A Round Robin

After a delightful and relaxing Christmas (Mr Bun cooked, I wafted about) the girls and I are sitting on the sofa doing our own thing before we head off to Nannies for lunch. I thought I'll have a wee moment to catch up on my blog before the next few busy days take hold.

We started the festivities with a trip to visit Santa at the steam museum. We love it there as it's manned by elderly volunteers and is so uncommercial that it feels as if we're stepping back to the 1960's. We rode the trains and the Gallopers before heading to visit Santa in the Dad's Army village. This is the last year that Miss Rosey can visit Santa and we were pleased she wanted to. Little Bun can't understand why you wouldn't want to visit when you're 13.   Picture from the village sweetshop there by the way.

On Christmas Eve we had to call out Will the Swill to empty the septic tank which was creeping towards the house. Real life running alongside all the festive baking I was doing. Once my mum arrived we headed off to the Crib Service for a good old festive sing song. I love when we walk up to the village church with the bells pealing out. In our pews the Bun's chatted excitedly to their mates about how good Mr Stink was, presents they might get and Dr Who the next day. I absolutely love Christmas Eve. It's my most favourite part of the festivities. Coming home we lit both fires and settled down to eat Butternut Squash Soup, cheeses and then Pear and Mincemeat Tart. I've made the soup so many times before and it's delicious. This time Little Bun said it was saltier than the sea. It was foul you know. In my hurry I'd chucked too much bouillon in. Lesson learnt don't rush with soup. Boy was I thirsty that night. Later we snuggled by the fire to watch the Darling Buds of May christmas episode while the Bun's wrote thank you letters to Santa. Then it was off to bed for them with the story we read each christmas eve Willow at Christmas by Camilla Ashforth.

Just before 7am they dragged their stockings onto our bed with Nanny in tow. Five in a bed on Christmas morning. After breakfast we opened our gifts. The Bun's loved the angel bears I'd made for them from Claire Garland's book. I stitched their initials on the hearts so they'd know which was theirs. Little Bun was thrilled with the pink sewing machine we bought for her. She'd been desperate to start learning how to stitch. Lots of wonderful gifts, too many probably, but all adored. Mr Bun bought me some wonderful things. One very appreciated was a new notebook and pens to write down all the stories I have in my head which I've told the Bun's over the years. I've a beautiful brooch bought by me for him to give from Hen to show you another time too.

On Boxing Day we played with our new toys (Ipod Touch for Little Bun and a Kindle Fire for me) alongside old ones (dominoes and cards).

Another gift that you've seen me working on was my mum's quilt. Final stitches went in last Saturday while we watched the Strictly final.

I was taken aback when mum opened her parcel and welled up. I thought she'd be pleased, but didn't realise how touched she would be. It made all those hours of handstitching even more worthwhile.

Even the label on the back took a fair while to do, but I thought it was important to finish it off properly.

Now we've the pantomime to look forward to tommorow, then my birthday on the 29th (when I'll be 44, goodness me time is flying past). Friends over at the weekend and then New year festivities to get through. I'm hoping to fit in a good blast of sea air around all of this too.

Thank you for all your lovely christmas well wishes, for taking the time to read and leave a comment on my blog, it truly is appreciated you know. 

At the beginning of the year my blog also has a birthday. It'll be 4 you know. I feel something should be done in celebration ( a giveaway perhaps) so watch this space. I'm also planning a wee January sale in my etsy shop. I fancy a clean up and fresh start for the new year. More news to follow on those later. 

See you soon.