Happy New Year!

Thank you for all your kindness and support throughout 2011.  This little place we call Blogland is a total joy and a huge source of inspiration.  My own life would be far less colourful without it.

Here's wishing you all a year full to the brim of happiness and creativity.

I've cracked open a brand new folder and called it 'Blog Photos 2012'.

Bring it on ...

xxx

Christmas 2011 - Back Online And A Little Bit Rounder!

A very happy 'in between' Christmas and New Year to you all!

I trust you did the decent thing and ate and drank too much!  Oh my, we certainly did.  In fact, do let me know if you see my waistline anywhere because I sure can't find it!

We had the loveliest Christmas Day.  We spent the day at my Mum In Law's with D's brother, his wife and three children.  D's Dad died from cancer in early January five years ago and this is the very first year my Mum In Law has been able to cope with being at home for the festive period.

On Boxing Day, my middle brother and his wife hosted a family buffet.  We've had a difficult year on my side of the family so it was lovely for most of us to get together and have a laugh.

(Message to my two brothers - you will NEVER, EVER beat me at Articulate!!!) *circles hips in jubilant and annoying winner's dance kind of way*

Today?  Well, today I'm staying in my pyjamas and cooking roast beef and yorkshire pudding.  Oh yes, and playing with my bestest Christmas pressie ever ...

My new laptop!!!!

Yay!  I'm back online and raring to go!

She's so pretty and shiny and even has a Cath Kidston sleeping bag! :-)  How lucky am I?

For now, whether you're out braving the crowds or taking it easy with loved ones, have a wonderful day.

Speak soon.

Hx

PS.  I've just taken a big swig of coffee and nearly choked on the pine needle that was floating in it!

Chomping At The Bit ...

Hello, hello, hello!

I've soooo much to show and tell you but I have to wait just a teensy little bit longer ...*

Since we last spoke, I have become an auntie again, the mother of a teenager and turned 40!  D took me to Paris for three days which was absolutely fabulous - I'm dying to show you the photos.

Without the temptation of regular peeks into Blogland, Pinterest etc., I've managed to get nearly almost completely organised for Christmas!  Pressies are all bought (two have been handmade - must do better next year) and wrapped, the fridge and cupboards are full of knock-your-socks-off Stilton, hams for roasting and enough booze to float a very large ship and the house is sort of tidy and bedecked with festive garlands (not tinsel though, I can't bear it - meh!).

Blondie Son finally breaks up from school tomorrow and Blondie Daughter on Friday and, as usual, both schools have crammed as much as they possibly can into the last couple of weeks of term.

All in all, December has so far been a whirl.

*Anyway, without boring you with the details, my dear little laptop, weighted down with 52 viruses (yes, 52!!), is teetering on the edge and awaiting a major rebuild operation in quarantine.  I've been BEREFT without it.  However ...

D received a largish square parcel from the Apple Store yesterday and whisked it off with a knowing look in his eye!!!  It's now wrapped and under the tree with my name on it!!!  Weeeeheeeeeeee!

So my dear friends, please bear with.  I'll be back to catch up with you all very soon but, in the meantime, may I wish you all a simply wonderful Christmas.

Kisses,

Hxxx

Little Owl

Do you like my little owl?

I bought him from Marks and Spencer this morning.  I couldn't not.  Look at that little flat face.

Blondie Daughter (just turned 10) is "not sure whether or not" she believes in Father Christmas.  "Well, if you don't mind, I shall keep leaving him a mince pie and glass of Baileys" I say, "because I absolutely do."  She really, really wants to believe but her friends keep telling her otherwise.  Big displays in shops emblazoned with 'Stocking Filler' signs don't help my cause.  Just a thought.

Hx

Frustrated ...

Dearie me, how is it November already?

I do hope you're all well and embracing the nip in the air.

My dear old laptop has been having some trouble.  Truth be told, it is getting on a bit and has been struggling doing it's normal laptoppy-type things.  I'm a little frustrated but empathetic - I turn the big 4-0 next month and, to be honest, I don't always function as seamlessly as I used to! ;-)

Whilst my laptop undergoes a thorough tinkering of the technical kind, I shall be resigned to snatching the odd half hour on D's iPad to keep up with your doings but am unable to post properly.  I have lots to show and tell so, wind in the right direction, will be back very soon ...

Hugs,

H♥

Where Did You Get That Hat?

Hello you!

It's such a beautiful day here.  I do hope the sun is shining where you are.

Ok, so it's not quite hat weather but I'm ready ...

It was easy-peasy to make and pretty quick too.  I used this pattern (which is free to download) but stopped at 35 rows and added a simple scalloped edge.

Until I decide how best to embellish it, I've attached a couple of little homemade brooches.

I'll definitely be making a few in different colours.

Oh I do ♥ a hat, don't you?

Imagine my surprise when the postman handed me a parcel containing these this morning ...

How thoughtful of him!  A combination of my favourite Debbie Bliss & Sublime yarns in such beyooootiful colours; perfect for another scarf I think.  Well, it would be rude of me not to put them to use. ;-)

He (the postman) has also, on occasion over the last week or two, been giving me the odd vintage pillowcase ...

I think he knows I'm a teeny bit addicted to them at the moment!!  D's not so keen, he thinks 'vintage' means 'somebody has died on me'!!!

Talking of D, he actually ASKED me to put a photo of blondie daughter's birthday cake on my blog!  You see, he made it!

I don't think my picture does it justice - it was about three inches thick.  (Mind you, I think at least two bars of Green & Blacks chocolate went into the mix!)

He's been completely glued to The Great British Bake Off and mentions Mary Berry, oh, at least three times a day.  I tell you, if she were a few years younger, I'd definitely have a touch of the green-eyed monster!

As you know, I'm really not into cakes at all, so out of desperation D started baking every Saturday morning.  He bans us all from the kitchen, puts the Foo Fighters on maximum volume, bakes his little socks off and loves every minute of it!  There have been honey flapjacks, victoria sponges and I think tomorrow's project is a lemon drizzle cake.

Anyway, it's half term next week so we have lots of pottering planned!

Have a simply lovely weekend.

Hxxx


PS.  Anyone else think Blogger is being totally poo at the moment?

Just A Few Of The Things I ♥ Today

(thank you Shabby Chic Sarah for advice!)

But, most of all, my beautiful baby who is ten years old today ...

Happy birthday precious girl.

Hx