Friday 28 December 2012

Christmas catch-up

Just the five of us at home this year so it was a very laid-back Christmas.  No visitors, no schedule, no dressing up - just a very relaxing, laid-back couple of days. 

Nobody stirred until after 8am on Christmas morning - now that we have three teenagers in the house the 6am starts are a thing of the past.  8am is so much more civilised!

MrG did all the grocery shopping and all the cooking.  Christmas has always been his time to shine in the kitchen, he has been in charge of our Christmas food since the children were small.  He enjoys cooking, trying new recipes and experimenting with ingredients but doesn't get to spend much time in the kitchen unless he's on holiday.  Our lunch was a resounding success.  I do feel very lucky that I have a hubby who enjoys cooking! 

I really enjoyed the Christmas cookery programmes on the run up Christmas - Hugh, Nigella and Jamie.  They really get you in the mood don't they?  On Christmas Eve, after watching one of Jamie's programmes I was inspired to 'attempt' to make his Snicker semi-freddo and a chocolate meringue nest to have on Christmas Day instead of the traditional plum pudding.  My 'attempt' was amazing - lovely chewy meringue with creamy, nutty, chocolatey ice-cream.  Yum!

My only other tasks were to set the table and clear up the wrapping paper.  I know I'm spoilt!

Alf had a great time in the wrapping paper - jumping, diving and snuffling.



We were all pleased, delighted and 'chuffed to bits' with our presents.  

CK played a big part in my pressies this year!


I have really enjoyed having the time to catch-up and read the blogs I follow.  It's so nice to see the Christmas decorations and baking and to  read about family's and fun times.  Some blogs have such beautiful photos too - I really do need to take more photo's (a New Year's resolution?) to add to my blog. 

I hope you all had a great time over the Christmas holiday. x



Monday 24 December 2012

Christmas Eve

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas - have fun!


Friday 21 December 2012

four more

Last day of school today so after a morning spent singing Christmas carols in church we were able to head home by 1.30pm.  The Christmas holidays have begun - yippee!



Still got lots to do though.  We need to collect Ben from Uni (2 hours drive away), deliver presents to relatives (1 hours drive away), and then do the mammoth grocery shop.  

And if that isn't enough to think about, we have just heard that the lease for our new office is now ready to be signed so there is a possibility that we will be doing an office flit over the Christmas holidays!  In one way it's bad timing because we won't be able to sit and relax and recharge our batteries (totally vegetate) but on the other hand if we do get everything moved into the new place we will be able to make a fresh start in the New Year.

Tuesday 18 December 2012

this time next week

the panic will be over.  

The decorations will be up, the food will be bought and crammed into the (too small) fridge, the cards will be written and received (hopefully) and the presents will be wrapped and unwrapped.  

Every year there's a mad rush to get things done but we all get there in the end!

collection of cards - growing by the day








little robin red (polka dot) breast
a tin of sweets for my Dad - who happens to be called Robin
a bunch of flowers from MrG - lovely

from Santa?

Saturday 15 December 2012

ten days to go

And so the Christmas countdown begins...

a tasty gift from my sis made by my niece

Friday 14 December 2012

fresh freesias

It would have been my Mum's 68th birthday today.  I bought a bunch of her favourite flowers - fragrant freesias.  I wish you could smell them, they're divine.

Wednesday 12 December 2012

Christmas 'do'

Last night we had our book-club Christmas 'do' at a local restaurant.  Much fun and frivolity.  Oh boy was the food good.  Sorry I don't have any photo's - I'm sure they wouldn't have done it justice anyway but see if this line-up makes your mouth water...

... Starter ...
 Chicken Liver Pate wrapped in Serrano Ham, Pear Chutney 
& Toasted Brioche
... Main ...
Baked Fillet of Salmon on Scalloped Potatoes with Roasted Vine Tomato, Red Pepper & Chorizo Dressing
... Sweet ...
Chocolate & Vanilla Crème Brulee with Butter Shortbread
 

I'm already planning my next visit.  I may surprise MrG with a Christmas 'do' of our own - just the two of us!






 

Wednesday 5 December 2012

getting side tracked

I got my sewing machine out tonight to take in some trousers (ready for the Book Club Christmas 'do' next week) but ended up using it as a drying rack for these little birds.  I bought blank wooden birds from ebay and used gift wrap to decoupage them.  I then added some glass beads.  Once dry I will give them a coat of varnish then they'll be good to go.  I plan to pop some in with Christmas presents and keep a couple to hang on my dresser.


Tuesday 4 December 2012

parcel of pressies

My darling friend Ginny sent me a surprise parcel today.  I'm sure she has psychic powers because she has a knack of getting in touch just when I'm in need of cheering up.

This did the trick - a lovely parcel full of gifts, a late birthday present and an early Christmas present.  Oh how exciting.










Saturday 1 December 2012

cuttlebug cards

I met my sister in Penrith again today.  This time 'shopping' wasn't on the agenda.  A couple of weeks ago we booked ourselves onto a card making workshop and today was the day.

The craft shop holds various workshops throughout the year.  Today, the lovely Samantha took us through numerous techniques using the Cuttlebug to emboss and cut shapes in card. 



We were shown how to use distress inks, glitter, chalks, ribbons and buttons to decorate our cards.



The workshop was really well planned and we whizzed through loads of cards.  Samantha was full of ideas and gave us lots of handy tips.



The day flew by as we were all totally engrossed - it was great fun.

If you live near Penrith and fancy going to one of the workshops send Samantha a message via her blog http://penrithcrafts.blogspot.co.uk I will definitely do another workshop after Christmas so maybe I'll see you there!