HOME SWEET HOME

Sorry Christmas mug came out tonight

homemade mince pie

 Both books arrived this weekend, I was not happy the postman left them on our doorstep, very little chance of theft, but we have loads of rain, the packing was really wet and the bottom book damp. 

 Catch up time

Not so much time last week for stitching. 

After a long drive we were very pleased to be home, we had a great time in Somerset, again all the Jones family were together, next time will be in 2016. We stayed in Priemer Inn with Fliss and the boys. Lunch out was great 24 people, so busy, all the children behaved lovely whilst still having a good time.
The evening soon started to turn into a adult party, very nice but not with Josh and Sam, I don't drink much, but I do make a point of only ever having one small glass of wine when they are around, so we left about 8.30 and got the boys into bed earlyish. This morning we all met for breakfast, Brewers Fayre do a great breakfast, where children eat free, again 20 people, we sat for a couple of hours whilst the children played in their own fun area.
A visit to my brother, he is having problems with our younger sister, she was caring for our younger brother who passed away in the summer, but on checking all his paperwork, she was rather naughty with his funds, she is now accusing us all of neglecting our brother and accusing her of theft. She won't speak to us and the probate solicitor is asking questions, oh well, families!
Tonight we are in the warm, the wind is howling around the house, just a plain tea, we are both fed up with fancy foods.

Promise

I love the promise of new growth

Something which is in short supply at this time of year

This Orchid should flower for Christmas

This is one of two Hyacinth's I have started to grow

tucked under my desk in the dark by a warm radiator

no airing cupboard here so I have to improvise  

 Hubby has been baking, Chicken and leek pie for most of us

Fliss's pie has home made stuffing on, gluten free

plus mince pies, what happened to not eating any until December

 My birthday Orchid still looks good, I have lost a few flowers, but there are still loads of buds, should last for ages. That's why I love Orchids so much, choose carefully and they will flower for months and reflower for years. 

 1st Christmas card, it came with my birthday card

So black Friday is here, not that we take part and almost every one I spoke to today was the same, still even here in UK it's a huge sale day, so someone is spending loads.
Thank you for the comments regarding the flowers in our garden, we are sheltered along the south coast, but it can be a problem because we are also the driest part of the UK, not so bad at this time of year, as yet we have only had one light frost.
Oldest daughter and her partner is here for tea tonight, so I am looking forward to a glass of wine.
I am wrapping a few presents tonight so we can take them with us tomorrow, we are not sure if we will get back to Somerset after this weekend. We will be back on 31st December, we love New Years Eve in the village, there are 4 pubs and every one wanders from pub to pub, loads of lovely hello's to people we only see on evening like this. No tickets to get into the pubs all very friendly, we end up at the pub closest to my brothers house.
Everyone is using the C word, we are almost ready, only two gifts to get, it's really simple again this year, all about family and laughter and fun. Sod the magazines with all the recipes for the best tasting food, articles with the perfect house settings. Our decorations are years old, I add a couple of items each year, more to do with the fact we got a huge new tree last year, I love the history which comes out when we dress our tree.  Both Josh and Sam love to see their favorite things each December.
Why is Blogger taking ages to show my post after I publish, it's take a few hours before it shows.

Catch up

Oh to be a cat in winter

 Flowers in the garden, still plentiful

 Chillies, these tiny ones are very hot

Still in greenhouse

 Christmas tree still looking OK

I asked last time for recommendations for books to read, 

I had two, so they are on their way to me, 

I let you go by Clare Mackintosh sounds perfect, 

and The Saffron Trail by Rosanna Ley, 

December is going to be another good book month. 

Last night Sam and I read a new book, we both loved it
Cynthia was sent to the North Pole  because she loved Christmas all year.
She did save Christmas, but you will have to read it to find out how.

I got home just after 3 today, quick forage into the garden, few photo's and then hubby took me to a Cash and Carry, Bookers, we have a card from a friend to use for ourselves. The butchery department is really good and we have stocked up on beef chunks, chicken breast and bacon, most has been separated and popped into the freezer. We got some wonderful bargains, hand soap 6 for £3.99, same for shower gel, I normally get them when they are on offer, generally about £1 each. We were careful, it is so easy to overspend in those places, we got just a couple of items for Christmas and a bottle of Monin Caramel, we had it in coffee last time we were in France, it's also good on ice cream. We have enough cat food to last into the new year. So we should be able to avoid the supermarkets for a bit longer. 

Our new lady in work has been used in a different department, which has upset a couple of people in the office, it does make good business sense to move her to a department who needs a replacement quickly, our security passes can take up to 12 weeks to come through. It does not bother me, we are doing OK as a department, and are working well with in our dates to get things done.

I have done more stitching, photo's next time. 

Playing nicely

I have finished my November good read

third book by Diane Chamberlain, 

I need a good December book, any suggestions

Paula asked about monkey nuts,
We often get them, just peanuts in their shells

I decided to outline the inner section, 

it makes it easier 

Spot the difference

the back is as important as the front

Our weekend was bliss, quick dash to a nice village close by, collect my bracelet which had a broken link fixed at jewellers, pop into butchers for lovey meats.
Sunday morning at home, both daughter came for lunch with partners, everyone gets on so well, hubby made sausage rolls and mince pies, his pastry skills are brilliant, the sausage meat was wonderful, he added apple and herbs to the pork.  After our lunch we walked to the castle, a very cold walk around and then into the local pub, 1st visit in almost two years, it went down hill, now under new management, with huge log fires and a clean place to sit, we chatted for a while. Back home just hubby and I, did some sewing. All in all a perfect weekend, we are home in Somerset next weekend with Josh and Sam, family birthdays, so meals out and parties.
This morning my car was iced over at 6.45, and bloody cold, my big winter coat is out again. Work was good busy, but we are slowly chipping at a utility company who are giving us major problems. Tomorrow a new lady starts, sat next to me so I will be training, it will be nice to have someone different, but as a team we are all working well together.
I have a couple of  new followers, which amazes me, thank you for stopping by and joining in.