The run-up to You Know What

I made this door wreath many years ago, from elements that I bought at a huge craft fair which is held in Birmingham every winter. After a while I decided I was bored with it and replaced it - but after just one year of the replacement this one came back out again. It somehow fits the mood we aim for here at Christmas - secular, but sparkly and welcoming - and the house doesn't seem quite the same if I don't use it. The wreath and a window light are the first decorations I put up each year; I need to bottom out the main reception rooms over the next couple of days so that everything else can go up next week.

I'm afraid I'm still largely absent from Blipland - the headache that woke me last Sunday turned into a cluster, and I've been struggling to stay afloat for the past couple of days. Luckily today's brain pain is more of a hovering threat than a full-blown headache, so I'm hopeful that the end of this cluster might be in sight. I'm planning to get another early night to try to see it off, because we have a busy weekend planned and I need to be back on form.

Despite my stupid head I've enjoyed my fifth week at the helm of Tiny Tuesday - although there were 94 entries, and once again you all decided to make my life difficult with your great shots! Walking Wombat is taking back her challenge for the next few weeks, though I think she's planning on giving it a short break at the end of the year.

My five favourite shots this week are:

lizellen's drippy agapanthus bud.

Riwaka7's pawlonia seeds.

Crispin25's Japanese anemone seed head.

WWombat's grass tree flower with bonus butterfly.

DelenaJane's snowflake.

Honourable Mentions this week go to:

suejay50's filigree leaf.
WharfedaleBex's strawberry.
mollyblobs and AJC for fascinating fungi.
greg_lovett's drippy leaf.
ninniex, Wildwood, trevsastar, Mario and isbi for beautiful bugs.
AH14's daisy.

Thanks again to everyone who has played while I've been hosting - it has been great fun looking through all your shots. I know that Walking Wombat would be very happy to hear from anyone who'd like to do a stint at the helm in the New Year.