Blogmas, day 3

Morning, all, and welcome to day three of Blogmas.  It turned quite cold yesterday evening so up went the heating.  We have had rain overnight though so no frost and BBC says today should be dry.

Just to let you know (while I am thinking of it), I'm not sure whether there will be a post on Friday or on Monday, travel days.  There may not be that much time or opportunity.  I will schedule in the music bit and if that's all there is, not to worry.  I will definitely be back on Tuesday.

Here's today's little bundle of Advent goodies.

Two bits of the jigsaw, the candle in a tin, the bath bomb, some cute snowman earrings, the tea bag is 'super berries, the cross stitch which is going nicely now I am in the swing of it all and the square - Christmas tree lights and the granny square - I did two of each.

Today's square is a Christmas parcel.

Ernie was kind again yesterday.  The smallest win possible but every little helps and this year I have been fortunate enough to be a little bit better off in every single month's draw.  Can't grumble at that, can I?

I got most of the things on my list done and dusted.  There's a few things left for today, including ironing as the clothes weren't proper dry yesterday.  I'll get that done this morning! 

Groove was good, the window cleaner came and went, I finished Lindsey's loaf so I can take it when I go to PT and, when I went to Morrisons, sitting there was a turkey crown, just the one, obviously waiting for me to pick it up - so I did.  That's part of my contribution to Christmas Day.  I can roast it at home, slice it and then take the slices over to be reheated and served.  Right now, it is in the freezer!

How are things going for you?  Already December seems to be flying past but in a very nice way.  All the festive decor does add a touch of clutter to the place but that's OK, it's organised clutter and I can live with that!  
I have bits and bobs to do - ironing, reading through some paperwork, personal training and governors' meeting.  Enough to keep me busy, for sure. 

Have a lovely Wednesday!

Music Advent calendar, day 3 is another prophetic one from Handel's Messiah.  It's the wonderful chorus 'For unto us a child is born'.  This is a great one to sing - it has so much energy.

Enjoy.

Blogmas day 2

 Good morning, everyone.  Welcome to day two of Blogmas.

Here's what I did yesterday.  I did two robins (each picture will appear twice in the blanket) because I am away for four days - I'm trying to get ahead.  I know they look a bit - er - 'weird', but once everything is together, they will be OK.
After I'd made this montage, I did another cross stitch picture and another bit of puzzle too; I'll try and remember to photo that for tomorrow. 

There were a few issues with the cross stitch kit.  The needle provided isn't great but, if it really bugs me, I have others, I had already replaced the fabric which was, frankly, terrible and I was already aware that not all the yarns were provided because it had said so in the reviews.  I do, however, have a nice little stash of silks so that was OK.  I needed a thread holder, of course, but a bit of card and a hole punch later - Bob's your uncle!!

Today's little collection!  The bath bomb (yesterday's was nice and they're not enormous like the Lush ones are) and tin with two tea light candles, the tea bag which was white tea, blueberry and elderflower, two bit of the puzzle because of getting ahead, you can see the thread holder I made, a wee pot of 'potting shed pickle' and today's crochet square is some lights.

(I used some bits and bobs I had lying about, hence the random pot of pickle!)

Today's Advent of Change charity is one that I only know about because of past calendars - Surfers against Sewage!! 
It says:
"Today you have helped clear harmful plastic pollution from our coastlines, canal paths, bridleways and city streets."
Here's the link to their site.  https://www.sas.org.uk/

We all do different things with the baby in our cribs.  Some have the baby there all the time while some add the baby on Christmas morning.
This has been the focus for various jokes perpetrated by Beth and Alex over the years.  I remember the day Mary left a letter saying she and Joseph had left early with the baby to avoid Herod and apologising to the Wise Men for missing them - and their gold!  It took me ages to find where she had hidden them. 
One time there were multiple babies of all skin colours because Lambs usually come in multiples.
One year Mary had gone skiing with the baby and had left a pair of skis for Joseph in the manger in case he wanted to come.
The best of all was when the Shepherds brough one tribble for the baby and we know what tribbles do best don't we?  Each time I went into the kitchen out of the way, more tribbles appeared until the crib was covered.  So funny!
(There are three remaining tribbles there now but everyone knows not to feed them so it should be OK!)

I guess there won't be a joke this year as Beth is hosting.  That's a bit sad really.

Today is busy!  So busy that I have a Little List.  It says:
Groove
window cleaner (OK, so not me that's busy here but I need to be in)
washing, etc
Choose clothes for weekend - make list
Write report shopping at Morrisons
M&S - Pinecone (I know what this means!!)
finish loaves
buy flour?  (this can wait)

Actually, when you make a list, it doesn't seem so bad, does it?  I'll be very pleased to get it all done though.

The loaf is Lindsey's sourdough for next week as I won't be around over the weekend to bake it then.  I'm making it today, will slice it and bag it and she can pop it straight in the freezer.
Lindsey's already mentioned me continuing with this after the year is up (next summer) and maybe working on a barter system using her classes as a swap.  Isn't it nice that she likes my baking so much.

Music Advent Calendar:

Today I'm still on the looking forward/prophecy vibe with that wonderful aria-recitative-aria from Handel's Messiah, 'Comfort Ye' and 'Ev'ry Valley'

Blogmas day 1

Good morning, everyone.  Welcome to Blogmas day 1.

Yesterday evening, the Advent calendar thingies were all ready and waiting.  It looked exciting.

And this is the jigsaw for this Blogmas.  It looks a bit harder than last year's but that's OK, it's only one bit at a time.  I have Mum's jigsaw board ready on the table.

The tea bag calendar, which I had forgotten about (ooops) and Beth's cross stitch box.

So here we are - today's little haul.

A cute little tin with a couple of tea lights (the tins will be very useful afterwards), an English breakfast tea bag (going to have it after I've finished this), some cute little gingerbread man earrings (I will wear them today), a bath bomb (I'll let you know, and today's crochet is a robin!

The first Advent of Change door supports Toybox.  It says:
Today you have given a hungry child living on the streets of El Salvador a warm drink and a nourishing meal.

Here's the link:  https://toybox.org.uk/our-work

Yesterday was very pleasant.  Sunny and it felt fairly mild here.  I got on with the maple leaf blanket but now it is away and out of sight.  I'll get on with it in January.

Today, apart from all the advent stuff, it is Circuits at Shimmy Studio and I'll be taking a loaf over.  Once home, I will do the usual Monday housework and then I can chill with my Advent crafting.

I'll post the photos of the creative parts of  my Advent calendar a day behind - i.e. today crochet, cross stitch and puzzle will be posted tomorrow.  That way I can show you them finished.  

Happy first of December, everyone.  Welcome to Advent!  Do you have an Advent calendar - if so, what is it?  xx

Today's Advent calendar music link is the wonderful version of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel from King and Country.  I just love it and we have to have it on the first day, don't we?

A more traditional version from Kings College Choir (which will feature quite a lot in here over the next three weeks or so)

Sunday

Welcome to the last day of November.  Tomorrow will see the start of my Advent blogs but more about that further down.

Thank you for the lovely, kind comments yesterday.  It set me thinking about the wide range of decorations that have to go on that tree.

There are . . .

decorations that I have made, ones that Beth has made, Mum and friends

decorations that I inherited from Mum and Dad's collection, including some beautiful ones they bought in Germany (I think) that are smocked

decorations that were lovely gifts from children in my classes and their parents - the more fragile, paper ones didn't last, sadly, but they had pride of place on my tree that year

decorations from places I have visited - e.g. cities, shows and Center Parcs

three very posh Liberty owls that I splashed out and bought after Beth saw an ad in the Sunday Times colour supplement - yes, they were ouchily expensive but I love them and put them carefully away each year in their original boxes (you can see one of them in the photo below)

decorations that I bought because I like to get one new one each year if, and only if, I see one that I absolutely love

fillers - just shiny red and gold baubles - they go on last

So much happiness and memory . . .

Yesterday was a pretty quiet day.  I finished Beth's loaf and took it and Alex home, went to Morrisons for a few things I had forgotten and then spent the rest of the day doing a bit of tidying up and then crafting and watching stuff on the telly.
I loved the Strictly Instant Dance challenge - it was so funny and so spontaneous.  I hope they keep that for next year.
I know who should go out and I am sad because they are my favourites.  However, it would be unfair if anyone else went - although we know Strictly is not just a dance competition, don't we?
I will know tonight - I always manage to avoid those idiots who think it funny to spoil the surprise and post the results earlier.

Today has a bit more going for it.  I need to just do a bit of tidying up and then Beth, Alex and two friends are over for a light buffet lunch and a good chat.

And then it is tidying up and more crafting. And the strictly results and Game of Wool.

And tomorrow it is the start of the Advent month - in the way of calendars, etc, rather than the Church Advent time.
As always, I will be doing my Christmas Music calendar in here.  Yes, most of them will be repeats because that's the music I love but it is only once a year so, really, that's not so bad, is it?
I will also be starting the Jacquie Lawson Advent Calendar with it always such a joy and delight and so much more than worth what it costs.  I've enjoyed them since the very first one and it's a major part of my December.

And there's the candle, the jigsaw and my own calendar comprising a little cross stitch that Beth gave me as well as my blanket challenge and a few little nick-nacks each day.  I have no idea how the blanket is going to pan out but it will be fun.

Oh - and the Advent of Change calendar.

Ooops - I may, just possibly, have gone overboard a bit this year.

Have a lovely day, everyone, and see you in December.  xx

Saturday

Morning, everyone.  It's mild and rather wet here today and the forecast isn't encouraging for the next few days but, as the 'experts' say, we really need rain so no grumbles - yet.

Yesterday went according to plan.  I did my duty at Slimming World and then came home and chilled until Beth and Alex arrived.  Then it was all hands to the Christmas tree.

And here it is in all its bad taste glory!  Sorry about the lights - this was the best of a bad bunch.
The pressies are under, the Guardians of the Christmas Tree and their Faithful Attendants (don't ask - family history!) are doing their duty on and by the radiator and Santa, Mrs Santa and a snowman are waiting for me to put the advent table the other side of the tree (it's there now).

Silly, isn't it.  Happy-silly though and packed with happy memories.  It's worth keeping it up, just for them.

The buffet was yummy and, for once, I got it about right.  There's bits left over but not all that much really.

Alex is still asleep upstairs and I have a loaf in Thermione that will soon need attention.  It's for Beth and I'd like it to be baked when I take Alex home so I don't have to make two journeys.

I have nothing in the diary today and I think I am just going to chill and relax, do knitting and crochet, wrap up a few pressies and just have a me day.  That sounds really nice.  xx

Friday

I've done it again, folks!!  Overslept and in a rush.
OK, so  most people wouldn't call 7:00 oversleeping but it is for me and I have to be out in about ten minutes so this will be short and sweet.

Christmas Tree Day has landed.  Yay.
I have to dash off to Slimming World first.  I'll do the weigh desk but will leave after that, not staying for the second half.
At some point this morning, Beth and Alex will arrive and we will decorate the Christmas tree which I set up yesterday (it takes ages to spread out the branches and twigs).

Early afternoon, Sharon arrives to do Beth's hair - it was supposed to be another day but Beth double booked.  So they will vanish into the kitchen while Alex and I carry on.

Then we will watch some Christmas films starting with The Snowman (doesn't everyone?) before a buffet meal.

It will be such a lovely day.

But now I must stop and get ready to leave.  Wishing you all the best day, whatever you plan to do.  xx

Later Edit:  a few photos from yesterday . . .

I used to but some wadding under for 'snow' but the trees never stayed up.  I need to get some felt or similar.

Ready and waiting!!  :-)

Thursday

 Good morning, everyone.  It's very much milder this morning.  Not a hint of frost and no iciness in the air whatsoever.  It feels a bit damp though so fingers crossed we will get some sunshine.

First of all, a link and an apology.  I thought the quiet skies pattern was free but it isn't, it costs £6.50 (UK) and it is a download.  Really sorry to mislead accidentally.
Here's the link to the pattern
https://madebyanita.co.uk/shop/p/quiet-sky-uk

Yesterday was a busy old day and I got a lot done.

I . . .
did four loads of washing, dried some and the rest has dried overnight
brought what I need of the Christmas china from the garden room into the house and had my first coffee of the season in one of my Christmas mugs
changed over cushions, throws, etc
brought the Christmas boxes and the Christmas tree into the house
changed the sheets in the blue room so it is now ready for Alex on Friday night
(the sheets I took off made the fourth load of washing)
got out my Christmas jumpers
sorted out one of the Christmas boxes that seemed far too heavy (it was big candles)
made three sourdough batons for Friday's buffet
made a big pot of soup
went to Lindsey's for personal training
did some ironing

Phew!

The living room, super-tidy yesterday morning, now looks as if a bomb has hit.  By the end of today, it will look great but right now I'm trying not to look!

So today starts with a lovely chat over coffee with Chris.  Then I will set to and restore order from chaos.  I will do the rest of the ironing and I will go to Morrisons and get the weekly shop done and put away.  And I have just remembered that I need to change my sheets so there's a bit more washing too.
also, I want to prep anything that can be prepped for tomorrow's buffet.  That won't take too long though.

And that's my day today.  What is yours?  xx