Posy

Christmas

Has it been and gone already?

This year our Christmas has been rather different to our usual one. Due to unforeseen circumstances many things didn't get crossed off my ever growing list and.. well, the list had to go and I just had to deal with it. It made me think of how important I felt my 'role' of being 'the creator of Christmas magic' was. But in reality my family would rather see me with a smile on my face rather than me disappearing through the door trying to cross off another job on my list. And as I stood in the kitchen on Christmas Eve at 3pm (officially my favourite time of the year) still cleaning and rushing about - Carols at Kings College started and I just stopped what I was doing took a deep breath and gave thanks that I could meet that most loved moment with no real sadness in my life.

And so our Christmas started, lacking in many of the details I had decided must be done, but certainly not lacking in warm, family cheer. This year we had some of our New Zealand family with us (our oh-so-grown-up niece and nephew and their partners) which was simply wonderful. They took it all in their stride the fact that I served up what I thought was Bucks Fizz on Christmas morning only to discover it was non-alcoholic and a year past it's use by date. And then 'forgot' to make the trifle because I spent far too long  playing with my new toy!

 

Oh, I'm such a lucky girl to have an iphone. Bless that husband of mine who agreed to me changing my mobile for this wonderful invention, even when we should be watching the pennies... I can't rate it highly enough and I can't keep my hands off it! So many things have been 'forgotten' because of what the family call my 'iphone moments'.

 

But, it hasn't been all iphone love. No. I started a new Christmas craft project especially to do in front of the fire (and if I'm honest, the Christmas TV!) this holiday. I saw in the December edition of Good Homes magazine a wonderful home of a lady called Nicki Trench. She had some round crochet cushions on her bed and knitted sofa which immediately caught my eye. Hooray for magazines - more inspiration!

 

  

So the last few days, in between visitors and that no-man's land between Christmas and New Year; I've been settled in front of the fire

 

crochet on lap and of course my iphone's not too far away. I've done one circle already and am on the next but I'll soon need to try and find a pattern for a lacy edging. Only problem being our tree is blocking the bookcase! There's always something but thank goodness for that trusty iphone with it's internet

 

access, I'll just have to do a quick search. That is after the New Year's Eve trifle has been made!

Union Jack Love

And now for my unseasonal Christmas sewing. I have noticed recently the popularity of the Union Jack in many guises and felt the urge to make my own little piece of Great Britain. Floral style of course.

 

So my flowery, sort of Union Jack cushion took shape. It wasn't that hard to do either which surprised me.

 

 

And where's the Christmas Tree I hear you cry? Well, it's up but that's about all. I seem to be chasing my tail this year and am not at all ready yet. But tomorrow is another day even though I need another fortnight! Speak soon.

Cath and Chris - in the same evening!

 

Hello down there, it's me - I'm up here on the ceiling..still...and it's been a week! Oh my goodness what a day; well what an evening last Sunday's turned out to be when we went up to London to see Coldplay- and I still haven't recovered. And where do I start? Oh yeah, I'll start with the first 'C' which is Cath Kidston and wait for it...I stood outside her house and touched the handle of her front gate! Yes, I really did! It was about 6pm and pitch black,  we were visiting my brother's friends (who are her neighbours) before we caught the tube into London to see Chris. They offered us a cup of tea which we accepted but as the kettle boiled I could hardly sit still as I was itching to go outside and lurk! So Anth, sensing my anticipation, went outside with me to take a photograph of me standing by her gate in the dark. Honestly, what a sight we were. I was worried someone might think we were casing the joint and call the police, as we stood under the street lamp gazing up at her dark house. Every car that went by I thought it could be them returning home and how would I explain myself..."umm yes, well, I just wanted to touch your gate so I could say on my blog that I have touched something you have touched...no..er..I'm not a crazy lady..no, um..just an admirer..oh but not in a creepy/stalker way. Honestly." It was a wonderful experience I have to say even though it was so dark, but I'm not sure the neighbours really 'got it' as we returned for our tea. Much later on after the concert the neighbours sent a text to my brother saying that they had found a puddle in their lavatory and they had thought it was me..until they discovered a leak! I know I was excited but I did manage to get on to the toilet. Truly.

We then went to see Coldplay and the second thrill of the night was that we discovered that our seats were much, much better than we thought and were on the side of the stage  about 20 metres away. I nearly blew a gasket with excitement- as we waited I didn't think my legs would let me stand they were shaking so much. But stand I did. Stand, jump, scream and I was also visited by that strange urge that Matthew had way back then and when the music died down after their first song I found myself yelling,

"I LOVE YOU, CHRIS!"

People's heads spun around to look at me. Anth, Lucy and Matthew turned and stared but I just mumbled, "Do you think he heard me?" The woman in front turned and said, "I'm sure he did." It was truly wonderful. I was the only person in our seating area that was standing and behaving most unlike a 45 year old mother of three should do. I just threw myself heart and soul into enjoying every minute of being in the same room as him. At one point I nearly toppled forward, so desperate I was for Chris to see me as he turned our way! My voice hasn't quite been the same since. Matthew took some photos so when he sends them to me I will post them on here.

So what an evening eh? Chris and Cath all in the space of 3 hours! And that other C word, yes the one that I'm not nearly ready for, is approaching fast. I'm putting up our decorations as I type so must get back to it. Back tomorrow with some unfestive sewing and hopefully a trimmed tree.

 

I'm going!

 

I've just had to stop my feverish Christmas crafting to tell you this, which incidentally is going badly. So badly. And it's the 13th December already (I never learn about starting early but then it usually does have a happy ending but the panic before you get there ..well!)

But, tomorrow night I will find myself without a needle in my hand but staring at 'my Chris' ..yes my brother Matthew finally managed to get us some tickets to see Coldplay after our blip a few months ago. This week's song I love is the song called Poppy fields from their new CD. What I'll do if they play it I don't know as it makes me cry every time. In fact in a strange way I'm a little reticent about going because I know I will feel rather overwhelmed about the whole thing. That is to put it mildly - but, as Matthew regularly tells me and his patients, I'll try to act as normal as possible.

Hmm.

 

Grown up now

Yesterday I had a moment. A coming age moment. A moment when I turned into my mother. And the reason? My first pair of leather gloves.

 

Yes, I have got to the ripe old age of 45 without ever owning a pair of leather gloves.  My sweet mother has always owned (and lost!) many, many pairs over the years. My earliest memories of her include her gloves and most importantly, the lingering scent of her perfume on them.  As it happened, last week I came across a bottle of La Perla, one of her favourite scents, in a charity shop. Yeah I know, a £30 bottle of scent for £4 in a charity shop - who'd have thought it, especially when I love it too! And the next day I found some affordable leather gloves; so I felt it was a sign for me to embrace my 46th year by carrying on the tradition of wearing black leather gloves, slightly scented by a layering of favourite perfumes.

But even though I now wear grown up gloves; that still doesn't stop me looking a fool. Take this afternoon. I rushed home from school to try and get back before the light faded so I could take a photo of them for this post. Umm, how do you take a photo of a pair of gloves that looks halfway decent and not at all weird and creepy. I took the above photo and then thought I would try and take a picture of me actually wearing them which would be more interesting. Mmm, what could I do with a one gloved hand shot. Oh I know, I can open the front door. Yeah.

 

Ooh, not good. (Get odd looks from passers by) Try again

   

Cringe. Even worse. I just look like a burglar or a murderer! Yep, definitely creepy and weird.

"How come Granny never looks creepy and weird in her gloves? I ask Lucy as she returns home from school.

" Probably because she doesn't photograph her black leathered hand opening doors," she replies as she walks past me.

She has a point.

A Little Bit of Cosy

Hello there.

 Feast your eyes on this paisley beauty.

 

This is one of my birthday purchases from Cath. I wasn't sure I was going to buy it because the photo in the latest catalogue was a bit, er.. vague, in my humble opinion, and didn't really show it at it's best.

 

After I saw it in the shop I knew that it had to be mine and I walked around the rest of Bath clutching it to me mumbling, "I'm so glad I've got it."  Or, "I think I made the right choice, don't you?" to anyone who cared to listen.

 

As I said before, it wasn't the only thing I bought. I'm also the proud owner of the sewing basket and

 

(Photo from Cath Kidston)

these pillow cases. I really, really wanted these and I expect you're wondering why they are still unused?

 

Well, being the girl that I am, I'm saving them for Christmas Eve (the best day of the year). What could be nicer than starting the Christmas festivities with new CK pillowcases? Not much! All year long I wait for that Christmas Eve  'nothing more can be done/clean and tidy house/fairy lights twinkling/fires glowing/carols on the radio/kettle on/family about to arrive' moment (usually at approximately 3pm.) And now I can add new Cath pillowcases to that mix! That and some sewing I can hopefully will squeeze in, which will be blogged about when done. Does anyone else have have favourite Christmas moments - I would love to hear yours?

                        

 

Birthdays & Advent

 

Whoa, what a few days I've had. I haven't much to show for it tonight (photo wise) but I will try and get a few pictures taken in the daylight. That's proving to be a little difficult as we fast approach the shortest day, and by the time I get home from school it's almost dark. But I needed to touch base with you just to let you know that I'm still here. Older, but still here along with blurry photos.

I celebrated my ..er...45th birthday on Friday. Anty and I went to Salisbury for a couple of days and to Bath on my actual birthday, for a little Cath shopping and soaking up of the Christmassy atmosphere. I bought something big (read expensive!); something I've been saving for, for a long time. But I will photograph that in the daylight. But for now I just wanted to say hi and show you my advent calender (click on pic to view it large). My mum bought it for me and the more observant of you will notice that even though it's already the 2nd December, I'm still yet to open any doors. The reason? I don't want to spoil the lovely picture! I'm sorry my photo is so bad but it really is the sweetest house and I thought you would like it too.

I will return, with more Cath loveliness, very soon.