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