It's quite colourful around here of recent times.
We went to Ikea the other day and I restrained myself to a few Christmas presents that were enscribed on a list.
But this gorgeous towel wasn't on the list and I swiped a couple from an outdoor display.
Nor were these plastic green bowls on the list but I stuffed them in the trolley regardless.
Here's the Christmas tree. I'm not sure if I've posted it yet. I love it, and love how it can pack in a calico bag which can then be shoved in the car and brought to the Coast for holidays. So clever. So Scandinavian-minimalist.
Hello Danish elf.
I'm bracing myself for Korean H's departure in two weeks. If you told me that seven months ago I'd develop some sort of soft-spot for a 22-year-old girl from South Korea, I'd give you a good shove and tell you to 'think again, sister'.
Here are some hand-made, meticulous, and beautiful Christmas cards she's made some Solid Gold Dancers.
I'm going to cry when she goes. But never fear, we have Korean S who's itching to take her place. Who else has an au pair? One of you must? Let's talk.
It seems the only downside of au pairing s the departure. You seem to have struck solid gold in your au pair too.
ReplyDeleteI'm wishing I had a minimalist tree this year. Just don't seem to be able to get ours out.
Martha looks so big and I see she is not averse to a bit of tulle either. 'Tis the season, you know.
I don't like it when you put goodbye in one of your post titles, I worry you're leaving us! There's nothing wrong with tearful goodbyes, it shows your depth of feeling which can only be a good thing. Love your tree, we made one very similar a few years back, the kids didn't like it though, much prefer the plastic monstrosity ... get their taste from their father. Hope you get some time off over Christmas.
ReplyDeleteSaying goodbye is no fun! I will miss seeing her crafty creations.
ReplyDeleteLove your tree xx
Martha is lovely. Everything is so colourful and bright at your place and so stodgy and dull at mine. Goodbye Korean H hello Korean S!
ReplyDeletep.s. Lovely cards by the way.
xo
Ditto Fiona's comment. I thought you were disappearing again. No tears from me for Korean H's departure (although I would sob my heart out if she was our au pair I'm sure), but I'd cry bucket loads if you were signing off Carmel. I like your style, Christmas tree and otherwise x
ReplyDeletep.s. Korean H's cards are fab.
kids and I went down the flat and got a load of old dead sticks and branches - they have their plastic tree where less is more is clearly NOT embraced, I will have my stick tree (bush style not scandi) with a few tasteful decorations and we will all be happy.
ReplyDeleteif I had an au pair I think I would be crying too.
I made my daughter cry and declare I was the worse christmas mother anyone could have when I walked out into the garden hacked a branch off a tree stuck it in a bucket and told her to decorate it.
ReplyDeleteShe now has an aversion to alternative and minimilist christmases.
I created a tradtional christmas monster I did and for that I sincerely apologise to all who may suffer because of it.
:)
I like that minimalist tree. We had a nanny for many years, until my son was about 7 or 8. She didn't stay with us but worked Monday thru Friday. We kind of eased out to part time and another mother took part of the time. We still stay in touch. I will always love and appreciate my son's other mother (as I thought of her). I didn't kid myself that I had abdicated part of early motherhood, but I really enjoyed our shared role.
ReplyDeleteCan't you adopt her? You could send me Martha and keep korean H. We would come visit you I promise. With the cats.
ReplyDelete