Final post

The decorations are packed away, I never wait until the 12th night, I always loved to have everywhere clear before I started back to work after the holiday period, it's a habit ingrained into me. We have no plans for New Years Eve, it's years since we have been out on that night, we will do our usual thing of staying awake until the fireworks on TV and locally. 

Our families are all good, grandchildren are all growing up so quickly, sadly again another year of not seeing them enough, visiting is a struggle as most of them are so far away and busy on weekends, and hubby's children never have the time to visit here, families are what they are. 

George has done so well in his first term at school, he is a very happy little boy, Molly will start school this coming September, we are not expecting any issues, she is more than ready, Will is just a lovely big brother. They have coped with their new style of life, our daughter is a fierce protector of her children. With both boys at school and Molly in preschool 3 days a week, we do see less of them midweek, I do try to help out most weeks.

I've done less crafting, mainly knitting, crochet, needle felting and some sewing, a bit more reading, 94 books this year, we spend all our time in the garden when we can, I've already started planning the veg I hope to grow. Hubby is baking more, adding sourdough bread to his favourite recipes.

We have both had good health this year, a few more aches and pains, but we manage well in our daily lives, it helps our home has been tailored to meet our changing needs, our garden has been perfect this year. We both enjoy the leisurely lifestyle we have created, we love hopping on local buses to go to town or into Portsmouth, this year we hope to go further. It's good to be able to plan, we don't intend to live a sedate life, we still have much we want to do and see.

December round up

 December is always a low spend month on my crafting and garden, I have loads of seeds from my monthly subscription to Kitchen garden, so for now nothing is needed. I spent just under £400 on clothes and shoes this year, which is pleasing, in December I did get a new pair of ankle boots from Clarks outlet online store, just the style I wanted, heavily reduced, two pairs of trousers and a new jumper for Christmas day.

This is my yearly total, I did hope at the beginning of the year to keep my spend under £1000, which I failed, but we both get so much joy from our outdoor space, and enjoy my small harvest. 

Here my totals by craft/garden spend, this is where I see how my crafting is changing, it's a true list of what I spend, but not what I use, as I have loads of fabric, yarn and embroidery items. Another expensive year in the garden, after the refit I did purchase more structural items, which should be a one off purchase.

We ignored Black Friday (which last for weeks), no impulse purchases, no spending spree on our recent trip to London, no Boxing day sales, hubby has been sorting and removing some of his stuff from the house. 

We had a few new white goods items for the kitchen and decorated loads of the house, we do have a few bits we want to change in the coming year. 

My weight is a couple of pounds higher, something I can deal with in January, I have been over half a stone heaver at this point in the year twice, so I'm happy where I am.

I do consider we have had another good year, most of our spending is under control, and we are able to save.

In between

 Every year my brother gets lotto tickets for everyone, just a bit of fun on the Christmas draw, we finally checked ours and I got lucky, nice amount to win. I've cashed it in, but not spent it yet.

I got a  couple new birds for the garden, hubby was going to get me a toad, but I asked if I could have the penguin, my sister gave me the duckling. These will be placed when the weather is warmer, for now they are with the rest of my animals in the garage. We have a tiny mouse in our garage, it has been eating my monkey nuts, we don't mind, hubby popped some sunflower seeds down as well.

These were the last two stories in the series, each book is a stand alone with a running theme, the final book closed all the bits off, with the unexpected twist, book 92 and 93 read this year.

This book was purchased by the title alone, when I posted I had purchased it, a few came back with great reviews, it is a brilliant read, I was hooked from the first few pages and could not put it down, a very clever plot, funny as well. Book 94 read this year.

My garden has colour, the hellebores are beginning to bloom, I have 6 plants ranging through dark red almost black, to a white Christmas rose, some are only buds with a promise of more blooms. My cyclamen in pots at the front of the garden are full of colour, most of the pansies I planted have been eaten. 

It's that limbo time, does anyone know what day it is, I have packed away the unopened Christmas treats, they will last for weeks to come, the opened items can be nibbled on, the fridge is full, other than milk we should not require any shopping for ages, then we will shop at our local Co-op as hubby got another £50 voucher through his pension scheme, January should be a very cheap month. I did not open our coin bottle, we only use cash in the village, so less coins go in the pot, so it can stay for another year, our Christmas money will go towards a couple of trips next year, we have a couple of places we want to see. 

Our Christmas

Christmas eve was wonderful, everything just happened, the children were excited as expected, our Chinese meal we booked early as the local popular takeaway was busy, expecting it to be much later than stated, it arrived earlier, so Molly and George sat with us and tried many different dishes. After their bath they posed for the family traditional matching PJ's photo, they were really late going to bed, but fell asleep very quickly.  

Christmas morning we both woke just after 6am to a very quiet house, snuggled in a warm bed, we snoozed until we heard Will talking to mummy much later, we stayed in bed giving them time together. I crept into Molly's room as I heard her stirring, she was more happy to see me than her stocking full of gifts. George woke at the same time, so the day began. They both loved wearing their new snuggly thingy's, they shared playing with all the new toys, Will had more Lego and some army dressing up clothes. 

One group who had the best fun was the kittens, they loved all the presents and discarded wrapping paper to play with and finding places to sleep, here unicorn (not her final name), is in Wills hat. Two of them go to their new homes this week, another early next week, we will then see if Lilly is ready to come home with us. 

Lilly who is the quiet one had fun once the gifts were placed under the tree, Will, George and Molly have three sets of grandparents, loads of uncles and family, this corner was full.

First cut of the cake is always the best, I think I used too much of the good brandy, the cake is very moist, we will enjoy it.

Hubby and daughter made lunch together, Hubby as head chef, another nice meal, Will ate loads, both George and Molly had extra, it great to see them eating so well, both Will and Molly now loves cranberry sauce, or jam as Molly called it.

Daughter invited her soon to be ex husband for a couple of days, which worried both of us, as it could be super awkward, she is such a lovely lady wanting the best for the children, we decided to treat him as normal, even getting him a small gift, as Will would notice if he did not has presents. Ex spent most of his time with Will making Lego kits, we left late afternoon to come home to a quiet house, just the two of us, sat watching TV all evening, had a selection of cheese and crackers for supper. 

Boxing day was dull and cooler, we had no plans, our neighbour behind us had an open day in his bar in the garden, we have decided not to go, no real reason, just wanting to relax. We opened our gifts, just a few, there is very little we wanted, both of us had chosen our own main gift, we did get each other a few small surprises in our stockings, they are getting harder to fill, so we decided this is the last year we will do each other stockings. 

We have enjoyed the Christmas TV, we still have a few missed things to watch, Christmas evening, was brilliant except for Eastenders, which we never watch. Also reading one of my new books, listening to music, for both of us perfection. 

Christmas eve

 George had great fun painting the dog money pot, which he chose himself, he used his brush and then the sponge, his design is mixed colours all of which he asked for, not my best pose, but George was having so much fun.

Will was pleased to have a jet plane to paint, he is still army mad, he wanted it to look true colours, so used loads of grey, I painted a 'M', daughter did a Christmas tree tea light holder. A brilliant few hours together, Molly was at preschool. 

It's Christmas eve, later we will go to daughters, we are sleeping over for the first time together, and hoping Molly is not awake before 6am, my brother is at his daughters house. We are sharing a Chinese meal later, in previous years it's always been a curry, Will is not so keen, so a new tradition is formed. We will be back home teatime on Christmas day, and just the two of us the rest of the break.

The time has come to wish you all a wonderful Christmas, I hope you celebrate in a style which you enjoy. Less than a week and it will be 2025, how quickly did it come around.  

Pre Christmas weekend

 I got myself a couple new books, I have already read the first Rob Rinder book, which I loved, so I'm looking forward to this title, I thought the title of this other book was a good enough reason to purchase it. I can read books through hubby's Kindle apt, but I do find them 'easy reads'.

I decided to get myself a new jumper for christmas day, we are at daughters all day, and her home is always warm, I'm not one to have bits of glittery stuff stuck on jumpers, I can't wear wool as I am allergic to lanolin, this one is acrylic. 

The cakes are finished, the marzipan did not harden as it has done previously, I used a different brand this year, I am sure it will start to show through the icing. I'm pleased with how they look, they should taste good, I use the same recipe every year. Here is ours and daughters, who prefers her top plain, my brothers cake is much the same as ours.

Most everything is done, we got all we needed in Lidl's on Friday, no extras, the meat was a good price so we got a leg of lamb for Sunday lunch, plenty left over for another meal and some cold in sandwiches. It was busy but not mobbed, their Christmas shelves still had loads left, as did the centre isles. Rest of day relaxing, some reading time, and a bit if sewing. Our haberdashery shop recorded over £3,500 collected for charity from their window display, which is fantastic, it was their first year, great result.

Saturday we visited daughter and her three little ones, I took their furry sacks with me, I created their initial using felt and tartan ribbon, they were fiddly and don't look perfect, the children were happy to have them. Molly and George were both very excited, and loved seeing my brother, they played well, Will at 7 has grown up so much, a lovely few hours together. 

Sunday I did a quick clean around the house and finished the cakes, we had a late lamb roast, it was blowing outside all day, bright and not too cold. I am enjoying my Christmas playlist which we created a few years ago on Alexa, my brother is not so keen, he preferrs 70's music, which we listen to for the other 11 months of the year. 

This morning I am meeting daughter, Will and George,  we are going to a cafe where you can paint pottery, Molly is at preschool, she mothers George,  so it will be fun to watch the boys together. No plans for the afternoon, hubby is out, just my brother and myself. 

Reading

 Hubby found this set of 5 books on his Kindle list, set in London a DI in the MET, book 1 was an interesting plot, set around 5 ex firefighters, and a huge robbery where most of the cash was never recovered. It's a lighter read, but enjoyable, book 2 in the set, same people working from the same station, a very different clever plot, the whole set is much the same just different crimes, these are easy to read, no gore, the right amount of wrong turns, and very few clues. Books 81 to 86 read this year.

Whilst the above books were OK, this book was brilliant  another clever plot, things people hide in plain sight, deceiving loved ones and harbouring hate in others. I never saw the conclusion of the missing person case coming, then a truly stunning twist to add to the story. Book 87 read this year.

This book was a follow on from the above book, it put into place alot of details which show in future books, we often hear of policemen who have that one un solved case, Riker is helping one such copper, but it's complicated and messy. Another great story, I have now read all the missed titles in this series, book 88 read this year.

Another Kindle book, it's clever, your wife is in a coma after a hit and run accident, suddenly her older sister appears, the husband was not aware she existed, what do you do. Book 89 read this year.

This book is another first in a series, set in London, MET have a serial killer, they have a profiler working for them, it's her first case, she makes mistakes, but she leads them to a conclusion. Book 90 read this year. 

Other than the fact London has a second serial killer in less than 2 years, this is another good plot, it's more about getting into the mind of a killer, as a profiler she does get into some scrapes, book 91 read this year.

It's been a relaxing few days, Wednesday was another day at home, we walked to the village, it was market day, only a few stalls the weather was unkind, I've not much left to do so a lazy day. I popped to daughters to help with bedtime, no real reason, just to help out, the drive home was a bit yucky as it poured down.

Thursday we had a slow start, it was the last quiz on Zoe Ball breakfast show, we both have loved our Thursday morning questions in the past four and a half years, we had a respectable 4 out of 6 cotrect. Later we popped to town, I needed to collect an order, daughters Christmas gift, we had lunch out, rest of day and evening I read, nothing much on TV.

This morning we will pop to Lidl, just a few bits to get, milk and other normal bits as we have all the festive stuff, later I have a small sewing task. The marzipan has not dried enough on my cakes, so I plan to ice them on Sunday, the green holly leaves have dried and will be easy to finish they, it's the latest I've left them. I have a few gifts to wrap, everything is in hand.

This week

Sunday I marzipan the cakes, I'm really late this year, I had planned to do them last week, I also made holly wreaths for the top of two, my daughter prefers her left plain, the other smaller cake has thinner marzipan layer, my brother does not like it too thick, when did they all become so fussy. I will ice them on Friday and colour some icing red for berries.

  

Monday my brother arrived, he brought some sweet tree decorations, he made them with his 3D printer, he also brought a set for daughter and children's tree. Later I went to Will's school concert held at a local church, it was packed, loads of people, the children did well, but it was running very late daughter had to leave before the end to get George, so Will and I walked back to his house. Will had a reading which he did clearly, so proud of him.

My first amaryllis has opened, I got it from Lidl already planted in this glass, it's flowering a bit early, behind in the paperwhite daffodils, they are a disappointment, I did not have the best glass pot, and hoped they would thrive. I have another new amaryllis bulb which is growing only leaves this year.

We popped to our favourite garden centre,  I managed to get a plastic rake to help clean up fallen leaves on our fake grass, whilst there I saw their bulbs were 75% off, I was good and only got one pack. They feel nice and firm, I have a pot for them.

Tuesday we went to pets at home to get bits for our kitten Lilly, ensuring she has the same food as daughter is feeding her, we also got a cat scratching post, it was expensive so a lovely young man at the till asked if we all had the apt, my brother did not so they signed him up, found loads of discounts and saved us almost £20, brilliant result. I'm not sure if we will bring Lilly home next week, both daughter and I think she should stay with her mum for a week or two more.

I managed an hour outside, finally cutting back the late raspberry canes, there were a few berries still growing, I also cut back plants growing over the edge of the flowerbeds, everywhere is looking tidy, I still need to change the water in our large dish, it has an oily skin on it where the wood pigeons bathe, we were going to pack it away, but the birds use it daily. A pile of leaves has been collected all from recent storms, all we do now is keep the feeders full and watch the birds, we are having a hawk visiting, it sits on our fence and watches next door bird table, it's after the small pigeons.

Finishes.

I've been busy again, daughter has her Christmas tree up, because George will not leave anything on the tree, she has only white lights on there, so for a bit of colour I made a Santa for each of the children. All three loved them, they now add colour to the tree. 

My brothers blanket is finished, once I got going on the icord edging I started to enjoy it again. I have stitched the long ends inside the corded edge, I'm glad it's finished as my brother arrives this week. 

I managed to remove the huge chocolate coin from this wrapper, I cut a circle of cardboard and added the gold ribbon to create a hanger, now I have another tree decoration, the blue bauble is one purchased from Libertys on our recent trip.

George was in his first nativity last week, he was a sheep, he is sat beside his best friend, whilst his 1-1 support lady just outside this photo, hubby went to watch with daughter, at the start he joined in, but got distracted watching all the other children. We were just amazed he stayed on the stage, he does not like crowds with people he does not know, he is just so comfortable at school. 

We took one of our igloo cats beds to daughters house for the kittens to use, in hope when we bring Lilly home, she can find comfort in it smelling of her siblings, as yet they have not got the hang of it, and so far Lilly is not interested, daughter now has 3 beds as another friend sent her cat bed for the same reasons.

It has been a really busy time, as well as our trip to London, we saw a George Michael tribute show, locally which was good, we also went for a Chinese meal, so we are both feeling a bit frazzled, but lovely quiet few days have helped us recover from all the excitement. 

I've just one gift to get for daughter, I would like something special for her, but have no idea yet what it should be, I have wrapped all the gifts already purchased and wrote our last card, Alexa has played my Christmas song list most days, so I am feeling very festive. We have ordered our fruit and veg, and only need to shop for cream, which we will get local. 

Hubby is out today, so I am going to get my sewing machine out, just one small task to do for daughter, then I will marzipan our cakes, all three of them and make the top decorations.

From afar....

 My nativity set is just 3 pieces, I always place them on my glass cabinet top, with my collection of trees, the set was a gift from our Spanish friends. 

This snowman came from our trip America, which was back in 2003, he sits with our small collection of snowmen.

This Santa came from Germany,  purchased way back in the 90's on a trip visiting my sister, I keep a small set of battery operated lights in him these days.

We had a December visit to The Gambia many years ago, as always I wanted something for my tree, the Christmas over there was nothing like ours, so I have this small wooden carved crocodile, he always sits on a branch in the tree.

As so many of my decorations are old, you see the same ones throughout my December post each year, this year I am trying to show different things, I don't bring back anything from trips away anymore, I have for years been clearing out the clutter, but I will add to the tree decorations, the above decorations have survive many culls because I do love them. I have said for years my tree is full of memories, my oldest decoration was purchased back in 70's.  

I have loads of battery operated lights, small sets which work on a timer, I use them instead of tealights, they come on each day at 4pm and go off at 10pm, which saves me the tedious job off turning them off at night. I do love the scattering of soft lights around our room at this time of year.  

I did stop and look at my decorations in the week, and wonder should I cull some of them, I have different displays for Santa, snowmen and tree's, chatting with hubby he said 'you love them, it's only for a few weeks' so they are staying. Hubby like alot of men would not bother with decorations, my brother has not had a tree as he is with us the week before Christmas, I only decorate the main room, with Santa's on our shelves in the hall and a couple of items on the kitchen window sill.

Back home

 This is our haberdashery Christmas window, the ladies of the knitting group worked with Sarah the owner to create this unique display.

These are locals featured to give the window a true local feeling, it has been very popular on Facebook.

Our local BBC news has picked up the story, they did a feature which was on the local page of BBC news and a short film on the evening news, the best bit is loads of money has been raised for cancer charities. 

Our village has changed and has become a busy vibrant place, the newer owners of the butchers and bakers have got more people in the precinct,  the haberdashery is always busy, allowing the other shops to thrive. Having Superdrug and Iceland helps, even the Tesco express is busy. 

Tuesday we had a lazy day, we popped to Lidl to get the few fresh bits needed for the week, I managed a walk around the garden, fished out loads of leaves from my wildlife pond, no damage anywhere, hopefully I will get an hour outside to tidy around soon.

Today I want to marzipan my 3 cakes and sort the top decorations, I'm keeping it simple again the year and do more on my brother lap blanket. 

London

 The guards Chapel, we missed the Carol service last year, when I was taken ill, hubby promised me we would go this year. Very highbrow, just wonderful, with guards band high up out of sight on the right, 6 personnel with herald trumpets, (the long horns for a fanfare) at the back and the choir, it was a good service in an historic building, I came away feeling very festive.

Monday we spent a few hours walking, here in Covent garden, with loads of beautiful decorated trees, undercover. It was busy but as expected less people about, just a few photo's as the whole area was decorated, full of colour and cheer.

And outside

The only shop we entered was Liberty, I have never been there before, I have seen many programs on TV showing the interior, loads of panelling and dark wood, it did not disappoint. Hubby enjoyed all the interior, so much beautiful wood, and the extra seasonal decorations, this one is presently is in the main hall on the ground floor.

The trip was not about shopping, Liberty was the only shop we entered, I headed for the Christmas shop and purchased these three baubles for my tree, mission accomplished. The chocolate coin will be shared and if I can keep the outside tidy, I will make it into another decoration. 

We walked to St James palace, and was extremely lucky whilst we were there the guard duty arrived, marching with a band, escorted by mounted police, it added to another layer of our history and hubby's days in the Welsh guards. Regent street was at 5.30 pm on Sunday night packed full of people walking, on bikes and the rickshaws for hire, as we weaved our way along the street people were darting about, stopping for photo's, bedlam comes to mind, I would hate to live in such a crowded place.

We arrived home late on Monday evening, our coach journey took longer due to traffic as we left London and again around Guildford, it did not matter to us at all, one lady was worried about a connection at Portsmouth ferry terminal, so the driver diverted there first stop in the city instead of last and she was in time, nobody complained. 

We are both tired, we did so much walking, 19,000 steps on Sunday and 15,000 on Monday, originally we had hoped to have two nights, sadly our hotel was booked, we could only get one night, we do love the hotel it's location is perfect for us, we were on the 18th floor, so I was really glad the storm had passed. Now back to Christmas preparations, we are almost there, I am now really feeling festive. 

Lights

 We are back in London 

Trafalgar square tree is a bit underwhelming. 

We are in the capital for a couple of days, Sunday night we went to see the lights, the rain had finally stopped and the wind dropped, it was heaving, our hotel is just under 10 minutes walk from south bank, we walked to Regent street via Trafalgar square, about 40 minutes.

We took national express coach, we both were glad not to be driving, and sat reading for the 2 hour journey, it's the cheapest and most reliable way to travel from the south coast.

Above are some of the lights, everywhere was so festive, the wet surfaces reflected all the lights and made it magical. There were 2 demonstrations in the afternoon, for and against what is happening in the middle east, so roads were closed, we managed to miss most of it, there was a huge police presence. We saw loads of 'rickshaws' with christmas music blaring out adding to the festive feeling, we had no desire to take a ride in one.