FESTIVE MEMORIES

Natalie is a beautiful soul: kind spirited and vivacious, laughing wholeheartedly without reserve. She is my partner-in-crime when it comes to Christmas.

We always swap nostalgic tidbits, about Home Alone or Nigella's chocolate truffle recipes. When we are together, we like to reminisce about christmases so-far-past, that we never even experienced them: about vintage trees, gilded walnuts, pomanders, and may baskets filled with candy canes. 

Not surprisingly, Natalie's christmas decorations are always gorgeous. I always remember the year that I stayed late at her house, gluing gumdrops onto a gingerbread house and marvelling at her bountiful looking christmas tree. It was laden with all manner of heirloom baubles and giant blooms of purple hydrangea flowers...