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. 

First post

Another Christmas gift from daughter, she knows I love these blooms, sadly I can only get them to bloom once, I have a white one already growing, should bloom in the coming weeks. My hyacinth bulbs are beginning to open, pale pink flowers giving colour to a dreary time of year.

The box has come in very handy, as Lilly loves it, our house has become a toy shop for cats, neither Grace or Purdy played with toys, so we had to go shopping for Lilly, she is happily playing or sleeping most of the day. I had said I would get an older cat to love here and have a second chance of happiness, but after losing both of ours, it would be too heart breaking to have to go through loss again too soon, so when daughters cat was pregnant the choice was made for us. 

I've sorted through my seeds, most came free with my subscription to Kitchen Garden magazine, these I am passing on to my neighbour. I have plenty left, I will cancel my subscription in February, 12 copies are enough, and a helpful reference point as I have kept them all. It's a time of planning, I have my note book out, I sketch my beds in the veg area and work out what I'm going to grow, I always cram plants in, my veg space is small.

We enjoyed good TV, Gavin and Stacey on Christmas night as did most of the country, loved The Split Barcelona, Strike, Ink Black Heart, The Christmas Lectures with Chris Van Tulleken, we also are watching The Day of the Jackal, still have a couple to watch. Christmas and January are always full of programs we love, so less reading time. Having I said that New Years Eve was just rubbish up to Graham Norton. 

New Years Eve was quite, just the two of us, we had a nice meal, shared a bottle of blush prosecco, waited up to watch the fireworks in London on the TV, we did stay up until all the fireworks was done, most locally were set off early because of the weather. We had a very blustery night, loads of bangs, neither of us slept well, my greenhouse and garden all came through, later in the day the rains came, some of the worse weather we have had, luckily we do not suffer from flooding here. It's a shame so many displays had to be cancelled, the weather has been horrible once again.

Lilly has settled, she has two igloos tucked away so she can retreat when she needs to, already she is following us and playing, after all her new toys a simple box and balloon not blown up fully keeps her happy. I had forgotten all they joys of a tiny kitten, she is house trained, which means we have a litter box inside, we won't let her out until she has had all her injections, been neutered and chipped.

At the start of another new year, I don't make resolutions, we have changed our lifestyle over recent years, turning our back on commercial, ignoring all the messages on my phone showing stuff they want to sell us as 'stuff you need'. No plans to declutter, our life with less feels so rewarding, our choices are not for everyone, but we both enjoy life. My hope is for 2025 to be a year of peace and calm, if not in our wide world, in each of your worlds.

Starting a leap year.

 I saw this idea on another blog, 'my little jar of good things', each time something lovely happens in your life you make a note of it and pop it into the jar, another blog suggested you write a note each week. At the end of the year, you can spend time sharing memories of the good times from the year. I always keep these candle jars, this one will be perfect, added a few stickers I had.

Crafting, I have my knitted blanket to finish, I've done half the squares, a ball of sock yarn is ready for knitting. I have also been looking at my year wheel I started this time last year, I have been sketching, I'm hoping I can be inspired to get it done. My hexagons flowers sit and wait for inspiration, I am trying not to start anything new, it would be lovely to get one thing finished first.

Once the Christmas flowers and greenery are packed away, I have an empty vase on the small table by the patio doors, I could pack it away for a few weeks, but I want colour in our room, so it is tulip time again, far too early, they do brighten this corner. Completely soft plastic, but realistic, I got the red and white in February 2020, the pink/yellow ones I added last year, I do love to see these, they look very real.

We did stay up to watch the London fireworks, but only so I could sit with our cats as the local fireworks start, Grace our old lady slept through them all, she hates fireworks, these days she is going deaf, Purdy sat and watched them, so we were in bed by 12.30, evening just the two of us as we like it. 

Monday, I cleaned top to bottom, washed the wooden floors, packed away our Christmas cards, I have left little sets of lights around to brighten dark corners. I will give our kitchen a full clean, cupboards inside and out, I have an itch to sort, it's that time of year.

A new year, always makes me look at my crafting, and garden planning, I try and ensure I don't have too many unfinished projects, I do have a couple cross stich projects, not touched for years, I really should get rid of them, but they take up little space. I am going to book a couple more needle felting courses, making a rabbit and a bird, both half days and should help me increase my ability to make more animals. Hubby and I would like to find a local basket weaving class, something to do together. 

Both hubby and I decided we did not like our patio looking so bare, so we have moved some things back, not the wooden table and chairs, they can stay in the garage until drier days arrive, we both enjoy our view of the garden from the house. For now it's windy and storms, grey days and much cooler, we do have some colour outside.

We have not been far from our village since before Christmas, we are popping to town today to get my second pair of glasses, I will change the frames for a bigger pair as they are bifocals, I am struggling the the reading bottom half, watching TV is brilliant. If the rain is not to relentless I hope to get back home dry, daughter is coming over in afternoon,  Will starts back at school on Wednesday. 

1st post

Firstly I sorted my hexagon workbox, for a while I had been using 3 boxes, but moving all the fat quarters out of this box, gave me room for my stitched hexagons, I don't have so many so everything in one place. The two other boxes are now being used for other things. I still have a few to stitch into shapes. 

I have started stitching them into flowers, this time I want them all to match, I do have 6 made up flowers from my previous project. I still have no idea what I can make, I will stitch and see how many I have, before making any decisions. 

More stitching, the pale pink infill is done, and more squares started, the white infill on the diamonds has to be stitched, I will probably do 2 or 3 more squares in this design. This is going to be major this month, as I have decided not to purchase any craft things, I don't really need anything, I have loads of stash.

The decorations are down, I got up on Saturday (New Years eve) and decided I wanted them gone, I passed loads on before Christmas, so I have more space in my storage containers, in my wicker hamper basket, I have put things I would want to get to in November, cards and bags, our local Card Factory had a 75% off sale, a few purchases and we have more than enough for this coming Christmas. Hubby popped the boxes away so quickly, I did not pack the tree lights, they can stay downstairs in my drawer, I now have 1 bag less than before Christmas. 

We stayed up to watch the London fireworks, and to sit with the cats if local houses had any fireworks, luckily locally they were finished by 12.15, so we were not too late to bed, sadly I again did not sleep well, and was up at 5.30am. We were invited to a neighbours house, but I was far too tired to go, so a lazy New Years Day at home, hubby cooked a roast beef dinner.

It's a very grey and dull time, I have loads of candles out, I have left a few of my battery operated lights out as well, anything to make the house a bit brighter. It does not feel so bare this year, just lovely and clean. I think I have done all the sorting I can, life is much easier when you don't own so much. The cats baskets are again in front of the radiator, both love it there, nice and warm and they can look out at the garden from their beds. We have so much rain in the forecast, having crafts to do will help pass the days. 

We went through our very full freezers last Friday, we have loads of bits we should use up, the same in our store cupboards. I have not wanted to lower stocks just in case of shortages, but we still have far too much food. We have decided to not shop other than veg and milk for a few weeks, it will be good to get rid of lingering items. 

A new year, same old me

 I've started my 3rd Luna rabbit, I had a bright idea to felt the inner ear, the pink felt is not as natural as the brown felt, it did not work, but worth a try. It's my first time at trying needle felting. 

I have joined the Luna Lupin little world Facebook page (thanks to Rachel and have already ordered some tiny shoes), I have also found another book I own can be used for clothes, the designs are knitted, so more fun. These animals are very addictive, but I'm sure Molly will love playing with them. 

I have this lovely 100grms of 4ply, from last Christmas, and I can't decide what to use it for, socks comes to mind, but I have loads of handknitted pairs. This is so soft, and I would like to use it, any idea's. It's shades of brown and red, Robin inspired and far too nice to be left in my stash. 

I have found out all my needle felting stuff, I purchased a couple years ago, I am ready to try and make animals, the colour balls of wool I got from Hobbycraft a while ago in their sale, and the bigger hank is from a hand dyer who I often buy yarn from. I have a couple simple kits to try, so plenty to practice with.

The tree and all decorations were packed away last Thursday, Friday I was able to give the house a good clean, not that it was dirty. We stayed up much later than expected on Friday night, the local fireworks were very loud, our cats were not happy, I sat with them until it became quiet outside and they could settle. Saturday we had a big family roast, with George sat at the table with us and Molly in the high chair, not that Molly is eating our food yet. 

I managed to purchase all the Christmas cards for next Christmas, I got them at our local independent shop at half price, I will take that as a double win. The only other bargain was 2 Christmas puddings at half price, one ate on new years day and the other one stored for later in the year, we realised on boxing day we had not purchased a pudding. Clever hubby got a part for my floor steamer and now it's working perfectly again, just a few pounds and it's sorted, hopefully to last a few more years. 

Normally I would be thinking about changes we are making this year, but there is very little to change, we are happy with our lifestyle, little waste, low spend, comfortable life. I now have my government pension, and we are going to build our savings, a few expensive items need replacing this year, we can do that through out the year. Only focus is weight, yes it's the same every year, smaller portions, walk more, so I don't need to record details here. 

New year, same stuff

Winter is here, cold and crisp, no snow and for a few days no rain, so it's hot chocolate time, we always have Butlers hot chocolate, which come as solid blocks of chocolate which you melt in the milk, rich and creamy. 

I did manage to read one more book last year, my 83rd book, and it was another brilliant read, simple plot, which twisted in the telling, I will add this author to my list to look out for. 

Hubby and I were so ill on boxing day, we ordered a test, we both hoped it was just a flu, but both became unwell quickly which included cough, no taste and smell, we know of loads of locals who have the virus, we are now both feeling better, but as yet have not been out anywhere, results expected in a couple of days. I am expecting a negative, but who knows these strange days. 

Both amaryllis are growing tall, neither was quick to bud, the cheaper bulb had leaves first, which normally means no blooms, the expensive bulb is much shorter. So flowers inside in January. 

 

Christmas to New Year was lost to us, not well enough to do anything, we had everything we needed, we ate very simple, it's hard to makes meals when you are unwell and can't taste anything. We were so tired all the time, we did not plan to stay up on new year's eve, but an interesting music show on channel 5, and then the taped Graham Norton show followed, so we were still up at 11.50pm and watched BBC2 for 15 minutes, so the new year came with a fizzle rather than a wizz and a bang. 

I have since managed a walk around our garden, it's still looking good, the side flowerbed is a bit bare, we both agreed we need a couple of shrubs to give winter colour and structure, I could do with an hour outside to tidy, but that won't happen this week. We are having heavy Frost most nights, I do go out and crack the ice on the birds water, and top up the rain chain which they love. 

I am starting to pack the dec's away, its going to be a mammoth job as hubby can't help with getting full boxes back into the attic, luckily the attic door is in our bedroom wall, I have packed all the silk flowers and hand made cushions away, I hope to do a box a day and then the tree, which is the biggest, I have 6 boxes in all. In previous years I have everything packed away by 31st of December, this year with low energy levels, things are later. The outside lights we will turn off, and leave until February, when hubby is more mobile. 

My tabletop computer power failed, I should get it back tomorrow, so just a few days in this new year and another expensive repair. 

Thank you for your comments on my previous post, so many bloggers have health issues and are waiting for treatment, these are horrible times, we have to wait for results and support our family member, the waiting is the worse part. 

So this is January

Using some of my advent calender yarn from Hedgerow yarns, simple knitted squares. I have yesterday made a purchase of yarn from Burrow & Soar, to use with these colours, my purchase is of bright colours, they had a 30% off sale, too good to miss. 

A Christmas gift, this will be my 1st read of the new year, 

last year I read 59 books. 

Outside in the garden, I have new growth on begonias and geraniums, fruit bushes in bud and hellebore's in bud, totally crazy again this year, but our weather has become so mild, nothing in the garden surprises me any more. 

 Bulbs are shooting, far too early, I even have tulips in leaf.

 My Olive tree is doing well, I am watching the weather and will cover this when it gets colder, I don't want to risk losing it. 

 Inside my Amaryllis is in bud, the ones from previous years only produced leaves this year, and some flowers given to me on Christmas day. 

 I took all the decorations down on 30th December, it was good to clean the house, we have been sorting piles of laundry, I can't remember the last time we did so much bedding, but it was lovely to see so many visitors.
New Years eve we stayed up to watch Graham Norton and stayed awake until just after midnight, we don't go out anymore. We had lunch on New Years day with daughters MIL, another family day, Will loves to see us all together.
Now it's just quiet time at home, Su and George are popping in later, Will is at nursery, so I get loads of baby cuddles.
I don't make resolutions, but I do have a few things I want to change this year, trying to ensure our lives are in tune with our environment and local British suppliers.

It's January again.

New yarn, Aran weight

 Everyone loves books as Christmas gifts

 In the garden, new life, 1st snowdrop

 Hellabours 

Summer plants still in bloom

This morning we took a trip to Hobbycraft, I wanted to look at a couple of things, I am doing a felting course later in the spring, and I want to start weaving, so I wanted to see whats about. I did not get anything for these hobbies, I will get on a weaving course, once completed I should know what is required for both hobbies, if I want to do more.
I only wanted envelopes (A6) but as the cards and envelopes were in the sale at just 50p more than just the envelopes, I got another pack of cards as well. I did look for navy card, but could not find what I wanted.
I have a couple of thick cardi's which I love but they are not all looking good enough to wear out. This yarn is 97% Acrylic and 3% Viscose, and on sale 3 for the price of 2 (total spend £20), I can't wear pure wool or wool mixes, I am allergic to the lanolin, it makes me itch. Now I am looking for similar knitting patterns, so another project to make.
I am also looking for a neck down jumper pattern to knit for my 2 year old grandson, I have double knitting wool to use as striped design, so neck down will be easier for me to match the stripes, has anyone the link to a tried pattern, your suggestions will help me choose.
Afterwards I had a walk around the garden, everywhere is looking good, new growth is showing, BUT still I have summer plants looking healthy, it's another crazy winter.
It's exciting to be at the start of another new year, it's crazy how this time of year everything is so full of hope, so much to look forward to. Plenty of reading and crafts, until spring makes an appearance.

Dull start

Weston-Super-Mare,

Towards Brean down,

with the island, Steepholm

 Towards the main pier

And the old Birnbeck pier in the distance

Minehead, towards North Hill

 Watchet harbour

We are still in Somerset, will drive home tomorrow, having more time away allowed us time to visit places.
We moved from Weston-Super-Mare in 1995, after living there for nine years, so spending New Years eve there was brilliant, walking along the sea front and then into town, noting what was the same and what had changed, sad to the old Dolphin Square market gone. We were there for most of the day, no shopping just wandering around, remembering places we had so much fun.
We celebrated the new year at my sisters house, the weather was not kind, it was too cold and wet to walk about the village. New years day was spent at my brothers house.
Today my brother Martin came with us, we drive in the other direction from the village, going to Watchet harbour, Blue Anchor beach and on to Minehead, loads more walking again it's years since we have visited. I spent alot of time in 70's in Watchet and Minehead, so loads of fond memories.
It's that time of year where everything is so dull, so it was lovely to get out and about, we were lucky both days as we missed all the rain storms.
Tonight we are out for a meal with my brother Martin, it's his birthday, with sister and her partner, his dad and my younger brother Ivan, we do try and get together on birthdays.
These extra days have been fun, we both enjoy coming back to Somerset, catching up with family.
I have loads of ideas for this coming year, a couple of challenges, just to keep our lifestyle heading in the right direction, more on this next time.

New beginings

I have soaked my water beads, all these are from just one small packet.

Overnight they grew huge in size.

The light catches them, these were dark green in the packet. 

 I have removed some water beads from the vase and placed tulip bulbs on top

I put them away in a cool dark place.

 The 5th bud is opening on my Amaryllis

plus I think there is a second bud showing from the bulb.

 I love these flowers

So another year has passed, so many have said 2016 has been a terrible year, so many famous wonderful people have departed, closer to us, we lost our lovely neighbour Win.
We have had ups and downs, but in the main with youngest daughters wedding early April and then her pregnancy (due in 6 weeks), we have loads to look back on. To sum our year, it's been good, it could have been better.
Hubby and I stayed in together last night, our cats were OK with all the fireworks outside, we enjoyed London's firework show on the TV.
Now we look forward, I don't make resolutions, finding your lifestyle balance should not start one day each year, for me it's a long journey, which counts each day of my life, I make mistakes, take wrong turnings, but I stay along the path. So this year like many others, I won't be changing much, just trying to live a clean healthy simple life, avoiding waste and excess, enjoying our choices.
Each January I weigh myself, and note the figure in the front of my diary, I am pleased to see I only increased by 2 pounds on January 2016, and only 3 pounds on January 2015. I do loose a few pounds, which I manage each summer only to put it back on later in the year.
So now I want to finish a few stitching projects, I have books to read, and I would like to start making clothes again, I have ordered double ended needles  to knit my 1st ever pair of socks.

Leaping into a leap year

We have had the perfect first day of a new year, this morning I visited my God son Richard,  I have not seen in over 20 years, can't and won't go into reasons on here, but I spent a couple of hours reuniting with him, his partner and their twin toddler daughters.

Later we spent time with Logan, he was 5 today, normally when we visit Somerset at this time of year, we have a flying visit and the drive home, but we spent the whole afternoon and early evening together, ending with fun bath time before bed.

We are back at my brothers house, tomorrow is his birthday and we are heading out for a meal together with another brother and sister if she is feeling better. Last night we did go out but was back at Martins by 11, two pubs were full and loud and busy, the last pub was very quiet, so we went home for the last hour together.

I have loved all your new year post, loads of great plans, which I look forward to reading how you each progress. Reading a post from Trish, where she is thinking of 50 things to do this year, I like the sound of her plan and I'm adjusting for me to be 52 things to do this year, I will make my list, but I would tick meeting with Richard as the first.

Happy New Year

Finishes in 2014

Failed - Winter Watergarden, one day

Finally I am looking at threads and deciding what to stitch.

I have been very naughty and popped to Hobbycraft and purchased cutters for my Xpress machine, I managed to get a couple Christmas ones, these will enhance my card making. Plus the embossing for the whole card. 

On the plus side, I did look at all the half price Christmas decorations in the garden center next door and decided we did not require anything. I can not find anywhere with simple white tree lights on sale, oh well I will have to get them in December. 

I have recorded my weight this morning, 

not sure how I'm going to  lose and keep off the excess.