Happy New Year!

Just a quick note to wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Did you all do something fun or did you do what we did? - veg out trying to finish off alcohol and chocolate in order to start 2010 the right way! Unfortunately I couldn't make it to midnight and fell asleep, however we were woken up at 3.45 am with the phone ringing - a text message saying 'I've drunk too much champagne, but looking forward to drinking more in 2010' (or words to that effect). Not sure who it was, but we did see the funny side to it.

I can't believe we are here at the beginning of another year. As much as I feel sad Christmas is over, I do welcome January in as much as I look forward to a new calendar!, getting stuck into new projects, a vase full of flowers once the decorations have been put away, and generally having a good sort out.

Speaking of projects - this one is still on the go - and yes it's for 8+ but it's got to be basic for me to get my head round crochet!

I know I posted about it earlier in 2009, but it got put on the back burner due to work commitments. As a rule I don't make New Year's resolutions as the disappointment of not sustaining them is too great! However, my crochet is one I'm determined to get under my belt - wish me luck. I'll probably be posting about still trying to learn in 2011!

At this time of year, I like getting creative and during the Christmas break started and finished! a couple of projects which I'll share with you next week.

In the meantime, enjoy the start of the year, have a fantastic weekend ready for the onslaught of the routine again next week!

Wonderful Christmas

Hello everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas - didn't it go quickly? I always feel a tinge of sadness once the big day has passed, however, there's lots still to enjoy before normal routine beckons!

The snow came just at the right time, and we had enough for the boys to play in and enjoy - it certainly helped to wear off lots of excess energy!

Time was spent drinking and eating lots, plenty of walks, pleasurable activities with friends and family, and an odd game or two of Monopoly.

We really enjoy the 'traditional' Monopoly and this version takes it to a new level - including electronic banking! - great when you've had a few mulled wines..........

Santa certainly didn't let us down, with plenty of lovely goodies to enjoy. I'll share some of them with you next time.

Whatever you're doing for the rest of the Christmas break and New Year, have a fabulous time and see you bright and breezy in January!

This is it!

Let the excitement begin!

The house is now decorated, the schools have broken up, presents have been wrapped and all that is left is some enjoyable baking!

Having seen everyone's lovely snowy photo's, I was feeling rather 'jipped' as we hadn't had any snow at all - apart from the early hours of this morning. We have finally had some - not much but enough for the boys' to have a good play in it. What great timing!

There is something very magical about the first snowfall, completely untouched by human hands, watching it sitting majestically on the trees.

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year - I'll be back in 2010 with more adventures.

Take Care.

x

In the bleak mid-winter

Every day I pop outside into the back garden to go into my summerhouse to pick up my work supplies, and very rarely do I stop to have a look at the garden - firstly because I haven't got time, and secondly it's just tooooooo cold.

Well, today was different. I was so pleased as my little primrose's I planted back at the end of August are still flourishing. As silly as it sounds, it made my heart skip - for a number of reasons. You see, as much as I like Christmas I struggle getting through the winter months, and as I get older I resent the winter months even more. Primroses signify spring, birds' singing, bulbs and those much awaited longer days. Don't get me wrong, I'm certainly a 'glass is half full' kinda girl, but boy seeing those primroses this morning really did lift my mood.

Isn't it amazing that despite nature going into hibernation, you can still get glimmers of colour.

I salute you, primroses!

I might be making progress

Morning All,

I hope everyone is getting on with everything they need to do for Christmas? We can now officially say that Christmas is next week - yippee! I don't know about everyone else, but I'll be mighty glad when the boys' break up, it seems to be taking forever.....That's when I feel I can relax a little!

The tree has finally been decorated, the lights twinkle on the tree outside, wrapping has commenced and baking is underway.

Whilst at Country Living I bought what looked like Christmas puddings wrapped in fabric. - in fact they were scented rosehips tied in a bundle with some string - such a simple but great idea. The scent coming from them is glorious and fills the room when you walk in.

I managed to get the backbone of orders completed over the weekend and only have a few left to get finished this week so all is good.

Jack has been busy with his art work over the last few days - he did a drawing thinking that there was a competition at the school fair - unfortunately there wasn't so his drawing had to come home. I was secretly quite pleased as I thought he had done such a good job so we now have the pleasure of it.

Amy from Bubbles Thoughts was kind enough to give me an award over the weekend

I have to list 5 things I like doing and pass it onto 5 friends' - Here's the 5 things I enjoy doing -

1) Being with my family

2) Running my business

3) Cooking

4) Having a good old rummage through antique and charity shops

5) Being outside

I'm going to cop out on the passing it on, as there are so many enjoyable blogs which I read. Anyone who reads my blog and would like this award, accept it with my pleasure.

See you later in the week.

Florence Nightingale part 2

Hello All,

I can't believe it's been a week since my last post, and boy what a week it's been. Non stop 'stuff'.

The decorations are slowly making their way to their temporary new homes, the Christmas tree has been bought in from outside and is waiting for us to glitz it up! It's taken me a couple of days to move it, turn it and straighten it to make sure it looks good from every angle - does anyone else do that?

Looking at the photo, it isn't actually straight, better get onto that, ggrrrr.






Victoria from Florence and Mary noted on her blog about the new Delia book to accompany the series. I really enjoyed watching the programme, so popped out at the weekend to buy it, and what a good book it is. I've written my list of recipes I'm intending to do, whether they'll happen or not is a different matter.





If I get a chance today, I'll give the cranberry chutney a go as it looks quick and straightforward and ideal for the store cupboard.



I have home son number 1 with the same symptoms as son number 2 a couple of weeks ago. I got the dreaded phone call from school asking me to pick him up as he had a temperature and a headache. I must say he looked very ropey. Today he's not so bad but I can only describe him as a deflated balloon. Such a shame but I'd rather him at home rather than being at school catching whatever else is going round.


Before I forget - did anyone see Kirstie's Christmas programme last night? - it was really enjoyable and very inspiring, although I'm still not a converted tinsel lover. Baubles yes, tinsel no. What I like about her is that she's very real and doesn't pretend to be something that she's not.


The Lewes antiques centre is the exact one we went into a few weeks ago on our little jaunt to Sussex. It is the best antiques centre I've been in and couldn't quite believe it when I saw it on TV last night.


Anyway, cranberry chutney to be getting on with.


Bye!

It's no good

I can't resist temptation any longer - it's time to get a few Christmas decorations out. I've pondered about when to start, for the last week, and today I've thrown caution to the wind and thought 'what the heck' - a few won't hurt!

The glorious advent calendar hubby bought certainly didn't disappoint. Sometimes advent calendar's look great on the outside but not so good on the inside. The pic's are so sweet.

Time tonight to open a bottle of mulled wine and indulge in a few chocolate truffles.

Cheers!