New year, same stuff

Winter is here, cold and crisp, no snow and for a few days no rain, so it's hot chocolate time, we always have Butlers hot chocolate, which come as solid blocks of chocolate which you melt in the milk, rich and creamy. 

I did manage to read one more book last year, my 83rd book, and it was another brilliant read, simple plot, which twisted in the telling, I will add this author to my list to look out for. 

Hubby and I were so ill on boxing day, we ordered a test, we both hoped it was just a flu, but both became unwell quickly which included cough, no taste and smell, we know of loads of locals who have the virus, we are now both feeling better, but as yet have not been out anywhere, results expected in a couple of days. I am expecting a negative, but who knows these strange days. 

Both amaryllis are growing tall, neither was quick to bud, the cheaper bulb had leaves first, which normally means no blooms, the expensive bulb is much shorter. So flowers inside in January. 

 

Christmas to New Year was lost to us, not well enough to do anything, we had everything we needed, we ate very simple, it's hard to makes meals when you are unwell and can't taste anything. We were so tired all the time, we did not plan to stay up on new year's eve, but an interesting music show on channel 5, and then the taped Graham Norton show followed, so we were still up at 11.50pm and watched BBC2 for 15 minutes, so the new year came with a fizzle rather than a wizz and a bang. 

I have since managed a walk around our garden, it's still looking good, the side flowerbed is a bit bare, we both agreed we need a couple of shrubs to give winter colour and structure, I could do with an hour outside to tidy, but that won't happen this week. We are having heavy Frost most nights, I do go out and crack the ice on the birds water, and top up the rain chain which they love. 

I am starting to pack the dec's away, its going to be a mammoth job as hubby can't help with getting full boxes back into the attic, luckily the attic door is in our bedroom wall, I have packed all the silk flowers and hand made cushions away, I hope to do a box a day and then the tree, which is the biggest, I have 6 boxes in all. In previous years I have everything packed away by 31st of December, this year with low energy levels, things are later. The outside lights we will turn off, and leave until February, when hubby is more mobile. 

My tabletop computer power failed, I should get it back tomorrow, so just a few days in this new year and another expensive repair. 

Thank you for your comments on my previous post, so many bloggers have health issues and are waiting for treatment, these are horrible times, we have to wait for results and support our family member, the waiting is the worse part. 

Last post

Book 82 read this year, it was a great book to read, filling in the details of their 1st year in France, I have followed them from their 1st program on channel 4, I love their positive attitude and their beautiful château. 

I am opening these tiny parcels from Jo, Through the keyhole, blog, I am loving these colourful little yarns, it brightens each morning. 

 We had a really enjoyed a very excited Will on Christmas morning opening his presents, he had loads, he also helped George open his gifts, it did look like a toy shop. 

I did have a post ready for end of year, but I deleted it, 2020 is like no other, and on 23rd it gave our family another nasty turn, which until mid January when we get medical results and to be able plan a path forward, we have to wait with our own thoughts. 

We both have bad colds and coughs, and are waiting for test, just in case, no plans to go anywhere, lazy slow days. 

So from a very subdued household, this is my final post for this year, stay safe, and dry. There are positives everywhere, sadly they are not within our reach. Happy New year. 

 

December and end of year

I only purchased the buttons for boys jackets and some braid for my Christmas cushion, December is always a low spend month. I do pop everything on these list's there is no point doing this I if cheat at it. 

 So it's my end of year review, I'm sorry if this bores you, please pop back next post. I am known as the queen of the spread sheets, I do love them. I find information breakdown so very interesting, 

Here is my list from previous years, and I'm pleased, this is never really about saving money, it's more checking where I spend my money.

This chart shows the breakdown on different crafts and the garden, I like this chart it shows what I am currently doing, gardening will always be top of the list. I have looked back and I can honestly say I spent about £200 sorting the green house and a couple of other things, which were structure items and not general gardening.  I spent less on yarn this year, nothing on card making, I do have a good stash for most crafts and I am using what I have, unless I see something special, 

I was given a flowering cactus and my Orchids are still blooming, the 2 amaryllis now have buds, I got just one new plant which did not last long, I have loads of silk flowers, Ivy and Holly which I use every year. I am mega pleased with myself, for years I had fresh flowers every week, I decided this year I would see if I could do without, and I've been really good, I think I have probably saved at least £20 each month. 

My clothes spend was £224.46, I did get myself a good coat in the Joules winter sale included in this amount, and a reduced Clarks sandals at a price not to pass plus free delivery. I still have loads in my wardrobe, but I will need more jumpers and underwear next year, so I will be checking the January sales, I don't like to buy items at full price. 

On the whole we have had a good year, we stayed on budget over Christmas, the biggest increase was on food, but we have got stocks of most things, with lockdowns, Brexit we decided we needed to have 3 months larder stock. We are now back in lockdown, which I'm happy to do, hiding from people carrying the virus is our only hope, stay safe. 

Heating is on more but we are still staying within our monthly budget, we do have a reasonable credit on our account ready for the winter surge in cost. On the whole our monthly outgoing are level and not going up. 

Our household waste has reduced, having the new local fruit and veg shop has really helped, we are not saving money, but no packing and being able to pick loose items helped with no having to eat things before they go off. We stopped buying so much new household stuff and clothes, we are mindful of using what we have, the days of replacing for a newer model has long gone. In the last few years hubby has gotten on board with me and now understands what we are doing, not huge major things but little simple things which all add to the bigger issues we are all trying to sort with environment and how we live our lives, commercialism is now global, 24 hours every day, our government needs it, it brings in taxes, but we are happy to have left it out of our lives. 

 

Merry Christmas

This is the oldest book I own, it was given to me by our local church, in my childhood they gave every child in the village a gift on Christmas eve. Growing up in a big family almost everything was passed on to a younger sibling, but this book I kept, at 11 years old I already had a huge love of reading.  

It says received in 1966, 

further down this back page I have written my name and address. 

Sadly one of my daughters added more colours to this page

This book is very fragile, after all it's 54 years old, I still love ladybird books, for so many people they were the knowledge books of our childhood.

I feel Christmas this year is fragile, nothing is normal, families are apart, I feel horrible my brother is not here with us, he will have lunch with our sister, but he will be alone Christmas eve and day nights. 

This battle is not like any other, we can't see our foe, our love ones could be carrying a virus which could pass us by, make us really ill, or, well lets not think of that. So this year we are in small groups, sadly loads will be on their own, not able to travel from there tiers to loved ones homes. On boxing day we raise to tier 4, we need nothing and will not leave our house, can things get any worse. 

I hope you find peace in the Christmas season, you and your families are well, in all this doom and gloom please look because there are happy moments, conceptions, births, marriages and birthdays, some we will miss this year but there will come a time when we can all touch and cuddle each other, sadly just not this Christmas.