A Beautiful Sunset

Such a stunning sunset last night, not really reflected in this image as I would have liked, but it gives you an idea of the blue streaked with red/pink.

Now yesterday I spent all day tidying. You know it's not all that its cracked up to be, this tidying lark. In order to tidy up, it seems that more mess and obstacles need to be made...why is that I wonder? Not only that but by late afternoon you realise you can hardly move you back is so sore. I blame the vacuum cleaner, I didn't do any heavy shifting. I had to go to bed at about 7.30pm last night, dosed up with pain killers it was that bad. Ridiculous!

However, I did achieve some decorating with the Christmas decorations. Now don't expect anything elegant or stylish now will you as that is something I just don't do.

Father Christmas and a collection of knitted dolls that come out of hiding each year...

Christmas tree and teddies, and nativity scene. Will take a close up of this tomorrow when my camera battery has charged. The boys said to me, 'something is wrong Mum'.

'What?', I asked.

'That isn't it is it?'

'What do you mean?'

'The Christmas Tree has SHRUNK!'

'Well, it is the same tree we had last year, and we need room in our lounge for our guest'.

Much humpfing and grumbling...not about the guest, but about the size of our tree!

Hopefully they will get used to it (like they did last year) ;-)

Lots of fairy lights have gone up, not only in the lounge, but also the hallway and kitchen.

Something very special to me is this most beautiful cushion cover that I received last year in a Christmas Swap from my good friend Marina. We have built up quite a friendship in the last year, which makes this even more treasured and hopefully one day we will get to meet!

Isn't this the most beautiful work of art? I just love it.

I refused to do any tidying today and ensconced myself in my studio for the day and am pleased to say after much procrastination, dithering I have made several things...for swaps so no show and tell yet I am afraid.

Quilting and Patchwork group day tomorrow which I am looking forward to. Not sure what I am taking to do yet, will have to get up early, go for a run and get something organised.

Well dinner is calling...Shepherds Pie and Apple Crumble...not at the same time!

Have a lovely weekend.

Submitted!

OU Assignment Submitted....normal activities can now resume! ;-) Decorations came down from the loft today...so watch this space tomorrow!

A Pause in Advent - Two and Tuesday Treasures

I'm a couple of days late with my A Pause in Advent post. I'm so laid back (ha ha I wish!) that we haven't even began to think about the decorations yet. I remember last year frantically making a huge advent calendar the day before 1st December and filling it up with gifts and things, only to discover DS2 whipped everything the first day! So much for that lovely idea.

This year, no one seems to notice we don't have one. DS1 is now working so is too busy to give much thought to Advent calendars it seems, so I guess this is a tradition our family (for the time being) have grown out of. However, I am enjoying my 'Advent Calendar' very much and today's gift is just perfect.

It is a lovely sweet little diary for the next year. I normally use my 'Musician's Union' diary, but this one is so much smaller and nicer and as I am not teaching at the moment, or in the foreseeable future, I don't need to use the bigger diary. I am constantly amazed at the fabulous gifts I am opening. Alex must have spent a lot of time reading my blog and getting to know my likes - every gift (so far) has been wrapped in lovely blue tissue paper. She has also spent a lot of time making such wonderful Christmas sacks for each day and I so look forward to each morning when I am up on my own, with a cup of tea and I can open my Advent Surprise for the day.

This year we are hoping for far less stress...so far it seems we are achieving it, although I know that as we get closer, the fact that I have been so laid back will hit me and I will have to start some manic cleaning, tidying and preparing! Until that time I will enjoy the lead up to Christmas.

Hmm...not a very thoughtful Advent post today...I think my brain is on holiday! Or is it procrastinating as my assignment is due to be submitted in two days time?!

Now I really ought to get my head screwed on and start functioning properly!

Now my Treasure for today is actually a brand new, only arrived today treasure, although there is quite a story behind it/him...

When we were in London last Thursday Mark and I happened to walk past Selfridges (like you do) and see a load of soft toy dogs in Santa's sleigh in the window. We wouldn't normally take a huge amount of notice (well hubby wouldn't) but a little white pup with a black eye patch caught our eye.

Into the department store we go...'How much is that doggy in the window?' I asked (actually I called it a soft toy dog). Oh they are not for sale, you will have to go up to the toy department. Off we trundle to the fourth floor...Is the pup we want there? No it isn't. Down we trundle again and ask at the information desk...Can we have the one in the window please? Oh no, that is visual merchandise, it is not for sale... Well to cut a long story short, of much discussion with them, I left my telephone number. I got a call on Friday morning and lo and behold he arrived today. So meet the newest member of the family...

Tyson the Bull Terrier! Okay I know he is only remotely similar to one, but he caught my eye so home he had to come.

Cheeky fellow is sitting on my 'new' book I am reading 'The Marching Season' by Daniel Silva.

Right I really better be doing what I better be doing! ;-)

Or should I really be better doing what I better be doing better?

Making Progress...Advent Swap Days 4, 5 & 6

Told you I'd be back! ;-)

Jack Frost has been today and it is white everywhere, even the trees are covered with frost. It is very cold and crisp, but the sky is grey so it's not a cheerful crisp.

I was up early, tucked up first in the lounge on the computer working on my assignment and then next holed up in my studio working away at my Stitching Around the Block embroidery. My thumbs finally healed enough to be able to sew again - yeah! It is all finished now and on its way to Marina ready for the final round. Shame I couldn't get to play with all the wonderful fabrics in the package. So busy was I in fact that I forgot to go to yoga. So disappointed as I really look forward to it, although the road is very icy, so perhaps it was wise to stay tucked up in the warm.

No Marina, no run today - I did go last night though, so may go again this evening...I will ask hubby what the footpaths were like when he walked the dogs.

I've got three Advent gifts to show you as I am a bit behind on showing them. Days 4, 5 and 6.

Lovely little zipped purse.

Oh so cute Butterfly bookmark.

Wonderful buttons - am I going to have fun looking and sorting through these!

Thanks again Alex.

Oh I also had another parcel arrive last week - my Secret Santa parcel. No idea who from...well of course I do, it is from Santa! Got to wait until Christmas before I can open it. :-)

I feel like I might...just might be getting on top of things...so must continue.

A Pause in Advent tomorrow folks!

Flying By...

Just flying by for a brief visit, will return later with my 'A Pause in Advent' post, my advent swap gifts for the last three days and anything else that comes to mind :p) Currently working on my embroidery and OU Assignment. Beautifully frosty here this morning. Have a lovely Monday.

Advent Swap Day 2 & 3

Alex really has truly spoilt me and the gifts she has sent me are simply delightful.

I'm going public in saying that I really messed up my side of the swap and the gifts I sent her are very insignificant in comparison and I hope to make it up to her.

Anyway a little catch up here as yesterday we had to go into London to see the specialist about my arm once again.

So here we have Day 2...

The most beautiful Christmas puddings. The question is do I hang them in the house or in my studio?

Next up is Day Three...

Wonderful card embellishments.

Thank you once again Alex for such imaginative and wonderful gifts, I am so going to enjoy opening these little bags each day to see what is inside. In answer to several questions I have had...No I haven't been peeking either, I love surprises and it is very seldom I have any, especially at Christmas so I am going to really savour these.

We had a lovely late afternoon in London and had dinner in Garfunkel's. We did the same last year when I had to go and see the specialist. I have to go for yet more tests. To say I am getting fed up is an understatement. Lets hope that these further tests can get to the bottom of it. I'm not entirely convinced the Specialist actually listens to what I'm trying to say about all the symptoms and pain I get. This morning is particularly bad with the burning, stretching type sensation running all the way from my little and ring finger all the way up and under my arm across the shoulder and up the neck. When it feels like this, all I want to do is go to sleep so I can get away from it.

I'm feeling rather overwhelmed at the moment with all I need to do. The house is still untidy from my movings and doings last week. I've got various swap commitments and my OU Assignment to complete. Hopefully the pain will ease off as the morning wears on as I find it difficult to function when it is like this.

Well better get on, instead of sitting here moaning.

Advent Swap Day 1

Well no need to tell anyone that today was the 1st December now is there? It is also the first day of Laalaa's Advent Swap. Yesterday a humungous parcel arrived for me from my wonderful swap partner Alexandra. So beautifully wrapped as well.

Just look at this, all for me, I feel rather spoilt and well gobsmacked I suppose you could say.

So much work, I feel very spoilt indeed. Very EXCITED as well!

So what was in the little bag for day 1?

A very pretty and unusual brooch/pendant. Oh my it is so lovely, thank you Alex!

I had been working on my OU photography assignment all morning and after lunch thought I would spend a few minutes reading. What a mistake, I fell asleep and woke three and a half hours later! Now I feel kind of groggy and yuk, and annoyed that I have 'lost' a big chunk of my day...so no decorations out I'm afraid. These drugs still have the ability to completely knock me out if I am not active. Should have gone for a run after all!