A December garden

I know I am blessed to have such a lovely garden space, through the winter we don't sit outside, but I am often outside doing bits, I need an outside space, it really does everything they say.

Along this fence is my grey tub which now has loads of pots on becoming a display area until next summer, the olive tree is loving this spot in the sheltered corner. I love the blooms in hubby's old motorbike boots, just a bit of fun.

The fake grass is best at this time of year when real grass starts to get messy in our clay soil, this area now drains well and looks good. I love the bare branches of the magnolia and acer trees. The fleabane daises should stay green all winter, softening the end of this section.  

Through the winter months this is the productive end of the garden, I have broad beans, leeks and some carrots in one bed, the second bed has brassicas, Japanese onions and more carrots, I am very pleased with the hurdles around each bed, it's a shame they are plastic, I keep nets on the bed to stop cats and pigeons.

The greenhouse is working as well, on the top shelf I have 5 foxgloves, 4 aquilegias, 4 geums and some small violets. In the propagator I have daisy seeds hopefully for daughters garden. I have spare brassica plants and some gaura cuttings which need potting on. On the other side is all my tender plants.

It's been a quiet weekend, we did go out for a meal with hubby's petanque friends just a nice carvery, daughter slept over whilst ex had children for the night, she had a lazy evening in, we spent Sunday morning together, I do like these breaks she has, sadly in the new year her ex won't be staying at the house anymore as she starts to build her own life forward, it was cold and wet outside. As much as we loved our grandchildren having daughter to ourselves is brilliant. 

There were hardly any leaves to pick up, I am always glad once they have all dropped, my two packs of tulips are in pots, one at the back and the other in the hosta tub. The patio we have stopped cleaning and will wait until the spring before we give the whole space a scrub. The winter months are where you view the bones of your garden, this is the time I make plans, normally just little tweaks, this year I want to change nothing, I am very happy with this space, for me it is perfect. 

Saturday was bright after a night of heavy wind and rain, our village Christmas light festival had to be scaled back, we did not go, no point in getting wet before going out, it was nice to see the sun in the morning. Inside the smaller Christmas cakes are finished, and ours has its marzipan on, I will let it go hard before icing which makes it much easier for me to cut it away so I can eat some of the cake. 

Today I am meeting daughter and we are going pottery painting, this was her request, will be fun without the children we can concentrate on painting, later I will treat her to lunch. This week is school plays and my brother is visiting us for a week, he is home this Christmas, his daughter and grandson will be staying with him. 

Busy week

 Christmas by candlelight concert, a perfect start to the month, we have seen this act a few times before singing Elton John and Queen, they do not copy the acts, just sing their tunes their way. Both hubby and I enjoyed the show a very festive start to the month, singing loads of the huge hits from the 50's which I love.

I planted the red amaryllis bulb this week, I will plant the white one in a couple of weeks, I love these blooms, something beautiful to look forward to seeing on these dull days

I did get a new plant from the village, I love cyclamen and had loads of shades of reds to choose from, I thought this red was very festive, this is a houseplant in a lovely pot.

These tiny cyclamen in front of my pond are beautiful, they can't be seen from the house, only visible when walking in my veg area, so really just for me to enjoy. 

Daughter has rebooked our pottery painting morning, George had an upset tummy after all the antibiotics and therefore not able to go to school earlier this week, it's booked for next Monday, we have taken George before, it is going to be busy and George is not good with too many people in a strange place to him. 

Wednesday hubby had his dental appointment, just a check up, he has now booked both our next check-ups for the same day, I had my first ever shingles vaccination, it was a dry day so I spent an hour in the garden, hopefully I collected the last lot if leaves from our Magnolia, and used the last of my home made mulch, I still have 2 packs of tulips to plant.

I got my new glasses on Thursday, I'm pleased with them, it's the first time for me to wear varifocals, I have also a simple pair for my computer work, we had a wander around the shops, just for something to do. Later I went for our Christmas meal with WI in a nice hotel, a really lovely meal, I opted for salmon rather than turkey.

I managed to wash all my wooden floors, on my knees rather than using the mop, corners and skirting boards were done, I feel much better knowing they are sorted, I try and do them this way once a month, but recently I've been lazy.

Pagan

I love all the foliage at this time of year, mine is all silk and years old, I have always been Pagan in my decorations, add in candles to make brilliant displays, I also have my vase of poinsettia, seen here.  

Kitchen 

Shelves in  hall

Dining room

Sitting room, with my new Amaryllis. 

It's advent time again, it was my turn to full the tiny bags this year, I got a nice mixture, the unused chocolates will go into a bowl for over the holidays, these were made in 2022 always in first bag our favourite ones.

Daughter got her finger shut in a metal gate last week, nothing broken just badly brushed, I decided to slide down our stairs, jarred my back and a bruise on my bum and foot, we are walking wounded, told hubby to be very careful, its definitely not his turn.

Our quiet life was broken this week, we received a letter from Information Commission Office informing us how our CCTV should be set up, they received a complaint about our motion camera being able to record beyond our property, they state the letter will close the complaint. Firstly we only have static cameras, as checked by local council after next door complained about our rear camera, which she has previously stated she has seen moving towards her side. The cameras were set up years ago because of her unacceptable behaviour, we have filed the letter as another issue she refuses to believe the truth as proven by official's, more time wasting and silly allegations against us. 

I have a busy time until the middle of next week, all nice things, no doubt I will include them in future post, tonight we are out to our local live venue, we are both looking forward to it, hopefully the rain won't be so bad the car park is next to the venue. 

Oh Christmas tree.

 Oh my goodness, what is going on, she has constructed this huge thing, it looks like a tree, but not one I have seen before, what is it doing in the house? is it for me? I'm not sure about the bright lights. 

Oh wait she is now hanging things on it, they do look pretty, not sure if it's for me or not, she left it for a few days, is this a ritual, something special? do I have to do anything.

I sit in the tree outside watching the birds next door, I am fascinated by them, later when they come to feed in our garden I sit under the tree, they won't come if I'm sitting on the branches, she tells me to move out their way.

I am loving my cat tree, I can lie in here and watch the garden, those pesky squirrels are coming in more, she stops them from digging in her garden and they can't get to the bird feeders. 

I'm inside more, I try and give her up to 15 minutes on her lap, I do love her lap blanket. Most of my hiding places outside have gone, she has promised me things will grow back next year, I still don't understand what is happening. 

I do still love our morning cuddles before they get out of bed, both of them give the best scratches, which I love, loudly purring in hope they don't stop, this has not changed at all, which is good, I'm not happy with all the changes going on. 

She has been out most mornings last week, but she came home smelling of my mum, so I gave her extra cuddles, she tells me my mum and brother are both beautiful like me. The little people came on Sunday for lunch, I sat with them as they played, they will share their toys with me, I didn't like to musical ones, they were loud. 

I have decided I will ignore the inside tree, it is shiny, the lights are too bright for me, but they do not flash, which is really good. I am having loads more treats, I like a soft one called Lick e lix in different flavours, all because I am being a good girl. I'm not so good with the shiny silver snowflakes on the stairs, I do love them, she just shrugs her shoulders as she walks past, I ensure I only play with them when no-one can see me.

November round up

 It's been a really cheap month, no craft and no garden spend, but a couple of house plants, I did spend £30 on a pair of cord trousers, not needed, but I know I will love them.

4 books read this month

We were gifted a huge bag of cooking apples, most have been sliced and placed in our freezer, we sent some to our neighbour as thanks for more eggs, plus more fresh eggs, being away meant we had a much cheaper household month. I did have an eye test and new glasses ordered, I was expecting an upgrade, so the cost was not a huge surprise.

The cost of the trip, spending money and the family meal came from our savings, we had been putting a bit more away towards the week. I did very little shopping whilst away, so no surprise spends. Hubby received his £50 gift card for the local Co-op store, his old employer, very handy this time of year. 

We have finished most of our Christmas spend, we have cut back on the treats, we should not need a big shop until January, we hate the crowds at this time of year. Any extra cost came from our savings, which we can replace with the lower spend next month.

The only black Friday deal I used was for printing my book, same as previous years 50% off.

Not going to say anything about my weight, I did have a good birthday treat, I am walking more.

Tired

My 2023 book arrived this week, the printers are always very fast, I got another copy of my older brothers book, his has gone missing, he does look at it, so a replacement should make him happy. I have done loads on my 2024 book, it will be finished soon, I have also started the template for 2025, I do like the cover to match each year, the only different is the date and photo's.  

I popped into Dunelm for lunch and a quick shop and this star fell into my basket, I do love these lights, its not too big and looks good, it did not take me too long to break my 'no new decorations this year' rule, in my defence it was only £12.

I also got this pretty candle from Tesco, I have two, the led lights work when the candle is lit and looks very pretty, Christmas is creeping in here.

It's school photo time, we already have Wills, we have to decide which ones we like of George and Molly, George is easy as he is smiling in one, both of Molly's are lovely. George has finished his antibiotics, yesterday he was much better, more himself, but tired much quicker, hopefully by Monday he will be OK. Molly has announced she is a star in her school Christmas performance, she will shine in her role. Will also has his lines to learn, I'm not sure if he can read them or needs to know them, he is practicing.

I'm having a restful few days, I will put the tree up in hope Lilly will ignore it, and then decorate the following day, my housework was not done, the corners will have to wait until January. It has been a shock getting up and getting out early, all I do once at daughters is sit with George, he has wanted so many huge cuddles, I have seen The Christmas Chronicles movie so many times, thank goodness is a decent film. 

I am planning to marzipan the two smaller cakes, they both need to be finished earlier than normal, our cake is having a final drink of brandy, I will also finish the small individual cakes, I don't want a last minute rush to get things done this year. I have a small gift to get for hubby, still no idea what to get him, and as yet daughter has not given any hints, I have asked her a few times. Monday we will post some cards, not too many the cost of stamps is so high, its a shame, Christmas cards are always a delight to receive.

Real or fake

I got these 3 fake amaryllis blooms for my Christmas display, each year I purchase bulbs to grow, I have two this year, just waiting for the growth to start. These silk flowers will ensure my display looks good for the whole month, and I can keep them out in January. 

The frost has killed all my begonias, they were beautiful this summer, the lobelia at each end is fading, I have moved all the cyclamen in their own pots to the front of this huge tub, it can be seen from our sitting room, so adds colour, later I will add my spring pots as they flower. I sold my metal table and chairs in the summer so whilst the contents of this tub are in hibernation, it becomes my display area. 

I did an undercut of my fleabane daises, they were very heavy, I also cut back just a few of the french marigolds, I really did not want them all to self-seed. I am still picking up leaves mainly from the magnolia tree, they are all going into my black bins. It's looking bare now, I do like to see the branches on the trees, the magnolia trunk is a lovely colour

I do love this author, this book was a very different topic and no-one was murdered, it follows a family of a hoarder how their 'home' affects everyone, it was clever and thought provoking. Book 78 read this year.

Another great book, I do love this author, it follows a police woman on the trail of a serial killer, the plot is about her and her family with her work, it's not gruesome and very clever running three narratives, her another police officer and the killer. There is a huge twist in this plot, I never saw coming, I could not put it down. Book 79 read this year. 

George was poorly on Monday night, after a call to 111 he is now taking antibiotics, which means I am at daughters house every morning,  so he can stay in the warm for the school run, she manages the afternoon school run. I'm sure I have their bugs, daughter is unwell, so we are managing the best we can,  I'm really tired leaving the house at 7.45 am is a shock to me, at that time it takes 40 minutes to drive to her house. 

I have the Christmas tree down, I want to put it up with just the lights for a few days, so I can see how Lilly will behave, she loves to climb the magnolia tree outside, all my decorations are glass, we have a wooden floor, so if she climbs and knocks it over I would lose most of them. I intend to decorate the house over the weekend. 

Hubby made a small batch of mince pies, which were lovely, he is going to make sausage rolls this week, both will be made again a couple of times in December, we both enjoy them, plus lemon drizzle cake this week. We had a good sort out of the freezer, and have pulled out this weeks meals, it was long overdue, we will try and eat most of the bits and pieces in there, making space for the turkey. 

Last weekend in November

George had his 6th birthday on Saturday, he had a party a few weeks ago, we spent the day with them at their home, as did grandpa and grandma, he is not at all well, coughing, we had loads of cuddles, we stayed late enjoying a Chinese meal with them, both little ones ate well. He loved this remote controlled dog and played with it for ages, sharing with Molly as well.

These white blooms are a new plant this year, so far I have not lost any buds, I have another white one, it has less buds and is a couple of weeks behind. My plant in the bathroom is stunning, I would like it to be somewhere I can see it through the day, I won't move it as that could cause the flowers to drop.

My wicker basket is out, it's filled with all the early bits I need, cards ect, I'm much later than other years, it won't matter, we only have a few cards to send, just family, the cake bands are in here as well, daughter and brother gives them back each year. There are ribbons, string and tissue paper for wrapping gifts, it's a handy place to keep everything.

Saturday morning was hubby's petanque AGM, they had games before, hubby is a good player, he also coaches for the club, this year he won the shield for individual player, the cup was for their charity match, he won both of these last year. The smaller trophy which he keeps was for a monthly melee, he was runner up and the chocolates was his prize. 

The weekend brought less cold air and rain, both days were grey, Saturday we were out all day, George whilst being poorly is fighting the bugs better this year, we always worry as his weak chest can bring him down rapidly, this time he does look much stronger, daughter managed to get him an appointment at her doctors, they have given him anti biotics, he has not need them this time so they can stay in the fridge. Sunday was a stay at home day for me, hubby was out all of the morning, I got a few of my early Christmas task done, I filled our advent bags, just for the two of us, the unused chocolates will go in a dish for later in the month. 

I am still picking up leaves in the garden and I do need to sort my tulips, I am undecided should I pop them into the back of my huge grey pot, where we can see them from the house, or pot them up and place them on the same huge grey pot, it will be sorted the next dry day we have. 

Oh so cold

 Monday we woke up to lovely blue skies, the temperature had dropped, so whilst it looked nice, it was cold, I spent most of the day inside, I am a soft southerner.

It did not warm up throughout the day

It's a bit early but I have got the Christmas mugs out, hubby did not comment, they will be used for 6 weeks this year, its a simple but festive change, they are all years old.

The Christmas cakes have had another soak of brandy, daughters cake won't get a 3rd soak, the children loved my rich fruit cake, so I put less brandy in it. I have started thinking about the final decorations, no decisions yet.

It's been a bit of a nothing week, I did my final proof read of my book 2023, I found a couple little errors, the discount email came through on Thursday, so I've sent it for printing. I'm doing well on 2024, I will make my post from this year 2025 into another book and then stop printing them, all the grandchildren are in school, my post aren't so full of happy photos. 

Our heating failed to work on Tuesday morning, it was cold we had our first frost, we had hot water, so the boiler was working, hubby checked our hive, which would not link to the boiler on the schedule programme so we used the manual settings, he has disconnect and reconnect which seams to have sorted the issue, later we popped to Asda, mainly a stock up with bits we can't get at Lidl, it was horrible, I really dislike those huge stores, we did not buy many Christmas treats, sticking to our view to have less treats. We should now be OK and not require another visit until the new year, we both hate supermarkets in December. 

Wednesday was a day at home, hair cut in morning, she comes to my house, housework was done and a lazy afternoon. Thursday I had an eye test, new glasses have been ordered, it was expected, my eyesight has deteriorate this year, they will be ready in a couple of weeks. Today we were going out, but George is poorly and Will has a day at home, so we will stay home incase we are needed, George's oxygen levels can drop very quickly. 

I've still not done any crafting, I have truly lost my mojo, I have wool, fabrics, needle felting and cross stitch supplies, and a few different ideas, but I just can't get started, I am reading again.

Non bucket list

In my recent post I mentioned my bucket list, I don't really have one, I have done  brave, stupid, fun things in 2014 doing a treetop go ape challenge with a double zipwire over a lake. 

Here in 2017 I did a stadium tour with a difference, we went up onto the roof of Croke park, Dublin, I was not aware when we agreed to go with hubby's son how high we would go, we followed the path used by workmen to keep the roof intact, it was scary and brilliant. I'm not sure I would have agreed if I had know the details.

Helicopter ride in 2013

I have visited the Spinnaker Tower many times, scary walking on the glass floor and then in 2014 I abseiled down the outside, raising money for local hospital.

Here in Tenerife being above the clouds, such a fantastic feeling, I almost wanted to try and lay on them.

At this point I should say I was for years not very good with heights, hubby and I started working towards me getting better, also I can't swim so I'm not good with deep bodies of water, I really dislike being in or on the sea. In 2013 I went on a inflatable rib in Portsmouth harbour, I worked at the area office of Sea Cadets, where I failed to say I was afraid of water, my boss was successful in helping me with that fear. This crazy behaviour started when I reached 50, before that age I was a feet on the ground woman.

In 2009 I got over my fear of motorbikes and for a couple of years I was pillion with husband, not everything is thrill seeking. I have seen in 2024 the Trooping of the Colours, and in 2015 have been to a garden party at Windsor Castle, The Queen was present, a beautiful memory.

I can add the chimney lift, Battersea power station and Tower bridge to my mad list which I did on my recent trip to London, I don't have anymore mad things to do, I'm sure if the opportunity arises I will consider doing more stupid stuff as well as nice things, the only no-no would be anything underwater, not ready for that experience. 

Red and white

My cactus in our downstairs bathroom is full of blooms again, I love this plant, the shade of pink is very striking, I feed it twice a year and water it when dry, it loves this sunny window sill. I have another small white blooms plant and a few cuttings in the greenhouse. 

I got a couple new plants, a second white blooms cactus and a white Christmas rose (hellebore), these are for my Christmas greenery display, I will mix a couple fake items here as well, I try and change things around each year.

 I knew I was going to get this book, I follow Charlie Mackesy on Instagram, he is a gentle soul, I have his first book, I love his style, I hope to be able to give both books to Molly in years to come.

This was a strange plot, a lady working for a charity answering calls to help souls struggling with their lives, what type of help, it quickly became about just one man, what had she done to him, the story unfolded with twist. It kept going with additions to the plot, when you think it's done another level is added. Book 76 read this year.

You move to a new house make friends with two unlikely neighbours, you can't work out why they are friends, as always the story unfolds in layers with a back story. I guessed by half way who's backstory it was, then it twisted into an even better plot. Brilliant book. Book 77 read this year.

I have been shopping a couple of time in the week, Wednesday with daughter, she helped me choose the final bits for the children's gifts, I also got a few craft things for them to do the week before Christmas, it should help with their excitement. On Thursday I popped out with hubby we each chose our main gift, he had slippers and me PJ's, not exciting but what we wanted, we agreed we would get one smaller surprise gift for each other, but as yet I have no idea what to get him, we are not doing our stockings this year, they were becoming full of chocolate and sweets, not good for the waist line. 

I have had an email from the printers I use hinting they are giving a big discount for Black Friday, so I have been reading 2023 again, I'm almost half way through, it will be ready to print.

I have found a 10 stitch crochet blanket to make, I will use my double knitting yarn from my stash, it's using Tunisian stitch which I do love and should be a simple task, I have no reason to make it, just to use my time and stash. I have also got a few needle felting things to make, these need to be done by the end of the month, which is plenty of time.

The force of  storm Claudia missed us on Friday, it was cold, wet and windy, nothing too bad, we stayed inside all day, Saturday was blue skies and bright, laundry dried outside, I picked up leaves again, did a bit of housework, nothing exciting, these are dull days. We did walk to our monthly craft market, I got a gift for my brother, its nice to see different things.

November garden

My daisy bed is still stunning, this simple planting has worked perfectly, I do very little to this bed, hubby loves it as well. I love how the blooms tumble to the lawn, I am hopeful of a few seedings next spring. These are evergreen and if our winter is mild we will have daisies for months.

A couple of my fuchsias are still  in bloom, both are not in the ground, being raised they do flower longer. My hosta tub is a mass of colour, the begonia is full of flowers, all the cyclamen are in pots, placed there for colour.

A quick check on my veg beds, everything is growing well, I have a fine pea net over both beds to keep the birds away. The veg in these beds requires no work, they will grow over winter giving spring harvest.

I managed to pick up all the leaves, I got 4 tubs, my acer is bare, so just the last of the huge magnolia leaves left to drop, both black dustbins are full, they will supply me with leaf mulch next autumn. I have piled loads of leaves over my rhubarb crown, I did the same last year. My composters are both full, the levels will drop, I don't plan to dig the compost out until the spring, when I should get enough compost for my needs.

Everything is looking good in the greenhouse, I will soon sow my sweet-peas, they were a success this year, so I'm going to do exactly as I did last year. I will plant my tulips in pots, hopefully with Molly on Sunday, she loves the garden, I have an amaryllis bulb to plant as well, in hope to have a flower before Christmas, I have 5 other bulbs which I have put outside in hope the cold weather will stimulate a bud instead of just leaves.

Our fake grass helps keep the garden looking good, it has brilliant drainage which is necessary in our wet winters, I get as much pleasure looking at our winter garden as I do in summer, the structure is enough to give interest. 

I spent Wednesday with daughter, I have finished all the children's gifts and George's birthday present, I'm out with hubby on Friday to choose our gift to each other. I did get a pair of green cords from Next, I have always loved cord trousers, they are not often on sale, so I grabbed a pair when I saw them.

Weekend

 Daughter and children sneaked into the house on Friday and decorated for our home coming on Saturday, it was a lovely surprise, the last time I had balloons was 10 years ago, we took a few to their house so they could play with them. The '70' balloons are in our office Lilly was getting herself tied up in the strings. 

I did get a lovely bunch of flowers, I've not received fresh flowers in ages, they do brighten up the sitting room, I stopped buying fresh flowers a few years ago, the cost and the fact they are not grown in UK, being the main factors. 

Sunday we all went out for a meal to a local pub where George is comfortable, they do a lovely roast dinner, which I had, afterwards we had chocolate birthday cake, daughter got a 'freefrom' dairy so both George and Molly could have some, we left the rest of the cake for them. 

We have done very little since we came home, Lilly behaved at the cattery and came for a cuddle when she saw me, she has been in luxury, there is underfloor heating in the cages, she was snug, I tried to keep her in on Saturday night, there were loads of fireworks, she yowled so hubby let her out, later she slept on my lap for ages.

No plans for the coming week, rest and relax, I have a ton of leaves to pick up, my acer is almost bare and the magnolia is slowly dropping it's huge leaves, the rest of the garden is looking after itself. We are off to Lidl's this morning to fill the fridge, it's raining hard so rest of the day will be inside, probably chatting on the phone with my sister. Laundry is all done, cases are packed away, it's just memories now, and what great memories I have.