New Years Eve!

Wishing you all the best for a very Happy New Year!

Thank you to all my wonderful swap partners and friends I have made over the last year.

For those that are partying or just staying at home, enjoy your family and friends and stay safe.

See you all in 2011!

Stitching Around the Block

Just before Christmas my Stitching Round the Block Friendship block arrived home.

I started it,Carol added the next round, then Marina and finally Fiona before it came back to me. Now I've just got to decide what to do with my block. I have several ideas at the moment. In the meantime I am currently stitching the hexagons into flowers to do the final round on Fiona's block.

Isn't it just lovely? I let them choose all the colours based on my original stitching and I think they all did really well adding their own special touches. Thank you ladies, it is really special and I love it.

Now on to some gifts I got for Christmas

I was lucky enough to get not one, nor two but three quilting books from my MIL.

Rather aptly named!

I have three jelly rolls that I bought at the quilting fairs I went to, so I am hoping to find some inspiration in these books. Ideally I'd like to make a special quilt for my Mum and Dad to take over with me in February, but I'm not going to try and be too ambitious!

Of course I got another mug to add to my collection!

Rather cute I may add.

I've had rather a couple of very lazy days, lying in bed reading and have finished three books since Christmas Day.

A Week in December by Sebastian Faulks. A fantastic writer. All his books are so different and I have enjoyed them all so far.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. This book was recommended to me by my friend's daughter and she bought it for me while she was staying with us. Quite a departure from my usual reads but again a very enjoyable and difficult to put down book. Well worth a read.

The last was Derailed by James Siegel. I have either heard of this book before or seen it as the story line seemed really familiar although I didn't know the ending. Not the best book I have read, but not the worst either and an easy quick read...well if you stay in bed all day! ;-D

I wonder what will be next on my reading list? Better not start anything today as I really need to get a few jobs done tomorrow. Have had enough lazy days!

DS2 had a major meltdown last night. The worst in a long time...we knew he was building up to it, and yet could do nothing to calm him down as we just couldn't talk to him. Fortunately he did eventually calm down (after storming out of the house and staying out for several hours) and we managed to 'almost' talk about it this morning and things seem to have reached an even keel. Just a reminder to us that he can still be extremely difficult. But on a whole I think he has improved a lot since this time last year.

Now the snow is melting. It has been grey, damp and miserable all day, perhaps another reason why I opted for the sanctuary of my bed!

Well think I will do a spot of sewing before I have to think about dinner for the family.

Thank you Secret Santa!

Is this really the result of my nice tidy lounge? ;-) Certainly looks like the boys had fun opening their presents!

I very much enjoyed opening my Secret Santa Swap and was delighted with the gifts 'Santa' gave me. Birds, Sewing Machines, Wool and Chocolate! Now what more could a girl want?

Thank you so much Santa - I really have no idea who your Alias is so I hope you are reading my blog and see this great big Thank you. So worth waiting until Christmas Day for! :-)

A couple of Christmas Day photos...

Christmas Greetings

Merry

Christmas!

Hotchpotch

I hope everyone is remaining calm and collected and have managed to get all they need for Christmas, after all the shops are only closed for the one day so is there really any need for panic?

I woke this morning in pain yet again after a bad night so hubby said to phone the doctor. I managed to get an appointment in the morning and the doctor has advised that I come off the Lyrica as it could be causing some of my problems. So over a period of nine days I will be weaning myself off them. Let's hope that works as I am just so sore all over at the moment. The doctor also sent me straight to the hospital to have some xrays of my spine, fortunately we were seen straight away. She took quite a lot of xrays and asked whether I'd ever been told I have scoliosis before? Not that I remember, although I do remember my mum always telling me to dress myself 'straightly'! Anyway I will find out the results in about 10 days time I believe. Once off the Lyrica I have been given another medication to try just at night to help me sleep so we will see if that helps.

While we were out hubby and I then did the food shop and he bought be a dress as well. Aren't I a lucky girl? So we are now all nicely stocked up for the Christmas period.

Not up to doing much else today, haven't managed to clean out the guinea pigs, but have filled all their hutches with lots of lovely fresh hay and food and they seem happy enough. Would have liked to have done some sewing but well...best laid plans and all that. Might sit with some heat packs and see if I can manage a spot of knitting...I have a fun little project to make.

Just taking a few photographs around the house to brighten the post today...

A new bear...today's Advent gift.

Yesterday's Advent gift, a useful notepad and address book.

A card sent from a friend of Mark's. Oh he must know me so well...the perfect card...made me smile, just like the piggies are!

Cute little snowman and woman sign hanging on the wall in the kitchen.

A treasure I bought for £2 earlier in the week. Blue of course!

Wishing all my lovely friends a Very Merry Christmas!

A Flight of Dragons

My friend Tania and her husband in Australia collect dragons for their wedding anniversary and a few months ago she sent me the photos of them and asked if I would put them on my blog for her. It has taken me a while, but here they are in all their splendour with special memories of each year gone by.

Her lovely daughter has now left us to stay with relations in Gloucestershire for Christmas. I think she will have a fabulous time celebrating Christmas in true English style!

Wonderful day.

We've had a lovely day out today in Welwyn Garden City trawling through the charity shops as well as John Lewis. Of course a day out isn't complete without the obligatory cup of tea, lunch and of course cake....long gone by the time I remembered to take this picture! We both came home with a few bargains in the form of a tin, china ornament and of course books.

How do you know you have teenagers in the house?

They take over your computer!

Never mind I was lucky enough to have a parcel to unwrap yesterday while said computer was being used...

Pressies from my best friend in Australia...above teenager's mum!

Such a cute and oh so perfect card.

Caught in the unwrapping act!

Tania on the left and me on the right with the plaits! ;-)

Cute coasters...

Wonderful fabric, a cute teabag/spoon rest (horses of course!) and two cute sewing machine buttons which I forgot to photograph.

Thank you my dear friend I love it all to bits, especially the two little girls.

I've been very lucky today as well. When we came home from our shopping trip, there was not one, but two wonderful parcels awaiting for me. Oh how exciting I do love this blogging world.

Firstly from dear Pip a friend on both SCC and blogger these wonderful jugs...

I am so thrilled to add these to my collection, thank you so much dear Pip.

She also sent this lovely felt brooch, blue of course!

Isn't it cute?

Next up was the We Three Things Swap which I took part in on the SCC.

I was partnered with Hortensia.

Oh a lovely package beautifully wrapped in red tissue paper and green ribbon.

Fabulous goodies, a lovely pincushion, one of her wonderful oilcloth purses and a very pretty heart, which is the perfect gift to arrive today as it is our Wedding Anniversary!

Thank you Pam I am thrilled with the gifts.

Now what did I send in my package to Pam (Hortensia)?

I added a slight twist sending Three Gifts of Three.

A sewing pouch, pin cushion and needle case.

A mug rug, mug and mug bag, and the other is self explanatory.

A Pause in Advent - Week 4

Some Christmas Cheer, scented pot pourri and a table centrepiece.

Some more advent gifts.

Very snowy and cold indeed.

What better way to celebrate the last Pause in Advent with a very special guest all the way from Australia. Christmas is all about family and friends, a time to be thankful for all we have and the being able to spend quality time together. When you live so far away from most of your family and friends this can be difficult. It has been six years since I last spent Christmas with my family in New Zealand and I miss them a lot. Goodness knows how long it has been since I last saw my friend at Christmas, however I was lucky enough to spend some time with her last year when she flew over Australia to see me in New Zealand. So who is our guest?

My best friend's daughter. Just look at that wonderful smile

We sat down to a lovely roast dinner and enjoyed the company. DS2 (not pictured) did a LOT of talking, I hope he didn't overwhelm our guest too much.

Goodness a smile from DS!!

We went for a walk in the snow with the dogs.

How perfect to have this opportunity, and how very special to have my friends daughter staying with us. We feel very lucky indeed.

Not sure what is planned for today. M had a long sleep in and we are now awaiting our boarder (of the guinea pig variety) to arrive and then we might pop off to the shops for a wander around.

Stay safe in the snow and ice everyone and enjoy your warm weather those on the other side of the world!

Worn out Friday

Feeling frazzled, worn out and haggard

Back creaking and painful

Arm wobbly and weak

But fridge is clean and sparkling and I discovered we have a sink!

Work tops have surfaced and are most useful I've found

But floor still needs a vacuum

Just running out of time

Bathroom is clean and the shells are a sparkling

The bedroom is getting there and clothes have been a sorted

Two curtains have been made and hung would you believe

One for the lounge/hallway window and one for the lounge door.

Maybe only makeshift, but will provide snuggly privacy I believe

It is frosty and snowy outside and very cold in the caviary,

Piggies have been fed and are snuggling in fresh warm hay

Poor Rubinstein is poorly and won't see through the night

So some sadness is with us as we turn out the light.

A roast is in the oven for our dinner today

Chicken and tatties, parsnips and peas

I should have done pudding

But forgot to prepare

So nothing to be had as the cupboard is bare

Film night tonight I wonder what we'll watch?

I think if I sit down I won't get up again

All snuggled under blankets in the warmth of the lounge

Pretty with its decorations, lights and tree

All quiet and cosy you see

I wonder what we'll watch, what will it be?

Glass Domes

Mrs Claus looks very pleased with herself, sitting there in her chair knitting away while she hums. I wonder what she is making?

The yearly visit from Santa and his sleigh.

Still no tidying done, in fact I went back to bed for half the day. I can imagine I will be in a mad panic come tomorrow! However, I HAVE finished two more swap parcels and they have been posted. While down the road I also popped into the charity shop and was really pleased to find something that had been on my want list for ages, and for £2.99 I thought it was a bargain.

This glass dome on a marble base. I think it is for cheese, but I am going to use it to display seasonal decorations and treasures. It is a really heavy glass dome which I'm thrilled about as more often than not they are a form of plastic.

I enjoyed myself at the party last night and my Secret Santa gift's were well received.

This is what I got, some pretty fabric wrapped up in lace.

Goodness it is gone 4pm already, DS2 is home and has announced he wants to give a friend a present tomorrow - nothing like short notice is there?!

Lets see what I can drum up for him.

Party time

Cakes baked - jam tart cakelets...for want of a better name!

Presents made...

The brooch I made last year, but everything else I made today.

Of course in the process of achieving some things on my list I have made even more mess!

I'm going to a party! I can't believe it, I never go to parties...actually I can't think of the last I was invited to. I am so excited. This party is being held by a lady I quilt with at her house. We have to bring a small plate of tit bits (hope my cakes count) and a small gift. Hopefully I have hit the mark with the gifts I made today.

I woke this morning with the dratted pins and needles...should have known that would be a sign for a bl@@dy painful day. The question is do I risk taking the extra painkillers before I go out tonight, or just wait until I get home? Probably best to just try and grin and bear it like I have been doing all day and then dose up tonight.

My car is now home...new steering belt, back brake pads and front brakes serviced later and what seems to be like a lot of money! Guess that is my Christmas present this year.

My lovely Advent gift for today is:

A fantastic tactile handmade paper notebook, now what shall I keep this for?

Now for the two Advent gifts I missed, the 9th & 10th (not sure of which was which)

A butterfly bling and chocolate. Chocolate? Where? All gobbled up.