Happy New Year

It seems an age since I last said hello and it feels really strange to be blogging again, in fact I feel quite nervous. I am planning a slow return and will probably blog once or twice a week to start with. Before I hibernated I had joined in with so many lovely weekly blog alongs, I was blogging most days and I became a little bit overwhelmed.

I have missed compiling my monthly mosaics to share with you but it will be no surprise that November and December were busy months full of crochet, knitting and of course baking, and I have really enjoyed Christmas. 

I love being surrounded by my family and spending time with my three daughters and grandchildren is so precious.  I start the celebrations off with a party on Christmas Eve, most of mine and Mr R’s family call in and it has become a tradition that we do a little bit of cocktail making – such fun and of course present exchanging. Christmas day was spent at Laura’s, where we had a sumptuous lunch. It’s the first time in quite a few years that I haven’t cooked Christmas lunch and it did feel strange but in a good way. Laura wanted me to have a more restful day which I did and it was perfect. Vicky, Mark, Alex, Finn and Daisy were also invited and of course grandma who spends Christmas with us every year. Laura had a house full but was an amazing hostess and everyone had a fabulous time. The children have been amazing, so generous and kind with each other.

Kate, Seb and Jake came home on Boxing Day and stayed for a few days which was lovely. I had open house most days as everyone wanted to catch up with them, Laura, Chris and the children visited on Boxing Day and Vicky and the children called in on the Friday.  My mum and dad also came round for a visit, so as you can see we did have a busy family time. 

New Years Eve was spent with three small boys, Zach, Finn and Noah came for a sleep over. Grandad organised lots of tournaments, football in the hall, a super hero game and then lastly Peppa Pig dominoes. We didn’t stay up until midnight as I’m afraid we were too tired and needed our energy for an early start on New Year’s Day, but what a lovely start to the year -  three special boys joining us for breakfast. 

I have lots of ideas for things to do this New Year and hope to share them with you over the coming weeks.

Before I go I thought I would include a glimpse of my festive home before my decorations come down and get packed away for another year.

 I wish you all a happy and healthy 2014

Talk soon x

Merry Christmas .......

I hope you've all had a wonderful day - I most certainly have. I have been surrounded by my lovely family, but sadly Kate, Seb and Jake were missing as they don't get to us until tomorrow - but we will have another special family day on Boxing Day..

I had planned to take lots of photos for my blog - starting with preparing the Christmas vegetables, enough to feed an army!

 setting the  Christmas table -

But unfortunately that's it as far as my photographic record goes - my day was so busy and joyous I forgot to take anymore photos - sorry.

Hope you have all had fun, 

Good night Sue x

PS I forget to say the gravy was delicious x

nearly out of time ....................

My day was supposed to be quiet with just a few last minute things to finish. Why does everything take so much more time than you think.

that should be me....................

I've cooked, cleaned, washed, ironed, finished wrapping, sorted table linen, sorted cutlery and crockery - still not finished and it's dark outside - I really don't think I will be knitting anytime soon!

Only one more sleep then it's Christmas Eve  - I'm having a big family party................ if I finish all my chores!

talk soon x

quick hello ............

Only time for a quick hello tonight, I've been at the hospital most of the day with my dad and then had to take my mum supermarket shopping - it was crazy. People seem to be expecting a siege and I think the shops only close for one day.

I'm back home now but need to go out again for my Christmas groceries (the supermarkets are open until midnight - poor staff)  Just about to start writing my shopping list.

I am trying hard to keep Sunday clear and have a quiet day at home. With luck I will be so organised  that I may even have time to get on with my last outstanding Christmas knit ( famous last words)

Also hoping we have a Sunday post as I am still waiting for three presents to be delivered - fingers crossed.

talk tomorrow x

catching up .................

good wishes from friends ............

I am about to string my Christmas cards and put them up in the hall but have taken a few extra minutes to re-read them. Life is often so hectic we resort to communicating by email or even text message  - it has felt so nice to read hand written Christmas messages from friends, some I haven't caught up with in ages.
(Message to me is be a better friend in 2013)

Happy Christmas everyone x

more jobs - with a little bit of me time added to the list ..............

Another busy day but I had a few breaks as I was pretty tired after yesterday - it was after 11pm when I finished icing the cakes.

Cakes all ready for Hubbies meeting.................

Coffee and a half hour with my new Mollie Makes Magazine .................

a spare cupcake for me to sample...........

a lovely half hour planning my Christmas viewing ................

after tea I spent some time reading with Finn and Daisy ...................

Little ones have just gone home I am about to tidy the house and then start wrapping a few more presents - hopefully I will also have an hour to knit some more of Kate's snood.

talk soon x

lovely Christmasy festive house...........

My house is starting to look festive, we got our tree yesterday and it's a lovely shape. My husband isn't allowed to go tree shopping alone as he can't understand the importance of checking out the shape of the tree, and not  buying one that has hardly any branches at the top. He thinks I take far to long to choose and often rolls his eyes when I ask the assistants to show me yet another tree. I love finding the perfect Christmas tree.

tree almost ready - now the rest of the house needs doing......

 

 

 

Children's Christmas corner ....................

 

mantelpiece garland .................

I have knitted little Christmas trees and painted small  wooden trees to add to my garland, but the photo above isn't very clear, I have taken a close up - I think they look quite good.

knitted and wooden painted trees .............

sparkly branches .............

It was lovely when I came down for breakfast this morning I could smell the lovely Christmasy pine fragrance coming from my tree and the house looked wonderfully festive, only 9 days before the big day. Just a few more decorations to put up and the house is done - but where do I start next! I feel a list coming on as I still have so much left to do.

talk soon x

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shopping and pampering .......

To start our Christmas celebrations Pam and I had planned a girlie day out. We decided to go to Buxton which is a picturesque spa town in Derbyshire, and is often described as the gateway to the Peak District National Park. It would only take us about 45 minutes in the car and we thought we could start with some Christmas shopping and then a spot of pampering.

We set off early it was bitterly cold, the temperature was - 4 degrees, so before we set off we had to make sure we had wrapped up warm and thoroughly de-iced the car. On arrival in Buxton we needed hot coffee to warm us up before we hit the shops, after we had re-found our fingers we set off for the Pavilion arcades.

Behind the shops in lovely gardens nestles the Palace Hotel, the Victorian Hotel is situated within 5 beautiful acres of land. 

crisp frosty trees ....................

The exterior of the hotel was designed by Henry Currey, architect to the Duke of Devonshire at the time it was built, and the interior is equally splendid. 

The hotel  not only boasts fine dining and luxury accommodation it also has a pampering spa, which we had booked into - we are so lucky.

After our shopping expedition we made our way to the hotel and sipped a sparkling glass of champagne before we had our treatments. I was booked in for a massage and a facial, and Pam had decided on a facial and a manicure.

We both enjoyed our luxurious treatments and felt relaxed, rejuvenated and totally de-stressed.

Alas though we had to wrap up warm again and brave the cold for our journey home. The gritter trucks were already salting and gritting the roads as we left Buxton.

We arrived home before dark and had really enjoyed our special day.

Talk soon x

Christmas shopping ......

I decided to venture into London and visit my favourite shop - Liberty's of course! So wrapped up warm with lots of accessories, hat, scarf, gloves and boots [it's freezing out] I set off for the tube. After a very busy underground journey I arrived at Oxford Circus and amid all the frantic hustle and bustle I arrived at Liberty's. 

The store is always beautiful to behold but at Christmas time it has a special magical quality all of its own. I spent some time wandering around and imagining all the things I would buy if I wasn't shopping on a budget. Then it was up to floor 3 where I just love the kitchen shop, the children's area and of course the haberdashery and yarn area - such bliss.  I bought some amazing grey yarn with a silver thread running through it and some lovely creamy natural wool with a sparkle - not sure what I will be making but will let you know soon as I'm desperate to start something special.

The Christmas Shop was a delight and I love all of the different colour schemes, I seem to have fallen for a white and silver theme but alas most of my decorations are red and green so I don't think I can afford to abandon them all this year. Pink and aqua seem quite popular but I'm not sure they are quite me.

lovely Christmas reindeer ........

It was soon time to head back to Kate's and brave the cold and the crowds. It was already quite dark outside and the lights on Oxford Street were stunning but unfortunately my photo doesn't do them justice.

I'm off to get the tube talk soon x

Christmas Posts .............

I am planning to write a new post everyday from now until Christmas Eve - I'm not sure if I will manage this, but the idea is that my blog is going to be my advent calender - and of course it's calorie free.

 advent calender

I love everything about Christmas, from finding or making special gifts for people I love, dressing the house, making all the lovely special food, and sharing my home with special friends and family.

You will all have guessed by now how much I love cooking, especially baking but this year I am a bit scared as I am still watching my diet. Since June I have dropped two full dress sizes, I have lost about 36 lbs which I am thrilled about, but I am really worried about the temptations that this festive time of year bring, as it's so easy to put weight back on again.

But I have been focused and I am committed to maintaining this healthy balanced lifestyle ( keep your fingers crossed for me!)

talk to you all on December 1st x