Spring mantlepiece (in winter)

This weekend in M&S there was a gorgeous bunch of spring flowers and so despite it being quite a lot of money I bought it.  (That and some iced buns; I love their iced buns)

When I got home I just could not get the flowers to look nice all together in a vase, those tiny weeeeny daffs were so chaotic, hanging around all over the place looking messy and the tulips were too big and droopy.  So I raided the sideboard for vases and inspired by Gillian ( http://www.talesfromahappyhouse.com ) I decided to change my mantelpiece......

So here we have Spring Vintage.  Difficult to photograph as there is a mirror behind.  Flowers spread over a couple of little vases.  You can't see it but the little green jug has a parrot handle. The majority of the daffs are in a water vase/jug thing on the bookcase and I forgot to photograph them.

Yes, I know it's winter but I'm looking forward to spring. 

In my office - January

 

When I came back to my office after Christmas I found that this plant was in flower. 

Today there were blue skies early on, although the wind was biting.

I confess to quite liking January.

 

I always feel re-invigorated in January (mentally if not physically)

 

I generally start the year on an organised footing.

 

At home I sort out my calendar and clear cupboards.

 

At work I file emails (from over 800 in my inbox to 34 -

lap of honour of the office duly completed).

 

I have decided this year to 'just do it' an old line I know but one that I'm hoping works.

 

I'm a bugger for procrastination, for over thinking.  So 2015 is the year of.....  Just Bloody Do It.

 

As an antidote it is also the year of 'Don't beat yourself up too much if you don't'.

 

Win....win me thinks.

3....2....1 you're back in the room

Back in front of the computer after the most relaxing Christmas we have ever undertaken.

 

I spent one entire day in my pyjamas (new ones of course). 

That's something I haven't done since student days.

 

We have seen all the family, but for short bursts only

I have watched an inordinate amount of rubbish on the TV

I have eaten well but not in large amounts

I have read books

I have done LOADS of crochet

AND

I have sung the song from the Lego movie too many times to count

 

All in all I have to say that it was a VERY good Christmas.

Now where did I leave my brain?

It's just not like me......

I'm feeling organised for Christmas and it is a confusing feeling.

 

I am a person that is found frantically wrapping presents at midnight on Christmas Eve....always.

 

But... I have all the presents (other than my husband's) wrapped and his will be done today.

Yesterday I finished the blanket that I have been crocheting for the last God knows how many months, so that is ready to be a Christmas present.  This is it in all its glory







I have never been in this position before.....  Do you know I may be able to enjoy Christmas Eve, with my feet up and a glass of mulled wine in hand and I'm not even sure how that happened.

I'm just glad that it has. 

Hope you all enjoy your Christmas x

Christmas arrives at our house

My daughter has instigated a tradition of inviting a friend to decorate the house at Christmas.

They get all the stuff out of the loft.

They place the decorations on the tree,

 in roughly the same place as they were last year (weirdly).

They place every single ornament we've ever bought on the hearth.

They trail tinsel all over and leave glitter on everything they touch.

And they chatter away while I keep out of the way.

When they're done they pack up

and I drive the friend back home.

 

But... they leave the mantelpiece.

That's all mine.

 

Lovely, lovely Reeth

Last weekend I was in Reeth. 

Reeth was on the Tour de France route and is a lovely little village high up in the Yorkshire Dales. 

We travelled through in July, after the Tour had passed, when we spent a glorious day following the route from Skipton.  On that day this was the view on the green in the centre of the village.  It is a popular walking destination.

 

On that day a brass band was playing and we sat on the rug

with an ice cream and enjoyed the sunshine.  Bliss.

I felt completely carefree that day.

 

So when I was deciding what I wanted to do for my birthday I decided a cottage in Reeth was where I wanted to be.  So a cottage was booked, booze and clothes were packed, best friend was invited and the school training day fell perfectly to allow a long weekend.

 

It was a good choice.  The weather was murky for 2 days.  This was the road over Buttertubs in July, in November that entire view was mist and fog, so no good photos. 

 

 

But then on Sunday the sun came out.  We had booked my daughter and her friend in at the Forbidden Corner.  We weren't sure whether to join them but decided that we would do and were soooooo glad that we did.  It is really good fun, if you are ever in the area it is worth a look (you need to book ahead and can't just turn up).  In some places it is properly scary, but in all places it is good fun.

 

http://www.theforbiddencorner.co.uk

 

I came back with aching legs (steps at Forbidden Corner)

Aching tummy muscles (from laughing)

Tight jeans..... (too much good food)

Slight headache (too much fizz)

 

That's got to be a good birthday..... hasn't it??

 

It's Curtains for You...

These are the curtains that were in a little house in France near where we stayed in the summer.

 

Every time I walked past they made me happy.

 

I loved the fabric.  This is it close up.......

Isn't it lovely?

 

I just thought I would share a bit of loveliness with you, hope you like.