28th December

Azza's having trouble with her blog at the moment so I'm presuming the Virtual Christmas Party is postponed or cancelled.  I had put together some thoughts for the 'event' so for Azza and Diane here's my contribution. I thought we might like a bit of music - Diane's the connesieur here but I'd like to add to the list with a favourite one of mine which always makes me get up and dance.

I think we should also have some games for those who want to 'sit it out'.

What about working out these anagrams of Christmas Carols?

1. Lets thin gin (2 words)

2. Jill lens beg (2 words)

3. Again wean army (4 words)

4. Flee this torn (3 words)

5. His sheep a wrist (4 words)

6. Gatter hymns swoon (3 words)

Now for pressies. This one's for Azza as it's her party. I found this one for Diane through the Welsh Cottage on the Hlil blog.

Food time - a simple pasta salad is my contribution. (Thank you DS's partner.)
Combine some cooked pasta of your choice with chopped up veg of your choice. We chose peppers (red, yellow and green), half a cucumber and cold meats of your choice. Dress with Greek yogurt and some garlic.

We need a trifle of course - buns, sherry, jelly, custard, cream and chocolate sprinkles - will slip down a treat.

I'm going on a diet after the New Year!

Cracker now?

What's the difference between a male snowman and a female snowman?

Azza can also have another Chrissy present as she's had a rough time lately. Here it is.

Hope 2012 brings you more good luck than bad. See you in the New Year.

It's snowing - indoors

Snowflake garland is finished and so is the turkey!

Snowflakes 25

Dear Lord,
At this Christmas time - 
- Help me to create more laughter than tears,
- Give out more happiness than gloom
- Spread more cheer than despair.
Amen

Merry Christmas!

Snowflakes 24, days left 1

Guests have arrived, turkey out of the freezer and thawing, veg at the ready, trifle made, Christmas crockery out and table set and last of the presents wrapped. Nearly there.

Snowflakes 23, days left 2

I'm tempted.

I'm giving in.

Yep, I'm going to open the parcel I received from Delia for becoming her 200th follower. I love reading Dee's blog. She's one busy lady and yet she has time to craft, sew and enjoy herself. I'm afraid the parcel is not going to end up under the tree after all.

Nah!

Not a chance.

Let's open it up. Now what do we have here - one packet of chocolaty snow bites. (Right, they won't last long!) She must have been reading about my snowflakes. Aha! One M and S magenta, tweedy bag with pockets inside for a mobile and small bits and pieces, plus one pure silk scarf to match. Aren't I a lucky lady - but wait. 

What's this I spy - yeah, yeah, yeah - one of Dee's beautifully made patchwork lavender sachets.

Dee, thank you so much for sending me this early Christmas parcel (and card). I am honoured to be one of the followers of your blog. Merry Christmas to you, your partner and your lovely family.

Snowflakes 22 (not shown today in case you're looking!), days left 3

Happy Winter Solstice

Welcome new followers. Enjoy.

Snowflakes 21, days left 4

Thank you to Penny Saver for awarding me my third Liebster Blog award. I'm really pleased. I think I'm making a collection now! 

The award is for bloggers with less than 200 followers. 

First I've got to paste the award on my blog - it is here already on the front page but it's at the bottom. Perhaps I'd better move it a bit higher.

Next I have to thank the giver of the award. Thank you again Penny Saver.

Now I have to reveal my top 5 picks so please look back at my other 2 award posts here and here.

I keep seeing this award on blogs that I read so I know it's spreading far and wide.

I received a parcel today. Christmas came early.

Now should I open it or put it under the tree? Thank you, thank you, thank you sender.

xx

Snowflakes 20, days left 5

Kitchen Window December - 2011

I've been busy, busy, busy again sorting out bedding and cleaning rooms ready for guests but I took some time off today ...

... because somebody had to go to the party. Anyone would think it was Christmas!

Welcome new followers - I keep seeing your names on other blogs. It's good to have you here.

Snowflakes 18, days left 7

Busy, busy, busy.

I volunteered again today to help FC with the wrapping of parcels. There's such a lot to do at this time of the year!

Hi, Diane - welcome.

Snowflakes 17, days left 8

Pics from today

More cards

Festive jars in the kitchen

Festive fireplace

Even more cards

Christmas tree

Out in the street

I just saw the clouds at the top of the street and had to take a picture. 

Snowflakes 16, days left 9

Stamps go to charity ...

... and envelopes to the compost bin.

Snowflake weather here today ...

... and sleet, wind ...

and a little bit of sunshine. It looks like it's raining Christmas lights aswell!

Snowflakes 15, days left 10

Honestly, this is the last one ...

... for this year!

The snowflake pattern is here. I didn't want to join them together yet so I just used the pattern for the first snowflake. It's very easy and quick. What isn't easy is typing with a cat on your chest!

He's decided to move now.

Snowflakes 14, days left 11

Hope

Hoping for a stocking that's full!

Peace

On earth peace, goodwill towards men.

The chores are done, the tea is made, time for a sit down to read a mag and I may have a 'little sherry' seeing as it's December. (I know what the money in the sealed pot will be put towards next year!)

Joy

Have you found her today? She's very elusive this one but she's there if you look closely enough or she may just steal up on you sometime and surprise you.

There was a full rainbow arch in the sky yesterday. It only lasted a short time - not long enough to get a picture but Joy was there when I first saw it.

The clematis was hacked down at the end of Autumn. Joy was there again when I spotted new growth.

Love

The whirly mange gear in my mixer broke but DH is fixing it for me.

DD wears the crochet scarf and mitts I made for her.

The cats snuggle up close each evening.

I crochet snowflake after snowflake because someone said they like snowflake bunting.

DS and partner are coming home for Christmas.

Each year I put up the everlasting Christmas cards from friends and family who are not here.

Anything to add to my lists?

Snowflakes 13, days left 12

More home-made cards are arriving.

They are made from all sorts - recycled cards, stickers, Christmas trimmings,

paper, card, whatever is to hand.

The cross stitch ones take longer to make, of course.

Inside is a little note. Some recipients may find it amusing, some may think I'm too tight to buy new cards and some may agree with the idea of re-using and spending time to make a card to give to special people. 

Whatever their thoughts I gain a lot of pleasure from the making, sending and receiving of these cards.

This blog entry is a reminder to me of some of the cards that I've made for this season of goodwill.

Welcome to Shelley a new follower to this blog, who does wonderful crochet work.

Snowflakes 12, days left 13

C is for candles



The candle bands were crocheted by the same talented friend.

H is for holly

It's been raining too hard here to go out and cut some holly from the tree so I chose a picture of our holly from a few years ago.

R is for reindeer



DD loves pink!

I is for ivy

Ivy is in short supply here so I chose a carol from my music. You can listen to it if you wish.

S is for snowflakes

12 now and still counting

When I reach 25 they will be strung together to form an Advent calendar or bunting for next year.

T is for tinsel



We put up sparkly streamers today. It took all morning because they kept unravelling.

Like tinsel they reflect the light.

M is for making merry!

December is a 'time for a little sherry in the afternoon'. Just a time for reflection and rest (or making merry)!

A is for Advent calendar.

A must for the countdown to Christmas. Don't count this snowflake!

S is for star



At least I think it's a star. It could be a snowflake.

Hello new follower. I love your granny stripe blanket. It must have taken ages to make. Give the cat a stroke from me.