Eclectic Home and Life: Basildon park

11th December

Everyone is busy going about their daily lives with the added job loved or loathed that the Christmas season demands. News is still being made out there on a daily basis and closer to home a good friend suffered a huge loss at work this week.. Life pauses and stops for a moment but the world demands it carries on. All these conflicting emotions are difficult to handle, do you feel the same? One moment I am so excited about the season and the next I feel guilty for those that cannot share in it for whatever reason. Contradictions messing with my head.

A day out
This week I was lucky enough to have a grand tour of Basildon Park house by none other than Amy from Love Made My Home. Although I almost didn't make it. I thought we were meeting on Tuesday (I was wrong, it was Monday, I checked in my diary Amy, you were right) Just after 11 on Monday morning I missed a call from Amy. Unusual that she should call me so I dialled right back only to realise she was already at Basildon whilst I was snug in my home!!! Like a mad woman possessed I ran out of the house, screech along the roads in my jalopy and ran up to our meeting place. The elderly women all crammed into a small car in the car park of the National Trust House looked at me as if I were something to be scared of. Despite the disastrous start and my profuse apologies, Amy took it all in good grace we had a wonderful day together at Basildon. She doesn't know this but I am hoping we can go again together several more times, there is lots to see there and they sell the best hot chocolate. Thank you Amy, it was a lovely day.

Basildon Park in December sunshine

A Christmas tree made out of books, fabulous!

Apparently Downton Abbey was filmed here,
this was used as part of their London residence

Obviously not using this Kenwood chef to make Christmas cookies this year

The walk from the car park to the house was delightful

Even fairy doors were hidden amongst the

Gift wrapping

Each year I like to change how I wrap my presents and this year my focus is on gift tags. These hand stamped tags are extremely quick to make and on some very special presents I have crocheted some tags, more on that in tomorrow's post. There is an incredible amount of presents to wrap and hopefully I am not too late sending those further afield also...

Quick hand stamped gift tags ready for present wrapping

Decorating

Our kitchen is always decorated from December 1st, its a Norwegian tradition, it is here that Christmas makes and bakes are made and having this room decorated jollies everyone along and into the festive spirit. Christmas kitchen Our main decorating takes place after December 20th and the tree usually on the 23rd. But I do like to sneak a few little items here and there before that, including the porch to welcome everyone in.

I finally decorated the porch for the Christmas season

Even decorated the holy bush outside
with my glass fused robins

...and my angel

Making
This time of year is frantic for making and this week has been no exception. Wednesday night saw my last glass fusing course for the year and these little snow scenes were the result. Just waiting now to see how they turn out after firing and will be ready to be given to various hosts and hostesses we visit as thank yous over the festive season.

Christmas scenes in the kiln yesterday, just waiting now
for them to cool down, excited to see how they turn out

Baking
Christmas season is also for us all about baking. In Norway we bake seven different varieties of cookies and so far I have baked 4, number 5 I will share with everyone on Sunday. Do you have a favourite cookie recipe you could share with me, would love to try some new ones too.