21, the magical protection of a tree and a festive Ta-Da!

Twenty one 

Along the pathway, ahead of us, a wizened old tree.

Over the years it had split open and hollowed out,

most of its larger branches fallen and shattered on the slope.

Inside the hollow from a distance, I could see what I thought was a ladder.

I mused at the reasons.

A fairy ladder I giggled to myself,

for an elf to either go up in to the branches or down through the portal in the roots.

Was it a ladder left propped up when someone was chopping down the branches?

 As we approached, I could see the steps were too close for a ladder,

now I was really curious - what was it?

It was only after staring at an inscription 

that we discovered that it was the back of a memorial bench. 

Cast aside when it possibly collapsed and left in the hollow of the tree.

The tree had curled itself around the bench - protectively guarding the memory.

I felt a mixture of sadness and marvel.

Sadness that a bench, put up as a reminder of a beloved person, had been rejected by another.

Marvel at the slow protective care an aged damaged tree appeared to be offering.

MJrPVkwPMJrPVkwPMJrPVkw

Early on in December, I came across this delightful Norwegian blogger who reveled in all things Jul, have a look at the wonderfully simple candle chandelier she has in her first picture. I fell in love with it and tried to find myself one. 

To no avail. 

They were either hugely ornate, overblown, wooden, expensive or just down right UgLy! 

So I gave up (temporarily - I will hopefully find one in the future)

however, I still wanted the effect of that simple pinecone decoration.

So - tonight, after a walk through woodland and pinecone collecting, I made this.

Cones, ribbon and ivy. 

Simple?

Yes.

Happy?

Definitely.

Happy Monday :) xxxxxxxx

20 20 biscuits a-plenty - Advent counting again

Saturday was a rather quiet day - mainly down to a 'heady concoction' of mediocre weather and general post-work lethargy.

The dour sky did nothing to enhance the mood - not that we were in anyway feeling negative or grumpy however, we were not feeling inspired either.

To get myself motivated I wrote a list of 'things to do', 'things to make', 'things still to buy' and then attempted to work my way through them.  Himself was drafted in as an essential component of the plan, thank goodness as he gently good humoured me as even I thought I was more scatty than usual.

After lunch we set out - ready to do battle. I have to say we were pleasantly surprised as the dire warnings by the radio of the thronging panic-driven masses were hugely exaggerated and places were no busier than a normal weekend.

By the time it was time for afternoon tea we'd crossed off the vast majority of my list - phew.

Then for some bizarre reason, later as I was cooking our evening meal, I had the urge to make biscuits - strange I know.  Any hoo, Eldest and Himself have quite happily consumed the majority of them.......

Peanut Butter biscuits  - not my usual recipe - couldn't find that book - wonder if in a fit of tidy-it-up-ness, I either re-homed it or indeed tidied it away beyond recovery. So, I resorted to my second favourite cook book - the internet.

A quick and easy recipe - the biscuits came up very buttery and very 'short' and certainly did not last very long!

PS - I learnt a new word today... Yex. (and yex - I mean yes, it does exist!)

PPS - Going to cast on something.

Memories, Rememberance, 19 and family - advent calendar counting :)

July 2014 Youngest went, with the school, to Belgium visiting war memorials, museums and battlefields of the Somme. The British were heavily involved in the battles in and around in Albert during World War 1.  

Opposite a museum they visited, there was a wall mural depicting the British soldiers in front of a famous icon - the Golden Virgin on top of the Basilica.  The statue, visible from a fair distance, proved to be a useful target for enemy artillery. It was fervently believed that as long as the statue remained (even at that precarious angle) on top of the Basilica, the war would continue. While it was under French then British command, the statue remained however, when the Germans used the tower as an observation point, the British artillery made a point of targeting it until the statue finally fell. Shortly after, Albert was retaken by the British.

While he was out there, I received a text from Youngest saying the teachers had decided to visit a particular war cemetery where we knew we had a family member. I quickly had to find the details and text him back (all while at work.... fortunately it was mostly over my lunch hour) only for him to text back that the bus driver had taken them straight back to the hotel.  Humphff.  

The next day, again around lunch time again, 

I received another text from Youngest saying they'd not only visited the cemetery 

but had actually gone looking for and had found the gravestone - 

the whole visit make an impact on Youngest, 

which can only be a good thing.

18 - Advent counting again

Rather tired tonight - it has been a very long day - so a quick post.

18th is the 352nd day of the year.
Only 13 days left of 2015.

The December moon is called the 'cold moon' - normally I would agree, but this winter has been a little strange. Warmer than some of our summer temperatures I have heard reported on the radio....

The earliest recorded Roman calendar only had ten months, with the final one known as 'decem mens ri' meaning the 10th month. After the calendar matured into a 12 month cycle, the word was 'December' was adapted by the early english and it remained there ever since.

So, Friday today - thank goodness!

I could do with some time at home,

need to sort a few things out for a 'thing' happening in a few days time,

and I am so not ready :)

xxx

17th chrimbly countdown :)

Three years ago today, I started a new job.
Three years ago today, I started a new life.
Three years ago today, I started what I thought was a short term contract.
Three years ago today, I felt very small and tired.

Three years ago today - I was renewed.

Three years later - I have never been busier, never been more challenged, never more tired, never more engaged, never more occupied, never more active - and in a rather twisted way - I love it!!

So there!

Baking, making Cake! Chrimbly counting number 16

 Sixteen.

When Himself and I first started living together, we had very little and earned even less. So when he came home with two baking dishes for me he'd found in a sale - one a deep pie type and the second a small glazed flan dish - they were immediately put to use.

For a long time they both did sterling work, sadly the pie dish eventually paid the price and developed first a crack in the glaze then the pot itself and was reluctantly relegated to the bin. I still have some *mumble*mumble* years later - the flan dish!

Stamped on it's base is F16 - just perfect for today's number - 16.

Over the last couple of days I have had an unseemly urge for fruit cake but hsve been remarkably uninspired recipewise. That was, until last night, when I was flipping through a magazine that I am particularly fond of - 60 North.  One of the articles contained recipes and, as I was absentmindedly reading through them, I came across - 'Hufsie cake'. 

The recipe instructs you to boil all the ingredients together until the sugar, butter and fruit make a thick syrupy sauce then to add the dry ingredients and egg, mix gently then bake. I quickly ran my eye over the ingredients and realised I already had them all. It was a bit late in the day to start then (I'd already gone to bed!) so I planned that as soon as I got home tomorrow, I'd get baking.

And I did.

And it is rather yummy.

And Himself is rather pleased.

And there is now less that half left....... (and Himself has just walked out of the kitchen clutching a cake filled plate and a smile.... how does he remain so slim??!!)

What baking have you done recently? Please share, I always need new ideas for the three munch monsters I live with!!

Hufsie recipe is HERE I hope you give it a try  :)

Betty, Susan and Day 15 Chrimbly countdown

For years we have known a lady - Betty. A sweet person who adores dogs and can be found with dog treats stashed in her pockets. Any dogs out for a walk, on seeing her in the village, eagerly drag their owners towards to Betty who delights in fussing over their pet.

She has always had plenty of time for my boys who are gently fond of her and dear Betty has never missed their birthdays and kindly sends them cards. Over the years we have reciprocated and during December, when we do our festive wreaths and decorations, I make her a wreath for her front door.

Except this year, when, due to being so busy, I'd not made any wreaths other than the little heart one for my front door.  Himself gently chided me when we realised that I'd not remembered Betty.

So on Sunday, I quickly made a small traditional one for her. As I was assembling it I thought of Susan of Granny Smith's Quilting. She is hails from Australia although I suspect her heart belongs to our little soggy island :) She had mentioned that due to the heat during December she found it difficult to have festive greenery.

I got to thinking about this - I grew up in Africa and I can remember my mom decorating (albeit in very light summer clothing and a fan on high speed) the house and we had greenery, red ribbons and local huge seed pods twinkling with silver glitter.

This little wreath uses oasis - dripping wet oasis, as the base and a life support. With leylandii and lonicera inserted as a thick collar of green into the oasis, it lasts for weeks and weeks.  The centre of baubles and decorations complete the arrangement.  Susan - this might be a way of having a little bit of greenery on your front door!

Susan has also done a very festive Ta-Da! herself - rather elegant snowflakes made from paper. She is very quick to say that the idea is not hers, but her step by step tutorial is very easy to follow and definitely something I want to try! Why don't you pop over and have a look :)

Joining in with Julie's Scrapbook Advent Calendar

❅✳❄❇❅❈ ❅✳❄❇❅ ❈❅✳❄❇❅❈❅✳❄❇❅

Chrimbly countdown =14 and a festive Ta-Da!

 One sublimely sunny walk in the Lakes over summer produced so many memories and photo opportunities including a walk near Aira Falls, Ullswater. The woodland surrounding the beauty spot had a number of trees with rustic name signs.  Ever ready for a number for my countdown - this was the perfect time to snap myself a number 14 :)

 This number 14 is from a cute fisherman's cottage in Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway, it was so pretty and just sang out against the black painted walls.

✱ ✲ ✳ ✴ ❂ ✵ ✶ ✷ ✸ ✹ ✺ ✻ ✼ ❄ ❅  ❆ ❇ ❈ ❉ ❊✱ ✲ ✳ ✴ ❂ ✵ ✶ ✷ ✸ ✹ ✺ ✻ ✼ ❄ ❅  ❆ ❇ ❈ ❉ ❊

I have a friend who has the most beautiful lampshades with hares and stags adorning them.  I love love love the hare version but know it is way out of my budget and I balk at the thought of paying so much for something that, although beautiful, is really just frivolous.  

So, when my wobbly standard lamp's shade wobbled one wobble too far and I had to replace it, I purchased a plain warm cream drum shade - bordering on boring. (No, it was boring) But I had a plan! 

This is the back - hence all the vertical stripes - I forgot to take a photo of the front..... 

When you spin it round....

A silver birch woodland appears,

while a shy stag tip toes out. 

Want to try it for yourself?

This is how I did it.

I drew an outline on brown paper, 

if you squint you will see

a vixen on the top right...

...then I cut it out and with the use of a small piece of tape... 

 Suddenly my birch woodland had a vixen

following a secret foxy pathway.

A quick peep behind the scenes....

Happy?

You betcha!

Ta-Da :) 

✱ ✲ ✳ ✴ ❂ ✵ ✶ ✷ ✸ ✹ ✺ ✻ ✼ ❄ ❅  ❆ ❇ ❈ ❉ ❊✱ ✲ ✳ ✴ ❂ ✵ ✶ ✷ ✸ ✹ ✺ ✻ ✼ ❄ ❅  ❆ ❇ ❈ ❉ ❊

Chrimbly countdown 13 - unlucky for some - not for me:)

We were supposed to be getting super-duper-extra-speedy broadband in the village.  

It was promised for June and for about 6 months before that, 

all the substations were situated and wired up ready to go.

Just a few select parts of the village have that super-duper-extra-speedy broadband,

we still have snail speed....

sigh.

Any hoo - the substation down the main road has given me the number I needed!

GGaGGaGGaGGa

I am staggered at your lovely comments about my attempts of window decorating - thank you :) I had also drawn on the French doors at home, but the pictures I took were not that great - however Eldest, despite feeling rather ill, patientially set up the tripod and took this image for me :

With all the torrential rain we have had recently, we opted to stay at home dry and quietly  grateful that we live on the side of a hill and all the surface water just runs down the road and in to the calvert.

My heart goes out to all the villagers in the north of Lancashire and in Cumbria who have been hit by the flooding.

We had a festive get together last night over in Hebden Bridge with Himself's side of the family. Usually we are the last to arrive (this is quite normal for us....)  however we were one of the first to arrive despite the huge lake-sized puddles and landslides on route.  Members of family were being diverted miles around due to blocked roads, stalled cars and collapsing roads.  The evening was spent happily catching up with news, stories and gossip as we enjoyed a lovely meal. Fortunately by the time we'd finished, the rain had stopped and the puddles had shrunk to more manageable sizes.

I might have another festive Ta-Da! to share with you tomorrow!

Joining in with Julie's Scrapbook Advent Calendar

GGaGGaGGaGGa

A dozen eggs (12) - and another festive Ta-Da!

Thank you for your lovely comments- they make my heart go squeeeee:)

Just up the lane from where we live, is this sign. Offering up eggs at £2.00 a dozen. Our village has a lot of back-garden hens and as spring slips into summer, hens get busy and the cockerels get louder and earlier...... sometimes we get woken at 4am by their cheerfully raucous crowing. *nice*

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

I was let free at work with the window artwork pens a couple of days ago and I decided against the usual designs of cute dogs and cats, with parcels beneath the tree......I chose stags in the snow, owls in huge conifers beneath the moon and the stars.

One of the staff members tentatively requested firstly a squirrel 

then she whispered... could she have a grizzly bear......?

What better time than at chrimbly time to grant wishes!

And of course I had have my favourite magical creature...

Suddenly a hare appeared dreaming mysterious dreams

while an owl watched from the tree.

I still had a little time left before the end of my working day

I still had drawing in my fingers

I drew myself a vixen

catching snowflakes with her tongue.

I went home very happy :)

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

11 (of 15) - advent counting and a festive Ta-Da!

1 of 21... ... ...

2 of 21... ... ... 

3 of 21... ... ... 

3 of 21... ... ...

3 of 21... ... ...

3 of 21 (good grief How LOnG Is THiS GoinG TO *//£!! takE!! aaaargh!.... sigh.

I would often stare at the screen at the three little dots that would dot dot dot across the screen and cheerfully say... please do not power off or unplug your machine installing update....

3 of 21

then suddenly it would rattle through 4..5..6..7..8..9..10.. and stop.

I would get fed up and force a shut down.

Then one evening, staring at the screen as it blissfully informed me of... 1 of 15........2 of 15....... etc, I decided to make the most of a grindingly slow download...I took a photo. Job done :)

And on a much nicer note....

Tonight we had our festive knit and natter evening, the last one of the year where we bring food and a 'secret santa gift' and we share stories and nibbles and unwrap our parcels and try to guess who's gift we'd chosen.  It usually sets off giggles and false guesses but it is always in such good humour.   Thank you dear ladies, again it was a pleasurable evening xxxxx

I had tried to finish off this particular 'Ta-Da!' before this evening but didn't quite make it in time, so while we nibbled and nattered, I crocheted the last few rows to complete my....Tomte !  

A Nordic elf associated with chrimbly time,

often with a dubious character and often rather naughty! 

My Tomte has a  very important job to do,

He has to hold some cards for us as he sits minding the tree.

I think he quite likes it.....but when the lights go out....will he get up to nonsense and blame it on the cats? 

Hmmmm, we shall have to wait and see :)

Joining in with Julie's Scrapbook Advent Calender.