DECEMBER!!!!
It is time for the last review of the year and its DECEMBER!
I have to shout it because I am so bloomin’ excited!!!! Are you excited?? I can’t be alone on this one. I could talk about my excitement all day long but I won’t, I’ll just crack on with my last review of the year.
Calke Abbey
It felt like the best way to celebrate the beginning of the festive season was to fully embrace it!
We headed off to Calke Abbey, A National Trust site in Derbyshire. We have visited here before but this time it was all set up for Christmas. It was a beautiful evening for it too which was a bonus.
Lights trailed the walk, the church was decorated and the house had a Christmas tree to rival any I’d seen before. The favourite bit though for us all was the underground walk. We’d done this last time but they’d really gone all out decorating and making it special.
A fantastic day out all times of the year but I would certainly go back next year to see it at Christmas again.
A weekend in York
Earlier in the year I created a post about the Wonderful UK and listed all the places I wanted to visit this year and York was a must.
A rare weekend off appeared and thanks to a little Air BnB we headed off to York.
I had visited before but not at Christmas. I was completely blown away by York. It is a magical place. I felt like I was walking through the set of Harry Potter.
The whole place was alive with the sounds and smells of Christmas and plenty of festive ‘spirit’
I completely fell in love with York and have had to show some serious restrained to not book up again for later this month. I can’t wait to show the children the magic York has to offer.
The Christmas Market in York was all I had hoped it would be as well, It really did fill me with the festive feeling and it made my Christmas Market post and for very good reason. I think it might be my favourite.
A weekend with Rob was long overdue and I think it was just what we needed, a bit of down time before the madness of Christmas kicked in.
We came home and had a lovely afternoon with my 3 favourite men.
Family Christmas Party day
I can’t think how long this tradition has been a part of our Christmas rituals.
All of my Mum’s family gather for a Christmas present swap and there is a lot of us, ever growing as all the first cousin’s have more and more children!
The children all get on so well though and it makes for a lovely day.
It is such a full day but it is really special, despite Mum not being there, she is never far from our minds on family Christmas day.
Winter Bucket list update
When I write Our Winter Bucket List I always worry that I may be setting ourselves up to fail! Sometimes there is just not enough hours in the day to fit it all in.
So far though we have done pretty well. We have visited a Christmas market, spent lots of time with family and friends, got new decorations for each of the children, made mince pies, watched Christmas movies in our PJ’s, had fun with the elves, decorated the house and watched Elf…. Twice!
House update #8126
As we face the 6th month of work on our house, I am trying very hard to feel full of festive cheer and ignore it all.
The attic is taking shape though, we now have walls, insulation, which by the way now means we are not just wasting gas on heating and a complete bathroom – minus the actual bathroom suite of course! But ya know, it’s progress!
There have been a few more unmentionable hiccups and work was due to complete on the 18th but i’d say we will have our pals the Builders here for quite a bit longer.
In fact I should probably make room for them round the Christmas table!
A year today…..
Today, the 23rd December marks the countdown to the wedding… 365 days to be exact!
There is still so much to do and think about that I am feeling a little overwhelmed at the thought of it. But the overriding feeling is one of pure excitement.
I can’t wait to marry the man I adore and who makes me happy every single day.
My favourite day of the year
I love Christmas Eve! It always far exceeds Christmas day for me. It is calmer, more laid back and just full of such hope and excitement.
Last year friends came over for breakfast with their children and it was perfect. We couldn’t do breakfast this year so instead we opted for a movie afternoon.
The Polar express in our PJ’s with our friends was the plan, what actually happened was nine hyper children terrorising each other!
Wouldn’t have changed it for the world!
Although I was feeling pretty dreadful on the day, I still loved Christmas Eve.
The big day
And finally the day arrives, the build up, the excitement and all that preparation. It finally comes together and it was as special as I had hoped it would be.
It makes such a huge difference to the whole day when we have the girls the night before. Especially as it is F’s first Christmas as a non-believer. Its so wonderful to watch the magic through their eyes.
This year we had Rob’s parents and my Dad over for lunch. A beautiful lunch prepared by Rob, he really did deliver… Almost as much as santa did!
Everyone seemed to love their gifts and we have 3 very happy children.
A successful and magical day. Despite feeling pretty dreadful all day.
Dad’s Birthday
As if we needed any more reason to be wrapping presents! He had to be born on the 27th right??
I really feel the importance of making the day special for him, or at least try to find a suitable distraction for him. I know any special occasion is tough without Mum for me, but it’s his Wife. Birthdays are meant to be shared, they were meant to grow old together.
This year we decided a cinema trip and lunch would be a suitable distraction and it was lovely.
Of course, I am sure it was not an easy day for him but I hope he enjoyed it.
Waddesdon Manor
We visited last year and after writing a review post this month all about our day out last Christmas at Waddesdon Manor, I couldn’t stop myself from booking another visit.
This will most definitely be a highlight of the whole holiday for me. I really wanted to experience this all over again but share it with the girls this time.
If December was not such a busy one for us next year, I’d be booking to go again in 2020.
Goodbye 2019
Last year, saying goodbye to 2018 was really tough. I touched on the reason’s why in this post Happy new year
This year certainly has been much easier than 2018 and I do have a lot to look forward to in 2020.
Those old feelings don’t really go away though, I still feel like I am not ready to move forward in to another year, not ready to say ‘My Mum died in 2018’ because that seems so much longer ago than last year. And I know it is utterly ridiculous but I can’t help it.
What a wonderful year it has been though and I am stepping in to 2020 with bigger goals and plenty of reasons to be motivated and excited!
All that is left to do now I have finished my last review of the year is to take a moment to Thank each and every one of you that has supported my blog this year.
All the comments, kind words, encouragement, advice and general support has made what can be, at times, a difficult process so much easier.
My little blog has grown and I am excited for all that is to come for Our Favourite Jar.
Happy new year to you all, here’s to a wonderful 2020 for us all!
Much love x
It sounds like December was a very busy, but exciting month for you! 😊
Thank you Michelle x. X
So much fun! Loved reading it:)
Thank you x
Wow, you did amazing on ticking off items off your bucket list. It sounds like th is was truly an exciting but busy month.
It was, thank you Astrid. Happy new year to you x
Happy and sad, shared gifts memories, wedding eeeeek! And Dad’s Birthday. Phew what a month. Great post and have an extraodinary 2020.
Great post, and what an amazing month December was! The problem is it comes and goes so fast. I wish you and your family a wonderful 2020!
It’s really flown by this year x x
Wow! Great photos! I’m sure that these are going to be some of the most cherished moments in your fam.
They really will, thank you x x
Awww this is such a lovely post. I love how many Christmassy things you’ve done, it all sounds amazing. I love how you’ve combined traditional family things and new things. It sounds like the best December ever. York looks wonderful. I haven’t been there for about 25 years, but it looks like I need to visit next year for Christmas!
I did just leave a comment but now I can’t see it.
I just wanted to say that your December looked absolutely incredible. I love how you’ve combined family traditions with doing new things together and taking time out for yourself and your partner.
It sounds like 2020 is going to be super busy for you, but it’s lovely you’re leaving 2019 on a high.
Thank you! It’s been a great year but I’m very excited for 2020 💕
Oh what a great post. Your blog is lovely and I can’t wait to read more 🙂 I hope 2020 is kind to you
Thank you so much and to you 💕
How exciting about the wedding countdown. That time will fly by.
It’s pretty scary really!
Sounds like a wonderful Christmas, the lights are beautiful and I would love to do York Market
I can’t recommend enough, it was magical x
What a beautiful post to look back on! its nice to hear you can look past all the work being done on your house and enjoy Christmas. Happy New Year!
Thank you Sophie, happy new year to you 💕
What a beautiful post! This is my favorite time of year as well when I get to spend time with all the kiddies, so much fun!! Happy New Year!! 😉
Thank you Diana, it’s a wonderful time of year. Happy new year x x
I’m pretty convinced December is always the fast month of the year and it’s strange because it’s just as cold, dark and long as January and that seems to go on and on! Your December sounds like it was just as hectic as any a December should be and it sounds wonderful! I hope you had a good one Claire and wish you the best for 2020 x
Thank you so much Ellie, for all your support this year. I can’t wait to see where 2020 takes us 💕
Sounds like you had a wonderful December Claire! Here’s to a prosperous 2020 with many adventures!
Thank you Jenni! Sending much love to you for 2020 x
Sounds like a beautiful December… Busy though. 🙂 Wishing you a great 2020. 🙂
Sounds like a very busy December, love the places you’ve visited. Looks like you had a fab Christmas too! Hope the house stuff makes progress in 2020
Thank you Karen, I really hope so too x x
My mum died in 2017 – so it’ll be 3 years this year. It’s still really hard for us all, but especially my dad. We just look after each other and make the most of our time together. I did find Christmas hard this year though.