Christmas at The Old Vicarage

Well, here we are, another Christmas and it feels quite a momentous one.  This time last year, moving to the West Country was just a pipe dream.  Here we are, we've really made it.  Sometimes, we need to squeeze ourselves to make sure it is real.  It now feels less like a holiday and more like home.

I'd have loved to have brought you a really well planned Christmas post with lots of carefully taken photos of the house and its decorations but I just haven't had the opportunity this year.  I have managed to snatch shots on my 'phone here and there and those, I'm more than happy to share.  We've managed to put up a nice big tree and a little one in the kitchen.  A lot of my time has been spent in here, whether painting the old dresser we bought, baking yummy treats to eat or making hampers as gifts.

Family and friends have been to stay and see our new home, it has been lovely to welcome them; this house has a super, warm feel and is perfect for gatherings.  I've also worked hard on getting a guest room into some sort of order; it needs to be decorated properly, but for now, I've just tried to work my magic with painted thrifty furniture, handmade cushions and pictures, and Mr HenHouse has been my right hand man with his tool bag, making it all happen.

We've managed to get out and about a fair bit, too:  we stayed in Bath one weekend to visit the shops and Christmas Market; the Munchkin's school marked the end of term with a beautiful carol service in the stunning Sherborne Abbey; we've popped out to see some of Somerset's reindeers (though they were tired from pulling the sleigh it seems!); finally, this morning, it was so good to visit Bridport and collect all my Christmas meat and groceries from shops we've grown to know and love.  Nothing beats having a natter with the locals, we're now on first name terms.  I couldn't resist the wonderful vintage Christmas annual from one of the market stalls.  We've topped everything off with a visit to the local church this afternoon for the crib service, well it seemed about time we introduced ourselves as the new custodians of the Old Vicarage!

All that remains is for me to wish you all a truly wonderful Christmas.  Thank you for reading along with me, I hope all your wildest dreams come true.

Xxx