Scent of X'mas



Pink Snapdragon



Guaging from the onslaught of X'mas catalogues stuffed half hazardly in the mailbox, the festive season has officially begun. 

I love the goodness of X'mas. People are more generous at this time, not only with gifts but in spirit as well. Guess it has to do with the expanse of goodness and well wishes at this time of the year.

I love the smell of X'mas, it's so snugly. It is said the memory of scent lingers, thereby associating us with different times and places. X'mas fills my memory with candles and potpourri scented with tartly sweet berries, spicy nutmegs, cinnamon, clementines, frankincense and evergreens.

I love the warmth of X'mas. Sipping warm apple cider by the fireplace, nibbling cranberry pies fresh from the oven, snuggling under throws, wiggling toes in thick terry socks, wrapping gifts and stuffing stockings.

Cozy and homey and good.

Pour moi, c'est Noel.

Some Advice



Gerber Daisies, love the art deco hue



Found this lovely bouquet on sale at the flower stall. Heck, my place desperately needed a pick me up after two months without a helper. Important lesson learnt - Never, ever, ever heed to advice you innately felt wrong. Ditching the helper was a bad move. I went nuts picking after the kids and myself. I was cranky and tired and the situation felt hopeless. Yes, it was that bad and it was hell.

I finally called my ex-helper. The day she came I fell ill with a pounding migraine. I was running on adrenalin the past two months, strained to the max. String loosened, the tiredness finally caught up.

It's a stupid decision made at a moment of weakness and I still berate myself for it.

What is right for everyone else does not mean it's right for you. Practice listening to yourself and backing your beliefs. Reiterating encore une fois - Never ever, ever heed to advice you feel wrong. Am I glad everything is back in sync. I have a life now.