Dull day, dull post

Most of our Christmas spending is done, we only require food, to help we have saved on our Co-op cards £55.99 and this week hubby got another £50 of Co-op vouchers from his pension providers, it is very handy to get this extra free money each December. For us it means no last minute trips to bigger supermarkets for the short dated items.

With not having to rush around for Christmas, we find we have loads of time to read, plus often in the evenings we turn the TV off, I can't be bothered to watch the rubbish they show, and I really don't like our soaps. 

I am not doing my 12 days of Christmas challenge this year, I take loads to charity shops through out the year, we give to other charities. We have a monthly sum going to MacMillan, we have done since 2011, I am so glad we can still afford to make the donation each month, whilst it's not a huge amount, I know they love these monthly payments to help boost their support, I can never thank them enough for the support we had when we needed it most. We also send presents for the elderly in our local hospital, and give to our local Lions club.
I have watched the last of series 3 of The Crown, I do like the new actors showing the aged royal family, it is really interesting to see things I remember shown in a different way. Can't wait for the next series.
I caught the tail end of a programme on BBC4 last night, showing the history of carols, that's not the title, I will watch it on iplayer, it did look interesting.
Changing the subject, I watched a TV documentary last week, showing the predicament of people not being able to save extra for their retirement, it was very sad, people struggling to live now have no chance of saving, and they highlighted those who rented their property. It was very sobering, and I sat watching thankful we are not facing a poor future, we are not rich, we are not poor, we are not lucky, we did work hard, and did give up things whilst working to allow for our retirement.

Santa is here

1st Santa

 2nd Santa

I had a lovely Sunday morning, making Santa's for the Christmas cakes, last year daughter and I did a small course making cake toppers, we both made Rudolf, it was fun. So after a search on Pintrest, I choose this Santa sitting down, the basic shapes are the same as Rudolf, but I have never done a face before. Daughter's cake is now finished, she has a pretty band to go around the side, our cake has it's marzipan cover, I will ice it next weekend.
I finishes reading A gift for dying, M J Arlidge, it was a brilliant book, I could not put it down, I have loved every book by this author.
Strickly was good, we enjoyed Saturday night, and on Sunday we felt the right person left, we can't wait for next weekend, we always have a Strickly party night together on finals night.
I am trying to cheer myself up, the only way I can lift the gloom is to do things and perk myself up, Will and George is due today with mummy, nothing planned, thank you for your comments and understanding, I don't get down often, and it's not easy to sort yourself out. I am trying each day to do one joyful thing, in hope it will lift my spirits.

Life at home

I am loving my yarn from my advent calender, I've opened 7 doors so far, there are a few more balls in my photo, which I already had, all from the Hedgerow yarns. I really love this seller, there was no plastic in either parcels, everything is recyclable, I feel a project coming on in the new year.  

I was busy on Friday and did not get anything I planned done, mummy and daddy came to visit with Will and George, and we popped out for lunch. Will was very excited to see all the Christmas decorations, he loved our Santa hat, George was given his Santa hat, it's the only one tiny enough for him to wear. 

I really enjoyed this book, it's the 1st read by Jane Casey, I will add her to my list of authors. 

Another brilliant book, I loved the storyline, again very different for me, I could not put this book down.

I have loved every book I have read from this author, but this one has started very dark, I'm not giving up on it yet. 

We have a weekend at home, no visitors expected, so I should be able to get things done, we will pop to our local community centre, they have their Christmas fayre today, we do like to support local events as much as we can. 

I'm still not feeling festive, but in truth, I feel a huge fog over me, seeing the boys yesterday helped, but I can't shake myself out of this gloom. Hubby is being lovely and trying his best, I know it's down to how I feel and it's up to me to cheer up. I have a busy week meeting with friends and grandsons Josh and Sam, so maybe that can be my turning point. 

More legs

7 pairs of Jeans

 Couple of zips

I have had these jeans for ages, most are good quality, when my older brother Mel lost his battle with cancer years ago, I kept his jeans to make a keepsake for my brother Martin, I have made myself cushions before with old jeans, seen here. My brother Martin has a new sofa, so it's time for me to use the denim and make him 2 large cushions, this will be a Christmas gift from me to him. I can show this here, blogging does not interest him.
Yesterday hubby was sorting our small attic space, he does it every year after we get the Christmas decorations out, I now have a huge space in my fabric stash, not that I plan to purchase any more, I still have more fabric than I can use.
So today the sewing machine is out, I have cut the legs off and will have 28 strips of denim to use, they will be square, with a black velvet back, I hope to have them finished and under my tree by the end of the weekend. As yet I have not decided how I will stitch them together, or even if they will be matching cushions, the design desions will be made as I work with the colours of the denim.