Bring in your tears for all that you have lost.

Bring in the shepherd boy, the ox and ass,
Bring in the stillness of an icy night,
Bring in the birth, of hope and love and light.
Bring the Christmas life into this house. "

Take care this Christmas xxx

 

[JoceAndChris]

Thanks Joce! I know what you mean about bold colour choices, leaning as we do towards the deeper spectrum of paints, wallpapers and furnishing fabrics etc!

We have loads of colour in the room - in the form of rug, cushions, curtains, art, lamps and pottery - including the aforementioned olive, deep burnt orange, brinjal, plum, black and cream, not to mention an assortment of Arts & Crafts/Art Nouveau metals :roll: The room is south-facing, but despite a large square bay window, smaller window adjacent to the fireplace and glazed door onto the verandah, it is not a particularly bright or warm-feeling room as a result of the many trees in the garden, lol, hence my choice of a deep yellow to warm things up a bit.......currently feels rather like sitting in a large vat of saffron custard though :lol:

I'm hoping the large mirror - assuming Santa plays ball by delivering the glass - will throw some light around!

Mims x

It sounds totally gorgeous and just my cup of tea! I never understand minimalism whatsoever or why people would buy a period home and present it as a white box! I hope that fashion is dying!
It's interesting what you say about trees, our south facing music room has become somewhat overshadowed of late, and the light from that room feeds the ground floor as I leave the doors open. I've seen the tractor up here cutting the trees on the lane, I wonder if he'd do mine?? It's a hard job for Chris as so many! Would you chop yours?

 

[mims&pip]

Well, the trees are up and decorated

For a change Pip has been allowed free rein in the library, which means we have a tree with some vintage decorations we found at my parents' house when they moved into a nursing home in 2012. Sadly the majority including the 1960s lights had been sacrificed to the charity shop by my dad before I could intervene......

That tree has tinsel, a riot of mis-matched colour and won't be appearing here!

The decorating of the snug tree was my job and is far more tasteful, lol :lol: Piccies will follow tomorrow, although as I've not managed to finish the painting (and Pip needs to build a mahoosive radiator cabinet - his job for between Chistmas and New Year), the room remains unfinished.

Joce, I think the trees will stay as they do obscure the view of newer (1970s) houses further down the hill. When we sell the new owner can make that decision!

Mims x

 

[Penners]

This is The Year Of The Great Christmas Victory! We've finally managed to persuade my son & daughter-in-law that it's time THEY invited US for Christmas, rather than always descending on us!

So, no faffing about with Christmas tree, decorations, turkey, pud and so on for us. We shall just sit back, relax, get pis... sorry, merry... and watch my son (who's an excellent cook) doing all the work! HUZZAH!

Actually, we are doing our bit. We're taking the crackers. :wink:

 

[Penners]

Apologies for the personal photos

For goodness' sake don't apologise for bringing a flush to my cheeks, Joce!

Do you think that keratin bonds, ultrasonic vibration and a large quantity of human hair could do anything for my barnet?

 

[Feltwell]

We shall just sit back, relax, get pis... sorry, merry... and watch my son (who's an excellent cook) doing all the work! HUZZAH!

Actually, we are doing our bit. We're taking the crackers. :wink:

Penners old chap, I think the usual descriptive phrase in these circumstances does start with "taking the" but it doesn't end with "crackers" :wink:

I'm just jealous. We have the joys of 6 hours of round trip driving on Christmas Day, going to get and then taking back my mother in law. We do this most years, despite my brother in law living only 7 miles away from her, he is once again too busy. Ahh, the joys of family politics at Christmas, where would we be without it?

 

[Feltwell]

Do you think that keratin bonds, ultrasonic vibration and a large quantity of human hair could do anything for my barnet?

Hmm, can you turn the ultrasonic vibrations all the way up to 11?

 

[Gareth Hughes]

Actually, we are doing our bit. We're taking the crackers. :wink:

Just be careful when you're pulling them, you know your back can't take a lot of strain.

 

[plasticpigeon]

Here are my period festive locks.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Gorgeous PP but I'm not swapping! :lol:

Penners, how lovely to see you and you look well and handsome as ever! Sadly I don't think the keratin bonds and ultrasonic vibrations are going to work for you, how about a lovely beribboned powdered wig instead?

I think it's nice you're letting your son and daughter in law do all the work. My parents and parents in law interfere so much they basically take over and last week with my parents' Christmas celebration Mum brought a huge and wonderful game pie she'd made. It was fantastic but just once in my life I'd like to see her sit back and relax. Not going to happen though. :lol:

Feltwell you deserve a medal! That's the true spirit of Christmas!

Mims, I'm looking forward to piccies of the snug! I'll show you mine if you show me yours!

Meanwhile, you will all be wondering how the fake hair is getting along. It's a bit itchy and pully, and I would dearly love to run a brush from the very roots to tips, but can't, but this was all completely blown away by the pure joy of styling it for the Christmas party on Friday, not something I've really been able to do for 20 years.

And it's just as well I don't have a shower as you aren't supposed to get the bonds too drenched in the weight of water! Today I'll be shopping for dry shampoo!