Friday Five and Life in General

Today I'm combining Five on Friday with happenings in the last two weeks.   Our eldest grandson and  family visited us on Sunday.  He had driven up to see the other grandmother in North Yorkshire. We  had lunch together before they went back to their home in Cambridgeshire.  Our local daughter joined us, but it's now getting harder to meet up as the working family members potentially come into contact with cases of  the virus.  They've been testing for covid daily and thankfully have had negative results, but naturally they want us to stay safe and well.  Our Berkshire daughter is coming to stay over Christmas, and she'll also be doing tests before she comes. I've been busy preparing for her visit.  Once again we're thankful for a warm house and not having to go out unnecessarily.  

This morning I was greeted by the activity of the birds in the garden.  This one was singing sweetly in the hawthorn tree.

There was a slight frost overnight.  

Thank goodness for the covered yard's shelter for the plants and trees. 

The chrysanthemums seem to be happy there.

Mr P got the artificial Christmas tree down from the loft and slowly it got decorated with special ornaments and vintage baubles (top photos daytime and lit up). Daughters D and M sent photos of their decorated trees.  Jasper kitty looks as if he's happy on his bean bag bed. 

Some favourite ornaments.  Jack Frost in the sleigh was made by me when I was a child. The horse was part of the set I had of Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation Coach drawn by horses ridden by the Queen's coachmen.  The horse is all that's left. 😔

There are some new traditions as on the shelves there's a collection of handmade cards made by daughter M and granddaughter A and a cotton reel figurine with crocheted bobble hat and legs.  

I hope your days are going well and you have a good weekend.   Thank you once more for your visit.