Now That's More Like It

'Deck the halls with boughs of holly

Fa la la la laa, la la la laa!'

Yes, term is finally over and I have time to hear myself think - hooray! The house is now looking very Christmassy, most of the presents are bought and I have a bit of time to be creative. This term I have been true to my word and am now a very regular gym-visitor as well as a healthy-eater. I am seeing positive results already and am lighter and more toned than I was. However, it has been at the cost of regular blogging, and I can't tell you what a treat it is to be posting again. I shall spend the next few days catching up with you all too. 

So I've been decking the halls indeed, and we have lots of festive prettiness going on here. I've never been a minimalist where decorations are concerned, so our window-sill is looking very seasonal indeed.

My Christmas pixies are back - it wouldn't be the same without them.

We have twirling cherubs on the candle-chimes which catch the light and make a sweet tinkly sound,

bright orange clementines with their leaves still on in their sweet little wooden box,

glossy chestnuts ready for roasting

and jewel-bright chocolate coins - I love these coloured ones, as well as the traditional gold and silver.

The dresser is bedecked with the snowflakes which I crocheted over the last two years. 

I remember how addictive it was making them - hmmm, shall I make any more?

The Christmas tree is up in its usual place in the corner of our living room, groaning under the weight of decorations. Eclectic, you might call it, with a bit of everything. I know that tinsel divides opinion and is rather a Marmite thing (you either love it or hate it), but I like it in moderation. Only silver tinsel, mind you.

There are lots of little things made by my youngsters when they were little, and there are some sweet little creatures on the tree too.

I am very fond of the shiny vintage-style ones and am mad about these frosty, twinkly cones.

I even have a glittery cupcake.

There are also silver nutmegs and golden pears, although I'm not expecting a visit from the king of Spain's daughter.

 Last night P sang in a choir in Bath in a Christmas concert. It was a wonderful evening in a gorgeous church, filled with song and fun, and as we walked through Bath afterwards I was reminded of how lucky we are to live so nearby.

The tree outside the Pump Rooms sparkled against its Georgian backdrop.

The quaint cobbled streets twinkled prettily.

And the medieval Abbey looked splendid with its angels climbing up and occasionally falling down Jacobs Ladder, either side of the front door.

Yes, I am most definitely feeling a Christmas vibe now - bring it on!

Getting Festive

Hello, dear readers. I'm just starting to feel a bit Christmassy, rather later than usual this year.

Already I've been to two of D's music concerts, to two work Christmas meals and on two cinema trips (to see 'The Lady in the Van' and 'Carol', both excellent). Yes, it's definitely that time of year again, but I haven't done anything remotely crafty yet for Christmas! This must surely be a world record for me, as by now I am usually in the midst of making several presents at once, as well as cooking and producing all sorts of decorations. Perhaps it's a new, more relaxed me at Christmas? Or maybe I should get my skates on...

We may not yet have put up any decorations, but I have been opening my new advent calendar. Unlike the rest of my family, I prefer those with pictures to chocolate ones. Here's my new Angela Harding calendar which I love for its wintriness and countryside theme.

In a similar vein I've just finished reading this book below, which is a beautiful description of a year in the life of the flora and fauna of a village in the Somerset Levels, which is not far from here. It was a lovely read, full of detailed descriptions of nature and fascinating information.

On a more festive note we went recently to Winchester Christmas market with my brother and his family, which I have to say was a very jolly afternoon out. There were twinkly star lanterns,

coppery vats of steaming mulled wine,

and sizzling hot chestnuts.

Some of the stalls were extremely ornate, things of beauty in their own right.

I must confess to finding it very difficult to photograph a Christmas market without getting lots of people in the foreground. As you can see, I've gone for an over-the-head view of it here.

The cathedral was as Gothically gorgeous as ever with its front window a giant, stained-glass collage after Cromwell and his army smashed it to pieces during the Civil War.

I love to walk underneath its flying buttresses in all their medieval splendour.

The ice rink was in full swing next to the cathedral and we watched with my little nephews, mesmerised as the tractor drove around the rink, making the ice smooth for the next session. My nephews really rather fancied the idea of a job in which you get to drive a tractor around an ice rink.

Similar icy patterns appeared the next morning on the outside of the Velux window in our bedroom. We had a frost in the night and wonderful tiny twirly fronds and frosty leaves spread themselves across the surface of the glass, like a beautiful wintry doodle. I edited these photos to enhance the definition of the patterns, as the sky wasn't really that blue that day, but the sparkly designs are truly amazing.

By contrast most of the mornings lately have dawned windy and wet and look like this. December in recent years is so often mild and wet in our part of the world.  Never mind, we are very fortunate in not having suffered any flood damage, unlike so many people this week, so I really can't complain.

I shall leave you with a photo of one of the roses still blooming in our garden. Not very Christmassy, I know, but I'm getting there.

 See you soon x

Yarny Things

Thank you so much for your kind comments on my last post welcoming me back after my little break. That is what I love about Blogland - it's such a friendly place, isn't it?

While I was away I got busy with my crochet hook and used some gorgeous hand-spun wool to make a couple of autumnal items. The yarn was a buy from Etsy several years ago, and I've been saving it for the right project. In shades of fallen leaves with little glass beads spun into it, it was the perfect choice for a little autumn pot. I used a 5.5 hook as the yarn was chunkily spun, and went round and round in a spiral until I decided it was time to start the sides. I like to crochet pots this way, experimenting in a freestyle sort of way and letting it come to life as I go. I decreased at intervals until the sides started to rise, and then just went round and round until it reached the height I wanted. Here it is - can you see the little beads at the bottom of the pot?

While we were away I bought these rather sweet felt balls from a craft shop in shades of orange and brown. I used the rest of the wool to crochet a long chain.

Then I crocheted some little leaves from cotton yarn in complimentary shades and attached them with the little felt 'berries' along the length of the crocheted chain to make an autumn garland.

I was pleased with how it turned out, in warm seasonal hues and very tactile indeed.

Here it is hanging in my shed with some autumnal pictures. I love the pale blue walls, as I think it's a colour which seems to go with almost anything. Perhaps it's because it's the colour of the sky?

As well as decorating the shed, I have been busy crocheting for two little people. Two of my friends have had babies recently, two sweet little boys. So I made them each a little ball to play with, made from crocheted pentagons and stuffed with a little bell in the centre to make a soft tinkly sound. I used a pattern on Ravelry, but haven't been able to find it since. There are lots of similar ones there if you're interested in making one.

I made the other one from cotton yarn in shades of green and blue.

I've also been busy knitting myself a scarf. I know, I have been busy, haven't I? You may remember that last January I began knitting a scarf in a pale blue linen yarn? Well, I wasn't happy with it and put it away for a while. Recently I started it again, this time in a 3 by 3 rib which I really love. It's coming along well, and is so very soft I can't wait to wear it. I'm drawn to these icy blue shades once again, this one bordering on grey, perfect for the wintry months ahead.

Right, I have one more catching-up post to do this week, and then on to things wintry and Christmassy - hooray!

Back Again

Hello again! I'm back, feeling a bit more refreshed and healthy after my break. I'm eating less stodge and I've joined a gym! It's been a much-needed pause in which I've found the time to catch up with myself and sort out my priorities. While I was away we had a little holiday in half term which was a real tonic, and some surprisingly mild November days, along with lots of rain. I've watched the riotous colours of autumn reach a peak in October and gradually subside as we move towards winter. Things are looking rather soggy and drab outside now, and the hours of daylight are diminishing noticeably. I found a string of white fairy lights to brighten up the house, and lit candles to bring a bit of twinkliness to the unending grey days. Where has the sunshine gone? It came out for a short time when I was at work last week and I almost fell off my chair with delight. We have to make our own light and warmth at this time of year, and I very much enjoy doing it, cosying up indoors, and taking the opportunity to get outside for a walk when I can.

Here are some of the things I've been up to while I've been away:

Putting up last year's crocheted autumn wreath and some richly-coloured cards and postcards on the wall in my shed. I do love those jewel colours and earthy tones.



Arranging my home-grown honesty in a home-made vase (I am not a natural potter), and making a little autumnal still life with acorns, a lantern and and old wooden bobbin.

Admiring the translucent honesty seed pods which make me want to draw them. 

Saying 'goodbye' to the last of the cherry leaves. The wind two weekends ago saw them all off, leaving the tree bare. It's now easier to see the birds which perch in its branches and come to the feeders.

Finishing reading Simon Armitage's 'Walking Home' which I enjoyed immensely. I was with him every step of the way on his Pennine walk and couldn't help but laugh at his dry sense of humour.

Having bought some liquorice and fennel tea a while ago, making my own with fennel seeds from the garden and liquorice root from the health food shop. Delicious, and surprisingly sweet.

Sweeping up heaps of fallen leaves which gather in drifts around the house and along the paths.

Enjoying the wonderful colours of the squashes and pumpkin on our window-sill,

Then roasting them in the oven in olive oil, salt and pepper. Also delicious.

Stopping off at Salisbury Cathedral for a wander instead of driving past, as we usually do.

Enjoying the tranquility of the cloisters, and appreciating the architecture (as well as a coffee in the lovely cafe).

Waking up to yet another tangerine sunrise. Glorious.

I hope you've been able to fit some fun things into your life lately, and that if you live around these parts you're able to stay toasty and dry out of the high winds, rain and colder temperatures that are heading this way. Batten down the hatches and put the kettle on. The perfect excuse for curling up somewhere cosy and relaxing!