What day is it?

Loads of buds in our garden, 

our weather is super mild and my poor garden is confused. 

Amaryllis, just starting to show.  

 Hyacinth, another try at growing these bulbs.

A new tree in our local park. 

I am totally lost to what day of the week it is today, feels like a Saturday, but I'm not sure, I have lost all notion of the days of the week. Having said that I did get to my hair appointment this morning, and we have nothing planned before Sunday evening, when we have been invited to our neighbours house for a festive drink, a few neighbours are going, so it should be fun.
We walked to the village today, our local Co-op had loads of fresh veg, cream and last minute items, all looking good and a great date, so we got everything today, saves an early morning dash tomorrow. We used our points we have saved, so the shopping cost nothing, plus we still have some money left, for early January.
I have had my sewing machine out to finish Will's cot quilt and I am having a few problems, the walking foot is working, but I keep getting a tangled mess on the underside from the bobbin. I have checked my machine and it is working OK, my test piece shows no issue, but once I start on the bigger quilt it starts to go wrong. I will chat to my sister later and if necessary go on youtube to see how to resolve the issues. My sister has taken a quilting course, so she knows more than I do, I have done small quilting before but nothing on this scale, it is not his Christmas present, so I'm not in a rush to get it done.
I was really pleased to see a new tree planted in out local park, we have not lost any to bad weather, so it is pleasing to see another lovely tree added to our wonderful park, we are aware not all councils can afford to do much with parks, but our is well maintained.

On your marks

I have list everywhere,  I am a list maker

If not on paper then in my head, once it is on a list it's rare it is forgotten. 

Most of the items for Christmas has a tick against it.

Freezer - our freezer is full, we have purchased larger joints of meat on special, which we have cut in half and frozen, we have enough supplies in the freezer to last most of January.
Fridge - Is also full of items with a good date, cheeses, pate's, we always go to Somerset for the New Year, so we don't want anything not ate going off when we are away, plus we do take items to my brothers.
Fresh - So far we have sprouts cut ready to cook in the freezer, Lidl had their veg on special this week, our veg box is full, we have soups to make. We will get the late stuff from our local Co-op, we have saved £49 in points on their loyalty card, plus hubby was sent £50 of vouchers ( he retired from the Co-op a few years ago), so it will be a five minute walk to do last minute shopping, at a price we love free of charge. Monies left over will help in January.
Baking - Hubby does the baking, he will makes another batch of mince pies and sausage rolls, the first batch is almost gone, our friends know his baking skills are fantastic, so we get loads of people dropping in swapping cards and enjoying a mince pie with coffee. My baking was the cake which is ready for Christmas tea time.
Christmas - Everything is sorted, presents have been given, stocking fillers ready for the big night (everyone who has a bed in our house on Christmas Eve has a stocking in the morning).
This is the best run up to Christmas ever, most of our shopping was done early on a weekday, early December so no crowds, we have given most of our children and grandchildren cash for presents, not the best, but they have so much it is hard to know what to get them, plus most of what they want is far more expensive than we can afford.
I have been busy, sorting cupboards in our kitchen, and I am so very pleased with myself, I have pulled out the pots and packets, not as many as in previous years, we try not to eat process foods, so now we store different things than before. The reason I am so pleased is I had nothing out of date, so nothing to throw away, normally I would find a few things tucked in the back corner. We have been fighting waste all year, and use everything fresh without waste. Plus the cupboards are not overfull with stuff we might use.

 Su, Will and I popped into town on Tuesday, M&S had their Christmas decorations reduced, so two red and two green, £2 instead if £4 each. We had lunch at a local garden centre after seeing the raindeer.

I finished the two Christmas stockings, one for Will and a marching spare for a couple of years time( baby brother or sister) my brother, Martin arrived yesterday for a long break with us, so Christmas has started in our house.

My favorite things

Jo at Through the keyhole is posting about her favorite things, it's the second time she has done a post on this topic, Rain drops on Roses, 

so here is my December list. 

Will with his Christmas jumper on, he is here to represent all our lovely grandsons, we do not see our boys often enough, distance and busy lives get in the way.

My Christmas tree, I love Christmas, the joy of families being together, warm, snug with loads of traditional features. I show my tree, because it's full of happy memories, I'm not one to theme a tree, just loads of decorations, purchased and made through out the years we have been together. Yesterday afternoon I watched It's a Wonderful Life, the best ever Christmas Movie. The best music for Christmas is the songs from The Gremlins, I love the big wall of sound from these American hits.

This drink is the taste of Christmas for me, the spices are festive, no alcohol, just pure enjoyment. I only drink it in December/January, drinking it hot, it does not work in other months of the year. The second taste is mince pies, hubby made our first batch last night, again we only eat them in December.

My garden is bare, but still I love the view, these cold dull days are all about the wildlife visiting the feeders at the bottom of the garden. A walk around my garden is like a bust of sunshine to me.

Books, I have been a bookworm all my life, but now I really do have time to read, and I am finding new authors all the time. 

Our girls, they always have a welcome when we get home, this time of years they are mostly in these baskets or on our laps. 

Cross stitch. I'm not stitching at this time, I have been sewing on my machine again. I never worry my stitching will come back it always does.

None of the above should be a surprise to my followers, family and my hubby are key to me, but it's a happy post on a dull Sunday morning.
We have had a quiet week, Will Slept over on Friday night so mummy and daddy could have a lovely late and lazy morning on Saturday.
Hubby and I had a small party night together last night, watching the Strictly final, pleased Joe won, but felt they all have become wonderful dancers.
Today we have nothing to do, how wonderful.

Dublin

A perfect shot, showing the cold weather over the bay

 Croke Park Hurling Stadium 

 Skyline tour, on top of the stadium

 Higest point inside the stadium

 Dublin Castle

 Loads of lovely art around the city

 Including their history

 Modern with the old

 Interesting everywhere you look

Ha'penny bridge 

 Loads of churches, and beautiful woodwork

The skyline tour of the stadium was brilliant, we were on top of the roof looking down on the city and beyond, it was the coldest I have ever been but was worth the visit. I have added the link above should you want to know more. Loads of interesting facts given about the history of the city. The light on the pitch grass was to warm the ground, the pitch has real grass which needs help in the colder months to grow.
Richard was a perfect guide to the city, he is English by birth, but met and married a beautiful Irish lady, so Dublin is now his home. We came away with so many funny stories about the city. His FIL was in the Garda back in the 60's, Ha'penny bridge at the time had no steps and once in the middle of the night they drove across this footbridge in a mini, which just fitted in the gap, if they had broken down they would not have room to open the doors and get out. Stories like this bring the city alive.
Christmas in a different city is always fun, we avoided all the big brands and did not do much shopping, but walked around taking everything in, the sights, smells and the people.
It was a perfect time to catch up with family and spend time together, now we are into Christmas, we have only the fresh stuff to get. So we are planning a lazy weekend, looking forward to my brother coming next week.