The Gingerbread Men Christmas

This year, I don't know why, Christmas had a very different feel.

Is it because I feel a bit more settled in my new country? Is it because I wasn't out of work for once ( since the last 3 years) at this time of the year? Is it because there were so many friends ( far and near) to share it with?

Let's start by lovely things that arrived by the post.

First, a delightful doll purchased on Etsy at Rafael's lovely store.

There were a few extra gifts in the bag and I was like a little girl in a candy shop!

Then, there was another treasure made by my friend Evelyn.

She had added some delightful caramels to the parcel ( which didn't last ve

ry long)

(yes, I am wearing red glitter on my nails for the holidays!)

Then MORE treasures arrived!

from Spain!

AND...my absolutely wonderful and very talented KIM sent her usual handmade Christmas

decoration which I was excited to put in my tree!

Each year, Kim takes time to make something and send it on this spe

cial occasion.

Kim and I have met through blogging and I am so proud to count her amongst my very loyal and true friends, even though we have never met in the flesh.

Not yet... I know we WILL meet one day.

As I hope I will also meet Evelyn, and why not YOU who is reading this post right now.

This year, Christmas was filled with friendship and precious moments shared with people who made it clearly exceptional.

It was just about being together and having fun!

Robert's son, Ben and his girlfriend Fanny ( who is French too!) came home to join us in a lovely quaint church to celebrate

Christmas carols by candlelight and spend Xmas day with us.

I was saying how disapointed I was not to have found the very traditional biscuits when Fanny gave me a huuuuuuuuuuge smile saying in her soft voice " there is no problem with this!

It happens that I have made plenty and I will need to finish them tomorrow if you don't mind me using your kitchen? They still need eyes and smiles".

So, after a magical Christmas eve, singing carols, then gathering in the lounge sipping sherry and watching The Muppets Christmas Carol, we all went to bed.

The next day, Christmas operated its magic before my very eyes.

Fanny started working on a whole army of gingerbread men!

Giving them little souls,

...and crimson smiles.

This was definitely one of the best touch ever to my Christmas table!

Handmade Gingerbread men!

I hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas !

I will see you again in 2012!

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All my love and hope all you wishes come true!

My lovely aunt at Ladurée !!!

Sometimes is good to pamper yourself and feel special.

Because you ARE!!!

I only really treat myself once or twice a year but when I do, I love to go to Ladurée.

This time, I went with a very special person: my aunt!

Here she is showing one of her favourite pages of my last book.

She is the one with whom I spent the greatest holidays in my childhood.

She was always spoiling me and making me feel great and special all the time.

She would buy me really girly stuff like: pink and glittery clothes, shiny shoes with tiny heels and pink nail-polish.

In fact, she would get me anything that was forbidden at home by my parents!

My heroine!!!!

So, this time, I thought it would be nice to give the same in return.

No...not glittery clothes and pink nail polish...but, something to make her feel special.

So we went to Ladurée at Covent Garden!

This delicious Ispahan didn't last long, believe me!

My lovely auntie tried to take several pictures of me but it seems that photograpy isn't part of her skills...he!he!

Anyway, we truly felt like princesses and it was such a delightful time to spend together.

Next time, I would love to go with her and my mother.

I will have to write about my mum one day.

She lives far, far away in Australia and I miss her like crazy.

Super big sigh...

The dolls had a last photo session and were delivered to Benjamin Pollock's after our meal.

Covent Garden was illuminated with Christmas lights but I forgot to take some pictures as my aunt and I were too busy chatting and giggling!

Then , at the end of the day,we had to part.

On my way home, on the train, I remembered all the good times we had together, how she made my childhood special and it gave me a huge smile on my face.

Happy thoughts and happy memories...

I hope you do have many too.