Five on Friday

It has been a week of trial and tribulation, a lot achieved not least we have signed the contracts for selling the house but no date as yet for the exchange of contracts and moving.  Alas there has also been a lot of jobs delayed due to the weather.  Sadly we have woken to a damp and misty morning so I don't see any progress been achieved today.  I am talking outside buildings and the mammoth task of sorting them out.  We are mindful of the damp and the damage it can do to Gerard's health particularly when there is so much to sort through but eventually I think we are just going to have to grim and bear it.

 

This is the view from a front window grey and misty and yet it looks quite pretty, the walks along the dyke will certainly be missed.

 

Two

 

We have amassed an enormous collection of books over the years and have had a big sort out this week, with a view to donating them to the local charity shop.  Sadly when we arrived with all our donations they wouldn't accept the books.  Apparently they have been inundated with books since Christmas and were not taking anymore.  It was the same story at a couple of others we tried.  Sadly they will now have to go to the tip for landfill which is a little disappointing.

 

 

Three

 

I can proudly report that the craft room is all packed up ready to go, I have a crochet project that I am working on and Honeys quilt which I making a little progress on.  Slow but steady, hand stitching a couple of squares a day.

 

 

 

I am hoping to have this finished by next Friday as I am meeting Amie and Honey at Springfield's near Spalding for a little shopping excursion and lunch.  I need to replace some underwear before moving.

 

Four

 

I came across a whole host of certificates and school reports, a lifetime of education, sporting and musical achievements.  What a joy to look back and read them, we were certainly proud parents both then and now.  We intend to give the girls a box each so they have them to share with their own children.

 

 

Even programmes from each of the productions they were in, lots of wonderful memories to treasure.

 

Five

 

Finally I have been having long relaxing baths this week, soaking the aches and pains of the days toil away.  Luxuriating in bubbles and candlelight, such a wonderful way to end the day.

 

 

I am once again joining Amy over at Love Made My Home for the Friday link up.  How are you filling your days?

 

See you soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Five On Friday

Thank you for all your wonderful comments and suggestions on my last post, it really was appreciated.  We have now managed to source some boxes so a start has been made.  It is amazing how much stuff we have accumulated over the years of living here.  We had a sort out last year and sold many things when we did a car boot sale, I think maybe that was just the tip of the iceberg.  There is a lot to sort through.

One of the major issues for me is the children's artwork.  I have saved every piece that they have made for me, not something that I want to get rid of but realistically not something that I can take.  The perfect solution was suggested by my daughter, I have taken photographs of it all and kept it separate on one memory card so that I can see the progress they make through the years.  It will also show the children how much their creations meant to me.  A win, win situation for us all.

I am joining Amy over at Love Made My Home for the weekly get together to share five wonderful creations.  I usually have a board up in the craft room so that I can see the latest ones at a glance.

 

A clip for each family, these I shall take with me until such times there is too much on the board and then once again I will take a photograph of each piece.

 

Here are five earlier pieces that make me smile.

 

 

 

Precious creations and memories that will be stored in my heart forever and of course a tiny memory card can be taken with me wherever I roam.  The perfect solution.

 

See you soon.

Five On Friday

The Christmas decorations have been packed away.   Wrapped in tissue, put into boxes and taped down all ready for the move.  Stored away all ready for unwrapping and recalling all the wonderful Christmas's that have gone before.  The ritual of remembering places and people makes me wonder where we will be for Christmas 2017, as our adventure continues.  Solicitors have now been appointed and we eagerly await further developments.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your wonderful comments and support.

I am joining in the weekly get together lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk/ with Amy for the Five on Friday meme.  I have started to sort out my craft room, as I want some little projects ready to have to hand.  I had anticipated a few unfinished projects that languish in various hotspots but to my surprise there was only one crochet project.  However there were a few sewing projects that need my attention.  I spend a lovely couple of hours browsing pattern books for some portable projects for the coming weeks.  Here is what I came up with.

One

Finish the infinity scarf that I started some weeks/months ago.

 

The yarn used is a beautiful alpaca wool which is a dream to crochet with so I don't recall why this didn't get finished.  I think Christmas gifts and preparations just got in the way. 

 

Two

 

We had some exciting news over the festive period that my nephew and his partner are expecting their first baby.  To that end I intend to crochet a baby blanket.  The pattern  I have chosen is one that I have made several times before and is an old favourite.  I haven't got the yarn needed in my stash but intend to buy either white or cream.

 

 

In fact I am having a trip out to Boston today with a view of picking some yarn and craft supplies up when I am out.

 

Three

 

I have some oddments of red/burgundy yarn left over from previous projects that I have just wound into some beautiful squishy yarn cakes.  I love using that old winder and piling up the little cakes.  I intend to use the yarn to crochet up some hearts ready for Valentines day.  I like the idea of some bunting for the mantel and maybe some added to a wreath.

 

 

They are a quick and easy make and a very portable project with the added bonus of using some oddments from stash.

 

Four

 

With our hopefully impending move, facecloths and scrubbies are a must for our new home.  I have several colours of cotton yarn all ready and have found a great pattern.

 

 

A wonderful addition to any home and will make little gifts also if they are needed along with some beautiful soap.

Five

Finally I have chosen a pattern for a stocking, which seems a little silly in January but I will have six to make and will be perfect to use oddments up from my stash.

Again, another portable project that can easily be transported and be picked up and put down.

I have all the yarn, patterns and hooks all ready to go.  Now about the rest of the craft room, well that is another story...

See you soon.

Five on Friday

It has been a lovely week after a hectic weekend having so many visitors.  We have been taking time to reflect on Christmas's past, listened to some lovely seasonal music and watched some Christmas films.  We have played some games with differing results and relaxed with a jigsaw.   We did have some fun with Merry Christmas, without resorting to the computer how many languages can you say it in?  Now spelling them was a different story...

I am once again joining Amy over at Love Made My Home for the weekly get together.   This week I thought I would share some seasonal mugs, cups/saucers that have been gifted to me over the years.  They take pride of place on my dresser.  I love how each little piece of Christmas décor has a memory, even a smell can bring back a wonderful memory of a previous Christmas.

One  Joyeux Noel

 

These are a set of cups/saucers that are used throughout December for tea.  They were gifted to us by my Mother in Law many years ago when we were in Germany as an addition to my  Royal Albert Country Rose set.  These are the Christmas Rose and are a delight mixed in with the Country Rose pieces for afternoon tea.

 

Two  Glaedelig Jul

 

 

These are Royal Albert Old Country Roses, Seasons of Colour mugs.  These were gifted to me by my son in law Mike when he was courting our daughter Victoria.  He knew of my collection and was trying to impress (he did), we often tease him about it.  Another wonderful Christmas memory of his first time joining the family for the celebrations.

 

Three  Frohe Weihnacten

 

 

Four of these mugs were gifted to me by my dear Mum and Dad for our first Christmas once we were married.  They were a real joy as we had so little Christmas décor, we had only been married a month.  A few years ago whilst browsing in a charity shop I came across two more, they came home with me straightaway.  I also have a matching cake stand which was a gift for our second Christmas of marriage.  Then came the mince pie tray, a yule log tray and a condiments tray before the pattern was discontinued.

 

Four  Buon Natale

 

 

Harrods mugs from our daughter.  We had a tradition of meeting in London and going for afternoon tea whilst she was at university we always included a visit to Harrods to admire the Christmas display.  I have some wonderful memories of these days out.

 

Five  Schoni Wiehnaehte

 

 

Novelty mugs that we use for hot chocolates which there are many that again were a gift from our Grandchildren.

 

So many memories attached to all our Christmas décor.  It takes us hours to decorate for the season as we linger on each thing that is brought out of boxes.  There is the odd tear but on the whole such a wonderful experience.  Lots of wonderful memories to cherish.

 

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five on Friday

Another busy week, another week nearer to Christmas.   My three daughters are coming to visit on Sunday along with their little families.  My Mum and Dad hopefully will come down for an hour or so.  I am also expecting my sister her daughter and her daughter.  Finally my brother, making a total of 20 to cater for.  I intend to host a buffet lunch, so to make my life a little easier I have made a start on some of the preparations.

One

Hot chocolate stirrers.  I thought I would make hot chocolate on arrival with chocolate stirrers and cookies.  I stamped the lollipop sticks to give them a seasonal look.

 

Added melted milk chocolate to an ice cube tray shaped like a Christmas tree or bauble then added the sticks, mini marshmallow, mini candy canes or mini gingerbread men.

 

 

Once they had hardened off they were wrapped in cellophane bags and tied with some natural twine.

 

 

Two

 

I have covered some sweet lollipops in netting and tied with a ribbon to make a pretty addition to a Christmas tree all ready for the children.

 

 

All ready for the sweet trolley.  I  always wrapped lollies for the girls when they were little for treats throughout the festive period so they will love it.  A lovely reminder of their childhood.

 

Three

 

I have had fun folding napkins, I tried lots of different ways but finally settled with a tree it made me smile and adds a little more Christmas sparkle.

 

 

Four

 

I have a basket that will be by the door so that I can give each person a little token as they leave, my way of thanking them for coming.  This week I added a few children's brooches these are the ones I made for Lily and Daisy.

 

 

I want everyone to feel that they were welcome and to feel loved, a token gift maybe but filled with love.

 

Five

 

More chocolate, this time some mini rocky road and some individual chocolates to have with tea/coffee after lunch or another little treat to take home.

 

 

Melted chocolate was poured into a mould and a few little treats added, chopped nuts, raisons, cranberries, marshmallow or candy cane pieces.  They were then popped into the fridge to harden and then placed into cellophane bags and tied with natural twine.

 

 

A few mini candy canes added to give a little colour and they are ready.

 

I am once again joining Amy over at Love Made My Home for the weekly get together, pop over and join in the fun.  How are your Christmas preparations going?

 

See you soon.