Friday 31 December 2010
Happy New Year
December will be Magic
One of my all time favourite Kate Bush singles, seeing as though its the last day of December I'd just get away with sharing.
Wednesday 29 December 2010
How we take water for granted
Having spent two days with no heat and water I have had time to reflect on how we take so much for granted in our life. We had a burst pipe on Monday after the snow had started to thaw first our electrics blew then we realized what had happened we had to turn off our water which in turn affected our central heating.
I have spent the last two days freezing and miserable, but if I can take one lesson from our mishap is I will never take the luxury of water for granted again.
Not been able to have a hot shower or bath when I wanted killed me, having to keep nipping to our neighbours to fill containers of water for the basics like boiling a kettle for tea and washing up and trying to wash a total nightmare, not been able to use my washing machine simple little things like that I now appreciate.
Of course I'm not the only one with these problems there have been lots of people in Our area with the same problems some have had no water for four days so I'm not moaning too much I just wanted to take time to remind us of how lucky in life we are, water truly is a very special gift which we take for granted
Being more thank full for the things I have in my life is one lesson I am going to take into the new year.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I have spent the last two days freezing and miserable, but if I can take one lesson from our mishap is I will never take the luxury of water for granted again.
Not been able to have a hot shower or bath when I wanted killed me, having to keep nipping to our neighbours to fill containers of water for the basics like boiling a kettle for tea and washing up and trying to wash a total nightmare, not been able to use my washing machine simple little things like that I now appreciate.
Of course I'm not the only one with these problems there have been lots of people in Our area with the same problems some have had no water for four days so I'm not moaning too much I just wanted to take time to remind us of how lucky in life we are, water truly is a very special gift which we take for granted
Being more thank full for the things I have in my life is one lesson I am going to take into the new year.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday 26 December 2010
Christmas Books
Saturday 25 December 2010
Merry Christmas
I hope everyone has a peaceful and Blessed Christmas. I always light my candles today in memory to those of us who have lost family members, I know they are looking down on us somewhere.
Friday 24 December 2010
Twas the Night before Christmas
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
Meowy Christmas everyone
Thursday 23 December 2010
Still not got your decorations up?
If not don't worry they don't have to be glitzy or too elaborate.Sometimes less is more and you still have time to throw up something simple.Use the gifts that nature gave you and let your imagination run wild.
Wednesday 22 December 2010
Feline christmas tree
Well I finally got my feline tree up and decorated. Many people have asked me why a Feline tree? Quite simply because of my love for cats, although I do put a few other animals on to represent my love of nature my tree is adorned with mainly Cats,Robins,squirrels,birds and dragonflys.
Some of the cat ornaments represents many of the cats I have loved and lost over the years. I even have a Wizard cat at the top of the tree.
Meowy Christmas everyone.
Some of the cat ornaments represents many of the cats I have loved and lost over the years. I even have a Wizard cat at the top of the tree.
Meowy Christmas everyone.
Tuesday 21 December 2010
Monday 20 December 2010
Manchester's Christmas Markets
Took a trip to our local Christmas market on Saturday to finally get me in feeling christmassy, well it worked came home and started on the tree will post tomorrow my feline christmas tree pics. Heres a few pics of where I live.
Took a trip to our local Christmas market on Saturday to finally get me in feeling christmassy, well it worked came home and started on the tree will post tomorrow my feline christmastree pics. Heres a few pics of where I live.
Sunday 19 December 2010
Are you all ready for Christmas, no pressure Ladies
Oh well it's the last week before Christmas, are you all ready? Just love the pressure these womens mags put us under.As well as holding down a full time job, probably raising a family, maybe having elderly parents to care for by now we should have wrote our cards and mailed them.Bought and wrapped all the presents.
Made our homemade wreaths.
Decorated the Tree
Outside Tree as well
Your stockings should be hung in style
Roaring fire on the go
House all tastefully decorated
Beautiful individual table decorated
To top it all don't forget all the pampering,new hairstyle,new dress and all the gear needed to turn us into a Domestic Goddess (thanks for that one Delia)
Still around reading this well don't forget you still have to make the home made chutney,mince pies and Christmas cake, oh and your home made pudding and chocolates. Thank you glossy womens mags for making us feel such a failure.
So the week before Christmas no pressure ladies!
Made our homemade wreaths.
Decorated the Tree
Outside Tree as well
Your stockings should be hung in style
Roaring fire on the go
House all tastefully decorated
Beautiful individual table decorated
To top it all don't forget all the pampering,new hairstyle,new dress and all the gear needed to turn us into a Domestic Goddess (thanks for that one Delia)
Still around reading this well don't forget you still have to make the home made chutney,mince pies and Christmas cake, oh and your home made pudding and chocolates. Thank you glossy womens mags for making us feel such a failure.
So the week before Christmas no pressure ladies!
Friday 17 December 2010
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Isn't Christmas and an open fire a perfect match? I have always loved an open fire but there is something very magical about one at this time of year.
Wednesday 15 December 2010
My first ever vegan christmas cake
This is my very first attempt at baking a Vegan Christmas cake, I have to admit to feel a bit apprehensive about it. I have made numerous Christmas cakes over the years and they have always turned out well, but this was a new territory for me
After years of always baking with eggs I was nervous that cakes wouldn't turn out right without them, well let me tell you nothing could be further from the truth.
Over the last few months have made various muffins and carrot cake without eggs and they have turned out well, I am thrilled about this as I can now bake without inflicting cruelty.
I found this recipe on a great blog called the Hungry Vegan definetly worth a look as there are some great recipes on it
http://thehungryvegan.blogspot.com
Thought I would share my pics with you, although I still have to ice it I am pretty pleased with the result
After years of always baking with eggs I was nervous that cakes wouldn't turn out right without them, well let me tell you nothing could be further from the truth.
Over the last few months have made various muffins and carrot cake without eggs and they have turned out well, I am thrilled about this as I can now bake without inflicting cruelty.
I found this recipe on a great blog called the Hungry Vegan definetly worth a look as there are some great recipes on it
http://thehungryvegan.blogspot.com
Thought I would share my pics with you, although I still have to ice it I am pretty pleased with the result
Monday 13 December 2010
Finally starting to decorate
Well after having big plans to get my tree up this weekend backfired I've decided it would be easier to tackle decorating one room at a time rather than a marathon session.
I've decided to decorate my main living room now for the Winter Solstice(21stDecember) this makes more sense as I use a lot of natural decorations from the garden such as Holly and Ivy which can dry out and wither if put up to early.So instead I have decorated my dining room feel a bit more festive now I've made a start.Just thought I'd share a few pics.
My Welsh dresser I like to decorate using natural decorations.
Welsh dresser at night.
My fire with just a few fairy lights and a bunch of twigs also lit up.
I've decided to decorate my main living room now for the Winter Solstice(21stDecember) this makes more sense as I use a lot of natural decorations from the garden such as Holly and Ivy which can dry out and wither if put up to early.So instead I have decorated my dining room feel a bit more festive now I've made a start.Just thought I'd share a few pics.
My Welsh dresser I like to decorate using natural decorations.
Welsh dresser at night.
My fire with just a few fairy lights and a bunch of twigs also lit up.
Saturday 11 December 2010
Christmas trees from around the world
I am hoping today to put up my Christmas tree which got me thinking about trees around the world. I love seeing how other countries celebrate this time of year.
Here are a few pics I've found from around the world.Mine won't look as spectacular.
This is from the Rockefeller Centre New York.
The famous Whitehouse tree in Washington
A Christmas tree in Prague
A Paris Christmas tree
The largest tree in Europe which is in Portugal
And our very own tree in Trafalgar Square London
I did love these trees taken in a wood.
Here are a few pics I've found from around the world.Mine won't look as spectacular.
This is from the Rockefeller Centre New York.
The famous Whitehouse tree in Washington
A Christmas tree in Prague
A Paris Christmas tree
The largest tree in Europe which is in Portugal
And our very own tree in Trafalgar Square London
I did love these trees taken in a wood.
Friday 10 December 2010
Paris in the Snow
There can be no place more beautiful than Paris under the snow. My friend Flo from Vamos Brigade has inspired todays post.
Tuesday 7 December 2010
Winter Whites
I love using whites in my Christmas decorating themes.I think it really lightens the dark December days.I have a pure white spare bedroom which I love to relax in,especially at this time of year.
I am planning next year to decorate my Dining room all white and look forward to dressing it up for the holiday season.Been gathering inspiration from some of these beautiful homes.
I am planning next year to decorate my Dining room all white and look forward to dressing it up for the holiday season.Been gathering inspiration from some of these beautiful homes.
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