24

I'm now feeling relaxed. The house is clean(ish), Geoff's done his last minute shopping and the champagne is in the fridge chilling for tonight and tomorrow and the day after that!

The girls have decorated the gingerbread house you see here. Clearly the priority for them is cramming on as many sweets as possible. I find that my own aesthetic still tries to guide their creativity at times when they are piling everything on willy nilly. I keep my lips closed though, because it's not about me.

We popped corn to string for the tree. To my northern "friends" I don't know how you manage to do a whole tree. We (read me) threaded about 2 metres worth and it's hard work, the girls lost interest very quickly as theirs kept breaking. I love the look though. When we eventually have a northern Christmas I want strands of popcorn and strands of fresh cranberries on a real tree, nothing more.

I noticed today that this is my 492nd post. I can't even remember when I started, although as it was in Leila's first year I guess it's been over 2 years. 500 posts is a landmark but I'm almost sure I'll forget it when the post comes around. So, thank you all for reading, for your kind and generous comments and encouragement; also to all of you whose posts I look for each day, whose creativity inspires me - thank you.

I haven't been making many dolls of late so poor little Kate above has been waiting so long for company that I feel it's only fair I offer her to one of you, as a belated Christmas gift. I intend to get into the swing of sewing again next year (after a machine service) and put some more time into the dolls.

If you, or some little person you know, would like to give Kate a home, please leave a comment and I will draw a name when we're back from my parents by the evening on the 28th. I will send worldwide, so anyone can enter.

postscript - I'll be back tomorrow - the 29th - so the draw is extended for another day!