Our Christmas in pictures

It’s been a very busy few days celebrating with family.

The Christmas tin of sweets

Just a quick post today as I join in Sian's Christmas Club. The best memories are retold over and over again and so I make no excuse if I have told this little story before. How many of you have a tin of sweets put by for Christmas? I’ve had to get two this year as they seem to get fewer and fewer each year. I remember my childhood Christmas when that tin of sweets was so exciting and seemed to last for ever. Lucky numbers was our favourite then and I can remember Sister Sue telling me number 21 was a coffee cream so I avoided it for years. I must have been desperate for some chocolate one year and sampled a number 21 only to find it was a fudge, Sue’s favourite. This betrayal has obviously scarred me for life as it still comes to mind each year when I open the tin of sweets!

If you want to read more little Christmas stories then go over to Sian’s blog. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with family and friends x

a few more cards

Still need to make a few cards? Then I can recommend http://www.clearlybesottedstamps.com/ for inspiration. Stephanie Wincott has some beautiful cards using their stamps and dies and I spent a pleasant few hours making several. I think I’m all done now so it’s back to my ripple blanket and a Christmas film for me.

The Christmas Nanny and Grandad came

 

Whether it’s my cold feet or the talk of the first snow of winter or maybe it’s because I love The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder but  my mind has gone back to Christmas 1962.

My elderly grandparents had arrived for Christmas all the way from Dorset when on Boxing Day it started to snow. This was followed a few days later by a blizzard that swept across the country, it was so cold the sea froze. Snow continued to fall for what seemed like weeks afterwards and my grandparents were completely cut off from their home.

For me, a young child it was great fun. Nanny, a great lover of card games was always available for a game of nap, something I’ve only ever played with her so the rules are long forgotten.

For my parents it was not so much fun. They had given up their bed so for weeks were sleeping in my bedroom. They had to carry on with looking after everyone and keeping us warm. It wasn’t until March, almost Easter, that the thaw came and they were able to take them home.

I reminded my mum about this yesterday and asked how she coped “It wasn’t very nice of me but I did get a bit irritable with all the mess” was all she said. How I wish I was as nice as mum!

The Christmas Club is an idea of Sian's, do pop over and share a Christmas story.

a little bit of me time

I took a few hours off to relax and make some cards, I love this little stamp set I bought recently

I also revisited an old Shimelle class and made this layout, the journalling is behind the title

and knitted some cute little stockings from a free pattern on Little Cotton Rabbits blog

I hope you’ve all had time to relax and make something during this busy time

Time for tea

Hello good to see you all one last time, do come in and have a tea or coffee. How are things going with you, Christmas preparations well underway? I’m feeling pleased that I’ve bought a lot of presents already, not Black Friday I hasten to say I like things a bit more civilised.

The weather has certainly turned cold this week, but I still manage to go for a walk by the sea most days. I’m so pleased I’ve lost over 2 stones this year, it does make buying clothes much more enjoyable. I’m sure you have no weight worries so do have some shortbread or perhaps a mince pie.

Are you expecting lots of visitors for Christmas?  I’ve got all the family coming which will be lovely. It does mean I’m busy making lots of lists and preparing as much in advance as possible.

I’ve started Shimelle's Journal Your Christmas again, anyone else taking part? I’m also busy knitting and making cards. It’s such a busy time of year but so much fun.

It’s been lovely getting to chat with you all over a cuppa but all good things must come to an end. Thank you Abi  for starting this meme, I’ve really enjoyed taking part. I wish you all the best for the next year and will still pop on to your blog to see how you are getting on.

Keep in touch everyone xx

Me on Monday

enjoying a pleasant walk by the sea after a weekend of Christmas shopping, strictly watching, JYC preparations and the unexpected ordering of a new washing machine, just what you need before Christmas!

This meme is an idea of Sian’s do go over and visit her lovely blog

a couple of layouts

Finally this week I got out some papers and made two layouts. I’ve been looking on my blog and finding stories I want to put in my 2013 album to complete it. I’ve come to accept I am quite a methodical person and this is the way I like things done. A few more layouts to go then I can plan this year’s album.

Me on Monday

It was a quiet weekend with a drive out on Sunday for a coffee ( I was good and said no to the mince pie) and a chat with my son. The Christmas decorations were up at the shopping centre and by the time we left it was starting to get busy. I did come back with a present for mum and several ideas, mainly books for other members of the family.

This morning with music playing I measured, stirred, poured in some brandy and made the Christmas pudding, slowly I am starting to embrace the Christmas season.

Thanks to Sian for this great meme.

One photo and twenty words

a beautiful November day celebrating a grandson’s birthday, it’s moments like these that make me realise how blessed I am

this lovely meme was started by Abi, do go over to her blog and join in

Me on Monday

enjoying some quiet crochet time with my ripple blanket

The last week has been quite busy for us so it was lovely at the weekend to enjoy some time with my two younger sons, especially when I didn’t have to cook.

I can relax now knowing I have glasses ordered (I really shouldn’t leave it over three years before my next eye test) and hopefully this winter we will be warmer as loft insulation has been approved.

Do go over to Sian’s blog and join in.

a family weekend

Last weekend was filled with trips to the beach.

ice creams at Morelli’s

lots of stories

and plenty of jigsaws

I had all the family here so was very happy

and one happy Grandad was at Wembley with son Peter for the american football. He informs me he was given the wrong flag, he supports the lions. This means nothing to me but is apparently very important!

Me on Monday

 

I’m joining in with Sian this week, letting you have a little peep at my attempts today at getting my lsned album done. I don’t think it’s ever taken this long to do before.

This weekend was meant to be a lull before the storm, I have a little visitor next weekend. We then got a phone call asking if Grandad (stop laughing kids) could help eldest grandson with an art project. It did involve going to the garage to look through those pieces of wood men always seem to save and comments of “see, I knew they would come in useful someday”. Don’t you just hate them when they start looking smug.

So a lot of sawing and sanding went on Saturday and trips to the shops for paint etc on Sunday. Hopefully next weekend we can see how the Star Wars tennis match turns out, the Wookie better win though or there will be trouble!

Only 10 weeks!!

I was told today it was only about 10 weeks until Christmas, scary thought. So I thought it was about time I started to make a few cards, after all I don’t want that usual last minute panic.

A Christmas Sparkle and Sweet Little Sentiments stamp set left by my daughter to encourage me to stop being so lazy were opened up and after a lot of huffing and puffing, mainly because I stamped the tree upside down to start with, these three cards were made. I like the simplicity of the design found on the Clearly Besotted website and can see me making more cards using this little tree.

One photo and twenty words

The Food Festival has arrived and I’m telling myself this is really low-cal diet food, nothing naughty here I’m sure!

To join in with One photo and twenty words go over to Abi’s blog

Do come in

I’m late again for a very important date!

It’s time for a catch up  with Abi and all her friends taking part in a chat over tea or coffee.

It’s been another busy month here, when did I ever find time to go to work.

September is always a month I look forward to as it’s my birthday month and everyone likes to be spoilt one day of the year

I’ve also had my mum to stay and we’ve had fun enjoying the beautiful weather by the sea.

I’ve been busy writing lessons in my journal for Shimelle’s LSNED class, I’ve now got to print out the photos and get scrapping.

I hope you have all had a good month, do tell me your news, have another drink and perhaps a slice of cake. Today I feel life is getting back to normal and I have the time to relax and enjoy your company.

Now I’m over to Abi’s blog to see what you’ve all been up to.

enjoying the peace

As the weather turns a bit cooler and the nights draw in I’ve been enjoying watching the television again and starting my coastal ripple blanket. Somehow I feel less guilty watching the likes of Downton Abbey and Our Zoo if I’m making something.

I’ve also made a couple more cards from the Online Card Class. They never turn out as the examples, I’m far too messy, but I enjoyed making them.

seems like such a long time

The summer for me is a time for family visits, walks by the sea and long lazy afternoons reading in the garden. It seems like months since I’ve got anything craft related out. At the moment I feel like I’ve forgotten how to scrap so I thought I’d revisit an online card class and make a few cards to ease myself gently into the process. Thanks to http://limedoodledesign.com/ and http://www.nicholmagouirk.typepad.com/ for the inspiration.

another year

Early Monday after our jog I was given these beautiful flowers

We then drove to Blean wood for a walk

there are so many interesting carvings to spot there

lots of trees which leave me determined to learn their names, I recognise oak and chestnut but not much more

as I walk along I often think about those that have passed that way centuries ago

can you spot the little mouse that was too busy eating to worry about us?

it was a day of being spoilt by all the family with lots of craft things to help me find my mojo again

and for the long winter nights ahead the excitement of starting a new project

Thank you to all my family for making my day so special xx

The final shots

6. An urban street scene

13. A sunrise

14. A parade (of shops)

Alternative A: A kite, hot air balloon or blimp to replace - 10. A photo bomb

That’s all Rinda's challenge completed for this year, it’s been great fun and some shots have been hard to find but that’s what makes a good challenge, looking forward to next year!

one photo and twenty words

It’s ok to forget about the diet occasionally as long as you get straight back on it the next day.

one photo and twenty words, a meme started by Abi

almost there!

7. A rural landscape

19. A public garden

Two more finds for Rinda's summertime photography scavenger hunt.

time for tea?

Hello it’s so nice to see you this month, do come in and have a cup of tea or coffee if you prefer.

How’s your month been? August has been a very busy month for us, I’ve loved seeing everyone and enjoyed the beach and trips out. Did you go anywhere nice, do tell me?

I have to say though I’m looking forward to September, the children will be back at school and most of the tourists gone so we can enjoy quiet walks by the sea and we won’t have to queue up for an ice cream!

Do you have anything planned? I’m looking forward to Shimelle’s Learn Something New Everyday class. I’ve been doing it for several years now and have completed each one. I’m following the same format as last year, divided page protectors in my year album, I like the interest that creates.

Have you seen the pile of books I’ve just received from ebay? I saw on Sian's blog that she had signed up for a free class on Laura Ingalls Wilder and I just had to join in. How I wish I hadn’t given all my books away when we moved, but with my son’s help I managed to find a set exactly the same, the new ones just weren’t good enough!

Well it looks like it’s going to be a busy September after all.

It’s been loving catching up with you and if you fancy another cuppa and chat do go over to Abi’s blog where more people are taking part.

Rinda’s photo hunt

I’ve been slowly snapping away trying to get the perfect shot but time is starting to run out so I thought I’d better post some more finds!

11. A horn

3. Birds on a wire (one very lonely bird)

fell in love with these birds though.

4. A group of tourists, the place is packed with tourists this time of year.

6. A sign in a language other than English

1. A sign welcoming people to your home town (or a nearby town)

15. A juggler

Just a few to get now including that sunrise!