Merry Christmas!

I can't believe it's just days until Christmas.

Since I last posted, I've been busy finishing my latest book and preparing for the festive season....

making Christmas puddings

and a cake

going to quite a few Christmas Fairs

Christmas shopping in London where I met the bears at Harrods

Putting up the Christmas tree and trying to keep Poppy away from it

and seeing my latest book, A Child Claimed by Gold on the shelves in my local store.

Now, I am just about ready for the festive season and would like to wish you all 

A Very Merry Christmas

Rachael

xx

Poppy's Corner - Introducing Poppy

Today I’m introducing my adorably cute writing companion.

Hi, I’m Poppy and I’m almost twelve weeks old and I arrived at the Thomas house two weeks before Christmas and have been settling into my new role as writing companion. I’ve even been given the perfect pedigree name by the breeder, Mafleurdean Love Heart.

This is me a few weeks ago sleeping on the floor of the writing room, whilst Rachael wrote. But little did she know then, I was lulling her into a false sense of security. I’m a puppy and I am not going to just sit quietly beside her whilst she taps away on her keyboard – unless I’m really tired.

I like nothing better than to drag her out into the garden when it’s raining on a false mission and when the family put up what they called the Christmas tree, things really got interesting. I managed to pinch a decoration and run off with it and this game of chase around the house was really fun. Then when they were all sitting quietly, I chewed the lights, which I discovered was a bad thing, because they could have been on, but hey, it caused mayhem and that’s my aim for the next six months at least!

So stop by again and find out what mayhem I managed to make.

Love

Poppy

xx

Winter Party and Christmas Fairs

I'm back at my desk after a few days away, where I braved the disruption on the rail network following storm Barney and made my way to London for the RNA's Winter Party. I arrived in London much later than planned, but at least I did arrive in time for the party, which I started in style with a glass of bubbly with fellow Write Romantic Helen Rolfe.

From the party I headed back out of London and to a friends house, where I spent a few days catching up and visiting Christmas Fairs at the local historic houses.

As it poured with rain we arrived at Blenheim Palace where we enjoyed the magnificent building which featured in the new James Bond movie Spectre. It's easy to see how this vast and ostentatious building can lend itself to a movie such as Bond - which is still on my list of things to do!


After that we enjoyed the Craft Fair and indulged in some Christmas shopping as well as plenty of chatting over coffee!


The stalls there ranged from seasonal decorations, to paintings, to clothes and hats. There was of course food, where Christmas cakes and puddings were on display.

From there we made our way to one of my
favourite historical houses, Waddesdon Manor, where we sampled the delights of their Christmas
Fair.

After a wander round the stalls we headed in for coffee and cake and by the time we came out it was dark and the full glory of the Christmas lights were on display, making me want to rush home and decorate the trees on the farm.

By Friday I was back on the train and passing the time by writing and this time the journey went smoothly.