Week 51/52 - We are almost DONE!!!

OMG last week was sooooooo busy.  The last week at work for the year is always like that, it is the big push to get work finished and invoiced, holidays pays sorted, accounts paid, etc.  I went in every morning to focus on one thing each day so by Friday we had it all in the bag!!!

There was still time for other things like:

Taking advantage of some free tickets to go to the Trees at the Meteor.  I have been going to this each December now for I would say about 5 years.  This year Alex came with me.  We both voted for the tree on the right, a Dali inspired one.

I quite like this large one covered in Pop Corn!!  Had cute little ceramic bird houses and crocheted doilies on it, and inside were some Elves.

A sneaky little Op Shop visit, which resulted in this small but fabulous finds.  The chair is ADORABLE!!!  The table cloth is too cute, and the egg cup, well, fun!

Of course time got spent in the Garden.  

Even at night when all things RED look fantastic!!

Day or night my sidekick is always on hand or is that paw?

On Friday I got a text at work from the ladies at my favourite Op Shop, Orphans Aid in Frankton to tell me I had WON there raffle, so this is my being SURPRISED!!  Huge haul of goodies.

Friday night TOF and I went to check out the decorated houses in a suburb called Harrowfield.  We parked and walked around the streets checking out the houses covered in festive lights.

As well as lights there are inflatable things, I think Santa on the right looks a little flat.

How lovely do white twinkling lights in trees look.

Saturday I picked up my friend Pam and we went out to Woodlands, in Gordonton. First we had a coffee and some very delicious cake @ the lovely cafe outside.  So many baby sparrows were hanging around waiting for crumbs.  We then wandered over to Woodlands Homestead as it was decorated for Christmas.

Pam had never been so that made it really good.

I am inspired by the shelf made from an old wrought iron headboard in the childrens room.  There was complimentary sparkling Cranberry and shortbread down stairs which we tried.

Then it was off outside to wander the gorgeous garden.

 The Hydrangeas were spectacular!!!

Well the entire garden is!

On our way back to Hamilton we stopped off at The Manderine Tree a Gallery in Gordonton.  I purchased the Christmas star for our tree.

Also the small pottery Chicken which is now Gnomes, and he has claimed the little chair.

Of course no trip out that way is complete without calling in to Wairere Nursery!! My lovely boss gave me a cash Christmas bonus so I had a wee spend on some gorgeous plants for my garden.

Not a bad selection of colourful things to join the garden.

And then with a wander around the private gardens.

It was TOFs 60th Birthday yesterday so our little family plus his sister, brother in law and his mother met up at our local for lunch.  Then friends joined us for the afternoon for a few beers and games of pool, and plenty of good banter!!

The presents are under the tree.

Even Reindeer Sheba is ready.

 Christmas advice!

So how ever you celebrate this time of the year, be safe, be happy and stay well.  Happy Festive Season to you all!!!