Santa Baby

Eartha Kitt's old song Santa Baby is one of my favourites at this time of year

Here's my very own ..... he sicked up on his suit today and this was the only thing to hand .... a bit early I know but he looks so cute don't you think?

This is his sister at the same age ..... they are undoubtedly two peas in a pod

Sharing a Pause in Advent

What a lovely idea started by Floss ... an opportunity for us to share our experiences and expectations of another Christmas (and this is my 51st!)

I don't know if it is my memory playing tricks on me but I recall cold crisp Decembers with snow on the ground to give it that extra magic .... visiting relations on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day spent at home.  We were a stockings at the bottom of the bed type of family (pillowcases actually) and I can remember trying to keep awake to get a glimpse of Santa who should have eaten his mince pie and drunk his glass of sherry left downstairs at bedtime (I know he shouldn't drink & drive!).  My most vivid memory is the year I really wanted a bike .... I was 10 years old and still believed and was bitterly disappointed that there wasn't one beside my bed that morning.  Then dad said go downstairs and check that the fire hasn't gone out and there in the middle of the living room floor was a purple bike with saddlebag, basket the works!!!  It wasn't brand new but that didn't matter ... dad had walked it home from his friend's house late on Christmas Eve (his daughter had outgrown it) and I can still see myself bombing round the green in front of the house that morning.

Then I grew up .... the magic disappeared for a while till I had my own brood and it all came back again .... and in turn they grew up and it disappeared again for a while.  Now we have grandchildren and I mind other children I can make the extra effort again.  We are not a religious family but do firmly believe that children should be taught that it is not all about receiving, sweets & chocolates and drinking yourself stupid and I feel we are losing the true meaning with the PC ways of local authorities who remove all mention of Christmas from our schools for fear of offending someone (who ????) .... how I used to look forward to the primary school nativity production.  When I ventured into the loft yesterday to get the deccies out I found the video from 1992 when my girls were 4 and 6 ..... little one was an angel and elder was a narrator .... it brought tears to my eyes to see them again   ...... so sweet and innocent.

So tomorrow we start the countdown ...... I will be sprinkling my magic fairy dust at the weekend and can't wait to see the little one's eyes on Monday morning when they come in.

Extravagance or what

Popped over to my small local supermarket this morning and spotted this ...... I don't live in the country, don't have pots of money and don't know anyone in high places but I just loved this Advent Calendar on the cover.  I will browse the magazine itself tomorrow.

Weddings and Butterflies

Better late than never  .... I have finally finished the wedding gift box for my daughter's friend .... her favourite colours are lilac and purple and the theme of butterflies was everywhere at the wedding including the cake.  We racked our brains to think of a suitable gift .... the happy couple had already set up home so really didn't need any more pots, pans etc etc .... so we thought we would give something more personal for them so out came the sewing machine and crochet hook.

With some lovely butterfly fabric from Globaltex I made a lingerie bag, laundry bag, bunting & cushion cover

I appliqued panels of the same fabric to some soft white hand towels and face cloths and made two hanging initial letters in lilac Suffolk Rose & Paisley fabrics

Crocheted some butterflies and a replica of the wedding bouquet

We found a lovely big storage box in the same colours which was covered in hydrangeas and butterflies.

Do you get that butterfly feeling in your stomach when you give something handmade as a gift and have doubts about your creations and wonder whether the recipient will think they are lovely.  Well I do.  However the recipient in this case loved them thankfully and has even asked me to get some more of the same fabric to make some more things for the home!  I am chuffed to bits.

Reasons to be cheerful

I woke up this morning and was still breathing

The sky is blue

The house is quiet (just for a little while at least!)
It's just me and baby Jack today .... feed done and he's sparko in my left arm while I tap this out on the lappie to my right ..... his mother will tell me off for cuddling him while he's sleeping but who cares .... I could stare at a sleeping baby for hours

It's Friday ..... yayyyy

I've started Christmas shopping .... so thankful for the internet and postmen

I finished the wedding gift box that I've been working on for ages

Stew and dumplings for dinner
I've received my lovely cards from Jill over at Third Age Musings ... thank you Jill

The auction is on tomorrow .... will I be able to resist going and buying more junk?

We are getting closer to the shortest day ... a milestone for me because it means the days will be getting longer ..... I hate the dark mornings and evenings and feel like hibernating some days

Not long till the Advent Calendars come out and the countdown begins ....

How to amuse yourself on a wet Sunday in November .....

A little voice woke me this morning just before 8.00 am with the words "wake up Nanny it's a sunny day" .... we had the grands staying over last night and Charlie ended up snuggled in with me ..... I just love his chubby arms wrapped around my neck just like his dad used to before he grew into a man mountain.  It was sunny at that point but an hour later the grey clouds rolled in and down came the rain ...... nothing like what is happening in other parts of the country at the moment and my hearts go out to the people in Cumbria who have lost everything.

A stay at home day it was to be then, split between the kitchen preparing a roast dinner for the tribal gathering this afternoon with a little crochet in between.

I love watching the River Cottage TV series and often try out HFW recipes .... his Yorkshire Pudding recipe is the best and today I tried his Pear & Almond Cake from the current series ... the results here have now been demolished!

We are fortunate to have our own chickens and I strongly recommend that fresh free range eggs should be used ..... you can really taste the difference

The crochet Beanie and Trapper style hats are coming off the production line like nobody's business!!!  I have listed some for sale in the Aunty Wainwright's Blogshop

Now it's that time of day when everyone has gone home and I can settle down in the chair with a glass of wine, my yarn and crochet hook.  Have a lovely evening whatever you are doing.

Blatant advertising !!!!!

I've just updated my blogshop .... if you have time please take a look xx