IT CAME, IT SETTLED..... and, IT'S MAGICAL ..........

SNOW !!!!! .......... within half and hour, the whole of the UK was covered in at least six inches of snow. Cars and people were stranded, trains and buses were cancelled.........we were supposed to have been going into London for dinner for our daughter-in-law's birthday, but there weren't any trains, Heathrow is at a standstill and many people are still trying to get home BUT, come and see how pretty it looks where I live .......... I'll clear up all that snow in our lounge later !! haha ..........

Mr Home and I went out for a walk , it was a long walk, hence the amount of photographs !! There were more but I have spared you !!........ this is our road, with the cemetery on the right......... into the cemetery..........

Doesn't it look beautiful ? I always thing that the bottle-shaped yew trees are like something from Alice in Wonderland. They look as if they might just come to life ..........

Down past the Council Offices. The tower is Victorian and the building next to it was built in the last ten years, and they mirrored the windows and shapes of the old Victorian building.

Opposite and built into the wall are these steps. These were to help people get onto the carriages in the 16th, 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries.

Into  St Mary's church ..........

Past Church House ..........

This is the entrance to the park, opposite the church,

An iconic English postbox ..........

Round to the back of the church,

a front door looking festive, that we walked past ..........

We are expecting more snow over the next few days so, it looks as if we could be having a white Christmas which will be perfect. Back to my Christmas decorating and wrapping and cooking. Enjoy your preparations.

image 1 - via design wonderland, image 31 - Alessandra Ambrosio via Google, all other images by ME !!

PANIC STATIONS !!!! ..........

Well, as usual, I start off really well with my Christmas preparations, and usually, by the beginning of December, most things have been done........ and then I find that it's mid December, and those  last minute things are piling up..........

The tree has been bought but is still  in the back garden ..........

I should be at the above stage, with baubles and decorations down from the loft and decorating said tree with carefree  abandon but ..........

it looks more like this !!!!

These are some of my Christmas cards, all written I'm pleased to say but ...........

they are sitting on my desk, still not posted !!

No baking has been done, as I keep eating all of the raw ingredients !!!!

.......... and, we are expecting lots and lots more snow in the next few days, lasting until next year apparently so, there is every chance that the last of my online purchases are  not going to be delivered  !!!! Also, I was out to lunch on Monday.....and yesterday and I've got to go out to lunch today as well and a few more times next week !!
So, here is a little Christmas inspiration for you and for me and, hopefully, by the end of this week, our home will be looking festive, and we can begin to enjoy the magic that is Christmas.

I am hoping to enlist the help of some Christmas fairies to assist me in the last minute rush !! Does anyone know where I could find a few ?

images.... 1 - via Tiny White Daisies, 2 - via Holiday Haven, 3 - via KaliCartel, 4 - Lucyina Moodie, 5 & 9 - Vintage-Kompagniet, 6 - Jeanne d'Arc Living, 7, 11 & 14-we heart it, 8  - Alicja Rodzig, 10 - Camel & Yak, 12 & 13 - via Vintage Rose Garden.

THERE'S SNOW PLACE LIKE HOME .......... Ho Ho Ho..........

The whole of the UK is covered in a blanket of snow and we are experiencing Arctic conditions........and, when this happens, everything comes to a grinding halt and, havoc ensues !! I, for one, hibernate close to the fireside, drinking tea, coffee, hot chocolate during the day, soup for lunch and then move on up to wine in the evening !! Life stands still somewhat while we keep warm and think about Christmas.

This gorgeous Georgian house ( somewhat out of focus I'm afraid ) is the home to offices now, but what a lovely place to work..........

This is St, Mary's church, just around the corner to where we live.  It was built in 1418  and contains Cromwell's family vault. A medieval stone coffin was recovered from the church in 1872, when it was found being used, inverted, as a doorstep !!!!

This is the entrance to the cemetery, located in my road. I find cemeteries really interesting ..... make of that what you will !!!! ..........

Here is the view from my landing......you can just about make out the snow ..........

Seedheads in our garden ..........

On Monday, I went out for lunch with the girls ( I do venture out sometimes when it snows ). I took this and the next  four shots from the back seat of my friend's car ( I was lucky not to be the driver and polished off a bottle of Sauvingon Blanc at lunch !! ). We drove through Epping Forest and it looked so beautiful........... much more beautiful than a couple of snaps taken whilst going at speed !
Epping Forest was where Henry V111 and Elizabeth 1st hunted and, the highwayman Dick Turpin had a hideout there. It is also very popular with murderers as a place to hide a body unfortunately.

There are still traces of Autumn leaves left on the trees .........

Well, I shall away in my beautiful sleigh, to buy Christmas pressies, higher tog duvets, hot water bottles and a crate of red wine.

It's freezing. 

image 1 - Esmahan Ozkan, 2-4 County website, images 5-12 by me, last image - The Snow Queen from Narnia