Monday, December 20, 2010

Be Jolly By Golly!


Snow in Kensington Gardens last Saturday.

Today, I'm participating in Jen and Melissa's Be Jolly By Golly! blogfest, spreading the holiday cheer. There's plenty in London these days (unless you're trying to travel) -- a recent snowstorm has transformed the city and made it actually seem Christmas-y!

Christmas in London for me is partly trying, partly special. It's trying because I'm miles from my friends and family back home, but it's special because Mr TR and I have formed our own rituals, even though Christmas isn't something he grew up with.

We get up Christmas morning, feast on croissant and bagels, then exchange gifts. Wrapping up warmly, we then head into the deserted London streets (the one day no buses run!) and drive ten minutes to the South Bank, where we stroll along the Thames and over to St Paul's. Coming back, we'll pop into Founder's Arms for a mulled wine, then head home again.

A dab hand in the kitchen, Mr TR always creates a feast for Christmas dinner and after stuffing ourselves silly, we'll collapse on the sofa and cuddle up to watch the Christmas cartoons. Bliss.

Thanks to Jen and Melissa for organising this! Go here to see the list of other participants.

The Serpentine Lake in the blizzard.

87 comments:

  1. Wow... absolutely gorgeous! Seeing all these photos, especially those with snow is really getting me into the spirit of the holidays!

    It's hard to be away from snow! Thanks for participating!! I love your christmas celebration!

    Merry Christmas Talli!

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  2. Snow is so beautiful. I love when it's freshly fallen and not marred by dirty boots. Perfect white blanket.

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  3. Bliss indeed!!

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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  4. Beautiful! I love making new traditions. You and Mr.TR are doing a great job. Enjoy :)

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  5. It looks lovely, but I do not miss it. Enjoy your Christmas and have a happy, healthy New Year x

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  6. Have got my jolly santa hat on! It also has bells. Yo Ho Ho!

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  7. It looks way too much like Christmas over there! :)

    What a wonderful Christmas tradition you & your husband share.

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  8. What beautiful pictures and sounds like you have a wonderful day planned.
    I hope you have a wonderful holiday!!

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  9. You'll look back and realize the Christmases with just the two of you were the most special!

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  10. Great pictures. We haven't had snow in New Jersey yet.

    Sounds like a great, romantic and quiet Christmas. My husband and I had one of those once...nine months later we had a guarantee that Christmas would never be quiet again ;).

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  11. That snow is so pretty! And I'm so jealous. I want snow! Merry Christmas! :)

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  12. Merry Christmas, Talli and MR. TR!

    Bless. Your Christmas sounds perfect.

    Be Jolly By Golly

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  13. I can't believe that snow. It never happened when I resided on that side of the Atlantic. It makes everything so magical. Your Christmas rituals sound wonderful.
    Enjoy!

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  14. That’s cute. I’m glad Mr TR celebrates Christmas with you. I come from a part of Europe where we eat seafood on Christmas Eve. My husband always wonders why I haven’t given up that tradition. He’s not too supportive of it.

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  15. I bet Christmas in London (especially with the snow) is just gorgeous!

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  16. AHH! I miss the snow. Happy Christmas Talli!

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  17. Those pictures are beautiful! I love the snow. Your Christmas Day sounds like a fun time!

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  18. Sounds like a lovely way to spend Christmas, Talli :) Would you believe in Ireland no pubs open on Christmas Day? We're torn between alcoholism and Catholicism. . .

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  19. It does look lovely, but I'm getting snow-blinded now - I'd like it to go away so that normal services can please resume. Like being able to drive to a shop without skidding into the neighbours' car first.
    Lovely pics, Talli - and love your festive plans. Seasons Greetings to you and yours x

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  20. The snow looks just beautiful there! It really brings on the Christmas spirit. No snow yet here in New England, but hopefully, soon!

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  21. Oh, wow, I might have to move to London. That sounds like such a perfect Christmas!

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  22. Your Christmas routine sounds lovely. Mine involves a lot of chopping, pealing, cooking and getting hot and bothered. Although it IS lovely to have so many family and friends here.

    I have only had a Christmas routine since meeting Mr A, rather like you and Mr TR only the other way around. Hope it's a good one ;-)

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  23. England in the snow... looks beautiful, Talli!

    Merry Christmas!

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  24. Gorgeous pix, Talli. I love your Christmas celebration. Have the best time this year!

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  25. Awwww what lovely special and personal christmas traditions - a drive, a stroll, mulled wine galore, a feast and cartoons!! Yay for you and Mr TR!!!!

    Oh the beautiful snow - it's gorgeous watching snow in London!! Take care
    x

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  26. Oooh, sounds like a fun Christmas ritual! Steve and I are going to his nan's for a big family lunch. And we're exchanging presents. Obviously.

    I LOVE how pretty everything looks with the snow. It's the same here in Norwich. Though it's bloody cold. Which I do not love.

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  27. Lovely post Talli, I know Kennsington Gardens very well but never seen it quite so white.

    Yvonne.

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  28. Beautiful pics! Your day sounds charming. Christmas cartoons are the best. Merry Christmas to you and your hubby!

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  29. those snow pix are absolutely GORGEOUS! I love them, and I love your Christmas tradition.

    Have a great holiday~ :o) <3

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  30. Thank you, everyone! Merry merry Christmas! :)

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  31. Thats a gorgeous picture of winter! almost makes me like it!

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  32. Christmas in London, lovely! And I really need to read your book, because the premise sounds SO cool. It's on my list of books to read, for sure. Merry Christmas!

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  33. Lovely pictures and a perfect way to spend Christmas if you ask me.
    I make croissant french toast on Christmas mornings. Yummm.

    Merry Christmas, Talli (and Mr TR).
    Love,
    Lola

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  34. Really nice photos Talli! It sounds like you have a nice little tradition. Not usually this cold though...

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  35. Wow. You look like you had just as much snow, if not more, than we did here in Michigan! Merry Christmas!

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  36. Your Christmas sounds as if it's going to be wonderful.

    Love the wintery pictures. It's hard to imagine London like that.

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  37. What beautiful pictures! And your Christmas celebration sounds perfect. Thanks for sharing it. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  38. What a beautiful picture! I'm jealous of your sweet little London Christmas. Sounds fabulous!

    ~ Bess

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  39. I LOVELOVELOVE snow!!! Great pics:)

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  40. Sounds like a perfect Christmas :) Bagels and croissants sound pretty kick ass for a Christmas breakfast. My usual is a coffee and a cider, hehe.

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  41. Mmmm mulled wine! Sounds delightful all round! Merry Christmas! :)

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  42. It looks very snowy there. :D Wonderful wintry pictures!

    Merry Christmas!

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  43. Birrrrhhhhh....it looks cold. Great pictures. Starting new traditions is important.
    Nancy
    N. R. Williams, fantasy author

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  44. Winter looks so magical and beautiful in London! Great photos. :)

    ~TRA

    http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com

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  45. That looks seriously cold!

    Happy Holidays.

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  46. Sounds like a nice serene Christmas! Love the snow, it's beginning to look a lot like ... Canada there!

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  47. Love the snowy pictures.

    I love that you have your own traditions together. :)

    p.s. Hope you are keeping warm with all these freezing weather!

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  48. I'm soooo jealous of all the snow. It's raining here in Utah, where our state slogan is "The greatest snow on Earth". *sigh* LOL. Your holiday Christmas fun sounds great. Have a Merry Christmas, Talli!

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  49. Lovely! Cold but lovely!! I love Christmas time SOO much but there is something special about that time afterward when everything gets back to normal and no so stressful too.

    Merry Christmas Talli!

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  50. What a storm! It's so beautiful! My family is also miles away. My kids want to visit Grandma and Grandpa this Christmas, but we can't. It's so sad to tell them that it's just us, but we'll make it fun! Have a Merry Christmas :)

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  51. It looks cold, but so beautiful. I love that you watch Christmas cartoons.

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  52. Love the snowed-in London! Hope you have great holidays and that your book does well in the new year (and now, of course)!

    Merry Christmas!

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  53. Enjoy the Christmas card scenery! Beautiful pics! Have a wonderful Christmas holiday!

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  54. Wishing you all the best with your debut novel. Merry Christmas!

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  55. A blanket of snow is always beautiful to look at. It's snowing too here in Belgium; yesterday it was impossible to leave the house because of it.

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  56. Talli,
    Your photos are really magical. But the real magic is that you have Mr TR and Mr TR has you.

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  57. Lovely pics and that sounds like a perfect Christmas to me! Have a wonderful holiday season dear lady! xx

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  58. My goodness...so much snow! I've never had a white Christmas. WoW!

    Hope you have a very merry Christmas :)
    Lyn
    W.I.P. It: A Writer's Journey

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  59. We finally have snow! Yay! Thanks for sharing your pictures - it looks so peaceful.

    Happy Holidays, Talli!

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  60. Beautifulll picturues, Talli! Thanks for sharing! And it sounds like you are having and are going to keep having an amazing Christmas season! Glad to hear it :]

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  61. Goodness gracious- so much snow! Looks beautiful, but I'm definitely not jealous...I know we'll see it here soon enough!

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  62. So wintery! Love your pictures.

    We finally got our first snow today.

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  63. That sounds like a perfectly lovely Christmas! Enjoy it! Happy Holidays.
    ~Kelley

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  64. I lived in London for 10yrs a few years back. I SOoo miss it at Christmas time. When the city is white with snow, it is simply magical!

    Merry Christmas, Talli!

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  65. Beautiful! I can't believe the snow you're getting over there - must almost be like being back home :)

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  66. Love the photos! It's neat to hear about the traditions you guys have developed for yourselves, very neat (and it sounds like an awesome day!)

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  67. What a fun holiday tradition!

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  68. Snow is so beautiful...when it's falling in someone else's yard!

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  69. Can I just say, that looks colder than the freezer I'm sitting in here in Saskatchewan. Hope you have a great holiday.
    CD

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  70. That sounds like a great Christmas. And the pictures are so Christmassy.

    Merry Christmas, Talli.

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  71. Beautiful pics, you day sounds wonderful! enJOY making new traditions that speak to your heart!

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  72. How gorgeous! I love and miss snow.

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  73. Lovely photos! I love snow-- in pictures! I'm perfectly happy that we haven't had much yet and hope that it stays that way. Your morning in London sounds lovely. Happy blogfest and Merry Christmas!

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  74. It's nice that you have developed a new ritual, but I would definitely miss my fam! Have a Merry Christmas!

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  75. Holy! That is so gorgeous!!!! I wish it was snowing here! White christmas!

    Thank you so much for participating in our blog fest!

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  76. Wow, London looks beautiful.
    Enjoy your Christmas with Mr TR, such lovely traditions and heres to a wonderful 2011 for you both!

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  77. Snow! Like the Watford ring road only without the abandoned cars ;)

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  78. A winter's paradise. Breathtaking pics.

    Merry Christmas, Talli


    Michael

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  79. Hi Talli .. I don't think I've seen London quite like that!! Great pics .. just enjoy the special time you've created together .. the walk around the South Bank, over the wobbly bridge to St Pauls .. might not make it this year with the ice? .. and back home for a good meal & cartoons .. I agree couldn't be bettered ..

    Have fun and enjoy .. cheers Hilary

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  80. Beautiful pics! I'm hoping we get more snow here in upstate NY. There's something magical about all that glittering snow around the winter holidays. Sounds like a lovely tradition you two have created.

    Happy wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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  81. Wow the snow is so beautiful! My father in law is supposed to leave London to stay with us for Christmas, and we are hopeful that his flight doesn't get canceled or delayed due to the snow.

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  82. Winter in London - how fabulous! Merry Christmas!

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  83. Wow, blizzard on the Serpentine. How often would that happen! Your day sounds fab! Bliss!

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  84. Talli, that sounds like a wonderful way to spend Christmas. I've cisited London before (sadly only for an extended weekend) and can't wait to go back. Would LOVE to see it during the holidays...except without all the snow. :o)

    Merry Christmas!

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  85. Your snow pic in Kensington Gardens is absolutely wonderful! Enjoy your holiday! :)

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  86. Christmas in London looks gorgeous! I've been there several times, but only in the summer. Even though you miss your family, it sounds like you have a nice tradition going. We always eat croissants on Christmas morning too :) Merry Christmas!

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Coffee and wine for all!