To have or not to have? - that is the question

And what's that?

New Year Resolutions of course. Last year I took up some resolutions made by other bloggers and here's how I got on.

Fix things - I can't remember fixing anything apart from a few sewing repairs. DH is the main 'fixer' in this house.

Read at least one book a month - done! In fact I read more. You can see them all on my bookshelf at the side.

Have fresh flowers in the house - most weeks I had fresh flowers but not that many picked from the garden.

Don't start new projects until current ones have been completed - I have finished quite a few things - the 2012 blanket that turned into about 4 different blankets, a Tunisian stitch cot blanket, the Advent Calendar, Christmas bells, Poinsettia wreaths, handkerchief case, book mark, handkerchief edging, beer glass cosies, 2 cat baskets, iPod case, a few India cot blankets and a Christmas bauble. Didn't do too badly there but there are still some projects hanging around which may not get finished at all.

I think I'll just have one general resolution this year and that is to

write down, record and plan

in the hopes that those jottings will enable me to be more organised. (I bought myself a Filofax for Christmas.)

Mind you, I don't particularly like being too organised as I enjoy 'going with the flow' which is much more spontaneous, inspiring and creative.

Oh dear, to have or not to have? - that is the question.

Bit by bit

I've started dismantling Christmas. I don't do it all at once but bit by bit so that it's all put away by the 6th. Today was the turn of the cards which were sorted into relevant piles. Most of the cards are everlasting ones which I shall envelope up and put away for next year so saving time next Christmas. The dining room decs will be next and the last to come down will be the  fireplace garlands and the tree. The new year will see a thorough clean of the picture rails and carpet edges (where pine needles hide). I feel I ought to go for the clean and simple no cluttered look in January as a contrast to the December extravaganza.

Cool, calm and collected is the aim but before that we have a fancy dress party to attend on New Year's Eve, with the fancy dress costume to begin with the New Year's Eve initials.

DH thought of going nude with just a fig leaf!!! (nude, nothing on at all).

or what about

putting on any fancy dress and going as 'no idea'!!!

Yogi Bear?

Nelson?

Easter Bunny?

Elvis?

I'm not going as a nymphomaniac!

I've been making DH's costume today and it just needs a little more work on it tomorrow and it will be done. We're still eating through the remnants of the turkey. Yesterday was turkey curry and today was turkey leftovers' pie with chips. The microwave Christmas pudding is half devoured and the Christmas cake broken into. All the mince pies are gone but there may still be a few lurking in the freezer.

Diets all round next year.

xx

They're dangling in the air

Not here - I've just joined them all together with a simple chain. There's a loop at each end and one in the middle for hanging.

My snowman garland is now finished and will be dangling in the air for the next few days.

Now what garland shall I crochet for next Christmas?

xx

Mum's Advent Calendar 25, Days Left 0

Find me

Peace, Joy and Love to all.

Merry Christmas.

Love from Mum

xx

Mum's Advent Calendar 24, Days Left 1

Find me

Let's hunt out all the angels.

One on the tree,

one in the kitchen,

one guarding a basket,

one hiding on a shelf upstairs,

one on top of the wall unit,

and three special ones who looked after DD when she was in hospital this year.

And what about Snowy? Did you find him?

Day 12 - Behind pusscat's ear

Day 13 - Behind the 2 crocheted stars

Day 14 - Under the Edwardian Lady book

Day 15 - By the Christmas cake (looking the worse for wear).

Day 16 - In the 'bits' tin

Day 17 - Under the crocheted Christmas pud

Day 18 - Under the large poinsettia heart wreath

Day 19 - In the cabbage bag!

Day 20 - In the penguin picture peeping through the window to the left of the picture

Day 21 - He's in twice, once in the Peace picture at the top and in the garland on the dresser.

Day 22 - He's in Santa bear's arms. You can only see his headdress.

Day 23 - Hiding behind the snowman wall hanging.

Day 24 - with the angels

I am linking my Advent Garland to KC's Court this year for a really Advent Bloggy Christmas.

xx

Mum's Advent Calendar 23, Days Left 2

Find me

Snowy Mary is patiently waiting, knowing she's being looked after very well. Look at the smile on her face. She's expecting something great to happen. Maybe Santa's coming or someone important.

Thirty years ago something great was happening here. I was expecting a wonderful Christmas present. Happy Birthday DS. Doesn't time fly by!

DD's snowman made when she was little.

I am linking my Advent Garland to KC's Court this year for a really Advent Bloggy Christmas.

xx

Mum's Advent Calendar 22, Days Left 3

Find me

Snowy Joey is feeling very important. Everything's ready that needs to be ready. (Turkey, bacon, sausage and veg in the freezer; Christmas cake and Christmas pudding made, decorations up and presents around the tree. I've even made the Yule log. Thank you 'notjustgreenfingers'.)

He's made the place he's staying really comfortable, with animals around him for company. He's expecting visitors this year and his wife's expecting too! It's just a waiting game for now.

I am linking my Advent Garland to KC's Court this year for a really Advent Bloggy Christmas.

xx

PS Jill, I've just been outside in the dark, rain and wind to look at the 'cauliflower', which turned out to be a large leaf with a white-ish underside!

Mum's Advent Calendar 21, Days Left 4

Find me

King Snowy is following the light. Here are some pretty ones on the promenade,

in the Winter Gardens,

and outside the church.

Maybe these are the lights that I want to welcome me home.

Or these lighting up a peaceful scene.

I'm sure I'm on the right track.

I am linking my Advent Garland to KC's Court this year for a really Advent Bloggy Christmas.

xx

PS Jill, he is in twice today!

PPS Happy Yule time. I think I'll make a Yule log today.

Mum's Advent Calendar 20, Days Left 5

Find me

Snowy Shepherd is on a journey. (He's seen Starry Snowy and wants to see where the action is.) Snowy pusscat's on a journey too. Now what's this?

I'll have a smell at that.

This journey is around the sunroom.

The second amaryllis is yet to show itself.

This orchid is on its way, though.

Have a safe journey if you are going away this holiday.

I am linking my Advent Garland to KC's Court this year for a really Advent Bloggy Christmas.

xx

Mum's Advent Calendar 19, Days Left 6

Find me

My brain waved! Why not peel some of the Christmas Day veg now, blanch it and put it in the freezer.

So I did.

I wonder if I can peel the potatoes early? I'll probably peel the potatoes the night before and sort out the cauliflower, sprouts and leeks on the day itself. Have fun finding Snowy.

I am linking my Advent Garland to KC's Court this year for a really Advent Bloggy Christmas.

xx

Mum's Advent Calendar 18, Days Left 7

Find me

Remember the poinsettia wreath? I busied myself making poinsettias while waiting for the heart forms to arrive, thinking I would be ahead of the game. The styrofoam forms came but I had to revert to a Plan B, choosing stars to put on instead of flowers.

Why? Well it seems I ordered a size smaller than the original one and the poinsettias looked too big for these smaller wreaths. I may think of a different motif for the next one or I may make smaller flowers with a smaller hook and thinner yarn.

I am linking my Advent Garland to KC's Court this year for a really Advent Bloggy Christmas.

xx

Mum's Advent Calendar 17, Days Left 8

May Father Christmas bring everything you wish for (in reason.) He's here a bit early. Must have got his dates wrong.

Find me

I know, I know, it looks a dreadful mess. It's actually a Christmas pudding recipe which can be 'cooked' in the microwave for 10 minutes. (Seemed better than steaming for 4 hours.) It smells very treacly. I'm not really a Christmas pudding fan but DH likes a serving with custard. I'm all for 'bung it all in' recipes and this had ingredients which were to hand - so I had a go. DH and I each had a wish. (Not telling.)

Oh wow, it does smell like a Christmas pud now! Hope it tastes like one - I've had a quick nibble and it tastes Christmassy to me. (Should be with my sherry from yesterday inside it!)

If it's not edible it will join the ranks of my pud from last year. Do you like my Christmas mug?

May all your Christmas wishes come true.

I am linking my Advent Garland to KC's Court this year for a really Advent Bloggy Christmas.

xx

(Christmas ones)