Christmas Eve

 I missed yesterday. I had been trying to post every day this month and have done really well up until now, but last night I was tired. By the time I remembered (for about the tenth time) that I was going to post I was already in bed and, well, to be honest, I just couldn't be bothered to get back out of bed, fire up the computer and write the post.  So no post yesterday, but back on the posting wagon today. 

I managed to buy everything else I needed yesterday so I didn't have to shop at all today! Writing a list really did help. I finished most of the wrapping yesterday with just a couple of stray items that needed wrapping today. I went for a really long walk this morning. It was quite lovely. Quiet for a while early this morning, but by the time I left the car park was full. There were lots of birds around today eating the berries of the trees. I stood on the path and just watched. Nobody at all came along the path. 

I messaged with my sister this afternoon. She, my BIL and her younger daughter S, S's husband and two children went to Felixstowe today and took some flowers and a card to Mum's bench. They took photos to share with me. It was lovely but made me cry. I can't wait to be able to go sit on the bench and just chat with Mum. 

Middle son came up later and I cooked some pizza and nibbles. I was really surprised when someone came in the door - it was daughter and her dogs!!! She has surprised me with a visit home for Christmas. Her husband stayed home but he messaged me to say he hoped I liked the surprise. He is such a good guy. I am so thankful that my daughter has found such a lovely partner to share her life with. I wasn't looking forward to Christmas at all but it will be lovely to spend the time with her. 

I wanted to share a photo of one of the lovely gifts daughter and her husband gave me last week. It was son-in-law's idea to have this made for me. It is a blanket/throw. I am not sure I can bring myself to use it maybe except to wrap myself up in it and try to remember how it felt to get a hug from Mum. The flowers just so say Mum - she loved flowers. 

I hope everyone has a lovely holiday. 

I have been feeling a bit sniffly for the past few days. My nose hasn't stopped running and I'm tired (but haven't been sleeping well either). I decided to take a Covid test just to be sure (have some at home) as I didn't want to chance passing on anything to anyone else. It came back negative so probably just a cold. 

An ornament I brought home from Jane's tree to put on mine. She is missed this Christmas. I always tried to get her genealogy gifts as well as a Barnes and Noble (bookshop) GC. She was such a great reader! She always emailed after Christmas to tell me what books she purchased with her GC. I missed making her a lighthouse calendar this year. 

Lastly, the kindness of strangers. A cookie a lady at husband's work made. It is so beautiful I am almost afraid to eat it. 

Okay, this definitely is lastly. I really want to say a big thank you to all my blogger friends for your comments and support this year. They have really touched my heart and helped me through this difficult year. I hope all of you have a lovely holiday season. 

Brrr....

 It was cold this morning! 18F/-8C! I bundled up in my long undies, hat, double gloves and hand warmers so I wasn't too bad. The cold did keep people away. There were a few other hardy souls out. The sun was shining so that was good. I didn't see a lot of wildlife, just lots of geese. The beavers have been busy with smaller trees, leaving the larger trees alone for now. Asylum Lake was beginning to freeze in places. 

I ran a couple of errands, came home to wrap some presents, finish an ornament and try to keep my sanity! I have a love/hate with this time of year. I like the giving of gifts but I tend to stress myself out. It's my lack of organisation and time management that gets me every time. I'm trying to think of one word that encompasses both so I can work on this next year. I'm getting to a point where it is something that is bothering me so it is time for a change. 

A couple of cards I made today. I quite like them. Once I've got the few projects left I am finishing up I think I'm going to make more of these so I have them on hand - another reason I need to be organised. I've been watching December Daily Vlogs on YouTube and so many people seem so organised for the holidays and I'm running around like a chicken with its head cut off. 

How organised are you with gifts? Do you have a stash of gifts on hand? Do you plan throughout the year? 

White Christmas

We woke up this morning to a snowy Christmas morning. We got quite a bit of snow overnight and everything is coated with a thick layer. It's very pretty but not good for travelling in. It is still snowing quite crazily so there will probably be a lot more.

I was lucky enough to get a new computer for Christmas! So very thankful! My old computer gave up the ghost so this is a lovely and welcome surprise.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day. It's a little sad here as I'm away from Mum and other family and middle son has to work today, but I'm thankful for those around me. 

Crafty Books - Christmas??!

I've been sorting through my things a bit today. I must admit I brought back far more than I thought when I packed it. When it was all unloaded - yikes! I do admit to going a little crazy. One of my favourite places to shop when back in England is The Works. There are so many great books at really good prices, both fiction and non-fiction. The one in Ipswich also carries quite a few crafty goodies. There were so many books I could have picked up. I know they are a little heavy though so tried to be good and not bring too many back. I wish there was somewhere like it here in the US.

These are the craft books I ended up buying.

There were so many more I COULD have bought. These were priced between one and three pounds! Now that I'm back I have to put them to some use.

It's still fairly early - though this year is whizzing by - but I'm starting to think of Christmas. I know I need to think about what I'm going to make. Christmas cards are a given, but what about crafty gifts? I don't tend to make a lot of them, usually only for people who I know will appreciate them. I'd be interested in finding out what others make for the holidays - if anything. Are you already thinking of the holidays? Or, like me, do you tend to be last minute?

Christmas Day - it's over

Well, it's all over. Presents are opened and food has been (mostly) eaten. We had a really good day at MIL's house. Only downfall - I pulled my lower back Christmas Eve and could barely move. Ow. Ow. Still not a lot better today. Sigh.

Shasta got all worn out! I think the rest of us felt that way too!

Me and my dear daughter. We're now into her last full week here in Michigan. It's time to concentrate on the 'big' move!

My three 'kids' together. I warned them I was taking a picture as I'm not sure when they will all be back together again! Really enjoyed the day. Family, that's what it's all about for us.