Monthly Musings: December - A Christmas Like No Other
diary
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Each month I reflect on what’s been happening for 1O 1O 1O, sharing what I am grateful for and looking to the month ahead.
December is a month that many look forward too. A season of joy, gifting and merriness - a time to bring the family together, but this year it was different. This month offers a time to reflect on the strangest year I have ever experienced, whilst remaining positive that things will change for the better.
Author Beck
Usually, in December I celebrate my birthday in the lead up to Christmas. The whole month is taken over with Christmas parties, lots of food and treats - it feels like the best excuse to get together with friends and family. With a pandemic in the background, it was always going to be different this year. Many family's plans had to change, including ours! Having shielded at home since March, Scott and I have been very careful. My parents isolated from the beginning of December to allow us to visit them safely. However, a national lockdown put an end to those plans, so we spent Christmas at home. Like many families, we connected over video calls to play games, open presents and have a good old
chin wag.
Despite being just the three of us (including Baloo!), we had the least stressful Christmas and the tastiest too.
Yum!
Knowing how plans change a lot over the past year, I'd planned and bought a few things in case we had to cater for ourselves. I admit that it was mainly frozen and didn't look the most appealing in the packaging - it was probably the tastiest Christmas dinner we've eaten! Catering for a smaller number means the oven keeps at the correct temperature and cooks the food consistently. It's no wonder a large turkey starts going dry when it's the size of a space hopper! Cooking that through will undoubtedly means the outside dries out. That's why I am planning to install 2 -3 single fan ovens in the new house, rather than one double oven. It means you can break the catering down into parts!
A top tip for carrots is to drizzle with a little honey and butter - simply delicious (even the frozen ones we had).
All I Want For Christmas
December is a month for gifting - it's a double whammy as I celebrate a birthday too. I try to write down ideas throughout the year else I end up with lots of winter clothes. So here are my top 3 wishlist items if Santa's reading.
Ok, I have asked for one item of winter clothing, but this is the perfect coat for dog walking and I love the khaki colour too. I can’t say no to a lovely table lamp like this limewashed one from Cox and Cox - it can go in pretty much any room! Finally, anything from Neom is good with me - I love their candles as they finish off the room with a heavenly scent.
Life By Design
This month’s newness we can’t be without is this oval mango wood and white marble console by Rocket St George. You may have seen it pop up on the Hallway Inspo post, but it’s much more diverse than just using in a hallway. Dark and moody, with a marble top and a storage drawer it’s a true allrounder.
I'm on the lookout for a charming settee to use in the hall or our new master suite, something like this cutie from McGee and Co. If I find it, I am sure it will make next month's "Life By Design" section!
It’s All is Good
Now we have reached the end of this crazy year it’s time to reflect on all the things we are grateful for. You can also use this time to start setting your intentions for next year rather than resolutions - they tend to be about stopping something.
I am grateful for the continued health and wellbeing of the ones I love. Fortunately, Coronavirus has not yet impacted my family and I hope this continues to be the case. I want to pay thanks those who continue to work delivering food and necessities, keeping the lights on and services working during this tough time. Their actions have allowed us to shield and stay safe - for this, I am truly grateful.
One final thanks go to technology. Had this pandemic happened only a few years back staying connected with friends and family could have been a very different picture.
Setting some intentions for next year can seem daunting at the best of times, with so much uncertainty over the future it can seem hard to make plans. Instead focus inwardly and think about your journey and self-improvement. With vaccines on the horizon, there is hope that things are changing and 2021 heralds a road back to 'normal'.
My intentions focus on the next 5 years as a couple. Trying to reschedule our wedding and build our dream home. In order to do this, I need to be the best designer and partner I can be. This means looking after my health through continuing to train, get fitter, drink more water and take more breaks from my desk! The flip side is how I can continue to cultivate a loving and caring relationship with my significant other. All the small things count. Making a cup of tea, listening to Scott's thoughts and opinions and knowing when he needs his own space. This has never been more important and it's something I'll never stop working on.
I hope you and your families stay safe and well from this year through the next and let's look forward to 2021 with a renewed sense of optimism.
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