Our Christmas

Christmas eve was wonderful, everything just happened, the children were excited as expected, our Chinese meal we booked early as the local popular takeaway was busy, expecting it to be much later than stated, it arrived earlier, so Molly and George sat with us and tried many different dishes. After their bath they posed for the family traditional matching PJ's photo, they were really late going to bed, but fell asleep very quickly.  

Christmas morning we both woke just after 6am to a very quiet house, snuggled in a warm bed, we snoozed until we heard Will talking to mummy much later, we stayed in bed giving them time together. I crept into Molly's room as I heard her stirring, she was more happy to see me than her stocking full of gifts. George woke at the same time, so the day began. They both loved wearing their new snuggly thingy's, they shared playing with all the new toys, Will had more Lego and some army dressing up clothes. 

One group who had the best fun was the kittens, they loved all the presents and discarded wrapping paper to play with and finding places to sleep, here unicorn (not her final name), is in Wills hat. Two of them go to their new homes this week, another early next week, we will then see if Lilly is ready to come home with us. 

Lilly who is the quiet one had fun once the gifts were placed under the tree, Will, George and Molly have three sets of grandparents, loads of uncles and family, this corner was full.

First cut of the cake is always the best, I think I used too much of the good brandy, the cake is very moist, we will enjoy it.

Hubby and daughter made lunch together, Hubby as head chef, another nice meal, Will ate loads, both George and Molly had extra, it great to see them eating so well, both Will and Molly now loves cranberry sauce, or jam as Molly called it.

Daughter invited her soon to be ex husband for a couple of days, which worried both of us, as it could be super awkward, she is such a lovely lady wanting the best for the children, we decided to treat him as normal, even getting him a small gift, as Will would notice if he did not has presents. Ex spent most of his time with Will making Lego kits, we left late afternoon to come home to a quiet house, just the two of us, sat watching TV all evening, had a selection of cheese and crackers for supper. 

Boxing day was dull and cooler, we had no plans, our neighbour behind us had an open day in his bar in the garden, we have decided not to go, no real reason, just wanting to relax. We opened our gifts, just a few, there is very little we wanted, both of us had chosen our own main gift, we did get each other a few small surprises in our stockings, they are getting harder to fill, so we decided this is the last year we will do each other stockings. 

We have enjoyed the Christmas TV, we still have a few missed things to watch, Christmas evening, was brilliant except for Eastenders, which we never watch. Also reading one of my new books, listening to music, for both of us perfection. 

Christmas eve

 George had great fun painting the dog money pot, which he chose himself, he used his brush and then the sponge, his design is mixed colours all of which he asked for, not my best pose, but George was having so much fun.

Will was pleased to have a jet plane to paint, he is still army mad, he wanted it to look true colours, so used loads of grey, I painted a 'M', daughter did a Christmas tree tea light holder. A brilliant few hours together, Molly was at preschool. 

It's Christmas eve, later we will go to daughters, we are sleeping over for the first time together, and hoping Molly is not awake before 6am, my brother is at his daughters house. We are sharing a Chinese meal later, in previous years it's always been a curry, Will is not so keen, so a new tradition is formed. We will be back home teatime on Christmas day, and just the two of us the rest of the break.

The time has come to wish you all a wonderful Christmas, I hope you celebrate in a style which you enjoy. Less than a week and it will be 2025, how quickly did it come around.  

Reading

 Hubby found this set of 5 books on his Kindle list, set in London a DI in the MET, book 1 was an interesting plot, set around 5 ex firefighters, and a huge robbery where most of the cash was never recovered. It's a lighter read, but enjoyable, book 2 in the set, same people working from the same station, a very different clever plot, the whole set is much the same just different crimes, these are easy to read, no gore, the right amount of wrong turns, and very few clues. Books 81 to 86 read this year.

Whilst the above books were OK, this book was brilliant  another clever plot, things people hide in plain sight, deceiving loved ones and harbouring hate in others. I never saw the conclusion of the missing person case coming, then a truly stunning twist to add to the story. Book 87 read this year.

This book was a follow on from the above book, it put into place alot of details which show in future books, we often hear of policemen who have that one un solved case, Riker is helping one such copper, but it's complicated and messy. Another great story, I have now read all the missed titles in this series, book 88 read this year.

Another Kindle book, it's clever, your wife is in a coma after a hit and run accident, suddenly her older sister appears, the husband was not aware she existed, what do you do. Book 89 read this year.

This book is another first in a series, set in London, MET have a serial killer, they have a profiler working for them, it's her first case, she makes mistakes, but she leads them to a conclusion. Book 90 read this year. 

Other than the fact London has a second serial killer in less than 2 years, this is another good plot, it's more about getting into the mind of a killer, as a profiler she does get into some scrapes, book 91 read this year.

It's been a relaxing few days, Wednesday was another day at home, we walked to the village, it was market day, only a few stalls the weather was unkind, I've not much left to do so a lazy day. I popped to daughters to help with bedtime, no real reason, just to help out, the drive home was a bit yucky as it poured down.

Thursday we had a slow start, it was the last quiz on Zoe Ball breakfast show, we both have loved our Thursday morning questions in the past four and a half years, we had a respectable 4 out of 6 cotrect. Later we popped to town, I needed to collect an order, daughters Christmas gift, we had lunch out, rest of day and evening I read, nothing much on TV.

This morning we will pop to Lidl, just a few bits to get, milk and other normal bits as we have all the festive stuff, later I have a small sewing task. The marzipan has not dried enough on my cakes, so I plan to ice them on Sunday, the green holly leaves have dried and will be easy to finish they, it's the latest I've left them. I have a few gifts to wrap, everything is in hand.

This week

Sunday I marzipan the cakes, I'm really late this year, I had planned to do them last week, I also made holly wreaths for the top of two, my daughter prefers her left plain, the other smaller cake has thinner marzipan layer, my brother does not like it too thick, when did they all become so fussy. I will ice them on Friday and colour some icing red for berries.

  

Monday my brother arrived, he brought some sweet tree decorations, he made them with his 3D printer, he also brought a set for daughter and children's tree. Later I went to Will's school concert held at a local church, it was packed, loads of people, the children did well, but it was running very late daughter had to leave before the end to get George, so Will and I walked back to his house. Will had a reading which he did clearly, so proud of him.

My first amaryllis has opened, I got it from Lidl already planted in this glass, it's flowering a bit early, behind in the paperwhite daffodils, they are a disappointment, I did not have the best glass pot, and hoped they would thrive. I have another new amaryllis bulb which is growing only leaves this year.

We popped to our favourite garden centre,  I managed to get a plastic rake to help clean up fallen leaves on our fake grass, whilst there I saw their bulbs were 75% off, I was good and only got one pack. They feel nice and firm, I have a pot for them.

Tuesday we went to pets at home to get bits for our kitten Lilly, ensuring she has the same food as daughter is feeding her, we also got a cat scratching post, it was expensive so a lovely young man at the till asked if we all had the apt, my brother did not so they signed him up, found loads of discounts and saved us almost £20, brilliant result. I'm not sure if we will bring Lilly home next week, both daughter and I think she should stay with her mum for a week or two more.

I managed an hour outside, finally cutting back the late raspberry canes, there were a few berries still growing, I also cut back plants growing over the edge of the flowerbeds, everywhere is looking tidy, I still need to change the water in our large dish, it has an oily skin on it where the wood pigeons bathe, we were going to pack it away, but the birds use it daily. A pile of leaves has been collected all from recent storms, all we do now is keep the feeders full and watch the birds, we are having a hawk visiting, it sits on our fence and watches next door bird table, it's after the small pigeons.

Finishes.

I've been busy again, daughter has her Christmas tree up, because George will not leave anything on the tree, she has only white lights on there, so for a bit of colour I made a Santa for each of the children. All three loved them, they now add colour to the tree. 

My brothers blanket is finished, once I got going on the icord edging I started to enjoy it again. I have stitched the long ends inside the corded edge, I'm glad it's finished as my brother arrives this week. 

I managed to remove the huge chocolate coin from this wrapper, I cut a circle of cardboard and added the gold ribbon to create a hanger, now I have another tree decoration, the blue bauble is one purchased from Libertys on our recent trip.

George was in his first nativity last week, he was a sheep, he is sat beside his best friend, whilst his 1-1 support lady just outside this photo, hubby went to watch with daughter, at the start he joined in, but got distracted watching all the other children. We were just amazed he stayed on the stage, he does not like crowds with people he does not know, he is just so comfortable at school. 

We took one of our igloo cats beds to daughters house for the kittens to use, in hope when we bring Lilly home, she can find comfort in it smelling of her siblings, as yet they have not got the hang of it, and so far Lilly is not interested, daughter now has 3 beds as another friend sent her cat bed for the same reasons.

It has been a really busy time, as well as our trip to London, we saw a George Michael tribute show, locally which was good, we also went for a Chinese meal, so we are both feeling a bit frazzled, but lovely quiet few days have helped us recover from all the excitement. 

I've just one gift to get for daughter, I would like something special for her, but have no idea yet what it should be, I have wrapped all the gifts already purchased and wrote our last card, Alexa has played my Christmas song list most days, so I am feeling very festive. We have ordered our fruit and veg, and only need to shop for cream, which we will get local. 

Hubby is out today, so I am going to get my sewing machine out, just one small task to do for daughter, then I will marzipan our cakes, all three of them and make the top decorations.

From afar....

 My nativity set is just 3 pieces, I always place them on my glass cabinet top, with my collection of trees, the set was a gift from our Spanish friends. 

This snowman came from our trip America, which was back in 2003, he sits with our small collection of snowmen.

This Santa came from Germany,  purchased way back in the 90's on a trip visiting my sister, I keep a small set of battery operated lights in him these days.

We had a December visit to The Gambia many years ago, as always I wanted something for my tree, the Christmas over there was nothing like ours, so I have this small wooden carved crocodile, he always sits on a branch in the tree.

As so many of my decorations are old, you see the same ones throughout my December post each year, this year I am trying to show different things, I don't bring back anything from trips away anymore, I have for years been clearing out the clutter, but I will add to the tree decorations, the above decorations have survive many culls because I do love them. I have said for years my tree is full of memories, my oldest decoration was purchased back in 70's.  

I have loads of battery operated lights, small sets which work on a timer, I use them instead of tealights, they come on each day at 4pm and go off at 10pm, which saves me the tedious job off turning them off at night. I do love the scattering of soft lights around our room at this time of year.  

I did stop and look at my decorations in the week, and wonder should I cull some of them, I have different displays for Santa, snowmen and tree's, chatting with hubby he said 'you love them, it's only for a few weeks' so they are staying. Hubby like alot of men would not bother with decorations, my brother has not had a tree as he is with us the week before Christmas, I only decorate the main room, with Santa's on our shelves in the hall and a couple of items on the kitchen window sill.

London

 The guards Chapel, we missed the Carol service last year, when I was taken ill, hubby promised me we would go this year. Very highbrow, just wonderful, with guards band high up out of sight on the right, 6 personnel with herald trumpets, (the long horns for a fanfare) at the back and the choir, it was a good service in an historic building, I came away feeling very festive.

Monday we spent a few hours walking, here in Covent garden, with loads of beautiful decorated trees, undercover. It was busy but as expected less people about, just a few photo's as the whole area was decorated, full of colour and cheer.

And outside

The only shop we entered was Liberty, I have never been there before, I have seen many programs on TV showing the interior, loads of panelling and dark wood, it did not disappoint. Hubby enjoyed all the interior, so much beautiful wood, and the extra seasonal decorations, this one is presently is in the main hall on the ground floor.

The trip was not about shopping, Liberty was the only shop we entered, I headed for the Christmas shop and purchased these three baubles for my tree, mission accomplished. The chocolate coin will be shared and if I can keep the outside tidy, I will make it into another decoration. 

We walked to St James palace, and was extremely lucky whilst we were there the guard duty arrived, marching with a band, escorted by mounted police, it added to another layer of our history and hubby's days in the Welsh guards. Regent street was at 5.30 pm on Sunday night packed full of people walking, on bikes and the rickshaws for hire, as we weaved our way along the street people were darting about, stopping for photo's, bedlam comes to mind, I would hate to live in such a crowded place.

We arrived home late on Monday evening, our coach journey took longer due to traffic as we left London and again around Guildford, it did not matter to us at all, one lady was worried about a connection at Portsmouth ferry terminal, so the driver diverted there first stop in the city instead of last and she was in time, nobody complained. 

We are both tired, we did so much walking, 19,000 steps on Sunday and 15,000 on Monday, originally we had hoped to have two nights, sadly our hotel was booked, we could only get one night, we do love the hotel it's location is perfect for us, we were on the 18th floor, so I was really glad the storm had passed. Now back to Christmas preparations, we are almost there, I am now really feeling festive. 

Lights

 We are back in London 

Trafalgar square tree is a bit underwhelming. 

We are in the capital for a couple of days, Sunday night we went to see the lights, the rain had finally stopped and the wind dropped, it was heaving, our hotel is just under 10 minutes walk from south bank, we walked to Regent street via Trafalgar square, about 40 minutes.

We took national express coach, we both were glad not to be driving, and sat reading for the 2 hour journey, it's the cheapest and most reliable way to travel from the south coast.

Above are some of the lights, everywhere was so festive, the wet surfaces reflected all the lights and made it magical. There were 2 demonstrations in the afternoon, for and against what is happening in the middle east, so roads were closed, we managed to miss most of it, there was a huge police presence. We saw loads of 'rickshaws' with christmas music blaring out adding to the festive feeling, we had no desire to take a ride in one. 

Homemade and reused

 I made these advent bags in 2022 and I have filled them each season, this year hubby has filled them, they fit well into this big vase. 2 chocolates each day, one each, the week before Christmas we have 3 in each bag as my brother will be here. 

These are much older, I made them when daughters were young, they noticed we did not get a stocking, so these were made to keep them happy, we still use them every year.

Our cards are being used for the 4th year, when I suggested to hubby we reuse cards he was not happy, these days, I'm sure for a quiet life he goes along with it.

My brother offered to make me a tree decoration using his 3D printer, he sent me photo's, it's a bit different, I was surprised when I received it, it's too big for the tree, it kept falling off the branches. I've popped it up on top of my corner cabinet, I think it looks good, if different, he made the date hanging from the fingers.

I do love to make and reuse my Christmas decorations, I have things sewn, cross stitched and needle felted, which come out each year, along with the 3 cakes I make each year, it's a fun time to be doing seasonal things. 

It's been a busy week, Monday we were both had eye checks, hubby had great news after his cataract surgery, his glass prescription has changed for the better, still expensive as he needed new glasses, as he now has to wear them full time, varifocals were necessary. I have a small issue on my left eye, I went in to check what to do and had a full eye test, my eye is OK, but I do have the start of an issue which could become a problem, it's a case of watch and see. 

Tuesday morning we popped to Asda, our final trip to this big supermarket for this year, only getting bits we can't get in our more regular shop at Lidl, we did have a list and got most of what we needed. I took the kittens to the vet for a check up, little Lilly is not eating as much as the other 4 and daughter wanted her checked over, the appointment was at school run time, vet gave a glucose drink for all 5 kittens, she was not too concerned about Lilly, which is a relief. 

Christmas has arrived

 I managed to get my decorations up before Sunday, again I had spare stuff which I will take to a charity shop. The only big item new this year is my poinsettia plant, and a couple little white houses. This wreath on our front door, it's not new, I've revamped it, added a few coloured lights.

Our tree is huge, it is again years old, as are the decorations, mainly glass, it's the main focus in the house. Keeping George away is a struggle, look at his smile, pure joy, Molly is much better at understanding not to touch. I do love my tree and will use it until it falls to bits, I put the real candles on again this year, I don't like tinsel so you won't find any in this house, I like my tree to look old fashioned. 

Lovely to see them all together, taken at a good garden centre just under an hour away, they do Christmas so very well, this was their winter wonderland walk, pre-booked, so plenty of space for everyone. 

The village ladies took the poppy display down, and replaced them with Christmas themed ones, our lights were turned on last Friday, I was babysitting so we did not go, we are lucky to still have a huge tree and lights in the prescient. 

Whilst I decorated listening to Christmas music, it's a playlist I made a couple of years ago, from hymns to pop and everything in between, hubby was baking, he made mince pies, using my homemade mincemeat and sausage rolls, his pastry is so good. So many of our decorations are old, I revamp them each year, I have loads of silk greenery, no sparkly colour themed bits here, our house is feeling festive, with the spices from the baking, smells good as well. 

Friday I slept over at daughters whilst she went to the local fundraise for Portsmouth Downs Syndrome Association, she stayed local to the venue and had a wonderful lazy Saturday morning. The children whilst excited to have me there were so very good, each going to bed on time, George woke at 4.30am but went back to sleep, Molly woke at 6.45am, so an early start, Will is such a good boy as well. Other than being tired by such an early start it was the easiest sleep over, as they are getting older they are able to do more for themselves and less tears, daughter was worried (as I'm not getting any younger) it would be too much, I'm happy to say I'm still able to help where I can. We also picked up all the leaves from the back garden, I had my slaves (Molly and George) putting leaves into buckets as I swept, and emptied the buckets into a bigger container.

We had a lovely Sunday roast together with daughter and little ones,  they all ate well, both Molly and George asked for more food, afterwards our house was very quiet, still and very tidy.

A bit of retail

 Daughter and I popped to Southampton, where they have their Christmas displays and huts, I wanted a photo here, but people kept walking through, I will stop them said daughter and she did, long enough for this photo. The poinsettia stems she is carrying are fake, I manged to get long stemmed big blooms.

It was lovely blue skies, dry and warmer than recent days.

Most of the huts were selling food from all over Europe. Visiting on a Monday, it was not too busy, daughter got the few bits she wanted, I got a couple stocking fillers for Molly. We don't often come here, preferring Portsmouth water front Gunwharf Quays.

Southampton has a huge inside shopping centre, all the main and designer brands, John Lewis over many floors, the section inside the doors was given over to Christmas decorations, they were beautiful, neither of us wanted any, I was so pleased to find the poinsettia blooms, I have been looking for a big fake plant, the blooms worked out much cheaper, plus I have a pot I can use, with a bit of florist tape, it will look good. Afterwards I popped back to daughters and had a cuddle with Lilly, I did not do the school run as George was very upset on Sunday when I went home. It was more a day together than full on shopping, daughter visits shop brands different to where I would go. 

Tuesday was a lazy day, another dry sunny day, we walked to the village, I raised the nets over my broad beans plants, I harvest a few leeks, they are not so big, but lovely in leek and potato soup. I picked up leaves, not many, I've been placing them over my rhubarb crown, I planted another Amaryllis bulb and sorted the pot for My fake poinsettia blooms. Hubby had a busy baking day, blackberry and apple crumble with custard, he has also started a sourdough mixture, I gave the Christmas cakes another drink of brandy. 

This morning I'm with Molly for an hour, it's too wet to be outside, so we can play inside, later we are bringing down my Christmas boxes, I want to redo my silk greenery displays, I rather do it early than rush it next week. With my back being so weak I will do our decorations over a few days.

Getting ready

We have written all our Christmas cards, ready for posting on last day of November, I got a few packs back in January, when at half price they were great value. The cost of stamps make it expensive, most of our siblings live scattered around UK. I do love to send and receive cards.

This is as always a family photo opportunity, in previous years hubby and I have sat here with various grandchildren, this year both Will and George are at school, so we did a 3 generation photo, as next year Molly will be at school.

Our favourite garden centre has so many places to take photos, all free and child friendly. Molly loved being here with the reindeer, so many happy children, we looked at all the Christmas items, she did not touch anything, she did love all the lights.

Lilly like the other four kittens is growing, Lola (mum) is now happy for the kittens to be cuddled, daughter allows each child to have some time with them, one at a time so they don't scare them with their excitement. I have been told by hubby who has only seen our kitten for the first time, he's not sure about the name Lilly.

It's been a family weekend, daughter and children came over on Saturday, they had been to a local photo shoot, it had loads of activities for them to try, they played well and did not notice there were less toys here. Sunday I popped to daughters to sit with Will and George whilst Molly went to a party, hubby checked all the house radiators, as the one in George's room was staying cold, without daddy around I am on call to help with parties, so most weekends I am with them. 

Storm Bert did it's thing, a cold wet and windy weekend, our garden is OK, loads of leaves everywhere, which I will pick up in the week once everything is a bit drier, nothing was moved or damaged. Just glad the temperature has risen back a few degrees, no settling snow for us.