The Holly And The Ivy

 How hard can it be? That woman on Gardeners' World, Kirstie Allsopp and every body else on TV says it is easy-peasy to make a wreath for your door. "All you need is a wire ring, some reel wire [that's wire on a reel not real wire] moss, and lots of lovely greenery." they say.

I took my trusty big flower bag, my very tall husband, and a pair of secateurs - and we went for a good long walk, foraging in the lanes. I found holly, ivy, cupressus, cotoneatser, and other stuff I'm not able to name. And an old fence covered in moss.

I had made a mistake with my ring [ordered online] it was way smaller than I'd expected. But it didn't matter. But Kirstie and co never said how hard it is to wire prickly holly in place! With gloves your hands are protected, but it is not so easy to manipulate things. I worked outside in the garden. My artist neighbour admired it from over the fence, and suggested I needed more red on the right hand side [she was absolutely right]

Then I discovered there was no easy way to hang it on the front door. So Bob helped me to suspend it from the light. Now I am glad that it is no bigger - it fits very neatly above the slate nameplate.

I put one of my circular decals on the door instead. [please note reflection of slimmer photographer!] But there was a great deal of foliage left in the bag...

I took the lid off my red enamel coffee jug to make a small table arrangement. And used my larger IKEA jug to do a display for the window sill.

I do not have any antique chairs- so can't do the National Trust thing of putting a holly sprig on the seats to prevent visitors sitting on them!

I also have some lovely scented narcissi displayed behind my 'Willow Tree' nativity. A gift from a kind friend following our recent bereavement. I think that Cornerstones is suitably decorated now!