1,2, Tree

We had a busy weekend, Kev spent Sunday in the garden picking up the fallen leaves from our tree and I decorated our Christmas tree. We do have lights for the tree in the garden but Kev will put them up next weekend. I am left on my own to dress the tree and house.

We also went with Josh to see Father Christmas, who was the jolliest person we have ever met, Josh was shy but remembered to tell him he wanted a camera, a real one. Sam slept all the way through.

This is the first year for us to have this tree, it's bigger than our other tree, but I have so many baubles to go on it, the angel on the top is years old. I do not have tinsel I use strings of beads. Our house is full of festive candles, which I love.

Below is the ornaments form this years swap, they look good on my tree.

I did start to wrap some presents, but Fliss, Josh and Sam popped in, so I shall have to finish them this week. All our cards are in the post, so we are progressing well. I have a few presents to get, and have planed a day shopping with Fliss on Thursday. The main bulk of the food shopping is done, our cupboards are full.

I have two presents to finish, and I want to print Kev's card today, so all in all I feel good, I have not made every thing I was going to, and still I have not done any cross stitch!

All our snow has gone, it rained most of Saturday and it all went then, it's a nice way of getting rid of the snow, all clean and no slush. It is still very cold here -3 in the car a short while ago.

Late to the party

Last night the snow arrived, our garden looks just great, all our bird feeders are full with loads of different treats, we are snug and warm inside.

Most of the country is snow bound, we are lucky, here along the south coast and normally miss most of the snow.
Our street looks magical, shame it's three weeks early, would have been perfect for Christmas, the weather forecaste is for it to get warmer over the weekend, so I expect most of it to be gone.

Family are all well, Sammy is growing each time I see him.

I have just had my 6th session of radiotherapthy and I am feeling OK, just another 8 to go. Still not done much craft, but I am looking for something to stitch, and I must start wrapping my christmas pressies.

Getting ready

Well it's late November and our thoughts turn to Christmas.
I wanted to show you my stitching, it's a few years old
But I love to have it on my wall each yuletide.

It is stitched on 18 count Aider
using DMC silks (floss)

I love the colours

and the sentiments

I can't wait for this weekend, when the tree will go up and the place will look festive, I will do a post with photo's once every thing is in place, having down sized our house I have loads of things, so not every thing will go out.

I have not done much craft, I am feeling tired alot, and I'm having a bit of a block, I have a few things to finish for presents, so I will have to get going soon.

Sam is growing fast, he's 5 weeks old today, Josh his big brother is a darling and is getting excited with his christmas list for santa, we are all going to see santa this weekend with Josh, Fliss is healing well, and soon will be able to drive again. Su is doing well in her interviews for a new role within her company, so all is well here in Hampshire.

SNOW, not here in the south east of England yet, but we should see some by the end of the week, but boy it is cold here, fingers crossed it won't be as bad as in Scotland and the north east.
We normally do not see this type of weather until well into the new year, and often we miss having snow at all.

Sparkly beads

We have had a great weekend, Fliss, Steve and the boys popped in on Saturday afternoon, Josh was very entertaining, Sam slept the whole of the visit, so no cuddles. Fliss is looking well and losing weight.
Su and Gav came in the evening for tea and to watch X Factor, we all love this programme.
Sunday Kev and I spent the day together at home, relaxing.

I managed to do some craft, I have more christmas puddings, and gained another fan, Gav's sister has placed a request for some, I think it's best not to pack my knitting needles away yet, I think the beads I am using at the moment make them look so good, I will have to get some more.

I also tried a beading pattern from a mag, it's so easy, which it has to be I am a novice with beads. The beads used are Swarovski, I can't remember the size, these were left over from Su's wedding dress I have made 3 so far, but need to make a couple more. I want to add a halo, and a hanging ribbon. The design does not add features to the face, which is good, I'm not good at faces. The pearl bead is from a bracelet I no longer wear.

I have nothing planned for this week, today I want to do housework and ironing, boring I know, but it's great once it is done, the rest of the time is craft time, I have loads to finish to wrap for christmas. I also want to spend time with Fliss in the day, I am feeling well enough to drive again.

I am also planning to start my cross stitch family sampler, I have not planned all the designs, I do like to add as I go along, I have the basic design worked out, with a patchwork block in each corner. I have also decided on the centre alphabet design.
On 24th of November I start 3 weeks of radiotherapy, which is much better than chemo, but still tiring, hence starting my sampler. So all my treatments will be over by christmas, much earlier than I thought.