a virtual coffee & a much needed *catch-up*...

oh it's nice to be sitting back at my laptop with a cup of tea...it's icy cold outside...& i'm so glad that you've come for our *virtual coffee*...'cause i've missed having you all in my day!


i knew this would happen...just as i get you here...i lose you to my gorgeous new artwork...
so as you stand & stare at this christmas loveliness at my kitchen door...
i would tell you that my british bestie & her hubster made this for us...
oooh we love these guys...
they are do-ers!
we needed a christmas message...& they dropped it over!!!
what do you think?

so...if we were really meeting for coffee today...
you may gently remind me that we usually meet on a tuesday...
& then i would smile wide & tell you that on tuesday i was actually shopping with my gorgeous ella & my mum visiting from australia for christmas presents...
& then i would pull out all the many bags & show you everything...
& you'd probably remind me that i was not long ago...showing off that i had finished all my christmas shopping....
& then i would sigh & suggest that maybe one never finishes all their christmas shopping...
there is always one more thing that someone really needs! ;)

so after we'd oohed & aahed & discussed the oh so serious matter of gift wrapping this pile of goodies i would tell you...
that yep....snow really is falling all over england...
we have only seen a smattering, enough to get a taste of what we hope will follow...
& then i'd share a little tale of a very special place we know...
it's the *Forest of Bowland* & we have head up there each year since leaving our sandy life on the beaches of Oz....
to cut down our own christmas tree...
{i think i'd probably pause for effect there...& offer you more coffee or tea...}
& then i'd remind you that for a family of salty beach-reared sydney siders...this lovely country ritual of ours {all three christmas' old!} is like living in a story book!
& then you'd hopefully oohh a little more-just for my sake...to let me know that you get how much this means to us...
{did i mention how much i've missed you guys since last friday?!}

then you may {politely} ask me why we've had to *squeeze* into the room with the gorgeous fire going & why we've had to *squeeze* over to that pink chair i always like you to sit on....
& that would involve more fresh coffee & maybe a little *smakeral of something*...
you see, when i left my mum & our big gal catching up on the couch in front of this very same fire the other day....
they whipped up *75*....yep you heard right...*75* white christmas lanterns for me & our front windows!
they are across the entire two big bay windows...
&
they are still all over the floor...
i'm so happy with this kinda christmas project...
as it works for me on two levels....
1. i L.O.V.E white lanterns...
&
2. i need the windows cleaned!
so...at least in one room, i can now pretend i don't!

i'm just so happy to be catching up that i haven't really enquired about your windows...
or your lanterns...
or your christmas tree gathering stories...
so if we were really catching up...i'd stop talking & start nibbling for a bit, whilst listening to you & all your tales & stories...

then...i'd ask you if you could really have anything in the *whole wide world* for christmas -would it be world peace?
or just a good nights sleep...
a new coat...
or maybe a box of mangoes...
a sleigh ride with your kiddos...
or a hand drawn christmas card...?
then i'd hope we both got a little of all the things we'd hoped for....
then i'd admit i'm just as happy with the gorgeous paper-chains my kiddos made for me when we had people over for drinks last week...well almost.... ;)

if we were really having coffee i'd thank you for being a friend...
someone who brings creativity & friendship into my life...
i'd thank you for seeing who i am...
for knowing that if we *visit one another* via our blogs...
we'd *probably* be great friends in *real* life too...
& then i'd hug you before you went on your way...
past my new little christmas trees planted in old french buckets...
back out in the minus four degrees day...
into our village....

& as you were sliding down our iced front path...i'd quietly ask you if you'll wait a week longer for our next virtual coffee together, as i am taking the lovely hubster to marrakech for his 45th birthday...
45 deserves a true adventure...
i mean i don't know....i'm not nearly there yet.... ;)
but he says it deserves an adventure...
&
who am i to argue with the delights of travel & birthdays!


so thanks for the *drop-in*....
us aussies love the *drop-in*...!
thanks for hosting *virtual coffee* my dear friend amy...
{shall we all have at least one virtual vino night together, before christmas, Amy??
you can do your mulled wine for us all!!
anyone else up for it? }
& i'll see you all friday for a *friday flower*...

...happy holiday preparing....

&

...mango slurping...

or 

...sled riding...

where ever you are in the world

enjoy!

xox