deck those halls!

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Covent Garden 


Feeling festive as I visited Convent Garden last week to catch up with my sisters. We all pay £20 a month into an account which normally pays for a few trips a year. This time we had lunch at the Ivy Grill in Covent Garden and we then wandered around the market, it was very busy and very festive.

It was lovely to visit London and even lovelier to see my sisters but I don't miss the Uk, I just miss the people (as many people say that live here). I am always glad to drive home and as I drive up our lane I breath a huge sigh of relief to be back. I just wish I could bring my children, family and friends here.  


Here's one I made earlier

Had a real giggle when we made the decorations for the Christmas Market/fair at English Garden Plants near Ranes- I never know if I should use fayre or fair- though fayre is just an old-fashioned way of spelling it. It was a full-on day in which my friend Juliet and I made two garlands, decorated the vin chaud stand and cut out many bows from coffee sacks- we know how to have a good time!. Laura and Jackie were their usual lovely selves and we even made the local paper. Unfortunately, there was not a drop of vin chaud to be had in the place, had to wait till the fayre for that.

Laura Lee makes some amazing things, often using just what grows locally and seasonally (www.blossomwithlaura.com). Now that I know how to make a garland that looks reasonably presentable, I am going to make my own and copying Laura Lee, I will go foraging for anything in the garden that is green, results to follow. 

Being my normal disorganised self I am posting this after the Christmas Market/fair/fayre at EGP but it is definitely worth the visit at any time of the year (www.englishgardenplants.com) and they have many markets/fairs/fayres throughout the year.




Praline seashell anyone?


France is not as commercial as the Uk at Christmas where gifts are concerned but they do go crazy about chocolate. You cannot get into our local E.Leclerc store for the chocolate display and the decorations on the roundabouts at Bagnoles -de - L'Orne are wonderful- no chocolate on them though.

Boul in Ciral (www.les-sapins-boul.com) near La Lacelle has an amazing collection of trees and they are only open for the first two weekends in December, They are massive producers and it is not until you drive away that you realise that there are field of the things. The owner was able to tell me exactly how old our one is but was concerned when I asked him to wrap it. They had a bit of trouble getting it through the netting machine as it was rather large- I do like to get my money's worth. 


How do you say 'punch up' in French?

My BFF's Lisa and Peter are coming out this weekend. Very excited to see them but a bit concerned as Peter wants to watch the England v France match somewhere and wear his England shirt, I'll let you know how that goes, depends on the score I suppose. 




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