I love the days leading up to Christmas

This year there are so many things that I am enjoying in the days leading up to Christmas. I am not working this month, so I haven't experienced any last minute rush and have been doing everything at a leisurely pace.

Today I will be baking our Christmas cake. I soaked the fruit mixture in Cognac overnight in preparation. It tastes delicious...better not try too much of it!

Mum will be baking pfeffernusse cookies. I love the smell of them baking with all the Christmassy spices...cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, ginger and cardamom (my mouth is watering just thinking about them). We give a box of pfeffernusse cookies to the postman every Christmas, his family look forward to them every year.

Here are some of the other things that I have been enjoying, during the days counting down to Christmas, here in New Zealand:

- Strawberries and plums, lovely juicy and red to match the occasion. Our plum trees usually fruit in time for Christmas, and my strawberries have been fruiting all year!

- Pavlova covered with fresh berries and cream.

- Pohutukawa trees with their gorgeous red flowers against dark green leaves. Perfect for Christmas.

- Scented candles. My favourites are pomegranate and orange, and also vanilla. And this year I had the chance to actually make candles for presents. Such fun.

- Cherry liqueur chocolates in their shiny red foil wrapping. I can never wait until Christmas to start eating treats!

- Picnics under the trees in the garden with my cats.

- Sitting on the deck reading Christmas-themed novels.

- Hibernating in the house with the cool air conditioning turned on when it is very hot and humid outside.

- Wrapping Christmas presents and making cards while listening to Christmas music.

- Decorating the house. Putting the Christmas tree up. Memories that the tree ornaments bring. Feeling like a kid again :)

- Going to the local twilight Christmas market.

- Filling my Santa sack with little treats for myself throughout the year. No peeping inside until Christmas Eve!

- Reading my favourite blogs sharing with me all about Christmas activities. And searching Pinterest for Christmas ideas.

What bliss it is to be able to experience all of these things in the time leading up to Christmas this year. I feel so lucky :) I hope that you have the time to enjoy yourself too.

See you soon.

Hugs

Rose x