Our Christmas

Christmas eve was wonderful, everything just happened, the children were excited as expected, our Chinese meal we booked early as the local popular takeaway was busy, expecting it to be much later than stated, it arrived earlier, so Molly and George sat with us and tried many different dishes. After their bath they posed for the family traditional matching PJ's photo, they were really late going to bed, but fell asleep very quickly.  

Christmas morning we both woke just after 6am to a very quiet house, snuggled in a warm bed, we snoozed until we heard Will talking to mummy much later, we stayed in bed giving them time together. I crept into Molly's room as I heard her stirring, she was more happy to see me than her stocking full of gifts. George woke at the same time, so the day began. They both loved wearing their new snuggly thingy's, they shared playing with all the new toys, Will had more Lego and some army dressing up clothes. 

One group who had the best fun was the kittens, they loved all the presents and discarded wrapping paper to play with and finding places to sleep, here unicorn (not her final name), is in Wills hat. Two of them go to their new homes this week, another early next week, we will then see if Lilly is ready to come home with us. 

Lilly who is the quiet one had fun once the gifts were placed under the tree, Will, George and Molly have three sets of grandparents, loads of uncles and family, this corner was full.

First cut of the cake is always the best, I think I used too much of the good brandy, the cake is very moist, we will enjoy it.

Hubby and daughter made lunch together, Hubby as head chef, another nice meal, Will ate loads, both George and Molly had extra, it great to see them eating so well, both Will and Molly now loves cranberry sauce, or jam as Molly called it.

Daughter invited her soon to be ex husband for a couple of days, which worried both of us, as it could be super awkward, she is such a lovely lady wanting the best for the children, we decided to treat him as normal, even getting him a small gift, as Will would notice if he did not has presents. Ex spent most of his time with Will making Lego kits, we left late afternoon to come home to a quiet house, just the two of us, sat watching TV all evening, had a selection of cheese and crackers for supper. 

Boxing day was dull and cooler, we had no plans, our neighbour behind us had an open day in his bar in the garden, we have decided not to go, no real reason, just wanting to relax. We opened our gifts, just a few, there is very little we wanted, both of us had chosen our own main gift, we did get each other a few small surprises in our stockings, they are getting harder to fill, so we decided this is the last year we will do each other stockings. 

We have enjoyed the Christmas TV, we still have a few missed things to watch, Christmas evening, was brilliant except for Eastenders, which we never watch. Also reading one of my new books, listening to music, for both of us perfection. 

Pre Christmas weekend

 I got myself a couple new books, I have already read the first Rob Rinder book, which I loved, so I'm looking forward to this title, I thought the title of this other book was a good enough reason to purchase it. I can read books through hubby's Kindle apt, but I do find them 'easy reads'.

I decided to get myself a new jumper for christmas day, we are at daughters all day, and her home is always warm, I'm not one to have bits of glittery stuff stuck on jumpers, I can't wear wool as I am allergic to lanolin, this one is acrylic. 

The cakes are finished, the marzipan did not harden as it has done previously, I used a different brand this year, I am sure it will start to show through the icing. I'm pleased with how they look, they should taste good, I use the same recipe every year. Here is ours and daughters, who prefers her top plain, my brothers cake is much the same as ours.

Most everything is done, we got all we needed in Lidl's on Friday, no extras, the meat was a good price so we got a leg of lamb for Sunday lunch, plenty left over for another meal and some cold in sandwiches. It was busy but not mobbed, their Christmas shelves still had loads left, as did the centre isles. Rest of day relaxing, some reading time, and a bit if sewing. Our haberdashery shop recorded over £3,500 collected for charity from their window display, which is fantastic, it was their first year, great result.

Saturday we visited daughter and her three little ones, I took their furry sacks with me, I created their initial using felt and tartan ribbon, they were fiddly and don't look perfect, the children were happy to have them. Molly and George were both very excited, and loved seeing my brother, they played well, Will at 7 has grown up so much, a lovely few hours together. 

Sunday I did a quick clean around the house and finished the cakes, we had a late lamb roast, it was blowing outside all day, bright and not too cold. I am enjoying my Christmas playlist which we created a few years ago on Alexa, my brother is not so keen, he preferrs 70's music, which we listen to for the other 11 months of the year. 

This morning I am meeting daughter, Will and George,  we are going to a cafe where you can paint pottery, Molly is at preschool, she mothers George,  so it will be fun to watch the boys together. No plans for the afternoon, hubby is out, just my brother and myself. 

This week

Sunday I marzipan the cakes, I'm really late this year, I had planned to do them last week, I also made holly wreaths for the top of two, my daughter prefers her left plain, the other smaller cake has thinner marzipan layer, my brother does not like it too thick, when did they all become so fussy. I will ice them on Friday and colour some icing red for berries.

  

Monday my brother arrived, he brought some sweet tree decorations, he made them with his 3D printer, he also brought a set for daughter and children's tree. Later I went to Will's school concert held at a local church, it was packed, loads of people, the children did well, but it was running very late daughter had to leave before the end to get George, so Will and I walked back to his house. Will had a reading which he did clearly, so proud of him.

My first amaryllis has opened, I got it from Lidl already planted in this glass, it's flowering a bit early, behind in the paperwhite daffodils, they are a disappointment, I did not have the best glass pot, and hoped they would thrive. I have another new amaryllis bulb which is growing only leaves this year.

We popped to our favourite garden centre,  I managed to get a plastic rake to help clean up fallen leaves on our fake grass, whilst there I saw their bulbs were 75% off, I was good and only got one pack. They feel nice and firm, I have a pot for them.

Tuesday we went to pets at home to get bits for our kitten Lilly, ensuring she has the same food as daughter is feeding her, we also got a cat scratching post, it was expensive so a lovely young man at the till asked if we all had the apt, my brother did not so they signed him up, found loads of discounts and saved us almost £20, brilliant result. I'm not sure if we will bring Lilly home next week, both daughter and I think she should stay with her mum for a week or two more.

I managed an hour outside, finally cutting back the late raspberry canes, there were a few berries still growing, I also cut back plants growing over the edge of the flowerbeds, everywhere is looking tidy, I still need to change the water in our large dish, it has an oily skin on it where the wood pigeons bathe, we were going to pack it away, but the birds use it daily. A pile of leaves has been collected all from recent storms, all we do now is keep the feeders full and watch the birds, we are having a hawk visiting, it sits on our fence and watches next door bird table, it's after the small pigeons.

Soft, bubbly and fresh

Lilly with her brothers and sisters, they are all active and starting to try weaning mousse, Lilly is in the middle, the light grey kitten, next to her is a biscuit coloured kitten called Freddie, daughter is keeping him, the others all have nice homes to go to. It's a case of waiting until they can feed themselves before bringing her home, sometime between 8 and 10 weeks, they are almost 5 weeks old now. 

Hubby has started his first sourdough, he's following Paul Hollywood's recipe, just something new to try, I have everything crossed this takes off, but we are aware often they just don't start to bubble.

This week we had leek and potato soup for lunch, the leeks came out of the ground and into the soup maker in less than an hour, I said my leeks were small, but that has not impacted on the taste. With a fresh baked roll, pure delight. 

I have used my poinsettia blooms and turned them into this plant, it's a great size and tucked back it looks real, which is brilliant as the leaves start to drop the moment a real one comes into our home. I just need to add fake soil.

 

Looking back on older post my decorations in recent years been up by now, I aim to have them sorted by Sunday, daughter and children are coming for a Sunday roast after going for a winter wonderland walk, so it would be nice for them to see our tree all lit up, it will also brighten our home. I have my Christmas music list ready on Alexa, the first play is always the day our tree goes up.

Nothing much is happening here, both hubby and I have coughs and a cold each, for once not from the little ones, I am reading and sorting the edging on my brothers blanket, and I've wrapped a few gifts. I only have to find something for daughter, we don't have many gifts to get, most of the grandsons like to have money. 

I am loving the blue skies again, dry days, laundry on the line (not fully drying), nothing to do outside, just occasionally watering the greenhouse, ensuring the bird feeders are full and the water spots are not frozen. We do wake up most mornings to our roofs being white, just an air frost, nothing on the ground.

This is our November

 5 little kittens, 1 grey, 1 beige, 1 ginger and 2 tabbies born on 29th October, it will be a while before we can work out which are girls and boys, I would like a girl, male cats roam, and I like the idea of having a cat which stays in our garden. Both Molly and George are not touching them, George spends loads of time sat watching them. Daughter got a kiddies netted side, ball pit, which will keep the kittens in and allow mum to escape if she wants and loads of old towels for them to lay on.

We all say we have the best grandchildren, but these three in the 'spooky' PJ's look adorable, oldest boy Will was not sure if he wanted to wear his, Molly and George now look like twins, people are always asking daughter is they are twins. Lovely and clean after their bath.

I have started my brothers lap blanket, I have a few more colours to add, these will go well in his sitting room, again very different colours than I normally use. I have purchased a few balls of yarn, but this is a Christmas gift, so it's not recorded on my stash list.

Christmas cakes are doing well, I used one recipe and made two smaller cakes for brother and daughter, our bigger cake will be baked later today, I have loads of dried fruit left over, as I purchased for 3 cake mixes and will only make two. 

It was days before we heard from our Spanish friends again, we knew they had no electricity, so did not expect to hear from them, they are all well and dry, their ground floor like so many others is a garage, it escaped the flooding as they were on higher ground. Still no electricity and very limited phone coverage, they cant get out their town, their new large supermarket, which is close to their flats is open for limited supplies, its a case of sitting it out. The huge issue in Spain is the ground is so parched so the rain ran off rather than soaking in and took loads of top soil with it. We are both shocked to see the devastation in Valencia, it's hard to match the scenes with our recent visit. Valencia has loads of street parking, which are always full, so seeing so many cars wrecked us not a surprise to us.

We have daughter and the children here today, so I have left all my Halloween decorations up until they go home, it's going to be a messy noisy day, filled with laughter and fun.

It's that time

 I am later making my christmas cakes this year, again I have three to make, as yet I have not decided what size to make for our daughter, I need to chat to her and find out if the little ones still eat it, they did last year. I have all the ingredients, so it's a case of find a few days at home.

I have purchased a new orchid, I did walk past it, and then went back, I do love these plants, sadly they do not thrive in our home, once the flowers have all finished, I struggle to get them to bloom again.

I am pleased to see this cactus coming back into flower, it's in our downstairs bathroom, the window let's in loads of sunshine, it's cool there and this plant loves it. I've done nothing to it since it bloomed last year.

Daughter shared this with us, we are so proud of George, he is smashing loads of his targets, we know he is intelligent, he loves his school. Having his photo taken looking at the lens, looking happy and confident is a huge change in him.

Sunday hubby was out, so I spent part of the day with daughter, Will had a party, afterwards he went with grandma for a sleepover, so I played with Molly and George and chatted with mummy, they both loved their Spanish fans. We walked to Dunelm for lunch and popped into B&M to look at toys, it was a lovely sunny day.

Now I have gotten over the shock of coming back to colder UK, I am thinking it's much milder, most days start grey and dull, later we are seeing some sunshine, we have noticed the radiators are cold when they should be hot, but when we check the house is warmer and the heating is not clicking on. 

I did get a few bits for christmas in our recent shop mainly for stocking fillers, we don't go mad, there is very little we want, I have a birthday in November so hubby has that to think about, BUT I have had my tablet early to use in Spain.

Spooky month.

 So we are nearing October or Spooky month as Will always called Halloween, I've got a few more bits this year, I'm enjoying seeing these tiny pumpkins, the first display in the corner of our sitting room. The vase is in the kitchen, slightly more autumnal vibes, both the China pumpkins are years old. These are out very early this year, no reason, other than I fancied something different.

I've made my own mincemeat, a lady I follow on Instagram shared her trusted slow cooker recipe, the house smelt divine for hours, way after the cooking time. Hubby who does all the baking will make mince pies. We got a pack of mince pies from Lidl, which were disgusting, much nicer to have home made ones. The smaller pot is for my friend who is always giving us jams and chutneys.

Hubby made the first batch of mincepies, I made some bacon and cheese wraps, both made with purchased puff pastry, I needed to use a pack of defrosted bacon, both tasted great. We both agreed the mincemeat was lovely, so I plan to make my own from now on.

I'm doing well on this lap blanket in my favourite Tunisian crochet, it's a simple stitch and design, I am using Emu Supreme double knit, I purchased a kit to make a Christmas blanket last year, which I only partially made as I was not enjoying the process. This is not for our use, hubby's group will have a raffle nearer to Christmas, so I hope to have this finished and donated, they fundraise for our local Portsmouth Downs Syndrome charity.

We popped to The Range, Dave , Northsider blogger, suggested I plant these onions, to grow over winter, a couple of other packs of bulbs came home with me, we had a look around the store, Christmas is in full show, we walked past everything, so a cheap trip. It is always lovely to see Wilko brand, which was on items all around the shop, I've always trusted their seed and bulbs.

Wednesday was market day in the village, we popped down, the plant guy was there, much smaller stand these days, nothing interesting, other than he was selling bare root wallflowers, wrapped in newspaper, I don't like wallflowers, but so pleased to see no pots, selling them just how our parents would have purchased them. Later the heavy rain came back, it was dark most of the afternoon, I spent my time between crochet and reading. 

Thursday was another day at home, more housework, we are still finding dust, it gets everywhere, hubby hopes to start painting next week, we popped to B&Q and got the wood stain for the stairs, everything is now ready for painting. Hubby got the fine mesh for the front of my huge bug house, hopefully we can finish it next week.

We have a weekend off, having some fun, I will tell you more in another post, we booked a very different experience for us, it's always good to try something new.

Read, eat and plant

I love this author, she always creates a great story, and this was was a real page turner, I could not put it down, the strange tale of marring for money, it's a deal between them, just for a month, then they can go separate ways, he's rich and used to getting his own way. You think you know the story read the book, it was fantastic. Book 64 read this year.

I forgot my little note book with all the titles I have read when visiting our library, I thought this author was one I had read before, sadly same first name, this is 'chick lit', which I am not a fan of, it was cheesy and predictable, will they, won't they, I picked up another book by this author,  I won't bother to read it. Book 65 read this year.

I loved this book, it's very clever, the main character was just an ordinary bloke, living a very mixed up life, thinking he's on top of things, how wrong can you be. Book 66 read this year.

Recently at my favourite garden centre, I picked up a few more bulbs, the blue and purple iris and the snowdrops are for a small pot, the anemone's I do love, just not sure where they will go. I had popped in for coffee and cake with daughter and George, but had a wonder around the newly laid out spring bulb section.   

Sunday hubby used some old lemons we had for this delightful lemon cake, we have been enjoying a slice most days with our morning coffee. Less ingredients and sugar than purchased cakes.

I've not read much this week, my trip to the library, where I had forgotten to bring my read books list, I did not have much time and picked up 5 books, 1 I had already read, 1 by the same author which was chick lit and I chose not to read. I popped back to the library on Wednesday and got more books, it was market day, sunny and cold, not many stalls and I purchased nothing. 

I have picked up a large crochet project, it's a big granny square in shades of grey, I'm taking it easy as I have had cramp in my fingers, once I'm in the swing it should stop. I have a plan to make another Tunisian lap blanket, using more of my stash of 4ply yarn, I made one here, which I use each winter, this new one will be gifted to a fundraiser Christmas raffle, where loads of people our age will be attending.

The cooler temperatures are changing our habits, we have not sat outside for coffee breaks for ages, hubby has sorted and covered his BBQ, it's in the garage, he still likes to protect it. I still walk around the garden each day, there is less to do, next week I plan to sort the greenhouse so I can put a few tender plants inside, which is far earlier than previous years, soon I will pack away all my decorations (metal birds) along the fence shelf, then the wooden bench, chairs and table with be moved. Sadly other than the odd warm spell summer is ending.

Inside

Bettys hair is growing and looking good, much nicer than the string of pearls, which never gave any height. This plant has grown loads since I planted it in April. She always wears these fake Rayban glasses, I was scammed once, thought I had purchased a pair of shoes at a good price, the glasses arrived instead, they are as cheap as they look.

My small spider plant has a long growth, which is flowering, this plant lives on the sunny kitchen window sill. The flowers behind are silk, our old beautiful jug has a crack and can't hold water.

I'm still happy with my small draw shelf on my desk, these succulents are doing well, they love this sunny spot, the plant back right has a long flower stalk.

Friday afternoon hubby was bored, so he baked another red velvet cake,  which we both love as does Will, made dairy free so the two little ones can have some, it does not affect the taste, it really does taste as good as it looks.

Thursday was a nothing day, it rained all day, heavy at times, good for the garden and keeps my rain butts full. It was much cooler, we did go for a short walk around the park, just to get outside. 

Friday we popped to daughters, finished the front garden, with the help of George and Molly, hubby wanted to start the back garden, but the garden waste bin was full, so we will come back and sort it out soon. We had lunch at the same café as Tuesday,  just hubby and I and walked along the waters edge at Warsash, it was overcast,  perfect for a lovely walk.

Today I have daughter, Will, George and Molly coming here, hubby is away for the day, it's already sunny and blue skies, all I need to do is pop there favourite items outside for them to play with.

Other things

 I'm not doing much craft at the moment, last year I pressed some of the flowers growing in our garden, they have sat in the flower press for months. I saw this double frame reduced in TK Max and decided its time I made a design. It's my first time of trying, I did have a very limited colour scheme, so many plants I love. I'm now pressing more flowers.

I have pulled out the knitting I am doing for hubby's sister, I want to finish it, ready for their visit next month, I do love knitting, it's a relaxing craft. Sadly I don't need anymore cardigans or jumpers, I always crochet any blankets we use. I have a nice stash of yarn, mainly 4ply, which I prefer to use. I've started on the first sleeve, I did think she had not purchased enough yarn, but I have just over 5 balls to do both sleeves and front band.

Hubby made a red velvet cake, which we both love, making the frosting using dairy free cream cheese, so the little ones can eat it, so moist, sat outside in the sunshine, sharing a special moment. The children loved it and wanted more, Will thought it was purchased from a shop. 

I'm not always sure about this authors works, she covers topics which can be thought provoking and hard, here teenage suicide or was it murder, two families lives so close, their children friends from birth. I did enjoy reading this book. Book 29 read this year.

I have a very happy husband, last December he won a raffle prize, which he was extremely happy with. This week tickets arrived for the Kings birthday, Trooping of the Colour, we have a pair of tickets, lovely seats for the event in June, we have booked hotel, coach tickets and have places at a luncheon after. Hubby has marched years ago infront of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, but never watched it.

We have been to an event attended by our late Queen, posted here, here hopefully we should see the King, and maybe other members of the royal family, would like to see William, not interested in seeing the Camilla, I have never liked her. 

Real or fake

 These are the second blooms on my Albuca Sprialis, Frizzle sizzle this time, they give off a vanilla smell, not to strong, I don't have many flowering houseplants, this sits on my desk. The flower is understated, I purchased this plant for it's curly leaves, it's a bulb and I think I might now have two bulbs, once it finished flowering they start to die back so I will repot it/them.

 

My first flower from an Amaryllis bulb, I have had such a poor show this season, but happy to see a huge bloom in the sitting-room, all the other bulbs are in my greenhouse, they only produced leaves in their second year. Whilst these blooms are white, they do add so much colour to our room. 

These are my fake flowers, I use them each year in season, in a couple of months I will pack them away and find summer flowers, they never feel old and tired, I love the colours. Most cut flowers sold are not grown here in UK, so their carbon footprint is huge, plus when I added up the cost of all the cut flowers I used to purchased each year. Most of my silk flowers are years old, I chose to get quality and they are lasting. 

Another new author to me, the book was on the 2 week fast read, from our library, from the start it had me hooked, 2 different time lines, I'm not sure if it was a love story (not a soppy one) or a discovery, but I enjoyed every word,  a modern gentle story. Book 15 read this year. 

A pineapple upside down cake, I made my first ever one at senior school, it became my go to cake in the 70's, it's year since I made one, I got the ingredients a while ago, but no energy to make it. So yesterday warm with custard, we had a trip down memory lane. It's still yummy. 

Thank you once again for all your comments, I am a tidy freak, I have been all my life, I grew up in a huge house in rural Somerset, with my mum and dad, an uncle (my mum's brother), and my 6 brothers and 2 sisters, I still always hear my mum's voice, 'pack it away, everything in it's place'. We probably had the cleanest house in the area, my mum was a demon at cleaning, we never were allowed out scruffy, we were never a big rowdy or dirty family, manners were everything to her, and we had to keep our own space tidy. Luckily for me hubby after years in the army is the same, he likes things packed away and jobs done, rather than walking around stuff, but in all honesty, I am far worse/better that him, I can't stand things out of place. 

It's another nothing week, raining all the time, we have not been out much at all, we did pop to town on Monday for our fruit and veg, but it was a quick visit, the rest of the time has been home, I have unpicked my big bag, and now need to cut out the new front and back and sew it together. I have started another book, and I watch the rain falling from the warmth of our home. 

On the local news this morning, our lovely pub on the beach at Lee on the Solent, we had Sunday lunch there a while ago, has burnt down, the fire was huge, the fire engines were surrounding the building, but they have been unable to save the interiors, it's going to take ages for the damage to be rebuilt, such sad news. 

Another week

 It's that time of year when homemade cakes are our treat each day, we both have stopped snacking, eating biscuits and have a small slice each afternoon with our coffee. Much healthier for us, and hopefully I will see the pounds dropping off my scales. 

This was a fast back loan from our local library, just two weeks to read it, which is not an issue. I enjoyed it, a bit different, families, lies, one woman's life interwoven with a book, the plot held to the end, how things untangled, how different members of the families see things. Book 4 read this year.

Both cats have the right idea, sleeping in their igloo's underneath the radiator, both when awake can see the garden and watch the birds, Grace when awake wants to sit on my lap, which is OK as I am reading more through this cold spell, oh for the life of a loved cat. 

The view in my greenhouse, geraniums in full bloom, we can see these from our sitting room window, it's a pleasant sight on a cold winters day. It's staying reasonably warm inside the greenhouse, I do not heat it, I do have a heater, which as yet I have never used. Later I will sort my new greenhouse, it will be a few weeks before I start to use it.  

I adore hellebores, I have 5 plants around the garden, the red plant was a birthday gift from daughter last November, it's a bit ahead of the others, which have loads of buds. The white Christmas rose is back out in the garden, still with flowers, sadly looking a bit bedraggled. The last plant bloomed back in late summer, I don't know why, again the blooms are looking past their best. 

I am thinking about craft, I would like to make a needle felted flower, I have a cutter which would make a great backing, once I have attended the sleeping bunny day course, I would like to make more animals. 

This cold weather is stopping so much, we are due less cold temperatures over the weekend,  but that will bring rain, my garden pots are dry, so it will help, but it's another thing to keep us inside. It's another bright sunny cold morning, both Molly and George will be here soon, they are having a play day with us, mummy has a college essay to write and it will be much easier working on her own.