On Saturday, I had to stop by the house of a friend to collect something from her. When I rang the bell, there was a longish pause, then a great deal of scrabbling and fumbling. Uh-oh, clearly I should have called ahead.. She answered eventually and ushered me in apologetically. The hallway was full of bags and boxes in various piles. Evidence of a clear-out.
And it made me smile, because I recognised the impulse.The one that hits just before the decorations go up, the urge to purge the clutter and make ready for the season ahead. And there has been a little of that here over the last few days. Putting things to rights and attempting to pare back a touch.
The antlers were a birthday present - I just needed a little quiet time at home to install them in this spot, which is making me happy whenever I walk downstairs. And the boys have done such a good job of clearing the excess from their room, that I let them put up their teeny tree in all its gaudy glory.
And by the end of the weekend, the house was looking a lot more loved than it was at the beginning. Although our tree remains unpurchased and our outdoor lights are myseriously missing. We must have has Christmas gremlins last year.
The clearing also seems to have extended to my blog - what d'you make of the new look? It is designed to allow for bigger photos - a precursor to a resolution to get back to my camera in 2013.
I like the new look - very crisp and clean.
Posted by: rusty duck | 09 December 2012 at 20:04
Love the new look. And now looking forward to those big photos. I haven't taken a single picture since I stopped blogging--not good.
K x
Posted by: kristina | 09 December 2012 at 20:16
I agree, very smart and clean. Big pictures are the best kind.
Feeling a bit sad that nobody gave me antlers for my birthday.
Posted by: Sue | 09 December 2012 at 20:44
I've had a yen for antlers for a while but my birthday came and went - perhaps I'll get lucky in a couple of weeks. We cleaned our living room on Saturday - even the bookshelves and behind the sofas. Love the christmas tree lights.
Posted by: Janice | 09 December 2012 at 22:11
All looking shipshape here! I've run out of space on my blog because of my big pictures and am now in a quandary about what to do ... pay monthly for the storage perhaps. Hence lack of posting. Who knew?!
Posted by: Dragonfly | 10 December 2012 at 08:25
Lovely new look.
At first glance I thought the pictures were a new compound word game!
Posted by: glynis | 10 December 2012 at 09:06
Ooh yes, love the new blogstyle. I'm with Sue - I have antler envy.
Posted by: Emma | 10 December 2012 at 11:30
I like the new look and agree with you on the purging and sprucing prior to decorating - I challenged the children to find 10 things from their bedrooms that they no longer needed and could donate but it backfired as their rooms are even messier now!
I have been cutting out some antlers this morning, busy elving......
Posted by: French Knots | 10 December 2012 at 13:21
Oh yes, it looks very neat and tidy now and I like the idea of larger (and more) pictures.
Posted by: Toffeeapple | 10 December 2012 at 13:44
Very, very nice Ali! I'm very excited to see what the new year will have in store for you. And I had to chuckle at the format of your picture -- side-by-side -- I was very tempted to try to form a compound word! My weekend was like yours too -- the trash man isn't going to be very happy this week!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | 10 December 2012 at 15:17
Ooooh love the new look, especially with the big pictures. Your antlers are rather fab too! Here's to looking forward to lots more lovely pictures from you in 2013!
Posted by: Julie | 10 December 2012 at 17:21
oh nice!!
you're all spruced up and ready for Christmas!!
we have no tree either if that makes you feel better. And my kids haven't cleared anything. And the days are flying and I'm losing it a bit.
.... I might have a drink right now! cheers.
Posted by: monica | 10 December 2012 at 19:35
AND I LOVE THE ANTLERS!!!
Posted by: monica | 10 December 2012 at 19:37
It looks great!
Posted by: Diktynna | 10 December 2012 at 21:01
I like the new look. And I can hook you up with a stuffed head to go with those antlers.
Posted by: The Coffee Lady | 10 December 2012 at 22:07
Great new look and the antlers are fantastic - given the time of year would it be wrong/inappropriate to hang a red nose underneath Rudolph-style?
Posted by: Jo Carter | 10 December 2012 at 23:00
I was suddenly seized with terror when my old blog haunt looked so different! Looks good and still reads lovely x
Posted by: Emma | 11 December 2012 at 20:52
great new look....
Posted by: Dotty Red | 12 December 2012 at 20:29
Liking the new look very much :D
Posted by: Annie @ knitsofacto | 13 December 2012 at 23:26
I feel exactly the same urge for a clear out at this time of year. Spring cleaning passes me by but pre-Christmas cleaning always hits full on, and I love getting the house spruced up ready for the decorations to go up.
Love the new blog look and looking forward to more lovely photos in 2013.
xx
Posted by: Lesley | 14 December 2012 at 18:59
Love your new look blog Ali! Your photos always look wonderful but in this format they are relaityfnour going to sing. Now why didn't I think of asking for antlers for my birthday? Or even put them on my Christmas wish-list come to think of it?! E x
Posted by: Thomasina Tittlemouse | 19 December 2012 at 02:19
Eeeek! Don't know what happened to my typing! Should have read "really going to sing"! E x
Posted by: Thomasina Tittlemouse | 19 December 2012 at 02:20