Swaps Christmas 2015

Card swap from Pat

plus a lovely book marker

my card is shown here  

12 days of Christmas, sent from Mary lovely little gifts

some useful and others pretty, you took notes from my blog, so many lovely things which I will enjoy using, and some different flowers to grow. 

 My gift's for Mary, these homemde

 These purchased

 It's cushion time, I hope to finish this side soon

it has been easier to stitch the diamonds first and then fill in all the colours. 

I have finished my stash list for 2015, yet again in November and December I spent very little, total spend for the year £948.50, which is £79.04 per month, gardening was the most expensive followed by cross stitch, card making and sewing were small spends due to the stash I have at home. So I am pleased I will start again this year and see if I can cut it back more.

I have managed a 10 minute walk each day after work, it's another off my 52 things to do list. I am thinking I might publish the list next time, I still have not filled each number, but it might be nice to have a few spare spaces, for later in the year.

Back Home

TUSAL pot

this is the sum of my waste in 2015

perfect for using as stuffing

 Amaryllis time again

 Logan playing with Finn's tunnel

 It took over 3 hours to get home today, a nasty accident on M5 at start of the journey delayed us. The whole drive was wet, most of the time heavy rain, but we are pleased to be home again, it's warm and snug here and just the two of us. No plans for the rest of the day, so I will sew later. 

I loved our meal out last night, firstly Martin tried most of our dishes, he is a plain eater, so it's great to see him eat different foods. We had loads of laughter and fun, both my brother tease when they can, I was happy to drive again. 

Also yesterday I met with a friend from 25+ years, lovely to catch up, we had a huge hug and I met loads of grandchildren. 

First job today at home, check the garden, lovely colour in these pots, and every where is OK, very wet, but no wind damage. 

I have started my list of 52 things to do, some are simple and I need to get into a habit of doing them, others I will have to work at, I will publish once I have all 52 items.

Leaping into a leap year

We have had the perfect first day of a new year, this morning I visited my God son Richard,  I have not seen in over 20 years, can't and won't go into reasons on here, but I spent a couple of hours reuniting with him, his partner and their twin toddler daughters.

Later we spent time with Logan, he was 5 today, normally when we visit Somerset at this time of year, we have a flying visit and the drive home, but we spent the whole afternoon and early evening together, ending with fun bath time before bed.

We are back at my brothers house, tomorrow is his birthday and we are heading out for a meal together with another brother and sister if she is feeling better. Last night we did go out but was back at Martins by 11, two pubs were full and loud and busy, the last pub was very quiet, so we went home for the last hour together.

I have loved all your new year post, loads of great plans, which I look forward to reading how you each progress. Reading a post from Trish, where she is thinking of 50 things to do this year, I like the sound of her plan and I'm adjusting for me to be 52 things to do this year, I will make my list, but I would tick meeting with Richard as the first.

A Happy New Year

A small present, very me

Another year is about to end, 2015 has rushed by, 

it has been a good year, at home we have lost loads of clutter from the house, our wasteful spending has all but stopped, we do not go to town each weekend and buy clothes we do not require. Our out going has settled down, we do not go without anything we want, we have just stopped seeing and impulse buying things. I feel we have stepped off the commercial world, we watched a programe on TV last night with Mary Portas, she was showing what 'we in the UK' spent our money on in 2015, as a child of the 70's ( I was 18 in 1973) I was surprised to see the clothing revival this summer was 70's style, it completely passed me by, having said that, I firmly believe if you wore it the 1st time round, you are better off giving it a miss when it comes back. We are also eliminating waste from our lives, we hope to get even better this coming year. 

Hubby has settled into retirement and is enjoying his time at home, he is using his cooking skills to create meals using ingredients rather than packets, jars or tins, our food taste much better. We are hoping to eat seasonal fruit and veg local sourced or home grown. He has started to sort his belongings and is decluttering. Plus he has more time to play golf with his chums. 

Both my girls are happy and with a wedding in the spring we have a celebration to look forward to. Grandsons are a complete joy, would not change any of them, they are growing up fast, but amusing as well. 

I have packed most of Christmas away, just left the cards, we are driving to Somerset today, spending tonight in the Village, on a pub crawl, we will visit all 4 pubs in the village, it's a great time to catch up with loads of people. 

1st is Logan's birthday, so a day with him. 

2nd is Martin's birthday so a meal out with brothers and sister, then drive back home on Sunday. A busy few days filled with laughter and celebrations, I love family life.

I hope you spend tonight with some one you love, 

it is a special evening, a new year with  so much promise to offer.