Our Christmas in pictures

It’s been a very busy few days celebrating with family.

The Christmas tin of sweets

Just a quick post today as I join in Sian's Christmas Club. The best memories are retold over and over again and so I make no excuse if I have told this little story before. How many of you have a tin of sweets put by for Christmas? I’ve had to get two this year as they seem to get fewer and fewer each year. I remember my childhood Christmas when that tin of sweets was so exciting and seemed to last for ever. Lucky numbers was our favourite then and I can remember Sister Sue telling me number 21 was a coffee cream so I avoided it for years. I must have been desperate for some chocolate one year and sampled a number 21 only to find it was a fudge, Sue’s favourite. This betrayal has obviously scarred me for life as it still comes to mind each year when I open the tin of sweets!

If you want to read more little Christmas stories then go over to Sian’s blog. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with family and friends x

a few more cards

Still need to make a few cards? Then I can recommend http://www.clearlybesottedstamps.com/ for inspiration. Stephanie Wincott has some beautiful cards using their stamps and dies and I spent a pleasant few hours making several. I think I’m all done now so it’s back to my ripple blanket and a Christmas film for me.

The Christmas Nanny and Grandad came

 

Whether it’s my cold feet or the talk of the first snow of winter or maybe it’s because I love The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder but  my mind has gone back to Christmas 1962.

My elderly grandparents had arrived for Christmas all the way from Dorset when on Boxing Day it started to snow. This was followed a few days later by a blizzard that swept across the country, it was so cold the sea froze. Snow continued to fall for what seemed like weeks afterwards and my grandparents were completely cut off from their home.

For me, a young child it was great fun. Nanny, a great lover of card games was always available for a game of nap, something I’ve only ever played with her so the rules are long forgotten.

For my parents it was not so much fun. They had given up their bed so for weeks were sleeping in my bedroom. They had to carry on with looking after everyone and keeping us warm. It wasn’t until March, almost Easter, that the thaw came and they were able to take them home.

I reminded my mum about this yesterday and asked how she coped “It wasn’t very nice of me but I did get a bit irritable with all the mess” was all she said. How I wish I was as nice as mum!

The Christmas Club is an idea of Sian's, do pop over and share a Christmas story.

a little bit of me time

I took a few hours off to relax and make some cards, I love this little stamp set I bought recently

I also revisited an old Shimelle class and made this layout, the journalling is behind the title

and knitted some cute little stockings from a free pattern on Little Cotton Rabbits blog

I hope you’ve all had time to relax and make something during this busy time

Time for tea

Hello good to see you all one last time, do come in and have a tea or coffee. How are things going with you, Christmas preparations well underway? I’m feeling pleased that I’ve bought a lot of presents already, not Black Friday I hasten to say I like things a bit more civilised.

The weather has certainly turned cold this week, but I still manage to go for a walk by the sea most days. I’m so pleased I’ve lost over 2 stones this year, it does make buying clothes much more enjoyable. I’m sure you have no weight worries so do have some shortbread or perhaps a mince pie.

Are you expecting lots of visitors for Christmas?  I’ve got all the family coming which will be lovely. It does mean I’m busy making lots of lists and preparing as much in advance as possible.

I’ve started Shimelle's Journal Your Christmas again, anyone else taking part? I’m also busy knitting and making cards. It’s such a busy time of year but so much fun.

It’s been lovely getting to chat with you all over a cuppa but all good things must come to an end. Thank you Abi  for starting this meme, I’ve really enjoyed taking part. I wish you all the best for the next year and will still pop on to your blog to see how you are getting on.

Keep in touch everyone xx