Last year, just after Christmas, I wrote that these were my favourite days and I'm happy to say that nothing has changed. Our little family is safely gathered in, the cupboards are stuffed with good things to eat, and we have more than enough of everything we could possibly need. It's a good feeling: knowing that we are free to rest and relax for a few days, happy in each other's company.
The shape of the days has shifted over the years, of course, from early toddler rising, to languid teenage lie-ins. And that's no bad thing. This year we have moved on from looking for spare batteries to searching for extra biros so that we can compete against each other in Christmas quizzes and crosswords
though if The Tall One supplies more answers than I do (and I think he will) to the History Magazine Special - he's making his own turkey sandwiches.
This is the first time I've turned the computer on since Christmas Eve (so now I'm savouring the thought of a big blog reading catch up later); but I have still been gathering photos and stories to enjoy again over the next few months. The one about the laziest hamster in the world; the one about the Christmas magic which allowed our clever uncle to have his parcels delivered on Christmas Day itself; the one about the gift of Photoshop and where it will take me..
I hope the festive spirit is still with you all for a few days yet!
I too enjoy these lazy days of lounging about in my pjs, opening and closing the fridge, watching rubbish on the tv etc. But I also know that the washing is calling and I will definately be going back to the gym. Enjoy it will we can Sian
ReplyDeleteIntriguing - can't wait to hear more about hamsters, uncles and Photoshopping! So pleased you had a good time :-) We're not yet competitive about crosswords, but we've mainly moved on from batteries, hooray! xx
ReplyDeleteI agree with you the days after are special, quiet and calm here too. This is a lovely post Sian. Enjoy Photoshop! It is new to me, I don't find it intuitive at all so things are a struggle for me. I can do two things with my photos with it! My challenge for 2011 will be to make a digital page with it!! How about you?
ReplyDeletelazy hamsters? sounds v interesting. i'd love a go at that crossword, havent done history for a while but i'd give my answers i knew. off today to meet the cousin and family at the parents for lunch and playing with the fredster who is 2,
ReplyDeleteLove Jo xxxx
Full Photoshop or Elements? I do love my PSE. Hope you have lots of fun with it.
ReplyDeleteLooking gorward to reading about the lazy uncle and the clever hamster...or...?
Sounds wonderful Sian. I must admit I am enjoying the chilled out-ness at the moment. Then everyone descends on us again on New Years eve :)
ReplyDeleteKirsty - Elements for me, that's more than enough for my technology brain cells to work with! And it's def the hamster who is the lazy one. Uncles who can make their presents appear on Christmas Day when they live overseas are very clever indeed :)
ReplyDeleteMiriam - I'm hoping to learn how to use some of the lovely actions I've been seeing on other blogs. I'm looking forward to watching your progress too
Sian - I too love the lazy days between Christmas and New Year's! It snowed heavily (6") on the 26th, so it feels very cozy inside.
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely that you already know the Christmas stories you want to tell. I too love having everyone here for a lazy week, I just wish that fewer of our provisions had such high sugar and butter content! But I won't worry about that until the next week!
ReplyDeleteI,too, love these lazy days...especially after the slight craziness of xmas day itself...though OH returned to work today......and I did venture out today to pick up one or two sales bargains.
ReplyDeleteGlad to "see" you back in blogland. It sounds like you have some great memories to record. We enjoy working crosswords together, usually completing the Sunday crossword, always in pen which sometimes makes it a little messy. LOL
ReplyDeleteThe words 'lazy' and 'hamster' don't often end up in the same sentance so looking forward to hearing that story! And hey, there is no end to magical tricks uncles can do - even when they are thousands of miles away!
ReplyDeleteHope you had a good time, we're enjoying the quiet time too although I seem to be singlehandedly finishing up all the Quality Street (even the ones I don't like)!
Although we did no traveling this year, I have stayed away from the computer except for a few brief moments. I really love being able to just relax and hang out after the holidays are over. Now I'm looking forward to hearing about everyone's Christmas celebrations.
ReplyDeleteI think you will love Photoshop Elements. It is quite user friendly and there are lots of tutorials around. One of the best things I did was take one of Jessica Sprague's courses. I learned so much and then felt more confident about trying things out for myself. I just got a new DVD on PSE 9.0 which I'm taking with us on our trip next week so I can learn about the new features.
Sounds like some interesting stories! Love the lazy days too. :) Hope you had a Very Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll love having PSE to play with. I've been using it for a number of years and have to admit, I've been enjoying learning the digital layout side of it now. So quick and easy! ~We're finally getting to unwind and have another day before people head back to work! XX
ReplyDeleteMy first return to the laptop today - to see some lovely Christmas wishes from you as well as a super post from today - good luck with the crossword - we managed to complete the Radio Times one ... and I managed TWO of the answers!
ReplyDeleteHope the festive season continues to be good. JJ xx
Oooh, Languid lie-ins sounds good... I wish! So much to do around here still - a Mother to look after and other jobs. I hope for a lie-in tomorrow though!
ReplyDeleteSounds as if you are all having a relaxing time together. And the list of future stories is interesting...hamsters, Christmas Day deliveries... can't wait!
Merry Christmas to Sian and family.
My mind is agog at the thought of Sian and Photoshop .... hmmmm, I can't wait to see what you come up with!
ReplyDeleteHave a great few days, we have been participating,in a family sense, in all of the quizzes as well!
Mmmm.... more stories. Can't wait! I love the lazy days after Christmas. Unfortuantly this year I had to work and have spent the past 48 hours away from home. Now unwinding and ready to catch up with some wind-down time.
ReplyDeleteLook forward to seeing what you do with Photoshop. I treated myself earlier this year and keep promising to devote some time to mastering it.
A good book I bought is by Scott Kelby & Matt Kloskowski. I think they do one for different versions of photoshop. Have fun playing!
Sian,
ReplyDeleteI signed up for a FREE class called the skinny mini at Kim Klassen designs. It runs from 1/10-1/21, and yo can find it at this link:
http://www.kimklassencafe.com/elements-skinny-mini-ecourse/
One of our blog friends (Jacky, maybe) recommended it. I also bought a Jessica Sprague class but haven't gotten too far with it yet.
I would love to have a few lazy days. We were very busy after Xmas with my family in Southern California, and the kids loved it! Henry said "that was the best weekend in a long time!" We're home now, and I"m hoping for a few days of rest & relaxation.
Rinda
I'm looking forward to your stories - especially the lazy hamster one,and my grown up boys were still up at 7.30 on Christmas morning!
ReplyDeleteglad you had fun sian! hope you have water - just seen "the crisis" in the news!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy PS - it's not so hard & there are lots of online tutorials to follow. Have fun, you'll wonder how you ever managed without it!
ReplyDeleteDelighted to hear you are venturing into the world of Photoshop and am fully expecting you will be outstripping the rest of us in no time!
ReplyDeleteWell this all sounds very intruiging. Look forward to finding out more! :)
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