Fresh Flowers

I have written on the blog before now about how Brocante Home has helped me get a grip on, among other things, home organisation.
I like Alison's writing style and I have learned a lot from the site and her many downloads.
For 2016 she had launched a new download called The Better Me Program.
Each Sunday evening an email is sent to your inbox with a little something to do each day of the coming week.
I should mention that I'm writing this post because I have chosen to do so, I've not be asked to promote her works.
Tuesday's prompt was to consider sewing some geranium seeds. 
Now I love geraniums but growing from seed is just not for me.
I prefer to buy mine already grown from traders at car boot sales later on in the year. 
Buying fresh flowers isn't something I do very often but in the Better Me spirit my Tuesday treat has been to purchase a bunch of tulips and I'm so glad I did.

Sweet and Sour

I think two things are clear here.

I'm not going to win any awards for 1. food presentation or 2. food photography.

But the sweet and sour chicken did taste good.

Or so I'm reliably informed.

Since writing this post last year I have tried to keep things varied and interesting and not get too fed up when things don't go quite to plan.

I want to try and strike a balance between cooking things which I know are certs for a happy mealtime and will end with clear plates and keeping myself from being bored churning out the same old stuff.

Tonight was sweet and sour chicken and I decided to go down the noodle route instead of rice because noodles are loved and rice is tolerated and when you're doing something new teaming it with the preferred option makes things easier.

Glitter

Question - when you're missing a bit of Christmas twinkle and sparkle what do you make for Sunday teatime.
Answer- a glitter jelly of course.
The top of the jelly had a sparkly sheen to it like that on a freshly opened tin of lip balm.  
There was ice cream too. Just what Sundays were made for.

Two New Things

With new resolve I opened my wardrobe this morning and picked out a jumper I had never worn before.

It was a very cosy choice for the colder day we had been forecast.

 The big floppy collar was just crying out for a brooch.

Mrs Fox was a gift in my Christmas stocking.

Father Christmas knows me so well.

It did actually stop raining for a couple of hours this afternoon which was long enough for a quick walk down to the local shops.

G had to collect a prescription and we had three bags full of donations destined for a charity shop.

It seems this is the time of year lots of others are having a sort out too as one shop had a notice on their door saying they couldn't take anymore donations due to lack of storage space.

At the shop we did drop them off in the lady volunteer was practically pinned into the corner, so surrounded was she by black sacks full of donations.

With trying to wear more of what I do have I wasn't really looking to buy anything new.....
But one of the shops was having a half price sale and I fell for the pattern on this long length top, it all looked very romantic and for £1.24 it was too good to pass by.
I will make sure I wear it soon though.

Make More

of the clothes in my wardrobe.

That's one of my goals.

Apparently we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time.

I can believe it.

It's just so easy to grab the same old thing.

But no more, more effort is needed. 

Today was easy.

I picked one of the lovely things my sister gave me for Christmas.

A big, bold floral splash of a dress.

Pudding cushion is a necessary accessory.

Today has been fairly laid back.
Our bedroom is looking more or less normal again. Yay.
I made cake pops with S.
The four of us played Pointless, G's present from T and S and then we settled down and watched a movie. 
A lovely way to spend the day.

Our Christmas

I hope everyone had a good Christmas and that these in between days are being enjoyed too.
G and I returned to work yesterday but I'm off again today and have been endeavoring to set the house tidy again, with not much success I may add due to the many little piles of new gifts sat around our home awaiting new homes of their own.

Christmas eve S went to spend the day with my mum as, again, we were both at work. S always goes prepared with things to do to keep them busy and she very kindly agreed to squeeze in a little festive treat making. I gave her a packet of teacakes, icing sugar and holly cake sprinkles to make these 'puddings'. I think she did a great job, they look very sweet.

Whilst reading the Christmas Countdown on Brocante Home one day I found information about the origin of Christmas crackers and I decided to begin a new tradition for our table. Instead of sugared almonds I enclosed a little chocolate Father Christmas wrapped inside a little quote. Everyone chose a twist at random and then we went round the table reading them out, things like Be the Reason Someone Smiles Today and Always Believe Something Wonderful is About to Happen.

A couple of days before Christmas T came to me very excited as he had seen an idea on youtube for wrapping presents and he was keen to do this to the gifts he had bought for me and G. A trip to Hobbycraft later he had amassed his supplies and took over the front room.
This is the end result for his gift to G. It was such a thoughtful thing for him to want to do.

One of the lasting memories I will take from this year is S's reaction when she opened this gift from my sister. S has such an unusual name and finding anything with her name on is impossible. When she opened this cushion she got a little teary, my sister asked her if everything was ok and she replied 'I'm just so happy.'

G looks prepared for winter in his new hat and scarf and what do you think of his little companion? Back In August I went out for the afternoon with my sisters and I saw this rabbit. He is a garden ornament and I fell in love with his handsome face. I ummed and ahhed over buying him, but decided against it in the end. Apparently the very next day my sister went back and bought him for me. I love him although I don't think I can put him outside.

We don't always buy cards to each other but when we went to the vintage fair last month I saw this one made from an original Babycham coaster and G said he would buy it as his card to me this year. It's going to be framed and put up on the dining room wall once I've gone to Ikea to buy the frame.

One of our long running family traditions is silly table presents to wear during lunch and here is this year's selection. Sequinned antlers for S.

Mistletoed headgear for my sister.
I buy everyone else's and G buys mine and by co-incidence T and I ended up with the same hat and glasses combo. He looked far better than me though.

What you can't see in this photo is that G's nose lights up and makes him look even more attractive!

Last but by no means least is my mum and her new facial hair.

Boxing day and the days after didn't go quite as planned as unfortunately T was sick that morning and quite out of sorts. We did manage to get to Salisbury to see G's family on the Sunday. G and S went up for the planned lunch out and T and I followed later in the day, joining everyone at Grandma's for a couple of hours to exchange pressies and play a game or two.
Now I really should return to the tidying, or maybe I'll just put my feet up and read. 
Where did I leave those chocolates..........

Christmas Marathon Catch Up

There aren't many pictures in this post and the ones that are here are of shocking quality but I need to make sure I get down some kind of record of our December.

On the first Saturday evening of the month the annual festive event at our local shops was held. It was opened by the lantern parade which was a bit of a haphazard affair as S didn't want to take part without her friend B and we couldn't find her in the crowd.

Earlier in the day, whilst out looking for more new school shoes we had bumped into friend G and we ended up inviting her to come along with us.

 The girls had fun on the fairground rides, bumping into friends from school and mooching around the shops before it was time to visit the fish and chip shop and make our way home.

The second week of December was a long one as I had agreed to work extra hours to cover a colleagues annual leave. So at the time of year when I'm looking for more time to get things done I actually had less than usual, like many others I'm sure. 
I have really enjoyed the advent activities S and I have done over the past couple of years but when I asked her about doing them this year she wasn't so keen. I have to admit I was a little sad at the prospect but it probably made this week a little more manageable. 
I did squeeze in a bit of socialising one evening though as one of the ladies from our book club had issued an invite to all for wine and nibbles. And very nice it was too.

Although S and I haven't been doing the crafts and games we've done before we have been getting out and about. Last weekend I suggested to G we went along to an outdoor carol service. I can't sing in tune but I do love singing a good carol like Come All Ye Faithful. I never want to sing In The Bleak Midwinter again, I'd never sung it before and thought it was a bit of a dirge. We ended with We Wish You A Merry Christmas and that left everyone smiling.
As we were leaving G said he had really enjoyed himself and it had got him feeling festive. He isn't a fan of Christmas time, even less so as it was this time of year he lost his dad a few years ago, but he was glad we went along and joined in. I think the free mince pies may have helped. 

The last week of school was a hectic one. This being S's last year at junior school it will probably be the last one quite like it. Senior school is so different. As are the children as they grow into teenagers!
Tuesday was Year 6's production of Oliver. This year S, who is normally happy to be part of the choir, auditioned for a part as a dancer in the tavern when they sing Oom Pah Pah. She looked like she was having a lot of fun and the children did a really good job throughout.
Wednesday was wear a Christmas jumper/t-shirt to school day. There was the carol service to go to in the morning and Christmas meal to enjoy at lunch time.
The day was rounded off by me, S and T going into town. There we met up with my mum and sisters. Our arrival, without planning it, coincided with Father Christmas and his sleigh. There was a little shopping done, food eaten and festive atmosphere soaked up.

As if there wasn't enough happening at school this week Thursday was Greek Day. The Ancient Greeks have been the topic this half term and a day of Grecian activities was on the agenda, which of course required a costume. Thank goodness for the internet and youtube. Instructions were found for making a long tunic out of a sheet, being December we went for a thicker material in the shape of an old fleecey throw. A few stitches added to make arm holes and a bronze coloured leaf brooch to hold it in place and it was done. S wore a plain cream long sleeved top and her leggings underneath.

G had been called for jury service last week, he has been along to the courts but not actually been called as a juror. He is back there again today.
I'm off for the next three days so I hope I can accomplish the little bit more of wrapping which needs to be done and the small amount of food shopping which needs to be bought.