Yuletide Felicitations

 Hope the spelling is correct...

From our house to yours...

Blessings for a safe and happy Yuletide...

J. x

Our Winter Wonderland

Well it happened...

First I cleaned the cottage...

Then it began to snow...

It got very cold...

Then it snowed some more...

And got a lot lot colder...

Surfaces were cleared of clutter...

Tablecloths were ironed...

Nooks and crannies were decorated...

Special chairs prepared...

Mince pies baked...

Two special guests arrived...

The children were waiting next door...

They passed through the scaled down (due to extreme weather) area...

Met a snowman and Father Christmas (well blow up ones)...

Then we heard sleigh bells...

Did I mention it was cold...

Inside we found Father and Mrs. Christmas...

They had brought some small gifts for the children...

There was excitement...

And food...

Then we all sat around the fire and sang Christmas songs...

Led by the children...

It was not a late evening so Grandma and Grumpy were able to watch strictly afterwards...

I hope all the children slept well...

Grandma did...!!!

The first snow fall Saturday morning

The festive dresser 

Washing removed from the Pulley Maid

My cookery books in what used to be our kitchen window

The freshly baked mince pies and bread rolls were safely stashed under here

The dining hall

Making space in the living room meant moving the rocking chair to by the fire

My deep filled mince pies...normal tin had gone a little rusty so I went deep!

Chairs with extra added cushions so that the 'guests' could sit with ease...or rather rise with ease later!!

They arrived!

Walking through the Wonderland

Simple but pretty

And before very long it was all over...

But we had fun...good simple fun...I have some lovely photos of the children but I don't like showing children's' faces on here...

This morning brought me firmly back to reality with a super early start in order to get the car ready for my journey to work on some very hairy roads and lanes...thankfully I made it and with stout boots also managed my shift without coming a cropper...

Now back home I've lit the fire and after showering have had a bit of relaxation time...we all need some now and again.

Blessings, J. x

Typical

When deciding to plan a Winter Wonderland top of the I want one list was a snow machine because just how often does it snow here in North Devon...at least how often does it snow before Christmas...so a snow machine was purchased and some rather pricy liquid snow...so just how come this weekend of all weekends when we are holding our first ever Winter Wonderland has the real snow come along with lots of ice to boot...forcing us to have a few plan changes...decorations and fun will now be on the patio as it will be too risky going up and down the steps to the garden later...anyway...hopefully it will go ahead later today...Father Christmas is willing to make the journey so rolls, mince pies, meringues, syrup cake, sausage rolls and lots of nibbles along with the bits everyone else is bringing will be loading our table for an early teatime later after the little ones have probably screamed at the mere sight of the man in red! I am under no illusions that they will not be a tiny bit scared...hopefully the small token gifts will pacify them and memories of Great Grandad and Gran will be stored for years to come.

Blessings, J. x

A Conclusion

I have come to the conclusion...as I do every year that sadly my expectations far outweigh my capabilities. The paintbrushes are put away until next year. Sadly an enforced ending...tendonitis in my wrist/hand has struck, so things are rather awkward and my thumb keeps sticking. Going to have to be extra careful at work later. However...

Ta da da...finally I reveal to you our splash back...designed by yours truly and made by hubby...painting by future son in law...

I am very pleased...and hubby is rather chuffed! We're having several friends/family over the weekend so he'll be able to show it off before it gets too dirty!

I have been waking early each morning even when not going to work first thing..and have been enjoying sitting in the peace and quiet next to the fireplace gazing at this beauty...

Hope all your festive plans are coming together...not had much time for commenting...I usually read blogs at work during my break and the iPad doesn't agree with me leaving comments for some reason...so sorry!

Blessings, J. x

Another Busy Day...

More painting, and hardwaxing done today. Hubby has made some brackets and drilled holes for the stair handrail. Trying to ignore where he dropped the handrail and the end has taken a chunk out of the freshly painted wall. Umph!

Forget to mention the heating pipe that blew and sent water down through the newly decorated dining room ceiling a week ago...more umph!

But this evening...despite being very over tired I have managed...with the 'help' of hubby to put up the first of the artificial greenery.

Small beginnings in the dining room...

And the living room fire...

By the way...there is still half a stable type door from our dining room entrance on the table...all is far from tidy at the moment. Hoping hubby will hang it back up whilst I'm at work tomorrow. 

Think I prefer this photo of the fireplace lights...

Blessings, J. x

And Along Came December

Good heavens above...did anyone see November, or was it in such a hurry that it just rushed on by. I have spent most of the past few weeks with a paintbrush in my hand. Much has been accomplished...but alas there is still a fair bit to do. However I am downing the brushes after tomorrow and everything else will have to wait until the New Year. The rest of December I fully intend to enjoy.

We have a few events planned. Several friends are coming next Friday. We intend to purchase our festive tree on the Saturday, and fa la la...we are having a Winter Wonderland event next Sunday for the boys, their second cousin and a friend. Great Grandad and Great Gran are going to be Father and Mrs. Claus. There should be snow and frolics in the garden followed by a visit with the great man in the warmth of our living room. So I really need to pull a finger out and get some decorations in place to set the scene. Phew!

The air has really chilled the past couple of days. I love it much more than the rainstorms we have been getting for a few weeks now though I readily admit to having needed the moisture.

This monkey has had me worried about his whereabouts on a couple of occasions...the rascal. He gets out of the garden by fair means or foul, and now wears an I- tag tracker, which is a partial help but not really the whole answer.

This madam...in our daughter's garden...being teased by the starlings who to be fair weren't worried by her in the slightest. Kitty usually sleeps curled up in the crook of my arm, whilst Wilbur nestles somewhere by my feet. Our bed has become the place to be!

Anyway...much to do...and some beauty sleep to catch up on later!

Blessings, J. xc

Remembering Their Souls

Well the wheel has turned once more. Autumn is definitely ruling the party and the harvest is all but over for another year. I am especially remembering my parents during these few days of reflection. Sadly both long departed from this world but they have never truly left me completely. They are in the air that I breathe and the food I bake. They are with me on walks and in times of family gathering. We live on in our children so I carry a part of them with me always. I also see them when I look at my children and grandchildren. This does not make me sad...it is merely the way of the World.

Today I should be at work, however Friday evening we went out to see Cornish comedian Johnny Cowling...I laughed and laughed...and partook of the food provided. Something certainly didn't agree with me and I was lucky to be able to remain seated throughout the second half. You don't want the gory details suffice to say that I think the stress of the past few weeks has made my insides rebel a little and possibly a touch of IBS/lactose intolerance has struck. The cramps are fewer now but things still aren't fully right and so I am home doing jobs between rests. Hubby chose yesterday to heave everything out of our entrance/utility/mud room.  All over the dining room table/floor and seating. Think items still caked in building detritus...Yes it really was that bad. Anyway eldest and son in law helped him, the children played and I managed to cobble together a lunch out of mainly leftovers from our Saturday evening Halloween party. (I had made for a very sorry looking witch...pale and clutching a hot water bottle). Anyhow...a party for the children had been planned and we couldn't let them down. So after taking my eye off the ball and not realising hubby was brushing on gloss...oh my...he is many things...but a painter and decorator he is not...but he tried, I have done some touching up this morning...leaving the very high bits until he is home sometime to keep an eye on the ladder. I have also begun to scrub the floor...and boy does it need it...I had practically given up trying to sort it out as each time I did the next lot of building mess came through. Now though anyone caught messing it up will be...well they will know of my displeasure for sure!

There is a scary bat in the above photo...and a spider...somewhere! 

Blessings, J. x

A Little Autumn Colour

Far from having gone to bed our garden is still lovely in many respects. Yes there are wild plants where I would rather there weren't, it is far from tidy and generally rather soggy. However having just dashed outside to pick in the barely dried laundry before the predicted downpours just now I was delighted to notice just how good some things are looking.

From Guelder Rose to Columbine,  Holly berry to Weigela, and Brambly Apple to Dahlia there is still much to look at and admire in our garden here at Little Winter.

The sky is now most definitely grey. Dreary is an accurate description.  I have had a lovely if totally not to plan morning. The in laws thought I was visiting this afternoon and not this morning so after quite a drive with eldest and the children we ventured to an out in the country garden centre. Very happy to have done so too, they have really upped their game since I last visited.  The in laws will be visited later in the week now as daughter had other plans for this afternoon. Some pastry is resting for an apple pie crust as a treat for afters later. I trust hubby is out working hard and burning lots of calories!

And so for the rest of the afternoon, as I have finished my allotted tasks for the day I am resting up in readiness for the next few days of very early starts. Truth is I treated us to a cooked breakfast at the garden centre which was absolutely delicious, however very often if I eat such things before evening meal time my tummy rebels, and it has so now I feel a little bit washed out. Happy but washed out!

I'll leave you with that lovely piece of information...

Blessings, J. x

Right Now

Having run around at work like a lunatic this morning I haven't been dusting, mopping or generally making our home a better place this afternoon I'm afraid. I have managed to skip between heavy downpours to take out the recycling...skip through a heavy shower to pop some post in the box just down the road, and bring in a couple armfuls of logs. Coffee...my second of the day which is unusual for me I drank with eldest when she brought the littlies in for a hot chocolate with full on squirty cream. A few stray dishes have been washed and some chips have been cut in readiness for tea. 

Having dragged an armchair out into the room I'm sat right in front of this beauty...

Right now there's nothing and nowhere I'd rather be or be doing. My toes are toasty. The light is fading. The clock has just chimed half past the hour which means there is another half an hour before I need to set the tea going. Absolute bliss. I may or may not do some crochet. I have done the Worlde puzzle, and some of the Spelling Bee, and the countdown that Sue had on her blog today. My time spent my way. The cats are both in and unusually Kitty is not insisting on sitting on my lap. We had a small disagreement when she tried drinking from the water the chips were soaking in. Naughty pussy cat...a plate now covers said chips.

Back soon.

Blessings, J. x

Calorie Laden Comfort

I did indeed take a few pictures yesterday. Though having not done quite as much cleaning as I would have liked the kitchen is looking a much better place this morning than it did yesterday.

The recipe makes twelve of these...

Full of toffee, apple and spice...just right for an Autumn afternoon...

I fear a change of Season bug has caught me unawares and I just don't feel quite right. Wobbly legs, really tired, feeling chilly. You know the type of thing. Not enough to put you to bed, and outwardly you don't look too bad but just something not quite right. I'm feeling grateful for enough of last nights leftovers to feed us this evening without much input from me.

The wood burner is laid in all ready and I fear darkness will not have descended when I strike the match today. Having said that it is currently dry if cold and windy so a wash is flapping wildly on the line.

The rest of the day is going to be all about being kind to myself. I have managed a little paperwork earlier and another load of washing is on. This old body is due for an afternoon of rest. I'd like to hunt out the correct size of crochet hook and some yarn for a Christmas project but if it doesn't happen then it doesn't.

Getting ready for last nights meal...a small nod towards the end of the month for the grandchildren...

Well that's all the grey cells are going to let me do for now.

Blessings, J. x

Taking Five

Today the sun is shining though a chill East wind is blowing our way and I am thankful for having turned on the Aga before going to bed last evening. I am taking a few minutes away from the massive kitchen clean I've decreed absolutely necessary. So far the windows have been washed and a third of the worktops have been scrubbed. A piece of brisket is in the bottom oven and I can just begin to smell some rather tantalising smells. In the bread maker some dough to make apple and toffee buns is being kneaded. Rather decadent and all lovely despite the calories. Life is slowly returning to normal, though whatever normal actually is I'm not really sure. I can feel my tummy muscles rather like jelly. However old your children become you're always their Mother and I know I will never stop worrying about them until the day I die. The medical emergency was for my youngest and for the first days I just wanted to be with her constantly. Now I am slowly learning to back off. I either see or speak to her most days but slowly, very slowly medically if not emotionally there is definite improvement. Emotions are harder to overcome and I shall be keeping a close eye. Not sure I'll ever trust the A & E department again. Had they checked her over properly on our first visit the emergency most likely would not have occurred and as for 111 I suggest not bothering if at all in doubt. I hope she and her partner have learnt a valuable lesson in looking after themselves. I know they say carers are notoriously bad at caring for themselves and in this instance it was so very true.

Anyway some powerful music is playing on my iPad. A load of laundry is nearly ready to peg out. I need to give the Kenwood a really good clean...you know the sort...as in all the major crevices! The cats would love me to have the door and windows open so they can continually pad in and out...not a chance. All the Aga heat is needed for cooking and airing the laundry.

I've just had a look for a decent picture to upload, however I obviously haven't taken any apart from at work which I cannot share with you. Now the windows are clean perhaps I'll snap a few later.

Take care everyone.

Blessings, J. x

Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time there was a family. It was a happy family...good things were happening, excitement was building and all was well. Then suddenly something went horribly wrong for one of the family and things took a dramatic turn with emergency hospital visits and much sadness and worry. This is the only way I can describe what has happened to us in the past few weeks. I am still reeling with shock and trying to hold myself and the family together. We are doing our best to look ahead to hopefully a new life in the family next March followed by a wedding in August and another the July after. But it hurts deep inside right now and I feel as though my brain has been vacuum suctioned of the traumatic events. I know they happened but some of the feeling has just gone and I feel quite empty. Hopefully with time we'll feel more relaxed but right now I'm on high alert.

Today I have the boys with me. Both with awful colds and much nose wiping is called for. Whingeyitis is rife and I'll do well to refrain from a gin when they finally go home later this afternoon. (I do love them really, but you know what poorly boys can be like!) Trying to educate them to play with one thing then pick that up before turning out something else. The threat of the one way cupboard is quite handy. (One way cupboard being the woodburner).

Apples need picking and preserving...too late now for more blackberries. I lost my preserving mojo in an instant but am now faced with baskets of decaying produce which is such a waste and causing me to fret. Energy and the mindset to actually do something about it though is in short supply.

I missed a work shift yesterday due to feeling really dizzy. Left ear issues often plague me and it hasn't felt right since I had a really sore throat a few weeks ago. Slow head movements seem to be working for now. Luckily I'm not due back to work until Monday so with some rest and TLC hopefully we'll be good to go.

Youngest grandson seems to have made himself a chainsaw so for how much longer we'll have furniture I'm unsure. Other boy is making a brick cutter...guess who has lived through a house renovation in their short life!

Anyway bad ear or not some household tasks need to be done. Easy does it obviously. I have been periodically popping in to read your writings but haven't had the umph to leave many comments I'm sorry to say. 

Blessings for now,

J. x

Still Here in the Background

As it has been for all of us lately things far bigger than my blog have taken precedence over the boring drivel  I write here. I haven't felt the need or desire to tap at my keyboard but knew that one day again I would. Lots of things have been going on in the background of our life some good some bad. 

Kitty has finally been spayed and of course needs extra cuddles. We are to become grandparents again. Quite a surprise but a welcome one. I think this is something of an engagement baby due to our Son and his fiancee.

The death of our beloved Queen has had a profound impact on many of the older generation that I care for at work. Many a tear has been shed on my shoulder and pleas for us to get rid of our masks have been plenty from those desperate for some human touch. I just hope in the not too distant future this will be possible.

Finally I have gone back to attempting to paint some more of our interior. A few days ago I  had an unfortunate episode when my hair dangled into a tin of black gloss paint! I ended up cutting the offending parts off.

Eldest grandson has turned four...Four...I can hardly believe it. His Mummy and Daddy have given him to share with his brother a play restaurant. Thankfully he's happy to dole out food and drinks without yet charging! We gave him a play sandwich set and a china('ish) teaset. They have had great fun filling the teapot and milk jug with water and pouring us cups of tea!

Anyway...even with a purring Kitty by my side I do need to be away to the spare room to finish giving it a freshen up coat of paint. 

Truly hope you are all managing to muddle through this rather emotional time without too much pain.

Blessings, J. x

Definitely Artisan

These past two days I have been busy in our kitchen chopping and stirring various pots and pans full of tomatoes, onions and peppers in what I thought were mega quantities. For all my hard work though we don't seem to have ended up with an awful lot of full jars.

A basket of freshly picked goodies...our peppers have been plagued by earwigs.

A whole 1.5kg of onions went into making these four small jars of spiced onion relish.

This is tomato jam...and a pound of tomatoes has fitted into each of these jars!

This was the beginning of the task of peeling shallots ready to soak in brine before pickling in sherry vinegar in two days time.

I have also made six tiny jars of tomato and pepper relish. 

Such a lot of work for the amount of food however I have warned hubby we will be using teaspoons to serve these preserves. I dread to think about the real cost of what I have made in labour. Definitely Artisan. I now take daily readings of our electricity meter and can see just how much electricity I used as well. They had better all taste exceedingly good!

Back to work tomorrow, then a week off. Really want to finish painting the bathroom.

Blessings, J. x

A Rumble

Today the rain came...not all day but it was a start. It was trying to rain when I left home at 6:30 this morning, but soon stopped. At work the thunder began just before 1pm...shortly followed by heavy rain. I had to dash in and out in it and became rather damp. Not complaining but it running down my face wasn't pretty! Driving home at around the halfway point I suddenly realised the road was no longer wet. At home we had full on sunshine and blistering heat. In the time it took me to drink a much needed cup of tea the rumbles began. The sky darkened. I was feeling brave so went up to the garden and picked the beans and pulled some beetroot. Go me...I used to be terrified of thunder...my Grandmother had been terrified, and justifiably so...a thunderbolt had fallen down their chimney when she was younger and bye bye house was the result. See justified fear. 

Anyway having given our neighbours some of the beetroot I popped in next door to daughter as she is also terrified of thunder. She was amazingly calm (for her) but we chatted whilst the storm raged above us. By tea time the storms had abated and this evening the sun has made a bashful reappearance. Having just checked the latest forecast it appears we could be in for a night of crashes and bangs...though tucked up in bed (well sprawled on top of the duvet) hopefully it won't be too bad.

Happy bits from the last few days were attending Hartland Carnival, spending an evening in the pub garden with friends, having family over to Sunday roast last evening, listening to distant rumbles of thunder and feeling relatively safe, having cuddles with Kitty and Wilbur, and youngest grandson telling me he loved me BIG! 

So another 6 of my 55 achieved. There are probably a few that have already occurred and hopefully I shall remember in due course.

But tonight I'll call it a day.

Blessings, J. x

Measuring Happiness

Last year although full of exciting things was rather a stressful time as anyone who has had major building work will understand. I was looking forward to my birthday immensely, however when that day came I was suffering from an ear infection so we renamed it Happy Barfday...not fun at all!

So this August I will be reaching the ripe figure of 55 and due to last years non event I have decided to make sure that during the month I do 55 things that I really enjoy.

So far...Fish & chip supper on the beach with hubby. A picnic by the canal at Bude with hubby. A visit to a very large car boot sale near Bude where we managed to source several glass bowls ready for the wedding desserts next year. Wedding dress shopping for youngest daughter. My first Hockings ice cream of the year. Sitting in the garden on a very warm Summers evening. Treating myself to a jigsaw from a charity shop. Reading the electric meter and realising that it wasn't as bad as I'd feared. Delighting in line dried washing so dry that it didn't require airing at all. A cup of afternoon tea with eldest daughter who has never drunk tea apart from when she was pregnant with her eldest...but now realises that she does actually like it! Listening to the calls of the many wood pigeons who live in the neighbourhood. Loosing my first half a stone. Scoring at the same car boot as earlier a whole bag of Big Jigs and Brio wooden train track and lots of trains and bits for the boys for £6. Finding bread flour in my local Lidl. Finding a little time to just be in this hot weather. Going to work and enjoying being there. Making the first batch of runner bean chutney of the season.

So 17 out of 55...and the weekend is looking good!

My it is hot though. Too hot to garden until the evening. Too hot to do anything really. Yesterday I was paper working on my laptop in the shade and the poor thing overheated. I kind of did too. Even hanging out our bedding just now took more effort and energy than I really had to spare. Our windows desperately need cleaning inside and out...I'm not sure if today will be the day that happens and I'm just going to have to be ok with whatever I do manage. Tomorrow I have an early start avec mask so today I'm being easy on myself. A quick trip earlier to pick up whatever the local store had...which was not a lot but we'll manage. No butter, cream, burger relish, lemonade and I made lots of other substitutions to my list and several things have come home without. All shall be well if only we don't worry too much I hope anyway.

Ready to relax with a cup of tea...

This was a busy kind of day...

Hope you are all managing to keep cool somehow.

Blessings, J. x