New titles

2025 blog book has arrived, I am really pleased with it, it looks the same as my others, just different date and photo's on the cover, in all the years the company Blurb has never changed the size of the book.

Over the years I have created my system to input each post, I do love the top line of every page to be at the same height, I always pop the date at the bottom of each page, the rest is fitting everything on the one page, occasionally on two pages if I have interesting photo's. More information can be seen in this post, which has a couple links to other relevant posts.

I made another book, this one is much easier, most of it is pre-set, just adding names and their cartoon image, it has a few busy pages themed like Where's Wally, they have to find themselves, both adore the Where's Wally books. This is for early December, so they can enjoy the build up to Christmas. After receiving the first book I have created another similar second book, so they have one each.

Will asked for an atlas for Christmas, he is very much like his mum, he loves information, we gave him a child's atlas a few years ago which Molly now reads. This is huge, so many different facts for him. We will pop some more money inside as well.

This was a huge book over 700 pages, I did struggle at the beginning, too many people with glittering careers, all on top of their game, I stuck with it. Not at all my normal read, it was an enjoyable plot, I guessed a few things, I'm not sure if I will read another. Book 85 read this year.

I have very mixed feelings regarding my blog books, looking back over 2026, we have had some standout moments, should I record them. An idea is forming, rather than do another year book, I am thinking I could do one last book which spans over a few years, so instead of almost 200 pages for one year, condense down to 60 to 80 pages each year, putting coming years together making a book the same size as my others. Recording nice moments and not mundane bits and bobs, I suggested this to hubby his reply I knew you would keep going, oh well, he does know me.

Hide the card

 I have recently done a bit of shopping, firstly these Clarks trainers were reduced to just £20, a great price, it was not a need but a want, who can resist a pair of pink shoes, they will look good with jeans. These are from their online outlet site, click here if you want to check them out, they are all perfect, just old designs, which does not bother me.

I found this Tshirt and jumper in the sale at Trespass, both for under £30, I blame hubby for this purchase, I was not going into the shop, he dragged me in. Both will be very useful, the Tshirt is 100% cotton, just great bargains.

We packed the outside furniture away, it's all under this cover, very compact, the chairs tuck under the bench and the cushions pile on top, the cover is totally waterproof, we are waiting for a cover to arrive for the table, no room in the garage this year. 

I was sent a copy of this gardening magazine with seeds, for two years I subscribed to them it finished last year, I have no idea why this was sent, I tried to email them, but was blocked as I don't have an account anymore?

Tender plants are in the greenhouse, other pots are moved to ensure a clear walking space, ornaments are all in a big box in the garage. I still have to mulch the veg beds, I have everything for my new spring bulb pots, Molly wants to come and help me create them. The rest of this week is rainy days, so a timely sort.

Monday we sorted both bedrooms, we slept in our spare room, giving our visitor our big room an en-suite,  BIL was rested ready for his long drive home. We have sorted the fridge, froze a few bits and checked dates to ensure nothing is wasted.

Tuesday it rained all day, later I sat with the children whilst daughter met their teachers, all three children had great reports, both Molly and George were very tired. Today, Wednesday is another very wet day, I have to pop to town on the bus to deliver a birthday card, then home for another blood test and Lilly's second vet visit.

I am pleased with my purchases, I should not need anything else this year. I have packed away the Christmas bits, we have ordered a huge book for Will, he told hubby he wanted it on Sunday.

I have pulled out my cotton Christmas fabrics, I have decided on my patchwork, with my back still feeling great I can get my sewing machine out. I have also all the ingredients for our cakes, we have had a few busy days, hopefully I can get them done at the weekend.

Weekend

 Just a lonely clematis bloom by our main entrance, unexpected and beautiful. 

This begonia is normally in the greenhouse by now, it's still full of blooms, such a vibrant colour.

Saturday afternoon we sat outside in the garden, it was lovely, just chatting and enjoying the garden.

We popped to our favourite garden centre with hubby's sister and her hubby, they have put out the snowman seat, we took our annual photo, no grandchildren just us.

Hubby's sister and her hubby arrived Friday afternoon, we had a nice time chatting and catching up with family news. Saturday we popped to Whitley for some shopping and then to Garsons garden centre, I did not purchase any plants, I did get a couple Christmas bits and some nice chocolates for us, all packed away for now. Back home we sat in the sunshine in the garden. Later hubby cooked a nice meal, steak for the guys and fish for us ladies, we had another nice quiet evening together.

Sunday we walked around Portchester castle and then had lunch in the local pub, again a great meal, back home daughter came to visit with her three, they were happily chatting and playing, it was quiet when they went home, our house is not big enough for so many people, another lazy night in.

Today SIL is driving back to south Wales, we have beds to sort and some housework to do, then a restful afternoon. This week we will pack away our outside seating, I will pop tender plants into the greenhouse, and all my birds from the side shelf into the garage, sadly it's time to close the garden, hopefully we will use the sunroom for much longer.

Getting ready

I got a new glass dish for our dinning table, for no other reason than, I love it. I read plastic fruit is out of style, mine will stay, it looks fresh in a dark corner. I will keep my old glass bowl, it's a useful shape. We then saw the darker green candle holder, which hubby pointed out, it would have been rude not to get it.

Lilly has taken to my crochet blanket, she often settles on my chair as we are going to bed and sleeps here most of the night. Recently she is resting here in the daytime, so I'm sat on our not so comfortable sofa.

We are viewing our local hedgehog most nights, sadly they have not settled in the house hubby built, they often are close, but not moved in, these from Monday.

 I have read this author before, you get home to find the police at your house and your boyfriend murdered, the police are on-top of everything, until she calls into the local police station, here's the first brilliant twist, it's a very clever plot, I could not work out who? the author twisted the plot a few times. I could not put this book down, Book 84 read this year. 

Monday was dull and wet, and noisy most of the morning, the local highways team were sorting potholes in our street, we had two forming outside our drive, now completely filled in.

Tuesday we popped to town on the bus, I managed to find a warmer raincoat I like, I'm not a fan of the puffy costs, which are everywhere, I got it from TKMax at a great price, I have sent my old one to the local clothes bank, I have had it about 5 years. Later it was sunny and warm, we spent time outside, our sunroom is perfect on days like this.

Wednesday was housework ready for SIL and her hubby visiting for weekend, nothing gets me cleaning like a family visit, we did walk to the village, it was market day, nothing purchased, the plants looked nice as always, but I left them there.

Today Lilly is visiting the vets, we have noticed she is walking strange on one back leg, she let's us check it so no pain, we want to get it checked out. Later we plan a shopping trip to Lidl, and then a bit more house work.