Guess what I got for Christmas? ...

Hello

Thankfully the power has stayed on since Christmas Eve, and although some roads are flooded, we are all okay and can get out of the lane - one way anyway!

We have had a lovely few days, spending time with family, eating and drinking too much, and not doing very much else.  I hope batteries are re-charged.

New Years Day is my husbands 50th birthday!  Goodness how did we get middle aged?!

So, tomorrow evening we are having a quiet meal in together, whilst Matt parties.  Mark is going to collect him after midnight.  I did offer, but he insists he does it.  (I am not happy about Matt staying at "mixed sleepovers" - I just wouldn't relax!)  And then we have a family get together on New Years Day.  We are meeting for lunch in a local pub, and then coming back home for a cup of tea and a piece of birthday cake.  I am making chocolate orange cup cakes tomorrow.  I can't remember the last time I made a birthday cake - it make well have been Matt's first birthday!  I hope it all works well.  A very kind friend has given me some instructions, and leant me her cup cake stand, and icing bags.  I have bought plenty of sprinkles to cover any less than perfect bits, and a big sparkly 50 candle.  I will try and take some photos along the way.

You may recall that I was lucky enough to get a new camera for my birthday.  I love it, and I have a lens to take sports photos, but the lenses I have haven't been very good at taking close up shots.  But that has changed.  I have a new lens.  The sun shone yesterday.  Please join me on a short walk to the post box (why does the visa bill always need paying between Christmas and New Year - it isn't funny!) I took my camera and pondered and looked along the way.

 Such blue sky and red berries

 Sad to see so many bits snapped off trees - but loved how it caught the light

 Lichen - so beautiful

 Which way?

 A decaying tree trunk

 Can you spot the wagtail above?

 Interesting shadows

 Strangely there are daisies growing on one of the school fields

 Walking back towards home now

 Sunshine on bramble leaves

 A long tailed tit - but he blends in vey well.  There were so many of them flitting in and out of the bushes.  I can't recall hearing such load bird song at this time of year.

 Back home - and teasels

 Apple tree branches

 A cheery viola by my front door

 Passion flower plant tendrils

 Winter jasmine

 Pony tail grass blowing in the wind - at least I think that's what it was called.

 The garage roof

 Climbing hydrangea

Looking at the smaller details there is still so much in my garden.

Sorry there are so many photos - I had fun!

Happy New Year - hoping 2014 brings you happiness.

xx

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and hope you have a great time wherever you are. 

We've been without power since last night. It wasn't looking great - a bit like this really. Except colder - even with the fire. 

But at least my blanket was appreciated!

There's a few jobs that won't be getting done now. 

Thankfully the power has just come back on - so I've painted my nails, 

Poured a glass of wine and we are off out for supper and then to chapel for the midnight service. 

Wishing you happiness. 

Take care. Xx

A Winter's Day Walk

The first day of the holidays, and whilst last night was blowing a gale and raining so hard, today has been beautiful.  Cold and bright.  The best sort of Winter's days.

A friend who I met all those years ago at ante-natal classes, and I had arranged to meet for lunch, so we were able to go for a walk too.

We met at Wakehurst Place.  Matt took charge of the camera - you need to bribe 16 year old boys to walk with their mums!  I think he did a good job, and it's nice to see what he noticed along the way.

Back to wind and rain now - and the forecast says it's staying stormy now.  Thank goodness we were able to get out and enjoy the day.

Night x

Christmas has arrived ....

I am finally getting there.  Cards made and posted.  All presents ordered and arrived, or purchased.


Some wrapped - I'm not totally organised!  Quite a few to deliver still, but I think it's under control.


I decorated the tree and house at the weekend.  I love the theory of decorating the house all together, but in practice it has to be done my way!   So best, I do it all myself, whilst the boys are out.  And they can say nice things when the come back to a prettified, twinkling house.  












It was the Winter Concert last night.  I love hearing the children perform, particularly having seen some of them grow up.  Some started playing the recorder at 5.  It could be said that those initial performances could be a little painful at times, but they have matured in to quite accomplished musicians. 

Tonight is the "School Disco".  Goodness those teachers earn their money.  After supervising house sports matches this afternoon, they then supervise 600 teenagers at a disco - keeping them in the designated areas, and ensuring no alcohol is smuggled in!  Who would want that responsibility at the end of a long day, at the end of a long term?

It's the last day of term tomorrow.  We are looking forward to not having to set the alarm for a couple of weeks.

Sharing my decorated home.

Merry Christmas!

x

Sunrise

Life doesn't always go to plan does it?  Sometimes "stuff" gets in the way, and makes you feel tired - or at least that is how I'm feeling at the moment.  Not overwhelmed or anything awful, just a bit tired.

But there are somethings which always make me feel better - and this is one of them.  What a glorious start to the day.

I only had my phone with me, but I think you can see how lovely it was.

Onwards and upwards as they say.  All Christmas presents purchased, Christmas cards made, but I seem to keep putting off the wrapping and writing.  I really must get down to it in the next few days!

Advent Garland

I have been wanting to share pictures of my Advent Garland for a few days - as I was terribly excited when I put it up - well actually my husband had to reach up as I wasn't tall enough!

But my lack of photography skills mean I just can't get the pictures to do it justice - but I shall publish them anyway, otherwise Christmas will be over!

I made the hearts using Sandra's pattern from here and was inspired by Lucy's idea - here.

I am not one to get over excited, but I have to confess I was so happy when we strung this in the lounge - I think it may be one of my favourite crochet projects so far!

Thanks for stopping by - I'm off to go and wrap more presents.  I had an idea to use a Kraft wrapping paper, and make individual tags and paper bows.  Well, it seemed like a good idea at the start - but I must confess to getting a little bored of it now!  But the results are very pretty.

Sara x

Watching

the sun go down 

and the mist roll over the field

before going to Chapel for the Advent Service.

Hope everyone has had a good weekend. 

x