Busy week

 Christmas by candlelight concert, a perfect start to the month, we have seen this act a few times before singing Elton John and Queen, they do not copy the acts, just sing their tunes their way. Both hubby and I enjoyed the show a very festive start to the month, singing loads of the huge hits from the 50's which I love.

I planted the red amaryllis bulb this week, I will plant the white one in a couple of weeks, I love these blooms, something beautiful to look forward to seeing on these dull days

I did get a new plant from the village, I love cyclamen and had loads of shades of reds to choose from, I thought this red was very festive, this is a houseplant in a lovely pot.

These tiny cyclamen in front of my pond are beautiful, they can't be seen from the house, only visible when walking in my veg area, so really just for me to enjoy. 

Daughter has rebooked our pottery painting morning, George had an upset tummy after all the antibiotics and therefore not able to go to school earlier this week, it's booked for next Monday, we have taken George before, it is going to be busy and George is not good with too many people in a strange place to him. 

Wednesday hubby had his dental appointment, just a check up, he has now booked both our next check-ups for the same day, I had my first ever shingles vaccination, it was a dry day so I spent an hour in the garden, hopefully I collected the last lot if leaves from our Magnolia, and used the last of my home made mulch, I still have 2 packs of tulips to plant.

I got my new glasses on Thursday, I'm pleased with them, it's the first time for me to wear varifocals, I have also a simple pair for my computer work, we had a wander around the shops, just for something to do. Later I went for our Christmas meal with WI in a nice hotel, a really lovely meal, I opted for salmon rather than turkey.

I managed to wash all my wooden floors, on my knees rather than using the mop, corners and skirting boards were done, I feel much better knowing they are sorted, I try and do them this way once a month, but recently I've been lazy.

Pagan

I love all the foliage at this time of year, mine is all silk and years old, I have always been Pagan in my decorations, add in candles to make brilliant displays, I also have my vase of poinsettia, seen here.  

Kitchen 

Shelves in  hall

Dining room

Sitting room, with my new Amaryllis. 

It's advent time again, it was my turn to full the tiny bags this year, I got a nice mixture, the unused chocolates will go into a bowl for over the holidays, these were made in 2022 always in first bag our favourite ones.

Daughter got her finger shut in a metal gate last week, nothing broken just badly brushed, I decided to slide down our stairs, jarred my back and a bruise on my bum and foot, we are walking wounded, told hubby to be very careful, its definitely not his turn.

Our quiet life was broken this week, we received a letter from Information Commission Office informing us how our CCTV should be set up, they received a complaint about our motion camera being able to record beyond our property, they state the letter will close the complaint. Firstly we only have static cameras, as checked by local council after next door complained about our rear camera, which she has previously stated she has seen moving towards her side. The cameras were set up years ago because of her unacceptable behaviour, we have filed the letter as another issue she refuses to believe the truth as proven by official's, more time wasting and silly allegations against us. 

I have a busy time until the middle of next week, all nice things, no doubt I will include them in future post, tonight we are out to our local live venue, we are both looking forward to it, hopefully the rain won't be so bad the car park is next to the venue. 

Oh Christmas tree.

 Oh my goodness, what is going on, she has constructed this huge thing, it looks like a tree, but not one I have seen before, what is it doing in the house? is it for me? I'm not sure about the bright lights. 

Oh wait she is now hanging things on it, they do look pretty, not sure if it's for me or not, she left it for a few days, is this a ritual, something special? do I have to do anything.

I sit in the tree outside watching the birds next door, I am fascinated by them, later when they come to feed in our garden I sit under the tree, they won't come if I'm sitting on the branches, she tells me to move out their way.

I am loving my cat tree, I can lie in here and watch the garden, those pesky squirrels are coming in more, she stops them from digging in her garden and they can't get to the bird feeders. 

I'm inside more, I try and give her up to 15 minutes on her lap, I do love her lap blanket. Most of my hiding places outside have gone, she has promised me things will grow back next year, I still don't understand what is happening. 

I do still love our morning cuddles before they get out of bed, both of them give the best scratches, which I love, loudly purring in hope they don't stop, this has not changed at all, which is good, I'm not happy with all the changes going on. 

She has been out most mornings last week, but she came home smelling of my mum, so I gave her extra cuddles, she tells me my mum and brother are both beautiful like me. The little people came on Sunday for lunch, I sat with them as they played, they will share their toys with me, I didn't like to musical ones, they were loud. 

I have decided I will ignore the inside tree, it is shiny, the lights are too bright for me, but they do not flash, which is really good. I am having loads more treats, I like a soft one called Lick e lix in different flavours, all because I am being a good girl. I'm not so good with the shiny silver snowflakes on the stairs, I do love them, she just shrugs her shoulders as she walks past, I ensure I only play with them when no-one can see me.

November round up

 It's been a really cheap month, no craft and no garden spend, but a couple of house plants, I did spend £30 on a pair of cord trousers, not needed, but I know I will love them.

4 books read this month

We were gifted a huge bag of cooking apples, most have been sliced and placed in our freezer, we sent some to our neighbour as thanks for more eggs, plus more fresh eggs, being away meant we had a much cheaper household month. I did have an eye test and new glasses ordered, I was expecting an upgrade, so the cost was not a huge surprise.

The cost of the trip, spending money and the family meal came from our savings, we had been putting a bit more away towards the week. I did very little shopping whilst away, so no surprise spends. Hubby received his £50 gift card for the local Co-op store, his old employer, very handy this time of year. 

We have finished most of our Christmas spend, we have cut back on the treats, we should not need a big shop until January, we hate the crowds at this time of year. Any extra cost came from our savings, which we can replace with the lower spend next month.

The only black Friday deal I used was for printing my book, same as previous years 50% off.

Not going to say anything about my weight, I did have a good birthday treat, I am walking more.