Hi

Hi there

How is everyone feeling?  I don't think I need to eat again until the New Year - at least.  But I know I shall reach out for the chocolate tin again this evening!

It has all gone smoothly here - which is a relief!

We went out for a Chinese meal on Christmas Eve, before going to the Midnight Mass service at Matt's school.  I love going to this service.  A bit of an effort to keep going, and I often think around 10.30 that perhaps I'll have an early night, but it is always worth it.  Beautiful carols, and candlelight, and a time to remember what we are actually celebrating.

Then it was just the 3 of us for Christmas Day.  My family and Mark's family are complicated and not all local, so to spend the big day alone avoids and issues of  any "favouritism"!

The weather was glorious and we made it out for a lovely walk to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, and so that Matt could use his new camera.  He is having great fun with it - a GoPro.  A tiny little camera which can be put on cycle helmets, strapped to your chest, held at arms length, attached to a dog ........  Amazing results for something so teeny!

Boxing Day was the turn of my family to visit, and eat and drink. (Please don't count the number of bottles in my recycling bin!)

Now my guests have all gone, and the bedding has been washed and changed, floors hoovered and washed and the house tidied.  Mark took Matt to play golf today - again glorious sunshine, and I have enjoyed having the radio on, and some peace to potter around.  I have tidied my yarn stash!!!  And frogged the cowl I had started making on Christmas Eve - I think it was the stitch rather than the yarn.  That is what I am hoping anyway.  I shall spend some time on Ravelry this evening trying to find an alternative project for the yarn - a very soft cotton aran.  Nothing has leapt out at me so far.

Now the pretty bit - photos from our walk on Christmas Day.

Matt insisted on wearing the hat from his cracker over the top of his hat. :)

The light has started to fade and the temperature dropped quickly

But still time for a game of "Pooh Sticks" and I won!

This little fellow was singing very loudly!

Almost home - this is the school Chapel where we went on Christmas Eve.

I hope you can all enjoy this week - whether you are back to work or having a break.

Take care.

Sara
x

Wishing you a happy crafty Christmas!

Hi all

I still have many things on my list, so may not be around until after Christmas, when we don't have so much in the diary.  Not that I am complaining, it is lovely seeing so many friends.

I will still be reading blogs, as I tend to do that first thing in the morning.  :)

But I want to wish you all a happy Christmas, and a great break with friends and family, or whatever you choose to do with your time - have fun.  xx

Sunrise

I had to get up at silly o'clock this morning as I had to get Matt to school for 6.45am!  He is lucky enough to be taking part in an engineering workshop at Southampton university.  

On the plus side, it meant I could enjoy the sunrise today, and I thought I'd share it with you.  

x

Christmas Decorations

Ending the term yesterday with a wonderful carol service, meant that today was the first day of the Christmas holidays for us.  So it was the day to decorate the house.  A long lay in for Matt, and a PJ day for me.

I started the day by putting the marzipan on the cake, and then made mince pies.  By then, Matt was awake and got the decorations down from the loft.

Smudge wasn't impressed with the days activities!

Assembling the tree.  Real trees are great - but have just got too expensive for us.

Have you made one of Cherry Heart's Christmas tree skirts?  I love it! :)

I've also loved the way the sun has streamed in to my house all day.

Not sure what to say about this one?!

The playroom tree.

Dining room decorations - can you see the crocheted baubles?

I might need to take another photo tomorrow so you can see them more clearly.

My front door.

The tree in the lounge casts a glow over the whole room.  I love it, father-in-law hates it.  Good job he doesn't live here!!

The talking teddy - we've had him since Matt was little.

My crochet advent garland - enjoying this again this year.

I've moved the snowflake garden to my kitchen window this year.  Can you see my poinsettia?  I've had it just over a week now, and it hasn't dropped a leaf yet - some sort of record for me.  They are always bald before Christmas Eve!

Well, I'm working through my list - albeit slowly.  I have hardly started wrapping presents, and my craft list is still long, but now that school has ended, life will hopefully be a bit more relaxed with a bit more crafting time.

I hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Sara

x

Winter!

Hi

I hope you've all had a good week.  It has been grey, damp and thoroughly miserable here.  I have been writing lists of things that need to be done to get everything organised and ready for Christmas.  I seem to have spent longer writing lists that actually making any progress.  I don't know where to start, what I want to do and what I should do don't tally, and I therefore avoid doing anything!  Hence I'm writing this!  I think it's a common problem at this time of year.

This morning has been beautiful.  The sun is shining and there was a heavy frost last night.  Matt has gone to watch rugby, but as he isn't playing, I decided to meet a friend more locally.  We drank hot chocolate and ate mini doughnuts, and discussed what we should do this afternoon.  

Before I went out, I made time to take some photos.  The only time my camera has been out this week!  

The sun is streaming in to my home.  So much so, that I hadn't realised the boiler had gone out, and the heating hadn't come on this morning!  (I only realised when Matt went for a shower and there was an absence of hot water!)  A cold water shower did not make my teenager happy.

Smudge is a very elderly lady now, and spends pretty much all her time indoors and asleep.  This morning, she was determined to find the sun too.  My crochet cushion was the perfect spot, until the sun moved.

I love noticing how the frost makes the plants appear.  I never tire of frosty photos.

If there is a negative though, I do wish the sun wouldn't hi-light the dust quite so efficiently as it shines through windows that suddenly look filthy!  Something else to add to the list?  Probably not!!

Wishing you a happy weekend.

I really am going to try and tick one or two items off my list this afternoon.  

Maybe .......

x