decorating the tree

Tags

childhood home, christmas, christmas tree, decorations, friends, gifts, presents

Christmas Eve is only a few days away so I decided it was finally time to decorate the tree. I bought my tree at the weekend and I have to admit it is not the prettiest. But since I was limited with funds and space I really had the one choice. So I decided to pick the runt of the tree litter and just hope my decorations can distract from its oddness.

So, yesterday (after leaving the tree to stand for a day) I finally decorated it and I have to say it isn’t looking too bad – although I am wondering how green it will be on Christmas as it is shedding needles like there’s no tomorrow.

But since I will be leaving for Germany to celebrate the arrival of the New Year in Berlin I think I may just leave the tree up until I leave. That way I won’t come home to just a pile of needles and empty branches.

For now the tree stands pride of place and the gifts under the tree are waiting to be distributed over the next few days. And I am really looking forward to meeting up with friends and getting into the Christmas spirit. Sadly the temperatures aren’t really christmassy so no white Christmas in sight this year and I will just have to hope that Germany may deliver a sprinkling of snow.

of house-guests and clean floors

Tags

childhood home, clean floors, dusting, home, mop

Today a friend of mine is coming to stay for a week, she is in the process of moving and needs a place to stay in the meantime. But before she can come I really do need to clean.

My floors need a good wipe and I have spotted a few spiderwebs in “hard to reach” corners, so a thorough dusting is needed. The only problem is – I hate cleaning! But I do love a clean home.

So I have decided to finally push my inner procrastinator aside  and spring clean my house into submission, sparkle up those counter-tops and tiles, wipe floors and dust corners, I have even cleaned out the fridge and am in the process of tackling the hob.

To help me swing my mop and steady the broom I will put on some music and shake my duster in tact to some 80s pop. And I know that once I’m done I will not only love my clean surroundings I will be happy to invite my friend into a spring-fresh home.

And who knows,maybe my muse will join in the cleaning fun and I’ll be able to sit down at a tidy desk and type out some good inspiration. After all good ideas do tend to come in unexpected moments and what could be more unexpected than while cleaning a toilet?

my mop

childhood home

Tags

childhood, childhood home, family, farm, Germany, godmother, home, orchard, photography, photos, woods

Back in May I was over in Germany for a few visits and family functions. While I was there I stayed a few nights with my godmother in the house I lived in as a child. From the ages 10 to 17 I lived in a small village up near the North Sea, across the road from farms and with an orchard and a tiny wood in the back. A curly haired girl, barefoot and in a skirt, who dreamed of living in the city while picking apples.

Spending time in my childhood home was a wonderfully strange and somewhat magical experience and I have the photos to prove it: