December update

I decorated the tree at the weekend. The tree is lovely, but it has glitter coated branches and when you put it up, the glitter goes everywhere! I'm a glitter kinda girl, and am of the ethos that you can never have enough glitter, but even I have my limits! There is glitter all over the house, which wasn't helped by Jamie having a boxing match with the above mentioned tree box, which spread even further after I had just hoovered up the last scattering of glitter, to say I was not amused is an understatement. But give Jamie his due, he did try to sweep it up with the dustpan and brush, spreading rather than clearing it up more like!

Our snowman family!

Mum and I went to Brightwell to pay our respects to Nan. A while after she died, her ashes were scattered in an area where she and us spent a lot of time. Mum planted a cyclamen (a red one, which was one of Nans favourite colours, I can see her now in her red jumper and cardigan!) we attached a tag, which I wrote and a Christmas decoration to the tree. We told her we loved her and we have special fond memories. I love going with Mum, it's our special time. When we walked back to the car we had our flask of coffee and coconut cakes (which Nan used to make for us, they weren't as nice as the ones Nan used to make!)

Lovely woolly sheep came to say hello!

Me and my so special Mum. She is the kindest, most caring person I know. You are beautiful inside and out. Love you so much and I'm so grateful for all you do for me and my family.

The red cyclamen.

We brought a bit of Christmas to Nan!

We took a trip out to Millets. I love seeing all the decorations. Jamie and Kev were going to go ice skating, but unfortunately it was fully booked, so will have to go another time. It was very busy there and Jamie, Kev and I were losing the will to live! We brought some outside Christmas lights.

Jamie making friends with a deer.

Jamie with good old Father Christmas.

Jamie wanted some sunglasses, well you know how sunny it is this time of year!

Look how big this bear is!

A sleeping polar bear. 

Rhubarb crowns and an 80th birthday!

I popped to the allotment to assess any wind damage, luckily the cloches had remained in place. I planted my rhubarb crowns, hung up the bird cakes I had made and noticed some little bulbs poking their heads up, that the previous owner must of planted. Something has been nibbling them! 

Tom was 80! We had a birthday meal to celebrate, we met with Tom, Diane, Paul, Karmjit, Jairaj and Jasmine in Winchester and had a scrummy meal. I made a birthday cake for him. It was really nice to celebrate his big 80 with him, happy birthday Tom!

Countdown to Christmas! We got the advent calendar down from the loft that I made quite a few years ago. I filled it with chocolates and Jamie is enjoying counting down to Christmas via chocolate! 

Things are growing!

Popped to the allotment Saturday and the garlic has started sprouting, also the broad beans and peas. Kev and I had to rescue the cloches that were protecting the broad beans and peas, luckily they had blown into the hedge on the plot next to us! Hopefully they are more secure as we had a harsh frost Monday morning. I have made some bird seed cakes for the birds, which I will tie to the trees when I visit next.

Bonfire Night

we had a fantastic firework night at our home, the fireworks were brilliant, food was yummy, company was great and the damp weather didn't bother us at all!

I made caramelised onions to go with our hot dogs, curry dipping sauce to go with potato wedges, ham, cheese and mushroom turnovers and tomato soup.

I made a scrummy caramel apple loaf cake!

Philip and Jamie enjoyed making a bonfire to toast our marshmallows on. It was so lovely seeing them enjoying being together and working together. 

Allotment and halloween

Popped down to the allotment again today. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and it was warm for this time of year! 

I made this welcome sign to go on the door of the shed.

I met one of the Wardens of the allotment. He is "Stanley", he is an elderly gentleman, he was so sweet and we had a lovely chat. I met another lady who owns another plot, she was called "Sue", she was really friendly. I also met the man who owns a plot next door to our allotment. It was a very sociable visit to the allotment today! In between Kev and I managed to dig another area for planting in the Spring. I only have pictures of Kev digging, but I promise I did a lot of digging too!

The man next door to us, kindly gave us some sweet corn and a red cabbage. We had the sweet corn for tea, it was delicious, nothing beats home grown fruit and veg! I plan to make braised red cabbage and freeze it for Christmas dinner and some pickled red cabbage, also for Christmas time.

Jamie and I did a pumpkin for Halloween, he also went trick and treating with Randay. He came back with a big bag of goodies!