It has been a glittering Christmas.

I did intend to blog every few days, but somehow the whirl of seasonal preparations, family fun, mass catering and constant entertaining just hasn’t left enough hours in the day.

For which I apologise.

We have sat, my sister, family and I, around the big kitchen table sharing cheese and wine, pickles and treats, chocolates and wine and cocktails.

We have enjoyed big hearty meals for ten, or sometimes more, consuming quantities of food that you would find hard to believe possible.

We have pulled glitter-coated crackers together, spraying those tiny silvery speckles over everything and everyone.

Afterwards, we have shopped the sales together, trying on – and buying – frocks and shoes. I had forgotten what shopping with my sis is like…

The novelty of having time to just shop, without having to feel guilty, or be back for a certain time, or have a sulky lad in tow. The understanding of one another’s tastes. The enthusiastic urging and cooing when the right thing is found…

Just more enjoyable than I can possibly describe.

Having her two teenage girls along for the ride just added to the fun.

My sister’s visit is passing all too quickly. Just after New Year she will be off skiing for a week, returning for another fortnight before flying back to Australia.

The last two weeks of her visit will see lad back at school, my partner back at work, me with commissions to finish, and Christmas over and done with.

So it will feel very different.

There will be clearing up to do, sewing to re-commence, and real life will impinge.

But I’m not sure I will ever stop sweeping up that glitter. ♥