Winter celebrations 2025!

Happy Xmas! Well it is the 27th now so it's a bit late. We have been having a very nice time over here, just staying home and taking it easy. 

The run up to xmas is always a bit hectic with jewellery orders, which came later this year for some reason, meaning very tight December deadlines for me. I'm so pleased to have got them all completed on time. It is such a fulfilling moment when I can make a lovely xmas for my children so they are not missing out just because I'm a single parent (always a worry I have).

We bought our tree at the end of November, this year we got a little tree in a pot which even came with a small birds nest in! These days I just let the kids do the tree and I do the rest of our flat. My son and I made a brass garland with stars and he did the moon.

Our tiny tree sapling from a few years ago is still alive!

It is a bit tight without a separate dinning room. We always have Xmas dinner in the evening (family tradition) so that we can have candlelit dinner. So for lunch I just put some snacks out. I used this little victorian wash stand (that used to be my daughters desk) which is handy because you can put plates and cutlery in the draw! My mum came over for xmas day this year.

I love that our dog has her own stocking and presents and really joins in the whole fun. We all laugh and spend a few minutes to give her belly rub and help her open her gifts. 

Remote controlled concentration.

I have had these vintage star baking tins for years as they perfectly hold a tealight.

It has been a great year, a sense of stability with regards to my business, Only Through Shadows, which is 5 years old now! Considering all the obstacles this year for the jewellery trade, I'm so proud that I have managed to keep going and keep making. I can't wait to make new things, so many ideas always whizzing around in my head! I have also been keeping quite fit by walking my dog so much. I would never find the motivation without her, she's the best! So enthusiastic for life (and cheese)

P and L are doing well too, its a funny age gap now, as my daughter is now a teen and my son still at Primary school, so they are not as close as the used to be in some ways. Sometimes I think you just have to accept the ebb and flow of children growing up, changing one minute and then reverting back the next minute. I now just trust the process. At least at xmas they are both like little kids again which is lovely.

As for me, I am just happy to be growing old, grateful for that privilege. Next year I will be 48! 

I'm sure I will be back here with a similar blog post...

Best wishes to you all for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Thank you for visiting my blog, love from us...Artemis, P, L and Otterdog xxxx