A new year

 Same old me, same old hubby and same old house, just the way we like it. We stayed in on new year's eve, its been years since we went out, we both love a quiet evening in. I stayed up later to ensure Lilly was OK with the local fireworks, TV was not too bad, we ordered a pizza and had a bottle of fizz. 

The garden has loads of colour, I love hubby's old motorbike boots, this cyclamen is pretty. 

These cyclamen by the pond are spreading and looking pretty, my primroses I split often, I have loads around the back section. 

Hellebores also are in bloom, I am so pleased as I forget I had split my very dark red plant, which is blooming here in a new spot, shown in bigger image, the mother plant has not reappeared this year. These range from white, through pink to almost black. 

I have loads of pots of bulbs, most are shooting, as is the snowdrops in the corner of the long bed, infront of the huge herb pot, it's taken years for them to spread, well worth the wait.

Buds on my magnolia tree, and on the big acer, far to early the cold snap due will see them all disappear, it happens most years. I managed an hour outside on Wednesday, it was very cold, just a tidy around and check plants in greenhouse, I planted some ranunculus I forgot I had, hubby topped up the bird feeders, he never let's them get empty.

The decorations are packed away in their boxes, in the attic, I managed them on my own,  which was not the struggle I expected. I have left some lights out and have been lighting candles, just to keep the cosy feel, it does not feel so bare this year.

2025 decided to crash out, on 31st our air-fryer kept cutting out and our shower suddenly stopped using any cold water and was far too hot for comfort, so a new air-fryer has been purchased and our plumber is booked, not the start we expected.

I have already been sorting, my office/craft space is my focus this year, I have cleared a drawer, so I can keep my needle felting stuff close by, I want to make more things this year, hopefully get on a couple more day courses. I do need to clear my crafting trolley it's become a dumping ground, it won't take long.

I did get some Christmas cards and gift bags in the sale from our local card shop, all less than half price, they are packed away in my pre December box, with all the other useful stuff, it's the only thing we got in the sales, we did pop to town, but just for a wonder to get out of the house. 

Last look

 2025 was a mixed year here, as always I try and focus on the better side, my garden has been my haven, so many wonderful days sat outside in warmer weather, can't wait to be back outside. We have had a few brilliant trips, and loads of family fun.

Just a couple of my favourite photos from the year, I did have some from a visit to the local park, but decided on these two from our trip to the beach with fish and chip supper, everyone was so happy it was just before the new school year started.

Our lovely grandchildren, daughters three who we see often, Molly doing so well in her first year at school, George is settled and showing signs of progress, Will loving school and doing so well in his classes. Our older grandsons, whilst we don't see them often they are thriving, siblings like us are all getting older but mostly reasonable fit. Molly is now feeling much better, daughter is getting unbroken sleep at night, George and Will are both bug free. 

Hubby's health has been a concern, loads of test has been done, still unsure of the best path forward. I just wish I could get him to ease up and pace himself, I have noticed how tired he gets, needing an afternoon nap most days. I'm always tired, the past few months I have struggled, worried about family, I do wish I was not such a worrier, it does bring on the blues. 

I don't make new year resolutions, never have, I do have a few things I need to address, not necessarily in January.

So I am sending good wishes for a happy new year to everyone, hopefully as the days and weeks pass so quickly soon we will see signs of spring.

December round up

 December is always a good month, I am busy with other things, so stash spend is always super low, just 1 plant and 2 packs of reduced bulbs in my garden.

 Here are my full year figures, I had hoped to spend under £1000, I almost made it, my purchase of the second composter took me over my spend, this excise is purely for me to see how I spend on my crafts and garden and never to save money, my garden is a pleasure to both of us.

I did break my garden spend down again, I spent 51% on plants, seeds and bulbs, 10% on compost, grit and other soil improvers, 19% on helpful and pretty stuff, 20% was spent on one off larger items to enhance my garden.

This spread sheet shows my spending by craft, I am not crafting as much, and using stuff from my stash, slowly its shrinking. Here you can see a few years of spend, sorry if you are bored I am a queen of spreading sheets, I definitely have too much time on my hands.

I spent more on clothes which does not bother me, I needed to replace items which had worn out, I don't like to feel scruffy, next year should be a low spend, I do look after my clothes, so they last, my spend was still under £40 per month.

82 Books read this year, which is less than last year.

December is never an expensive month, we like to finish most of our Christmas shopping in November, so we avoid all the madness in retail, no huge household bills either. 

We have been very good on kitchen waste, we don't waste any cooked food, all the peelings, teabags and coffee granules go into the composters, we only bin onion and pepper bits. From March we will have food waste bins, our council has joined this worthwhile scheme, it won't change much here.

We did not get our wooden floors sorted this year, its top of the list for next year, along with a new sofa, no other planned outlays.

Don't know what to say about my weight I'm 5 pounds heavier than this time last year, overweight but not uncomfortable, I will have to figure something out in the new year.

In between

Christmas day, daughter did her table, normally my role, but this year I spent my time with the children, who had far too many gifts and loads of money, the meal was perfect and traditional, Molly and Will did not have vegetables, George ate everything including red cabbage. Children were happy all day, plenty to keep them entertained. 

This image taken off Facebook, they are on schedule for the work on M27 motorway, the carriage way was removed and a huge hole made ready and the box moved in place, this photo on 27th. Now they have to replace the soil around the box, build the sides and relay the surface, the tunnel will be a road for the new huge housing estate, which will link it to Fareham. They also have to sort the roundabouts out and make the road links into Fareham on the nearside. loads of people are walking to a good viewing spot to watch, the drive to daughters was good, not as bad as we feared, but the roads are very busy.

Another new author to me, not really a thriller, I almost gave up reading at one point, a young couple move into their first dream flat together, neighbours to get along with, what happens when things go wrong. I hoped for a twist, which was weak when it came. Book 82 read this year.

Christmas eve we walked to the village, just some fresh veg needed, it was market day, there were extra stalls, we just got what was on our list, our local bistro was packed so we did not stop. Daughter stayed at home with little ones, daddy promised to spend the day with them, instead of arriving at late morning as promised he arrived at 6pm, apparently unfit to drive before, after a night out, George put himself to bed, Molly would not go to bed as she wanted her dad, Christmas morning Daughter asked us to come earlier, they had not argued, but he was not helping with the children, all their presents had been opened, he left once we arrived. 

Hubby twisted his back and was in some pain, I have another cold, so we came home rather than sleeping over, we had a late start on Boxing day, just the two of us, resting and reading we did not go for a walk. Sadly no leftovers here, we had steak and chips for tea, watching some TV. Daughter spent the day with her older sister, walking along the beach, cousins together. Molly has a chest infection and is taking antibiotics, so no plans to see them in the next few days.

I have wonderful memories of Christmas as a child, full of families, cousins, laughter, never picture perfect, mum loving having everyone together. Things change, as does families, it just seams sad that our mixed family, our children are all from previous partners, whilst never argued are all drifting away. We don't mind being together, we are both happy with our daily lives, I just wish hubby's children would show just a bit more love and care for him. Maybe I'm just a bit cranky this year wishing for an era long gone.