Back After A Brief Interlude

Why hello there!
It seems like forever since I have posted here; these past days have been so hectic with Christmas Day, seeing relatives and other such excitements.  Unfortunately, just before Christmas I had to have my gorgeous black labrador put down, which put a bit of a downer on things. It was for the best though, and she fell asleep in my arms.

I loved having a quiet Christmas Day, it meant that I could shamelessly wander around in my Kigu Red Panda Suit:

This all-in-one is just so comfy and despite what the haters say, I think it looks awesome!

Santa paid me a visit and left some incredible gifts under the tree (obviously I had been a good girl in 2010).  These included:

Tom Ford Black Orchid Perfume

Purple Skullcandy Headphones

Ridiculously comfy cashmere socks

I hope Santa treated you well too.  Keep your eyes out for my "New Year's" post!

Lottie

xxxx


P.S. I've really been enjoying finding an odd 20 seconds to shove inspiration up on my "Scrapbook", take a look at the links on the right to have a peruse.

A Christmas Story

The carols sound from the kitchen, accompanied by my mother's tuneful humming - she's stuffing the turkey in preparation for Christmas lunch tomorrow.  I smile as I sit on the stairs and watch the hustle down the corridor, Fred carrying bags of wood for the fire, Casper following dutifully behind gazing up with admiration at his big brother.  Coming towards them is Jessie, laden with a teetering pile of wrapped boxes which she cannot see over.  I love this time of year; the frosty window panes which will only melt after the fire has been blazing for hours and until then we are all expected to "layer up" as Dad used to say.  This is our fifth year without him, we have become accustomed to not sitting on his knee whilst he tells us tales of Robin Redbreast and how he once saw Dancer and Blitzen when he was as tall as the door handle.

Casper can't really remember his booming laugh and smiling eyes, he was only 2 when the accident happened.  At least he's used to mother helping us to lay out the glass of brandy accompanied by the obligatory home-made mince pie and carrot for the reindeer.  It doesn't seem quite right though, as we are all called through into the kitchen signifying that the turkey is done and it's time for her spindly, gold banded fingers to reach down the dusty bottle from the top shelf rather than the robust, strong palms which had previously grasped the bottle with ease.

Lottie
xxxx


(Author's note: this is NOT autobiographical)

Christmas

I have finally got round to listening to the new Coldplay Christmas song, entitled "Christmas Lights".  I am in love with the piano in the video - see photo below - I have decided that I may just have to paint my boring mahogany one a lovely rainbow shade.

The song itself is a little depressing, I'm not going to lie, but it has a peaceful feel about it. After all, Christmas is a time for loving and sharing so although he feels "it doesn't really feel like Christmas at all" - for those who are happy, it gives a chance to feel contentment and for those who aren't, it is a chance for them to feel that they aren't alone.

What do you think about it? Let me know!

Lottie 
xxxx

A Christmas Cookie.

I made these cookies as a gift for the people at Mohonk, a resort and nature preserve in New Paltz, New York.

To make the logo, I first drew it on AutoCad, which is an architectural design program that I use at work. I then printed a bunch on one piece of paper and placed it underneath a sheet of acetate paper, which was taped onto a cookie sheet. From there I piped over the template with royal icing, painted the designs with luster dust, waited for them to dry, and carefully lifted them off the acetate using a small offset spatula.

I applied the logos to the cookies when the green icing was still wet.