All good things for 2011.

This morning is the last of 2010 and of course its a time to look back and forward.

All of us will have had happy times and sad times but life is like that.

"We do not live an equal life, but one of contrasts and patchwork; now a little joy, then sorrow, now sin, then a generous or brave action" - Ralph Waldo Emerson.

I love this quote, it puts things into context.

I wish all my friends a 2011 with many patches of joy and when times are difficult I wish you bravery and generous friends who love and care for you.

Happy 2011.

Christmas Eve at Kerjacob.

Looking around I thought I'd put some more photographs of Christmas here.

These lovely figures were a present from my husband a few years ago, I love them.

Pie is curled up in front of the wood stove and so are Tortue and Samuel.

We have snow on the ground and I'm looking forward to tomorrow.

Happy Christmas to you all from us all.

Christmas wreaths.

I have been , at last, able to go out into the garden today.

I went hunting lots of greenery to make my Christmas wreaths.

Having three doors to the house its always a big job but I love it.

The two circular wreaths have lots of rosemary in them so they smell wonderful.

On the old door that we use all the time I managed to find a very long length of ivy and I've draped it along the top of the door frame, simple but festive.

Next will be the Christmas tree that will stand outside the old door so everyone who passes, including the cows, can enjoy seeing it.

Hearts.

I have a growing collection of hearts.

When I went out this morning the snow had decorated one of the hearts which is a plant support.

Nature does some wonderful things.

We managed to go to our friends for lunch today.

Yesterday we had no choice but to stay at home as the snow was just too much to be able to go anywhere in the car.

I did however have some time to work on the frame for a collage .

I also did some small experimental collages which I shall use to make Christmas cards for some special friends here in France.

Now I'm sitting in front of the wood stove getting warm.

Snow on snow.

Last night it started to snow more heavily and its still snowing now.

Everywhere looks beautiful but its meant no visit to the market at St Brieuc which I love especially just before Christmas.

Tonight we should be going up to the coast for dinner with friends but it looks increasingly unlikely.

So it looks like some rare time for me to do some creative things, I'm working on a new idea for a collage in a box frame.

Christmas begins.

Yesterday I made a start to getting some things to put together for Christmas.

First of course it was giving everywhere a good clean.

(Wood stoves are wonderful but they do manage to coat things in dust !)

The rusty wreath I just love and I've added some of my collaged hearts to it.

I also managed to plant up two pots with tulips, I'm a bit late but they'll be fine.

I'll be getting more things for Christmas each day, I love it that way, more fun.

Exhibition of glass.

Whilst in the UK I went to one of my favourite places, Ruthin Craft Centre.

There was a wonderful exhibition of glass.

I'm sure you too will enjoy the colours in the photographs.

Back to Kerjacob.

I've been back from England for just over a week.
I had good times and saw some wonderful exhibitions, especially Gaugin at Tate Modern.
I went up to Yorkshire and stayed with good friends who live near The Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
I was luck enough to see the David Nash exhibition whilst I was there as well as going to the Holmfirth Craft market which was excellent too. So much talent and so many things I would love to have brought home with me.
I am posting some of the photographs I took and will tell you more next time.