Couple of finishes

Book 78 read this year, this was in my December books from our library, I loved it, great story line, brilliant twist at the end, I could not put this book down. Already started my next book.

Christmas cake is done, I have never made marbled icing before, I did cheat and purchase white ready to roll, and some coloured packs, you roll out the white into 2 sausages you add the colours, using much less and different amounts for all colours, roll them until they blend, then twist together a quick roll and then curl like a Chelsea bun, and roll flat. As you can see it's not quite there, I should have used less colour and twisted more, but I'm happy with our colourful simple cake. 

I managed to clean the house, both bathrooms and steam clean the floors, I always add Zoflora lemon to the steamer, so our wooden floors, kitchen and bathroom smell lovely. I am happy chores are up to date, hubby normally does laundry and ironing and cooks most days, I am doing everything, I'm exhausted each evening and I'm sleeping well. Luckily the garden is resting and I don't have my work outside, it's been heaven not to have our Magnolia leaves to pick up this year. 

Hubby had a check up at fracture clinic, he's healing well, the bones are staying aligned, and they expect no issues, he has been told the boot stays on to mid January, which after he told me, I saw he realised his mistake, now he won't get it removed any earlier. 

Last night we had George on his 2nd sleepover, he is such a good little boy, so happy. This morning mummy has taken Will to his last swimming lesson of this year, they will be here later this morning, we have bread baking and a pizza for Will's lunch. It's market day in the village and wet, so we have no plans to go out. 

I am managing to stay upbeat, with virus and brexit doom and gloom everywhere, we have enough store cupboard and freezer items, we should not need to shop outside of our village for a couple of months. The new Tesco small store is due to open before the end of the year, but I don't plan to use it much. 

Mid way

My new bargain yellow sandals arrived, these are from Clarks outlet online, I buy lots from them, reduced from £66 to £20, and bonus they are tan not yellow, leather all over and very sturdy, perfect bargain. I am happy to buy clothes and shoes out of season, my size and taste does not change, I do love a bargain. 

I am so pleased both my Amaryllis bulbs have a shoot which looks like a flower tip, I have everything crossed these grow and bloom. 

I planted Hyacinth bulbs, I never get on well with these, not having a dark airing cupboard has always been the issue, so I popped these under my desk by the radiator, I am hoping I can get these to a nice height. 

We have started using our Christmas mugs, I love my Robin one. I don't have much Christmas China, I have a jug and a dish, I do love plain white China. 

December is marching on, we have another busy week, so blink and it will be the weekend again. Most of Christmas things have been done, I have my parcel ready for collection and then delivery to my sister. I am going to do our Christmas cake this afternoon, I will marble the top icing on the cake, I have not done this before and hope I can get it looking right. I do have a spare pack of icing if it goes wrong, how's that for positive thinking. 

I caught up with the ironing, but I have another load drying, so soon there will be more. I aim to give the house a big clean next Monday, I can't relax even on Christmas day if there are things which need doing, I always clean the house before we go on holiday, so I can enjoy my break. Hubby is relaxing which is good, the swelling is going down, it still aches, we can see improvement, most afternoons we sit and read, I'm not crafting, which is Ok. 

I will walk to the village today, I have a few things to sort and a couple of cards to post, our fruit and veg shop is closed on a Monday so I will have to pop back tomorrow to fill the fruit dish. 

 

Flowers in the garden

This is my 77th book read this year, I do love this author, she always makes a good story line, it was a slow start, set in 70's, I found it was authentic of the time. I am aiming to read another 3 books before the year end. 

I got the next selection of books from the library, Blood orange was on my list of books to read and I do love S K  Tremayne. I won't read Danielle Steel, the other 3, I don't know anything about. 

The garden has loads of colour, cyclamen are in full flower, I grow these in pots, so I can place them where they can be seen. My begonias in the 2 chimneys have finished so now we can see the cyclamen blooms, I never remove the corns from the chimneys they survive our winters and come back each year. 

I love to see this metal table each winter, it's the only garden furniture left out, I always have cyclamen in pots here, it is the first part of the garden you see as you walk to our back entrance. The garden is still looking good, I do have bare patches, but I can live with that. 

Hubby is doing well, resting which is good, not getting too frustrated, I am so glad we sort Christmas by the end of November, we have an Asda order due on 20th, which will top us up nicely, for the fresh stuff I will walk to our local Co-op and use the vouchers. I do have to take hubby to local hospital for a check up on Tuesday, I will have to sit outside in the car again.

I popped to my friends with the 12 days of Christmas cushion, which she loved, we sat just inside her garage, keeping our distance, naughty but it was chucking it down with rain, she has a new hearing dog a cockapoo, called Hunter, he is beautiful, very happy in his new home, he's really lucky he will have a loving home. 

It's Saturday again, where did that week go, I must get the parcel in the post to my sister and brother, I have no excuse, I have started Will's second sleeve for his jacket, I hope to finish and get on with the armhole shaping on the body. I will have plenty of knitting time later, first I have ironing to do. 

More kindness

Hand turned by a really lovely friend, delivered by him and his wife, a chat on the door step, smiles and feeling great. The bowl has been turned on the side of the wood, normally he uses a slice, the grain is very different. 

After turning me a bowl with a crack in earlier in the year, he knew how to use this Holly trunk, he has made a pair of candle sticks for his wife and one for me, its so tactile, the knots, the different shades, there is nothing not to like. This is going to have a premium place, its just so beautiful. 

I did say I was not getting one this year, but they are beautiful plants, I'm loving this table display.

Have been so blue for so long, I am now feeling better, and even festive, I managed to wrap family gifts and pack them up for posting, I also finished writing all our cards. The Christmas cake is ready for its marzipan layer, and I'm looking on how to decorate the top, I hope to make toppers again this year, or go crazy and do a marbled finish in Christmas colours. 

Hubby took a trip to A&E, just to be safe, he had fractured his ankle, so he is now wearing a boot, he was able to book an appointment, was in sorted and back out in less than an hour, the down side was I had to sit in the car, it was very cold, but I'm glad he is sorted. I managed to pass on kindness, a lady's card would not work in hospital carpark, so I paid for her parking, it felt good. 

We had George on Wednesday morning, mummy took Will for his swimming lesson, it's been a busy time, but it's a labour of love. George is surprising me, he picks up things quickly, he can now call the cat to him, he is using his cup most of the day, I even had him holding it himself. Will was a good boy after a great swimming lesson, he can now swim unaided and has no fear of the water. 

I have purchased a pair of leather summer sandals from Clarks outlet, reduced from £66 to £20, plus free delivery, they are yellow, which would not have been my 1st choice, but a great saving. 

 I am reading another book by Karen Slaughter, it's a good start, her books are often huge, this one has 484 pages, the last book was almost 600 pages. I have also started the 2nd sleeve for Will's jacket, it will not take long to knit, my cross stitch has as yet not been touched. Things here feel more balanced, I have said before I need to plan and know how and where things are going, my big worry is still there, but I am managing to a better level, it's not in the forefront anymore.