Away in a manger

 

As we do every year, we visited York Minster. A Minster is basically a Cathedral church with an Anglo Saxon foundation and the name refers to the Churches original monastery status. Well near enough. There are few Minsters in the UK and York is perhaps the best known. We go there to light candles at the children's chapel (one dedicated to St Nicholas!) Right by the Nativity scene, as you can see only the shepherds were there on the day we visited, the wise men are placed in later.

However on close inspection (eagle eyed son to thank for this one) we observe the adoration of the brachiosaur and cow. Joseph, its behind you.

Now a cow deserves to be there right? But a time travelling dino? Really? It made me smile any way.  The bishop has a rare twinkle in his eye and I could believe that he has encouraged some child to put it there and see what happens

I took a few more but their not so hot. This one shows the rose window and the huge advent crown.

This last one is of the first 14 kings of England. I know its an appalling photo but we love to see them and attempt to sing the Horrible Histories song to remember them in order. Yes were  strange family.

Happy New Year to all of you.

( even the anonymous person who left me a long comment detailing how crap my holly pattern was. God bless you dear. )

All the best

I will be back after the break but wanted to wish all the new friends that I have made a very happy Christmas and a peaceful new year.

 

I have just finished the clear up after a particularly nasty burst pipe in the loft. My nerves are shattered and I am badly in need of a bath. That nasty hum in Oz, NZ and the US is me, sorry folks. Quite a few of my neighbours are in the same boat due mainly to temperatures of –12 for a prolonged time. Please don’t tell me how you all cope at minus 97, I realise that brits are soft and I’m not in the mood quite yet. (give it time and 3 bottles of fizz)

 

I was cheered up by the fact that I received a swap parcel from a Christmas in July project that I took part in. The parcel has been on its way since 29th Nov… Wow.

 

I got this

 

I sent this

Pray for my pipes. Mr H is super lagging as we speak.

This has been the best year ever, no really, It has been my greatest honour to meet you all and I look forward to more shenanigans in the New year (dry ones only)

 

Much love

Lou ( I only let friends call me that)

Do bears live in the forest?

Is what T asked me when I asked to use his forest creatures? I did titter but did NOT explain my mirth. Seriously, it would not have ended well. He did ask why I wanted them, “photo shoot” says I. I am concerned to report that this response did not even result in a raised eyebrow. Has it come to this? Are all my crazies normal now?

Anyway please enjoy the results of a very pleasant morning. I really think you should try them, especially if you have children at home for the hols. I would say that 7 up could manage with help and the 10’s or more could get on with it unsupervised. The 43’s and over got glitter EVERYWHERE, you’d better watch them.

 

Click on the picture to take you to the instructions

Friends

What a lovely weekend. Harry Potter on Saturday followed by the dearest friends for lunch on Sunday. Bless you Vick for reading my drivel and for bringing your wonderful, talented, gorgeous and celebrity family with you.

 

Made some of these from here (sparkly yarn) as well as a cool ear warmer thingy from here (also sparkly). Its a great blog and one that I must fully investigate. I like it because its not a hat. I have a hot head and hats make me sweat so this is perfect. Well I have a week to get sorted before the schools break up and T and I are free to wear PJ’s all day…

I am off to see what you’ve all been up to.

Lou

Wreath

I made this too from stash , leftover tree and last years wreath moss ring. It cost me nothing but time and very enjoyable time it was too.

I have also made these too for gifts for friends. I used this recipe from good food magazine, the only change was chocolate was also added. They have resided in my freezer for a while, part cooked until nearer to Christmas when they were cooked again and packed up ready. I am all for a home made treat for family and friends

         

 

A family history

Every year as I put out the decorations onto my tree I think about each bauble as I place it on a branch. Each one of them tells a story.

We were poor and newly married. These came from Woolworths (no longer trading) In a box for £2.75. I tied ribbons to the branches because we didn’t have much money.

We were joined by  little person.

Grandma went to America.

We lived near the village of Tutbury. Famous for its lead crystal manufacture. These get fewer every year. I have thrown the tree out with one still on on more than one occasion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then there are the ones which I have made

The regulars

     

And the the newest addition.

Getting festive

So, I was hacking ice off the car for half an hour and the temperature was reading minus 11. Pilates will have to go. Shame really, I love it. Any hoo, we are having friends to lunch on Sunday so I thought I’d get ahead. A rich warming beef casserole is slowly plopping away and the next 2 hours are all mine!! I am hoping to……

make the door wreath

assemble an arrangement

blog

clean

You note I said hoping.

We put up the tree at the weekend.

  And decorated.

Well I say we. My lovely husband knows better than to help and T is never interested. I am a total Monica when it comes to the tree. In fact the wrong positioning of the lights can  ruin  Christmas. I hope to give you  proper guided tour tomorrow.

I’m off now to have another crack at defrosting the car.

Weekend family things

I am loving the comments that you are leaving at the moment. for those of you that don’t get snow stay tuned I think I may be able to help!!! I have finally dug the car out and the plow and a gritter reached us by about 1.30 pm so I have parked my car at the top of the drive. My DH has had to put his car down the hill in the village. It has started again now and we expect more overnight. Ho hum more digging for  the morning. Still, we have managed sledging and DH managed to get to the kennels and collect the dog. How so kennels for dog? I her you say. Well, we went away for our annual extended family break in the woods.

  

This our lodge after pretty snow on Friday evening. Very Christmassy don’t you think? We get together and eat and drink, swim, play and have fun. It goes by so quickly. We set off early to avoid potential poor weather and boy am I glad we did. We were fine up until the last few miles where it dumped a load of snow on us. It was frightening.

The journey home had been so lovely. We were glad to be home in one piece!! Other family members had not seen a flake travelling in the west  to W Yorks

  

So , this was part of the reason that I was away from my dear blog. This and my setting myself impossibly short deadlines for projects meant that I had little time. I did manage to fit in a visit to the Knit and Stitch show in Harrogate on Thursday. I really need someone at the end of the phone at such events to “talk me down” as I get so excited that I really think I am having some kind of attack.

There were so many lovely things, I just love this cushion!!!

This is beadwork which I have done in the past, I should put some pictures here. I had a lovely chat with the lady on this stall and the tatting circle stall. I learned to tatt in honour of my paternal Grandmother as I had already learned to crochet in honour of my Maternal Grandmother.

 Chatting is a major part of these events and the place was full of like minded mostly women (some had dragged along taken their husbands – why?) The above quilt was so inspirational and made from Liberty prints. Don’t you just want to eat it? Anyway I bought a few things, (some have gone to Santa) Got some gifts for friends and some Christmas projects so watch this space!!!

 

I have noticed that my sixtieth follower has joined recently and I would like to welcome every new person here and thank you all from the bottom of my heart. This whole blog project has given me so much. Both friendship and returning self confidence so thank you all, I owe you so much.

I am hoping now that things could get back to some kind of slower pace but its the school Christmas fete on Saturday so not much chance.!! I am making more puds.

Have any more tried them? Manda and Ruth have and I have LOVED seeing them all so different and with so many new ideas. A successful project I think. Bye for now, Back later with more stuff,

Lou

xx

Fireworks and crafts

I saw some pictures that someone had taken of sparklers and realised that I would have to have a go too. Aren’t they effective?

We had a few modest fireworks too, followed by hotdogs and a fire in the pit that kept going out (wet logs apparently) so no marshmallows this time.

  On Saturday I went to my monthly craft class.

 

It is organised by a lovely lady In York. She is actually on the TV now and so a lot more people come to the class, some from al long way away. My friend Sara and I go together. I always feel creative and inspired when I return so I spent the afternoon making these.

 

They will have marshmallows in them eventually. All part of a hot chocolate Christmas hamper that I am making up for family. I started doing these a few years ago, a different one each year. So I am putting together mugs, really good drinking chocolate, homemade biscotti and marshmallows. There will be a whisk, a mini grater with attached nutmeg and a small brandy too. I have done a coffee , biscuits and jam one, a cheese lovers hamper. My Dad even turned some cheese boards for that one. I then go to town displaying them in  box and wrapping in cellophane. I feel a bit more connected to the giving process by doing them. You can buy them readymade in the shops just now but I relish the opportunity to be creative whenever I can. Do any of you do similar? Id love to hear your ideas if you do.

Christmas part 2

 

Using last Wednesdays pattern you can adapt the cover to be the following;

Baubles (work in colour and decorate with beads or sequins)

cupcake

Pattern here

US

UK

I hope you are liking these. Do remember to share if you have a go. Post your pictures here and we can share our ideas.

Frosty flakes tah dah

Well its finished, a bit misshapen but a steam block should sort it out. I love it too. Especially the edge that ate yarn.

Its a gorgeous day here. Probably the only one this week so I am off outside to play.

I have a B day coming this weekend and I have pressies for all of you so be sure and check back on Saturday.

Tootles

Lou

xx

Curry Night

I heard on the TV that most people who regularly cook for their families have a repertoire of 7  recipes that they regularly trot out. I had a think and felt like I may have become a bit samey. SO, with the help of Good food magazine I got cooking. Vegetable curry.

Now, I’m not a bad cook but I do have a style. If you come for dinner you will get something that looks after itself while I spend time with you pretty much drinking wine and laughing. Not for me the endless hours in the kitchen pan frying, I’ll do it all beforehand. Don’t get me wrong I am going to go all out for you and yes we will have 3 courses and more wine. If you’re not full and drunk I’m not happy. So I am some what of a siege cook. I tend to cook once feed 12. The freezer is my friend. I guess you’d call them ready meals, which my lovely brother would shudder at. Cooked from scratch by my fair hand? I often have 2 sittings to contend with (modern life) and some days I don’t even want to eat let alone get creative.

Eating veggie always involves so much chopping.

 

Aubergine, squash and potato in 2 tbsp tikka masala paste

 

Sauce made with onion, coconut and tomato.

 

Courgette and my own peppers added.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plop away then cartoned up for another day. We will have some tonight with rice and homemade nans . I also tried a recipe I found in an old magazine I found while tidying. It was a Christmassy one, spiced mixed nuts. They taste lovely and will keep for a month.

Yesterday was bouncing down with rain so I was at home and have made sweet corn relish. Boy it does not look good but tastes lovely and goes well with a barbecue burger. Sally (dog) and I will put on the fire and hook after we have done the ironing. Hope you enjoy your day. Stay cosy peeps.

Lou