All I’m saying today is that my Christmas present came from……

Boudoir Blush!

The tree is decorated…….

It’s cold outside, but warm and toasty in here……

The cake is made and decorated…..

Presents have been wrapped……

The Wreath is made and is on the door…..

Sleeping dogs have been left to lie…..

I think I’m ready for Christmas……

Come On!

Every year I buy myself a couple of new decorations – that I delight in seeing year after year at Christmas time. I am not in favour of buying completely new decorations every year!

This year, in Cologne, I came across this beautiful shell pearl bauble (Note the Twinkleberry pink and brown colours…)

I could not resist this delicate little felt Pansy Fairy…..

But the star of the show has to be this glamorous reindeer!

We’ve just come back from a marvellous trip to Cologne! I love Christmas – I think I might have already told you that…? And I had heard about the German Christmas Markets, so when my Aunt told me she was coming to stay for December I started looking around for something special for us to do. Cologne is apparently one of the best places for the markets – there are 7 dotted around the city. We travelled over by Eurostar and ICE. The first thing you see when you leave the train station is Cologne Cathedral.

The Cathedral is one of the world’s largest, took over 600 years to build and is the biggest Gothic church in Northern Europe.  It dominates the city and I was astounded that is still stands after the pounding that Cologne took during the second world war.

While the outside of the building is dark and brooding, the interior is architectural perfection, with light streaming though the myriad of windows.

There is a market right  beside the cathedral, as you walk through the stalls you are tempted by the most wonderful things to eat and drink, Gluhwein and traditional German foods, French crepes and Belgian waffles – for us – the caramalised nuts were irresistable!

You could skate under the sparkling lights……..

Or have a wonderful, wacky hairdo!

You could watch a sculptor carve an owl, out of a chunk of wood, sparks flying and the scent of pine filling your nose ( no Health and Safety here!)

The gnomes and other magical creatures keep an eye on you………don’t forget to look up to catch a glimpse of them!

You can buy the most delicious Stollen from this lovely lady:

and even meet a handsome man!

No, you can’t have that one – he’s already been taken!

Cologne is a wonderful city to wander through. It was devastated by the bombing during the war, but every now and then you come across beautiful buildings, full of architectural detail that holds the eye. The people are friendly and welcoming – the climbing frames are great!

We came across this little library, that borders a huge park and play area – what a cool place for a library!

Saw ancient jewels, that make your heart skip a beat……….

And at the end of the day, when you are tired, cold and your feet ache, a beer hall is the perfect place to recharge your batteries! For traditional food and Kolsch – served in uncharacteristically delicate glasses!

Wonderful!