Thursday 5 November 2015

Oh My Word......











....Where is the time going?

In one blink, it seems to have jumped from September (when I was thankful that the house was returning to normal with the school term starting), to November (when it's hey ho and fast paced until January).

These past few weeks have absolutely flown by. It's usually just one huge rush from October to January. As much as I LOVE everything about Christmas............I don't ever really seem to enjoy it. I'm rushing about, I'm stressing about getting stuff done, stuff bought. It's Birthdays galore the last few months of the year, and that seems to take my mind off getting organised even more.

Measures have been taken these last few years to make things easier for family. It's a big outer family, and the adults made the decision to only buy for the children (neices/nephews etc) and the matriarchal parents. I can't tell you how much that takes the pressure off. Not having to mope around shops wondering what to get the great Aunt who has everything and wants for nothing. Not only that, but it's amazing how much you start to enjoy the really important things so much more. Family. The best gift of all. I have to say, the last few Christmasses have been the best, when it's all been pared back to basics. I am trying to be super organised and get a bulk of it all done in November, so I can TRY and make December all about crafty stuff with the Bears and hunkering down in a warm and cosy abode.  Tealights, scented candles and hot water bottles. Oh, and not forgetting the cheesy Christmas films. Always a winner. My hot water bottle covers are getting a little tatty these days (highly used over winter) and I am planning a new batch to replace those, and it would be great to not have to rush those and enjoy a bit of seasonal crafting.







The one thing that is sneaking in now, is the odd Christmas decoration. Eeek. As I'm coming across them, they are going in the shopping basket and then being hung somewhere around the house, as a pre-Christmas appetiser! It's my way of eeking it out without being too overt about it.

The week before the half term I was like a woman posessed. After a Summer of pastels, I was REALLY ready for BRIGHTS. I ordered the brightest yarn I possibly could (some bordering on neon, and slightly scary if I am honest), and set to work on making something cheery. As usual, it was fly by the seat of my pants kind of making. I knew I wanted bright, and something for winter, but other than that, it was just go with the flow. Urgh, I couldn't keep focused. I'd start something and only like a bit of it. So, i'd take that bit I liked and start something knew. Then I'd only be happy with a little bit of that, and take an element and start yet gain. I think I started on four versions of something before I settled on what I think it was meant to be.

A bright scarf. Of course it would be a bright scarf! Well, it took me long enough to get there. It also took another week after I had initially finished the main body to decide what to do at the ends of the scarf. I thought tassles, but I wasn't sure the yarn really was up for tassles. I pondered for a whole week during Half Term.

No pics yet I'm afraid. The weather has been incredibly dark and dreary on the days that I am able to take snaps, so I shall wait for a decent day of light to catch it at its best. 


However, I did manage to make some sneaky little slippers from this months Inside Crochet Magazine. I have a serious amount of chunky yarn. All odd balls that I quite don't know what to do with them, but gorgeous stuff none the less that I cannot seem to part with. These seemed the perfect solution only using up a ball per pair.








Needless to say, soon I will be DROWNING in pom pom slippers. Typical me.







Half Term was a jam packed one. A whirlwind of a week. A really lovely whirlwind of a week though. The Autumn weather has been giving us some gloriously beautiful days (in-between the murky ones). There were some beautiful walks creating beautiful family memories. Happy children.....Happy me.




























































The light has been beautiful....magical even on some days (not today though....today is yucky). Walks on those kind of days are heavenly. The glorious golden glow, coupled with the damp, woody scent of Autumn......well......you realise what a glorious season Autumn really is.






School started back, the Bears were rested and it has been another crazy week. No photos. No stopping really. Any cuppas have been slurped whilst walking around. I am longing for a decent 5 mins.

I became a year wiser since my last post. Not usually something I really wish to celebrate. I don't 'DO' my birthday. It's not for the usual reason of not wanting to get older either. I have no qualms about getting older, getting wrinkles and spotting grey on my barnet. I loathe being the center of attention for a day......having said that.......the day was a perfect one. With all the birthdays, A LOT of cake has been eaten. Serious quantities.........and the diet needs to start mega soon. Eeeeek.


xxx


31 comments:

  1. every time i pop in here you make me wish i was a crocheter instead of a knitter! november sort of snuck up on me, too----and since IT came so fast i'm fearing december is rushing at us just as quickly and i'm trying to stave off panic!!! no gift ideas at all this year....and i hate to shop. not a good combo. i'm also trying not to let this ruin a perfectly fine autumn!!!! :) happy birthday. enjoy the journey!

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    1. I really want to improve my knitting, but I'm so slow and it's frustrating! If I can conquer my fear of stitch dropping then I think I might be able to go a little quicker! I love the flexibility of knitting. Crochet is better suited to just blankets and accessories. Garments are so much nice knitted. I shall persevere!

      I am trying not to panic too but it's incredible the speed at which time is going at the moment. Eeeek x

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  2. Happy belated Birthday wishes. It's my birthday today and I'm thoroughly enjoying it, even though the weather is miserable. Looking forward to some sparklers later with a good warm supper - and cake!!! Can't wait to see your Bright Scarf!

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    1. Oh.........a big Happy Birthday to you today my lovely! I hope you have some lovely things planned for today, and I'm glad the grotty weather isn't spoiling it for you xxxxxxxx

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  3. is that Wendover woods by any chance?
    I hear you with the not wanting to be the centre of attention for a day! which is why for the second year running (and hoping for it to become more regular) we just booked to go to Derbyshire for my birthday weekend with my parents and my brother on a walking weekend. Its the thing I love to do in a place I love to be with people I love being with, but its just that. a walking weekend, not a centre of attention day!

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    1. No, it's not Wendover Woods. It's a Forestry Commision close to where I live. I think many Forestry Commisions have the Gruffalo carvings on their walks. A lovely sight. A Birthday walking weekend sounds lovely. I love low key! x

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  4. Belated Happy Birthday wishes to you! I so agree with you about how quickly this year is swooshing by. So much to do every day...mostly fun.

    xo

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  5. So glad the birthday was a good one! Mine would slip by if the family didn't remind me of it. lol Lovely slippers, and I look forward to seeing the new hot water bottle covers and the scarf. Time IS passing way too quickly! It WILL be Christmas before we know it, and I have barely started! I foresee another mad dash this year, oh well, that is the norm for me these days. : / Enjoy the day!

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    1. I'm trying so hard not to have the mad dash this year. I'd love to enjoy December for a change! x

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  6. Beautiful. I love the little house, where is it from? I'm feeling a little Christmas village this year but I'm definitely going to have to do it gradually, I'm sure James would have other ideas if I were to tell him my plans hehee.

    And those slippers, I seriously need to learn how to crochet, they are beautiful.

    Glad you had a lovely birthday, there is certainly nothing wrong with too much cake :)

    Love Gem x x x
    Gem'sCountryLifeDream

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    1. The little house if from John Lewis. They had about 3 or 4 different types, and they look so nice lit in the evening. I'm all for warm glows in the evenings at this time of year. x

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  7. Gorgeous pics as usual! I hope this holiday season is lower-stress and full of fun for you and your family. I am starting now to get ready for it all in hopes that I can just enjoy it when it comes!

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    1. Oh yes, I think it would be lovely to just enjoy it all for a change! x

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  8. hi lovely v, yes family is most important and that sometimes gets lost between the wrapping and gifts and stress...but like you, we just buy lots of small tree gifts...nothing big and fancy just fun and thoughtful ;0)...last year i did my mum a hamper and my sis a small carry basket full of small jars and crackers and sweet things...so much cheaper but looked a lot more thoughtful. Christmas last year was 'hell' working in retail until boxing day and only having christmas day off i just felt cheated and sad not to get quality time with loved ones and that meant more than gifts. this year i hope to have a few days extra and spend time with loved ones. we have a lot of birthdays too including me and my sis and two brothers december and january...enjoy the lead up and big loves xxxx

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    1. I hope you get to have a more relaxed one this year my lovely. I love the hamper ideas. Last year was a mega stressful Christmas in my world, and this year I am working around Christmas, so I need to be more organised than usual! xxx

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  9. Happy belated birthday Vanessa! Hope you had a lovely one. I did a double take when I saw your pom pom slippers as I've made a pair for myself in the exact same colour way! It's such a great wee pattern isn't it? I've made another 4 pairs and needless to say all the females in my family will be getting pom pom slippers for Christmas!
    Marianne x

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    1. It's a great pattern, and they are so quick and satisfying to make aren't they? I'm not sure though that any of my female relatives would appreciate them though, so they are all being made for me!!!!!!! x

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  10. Lovely with a new post!!! And Happy Birthday a little late!!! Glad you had a good day! Im like you...in that way I dont like big celebrations of MY birthday because I do NOT like to be the center of attention either.....So usually its just our little family and thats the best!
    I have to my own surprise not been thinking much at all about christmas yet....some years I take out my old christmasy magazines and look through quite early in the fall.....but not this fall.....hope I get into it soon because here in Sweden its just only about 3 weeks till first of Advent......
    This past years I think that its been the THOUGHT of christmas and the fun preparations that got me longing for it....but it is almost always a somewhat stressful thing when we try to get everything together a few days before christmas, wich we celebrate on dec 24 here.....This year Im off from work so I hope I will get things done in time. Like you said, the most important thing about it really is FAMILY, wether its a small or big one.....Not to bee too nosy but do you work or are you a stay at home mum?
    Anyway I hope you will have a good time preparing for the holidays!!!
    Jeanette :)

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    1. It's funny isn't it how some people really don't like to be made a fuss of, and some just love it! It's just not for me either Jeanette. I stopped buying Christmas magazines several years ago. Do you know, I just found them depressing! I loved all the inspiring pictures, but ultimately, they made me feel inadequate, as my run up was always rushed, and everything was never quite 'there' in the christmas stakes. I hated the extra burden that they put on me, so I stopped buying them and that took the pressure off! I just try and concentrate on family, and making it as special and homely for the Bears as I can. I used to work when the Bears were very young, then I took a few yerars out to be a stay at home mum. Now the Bears are a bit older I am working again, so less time to fit everything in! x

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  11. Well happy birthday to you! I hope things slow down enough for you to at least get to sip your cuppa! I'm starting to get that twinge of panic since the calendar flipped to November. I'm about half done with my holiday shopping and always try to finish before December. I am not at all pleased with the way our November has filled up but am trying to protect December so I can spend it cozy, crafting and watching Christmas movies. Must stay strong and turn down as many invitations as possible. That is a sanity saver for me!

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    1. Thanks Jen, I like the idea of getting it all done in November. I think that is what I am aiming for this year, just so that I can enjoy December for a change and the run up to Christmas. I always feel it's such a shame that such a lovely part of the year is so stressful and not enjoyable. xxx

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  12. Happy belated birthday to you Vanessa! Glad you enjoyed half term week with your men. It's mild in The Netherlands too. Feels more like late summer than autumn....

    Lovely slippers!

    A string of fairy lights is already around my mirror. The first sign of Christmas in our family :-)

    Have a great weekend!

    Madelief x

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    1. Thank you Madelief!

      Oh I just love Fairy lights! xxx

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  13. Happy Birthday!!! I hope that you have a great rundown to Christmas with lots of relaxed times. Your present strategy sounds like a good one! xx

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    1. Thank you Amy. It would be so nice to enjoy it all for a change! x

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  14. I know what you mean - I feel like mentally I am gearing up for Christmas now, even though it's a while off yet. Making lists, planning, shopping. Wishing I could make, not having time to make much. I like the sound of your bright scarf very much, I look forward to seeing that. x

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    1. I really want to be organised and just enjoy the December days and Christmas cheer! x

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  15. Happy birthday to you! Sounds like a lovely way to spend a day. I am so determined to enjoy the festive time before Christmas, so maybe I should start to get organised! Though first I have to make those slippers...

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