Hello old friends

New this year, all our 7 grand sons

Most of these decorations are years old, very old friends who visit every December, I still have my 1st tree topper, a fairy used in 1973, I don't put her out any more, she is very delicate, but I do love to keep her. I did buy a few things this year, but did not spend too much, again I sent stuff to our charity shop, but I am using most of my decorations, I do have too many, but I am happy to spend time arranging them.
The small tree by our motorbiking Santa, has a photo of each of our grandsons on their 1st Christmas, normally I put them on our big tree, but they are often unseen, they look better on the smaller tree.
I am a pagan, I do love trees, ivy, berries and have them in all my displays. Christmas has arrived in our house, I hope I can find festive spirt soon.

So this is December

For the 1st time in years, we both have an advent calender, mine is full of tiny balls of yarn, all hand dyed, hubby has one full of chocolates he loves, I made it for him.

 Our 1st Christmas card, plus a new Santa, it's always lovely to received cards through the post, but the 1st one always leaves a sad memory, my SIL, who lost her battle with cancer many years ago, always sent the 1st card. 

 New for our tree, this one has George's name on, 

it's our 1st year with 7 grandsons. 

I've made a good start on my Christmas cards, embossing each card, and then adding decorations, I have 25 in this style, the rest will be different, I ran out of the oval disk, I have so much in my stash drawer, I will find other things for the rest of my cards, about 20 more to finish.

 I have seen some great decorations for nails, and thought I would have a go, this is my 2nd try, I did the red or green on the outer of my nails with the golden line, but it did not look good, so I changed the colours around, I am pleased with these, simple but pretty. 

Everything is on plan for Christmas, I have some wiggle time with my craft, I only have one gift to make, and 2 cakes to finish, but I'm not at all feeling festive. I would like our tree up, so Will can see it, but I have no desire to drag all the boxes out and dress the house.
A few of the issues which made our relaxing trip necessary last week are still present, time will help, but my head feels it's going to burst, so my thoughts, wishes, fly around all the time. I have slept alot the in past few days.
I did enjoy our sign performance at our local library, it was in a private room, but we had loads of people watching, mummy came with Will and George, and all the sign ladies got a cuddle, Will was spoilt with gifts from Shelia, as was the other children present.
Sunday was a lazy day at home, I should have done some housework, but choose to sit in the sunshine make cards and read, yes I am again hiding in books.

November round up

I purchased just 3 reduced plants this month, plus a couple sets of larger knitting needles,  nothing on yarn, glass or any crafts, I have been using items from my stash. The garden is now sleeping, so nothing required for a few months.

No clothes or footwear again this month, I did get my boots reheeled, they have so much life still in them.

I spent £27.97 on Christmas decorations, all purchases will add to my decorations, giving them an fresh look, plus having a new grandson, we like to see them on the tree.

Nothing purchased on Black Friday, I was going to get last year's blog printed into another book, but I am having troubles with uploading my work. Maybe it's a sign for me to stop making these books.

Expensive time at opticians, new glasses required, it was not a shock, I was expecting it, but as one song said 'I can see clearly now'

Nothing purchased for the house, nothing required, hubby has done a few small task. I did take a few things to the charity shop, a couple of nice dresses and shoes, which I have not worn for a couple of years, I don't required so many dressy clothes, I kept a couple I love, I'm loving the extra space in my wardrobes.

We opened our savings jar and counted £194.00 which we have banked, we have used some on our trip this week to Cardiff, but that's why we save our coins.

Nothing to report on waste, we still stop as much one use plastic as we can coming into our home, and reuse or recycle as much as we can. It has become second nature to us to look for better packaging, we also bake more at home, which is better for us and no packaging. Even in winter we are still watching our water consumption, it is another good habit.

We have had quotes for renewing our boiler, there are great discounts in the winter months, and it's only 1 days work, a whole day for us, we will have to replace the pipe from the meter to the boiler, our's is smaller than todays standards. We have booked for the work to be done in january, just waiting for dates.

Cardiff

 Cardiff castle

 City skyline

 Bute Park

We spent 3 days in the Welsh city of Cardiff, hubby and I, we last visited back in the 90's, and spent most of our time shopping, how times have changed. This visit we were tourist, we visited the castle, took the tour bus around the city, we ate out each evening, had a Wonderful welsh afternoon tea, which was scone cream and jam, a slice of Bara Brith, a Welsh rich fruit cake made with tea, in a tea room overlooking the park, which could have been straight out of a historic novel. We stayed in The Angel Hotel, which is opposite the castle, and we walked everywhere, it rained on Wednesday morning, the rest of the time was sunny and cold. Our stay was timed to perfection, the hotel was gearing up for a huge busy weekend as a rugby match was happening in the stadium, close to the hotel, just as we were booking out, we do like quiet brakes.
Back home we have already had a cuddle with George, Will and mummy, George has put on weight, so everyone is happy.
This afternoon our sign class is performing in the Library in Fareham, we have a poem, a book, and 2 songs to sign, mummy is hoping to bring Will and George to watch. Hubby is staying home to sort the leaves in the garden, it's the last big pick up as our tree is almost bare.