NO NO NO

(that's as opposed to HO HO HO)

our week began with some photos. for our christmas card.

but no smiles. not my usual no worries to pose girl.

later on...horrible high temperatures.

a birthday party missed. tears and scary hives.

i had a moment of understanding the children and animals thing.

we abandoned project card!
and there are always 1st class stamps.

i am glad to say that with a lot of cuddles and calpol and time on the sofa together with toy story we are seeing our girl get back to her bouncy self.
and right on time for december...so much to be excited and be well for this month!

tree goes up tomorrow.

day one dairy-free advent calendar. a fairy. (bizarre...with a bare bottom?)
verdict on the chocolate? reject.
but it's only day one. and she has been poorly.


happy december everyone! have you started playing the tunes yet?
my annual treat. a new festive album. this year this one.

FESTIVELY THINKING

my mind is full of card ideas.
 
i have started a quilt...the fantastic little forest one as seen here a few years back. looking forward to stitching a few trees each night then hanging it on the wall when we put up our tree. as soon as december comes...can't wait. elsa has already spotted the decorations box. umm it never made it up into the roof...

i feel quite inspired to somehow turn one of the squares into the card. maybe. i am very bad at going with one idea straight off...wondering if i could think of something better.

no picture of our elf this year. but i must get on to sorting out one of the 3 of us to go inside.


have you seen the john lewis advert?

i love it. beautifully filmed and a song i adore. but it also makes me scared...because it somehow is a wake up call to being a grown up. a parent with ercol kitchen chairs? my daughter's spotty dressing gown? original fan of the smiths? step forward target market mummy. oh well i don't think i will get fed up of seeing it on telly unlike all the other commercials.

looking forward to making the christmas cake with my mum this week. how about you?

IRIS + TOAST

i am loving blue and brown right now.

i did buy yellow jeans but no not for me. too trendy? i don't know but they went back. swapped for iris.

enjoying more drawing today for a special friend's birthday. it feels so good to be doodling again.

boudoir fingers (funny name no?) which are forever to us are known as ben biscuits (my brother's childhood favourite) have been shared out between me and the girl. dipped in coffee for me. nibbled on as a treat for the girl on a drizzly thursday. we watched the piglet movie...a carly simon sing-a-long. elsa is currently enchanted by music. and tigger. her bouncing knows no boundaries.

thank you so much for your kind words about my grandma...it really means a lot. x

NIGHT TIME INK

 

i've been putting together a little symbol of autumn tonight. for my grandma who passed away last week.

it feels surreal to say she has gone. she is all around me. this season was her very favourite.

a september birthday. these colours she loved to wear and suited her better than anyone.

i could not have wished for a more loving person to be in my life. she made me feel incredibly safe and inspired and happy just by being there and being with me. even when i was a grown up it felt good to feel like a grandchild...uncomplicated even when things were so very serious.

we are making a bookmark for everyone to keep at the service as a little keepsake. so tonight i am drawing and thinking and enjoying doing something small for her.

BLACK AND WHITE

a weekend with a wedding. another cushion. a headpiece re-visted.
angry anderson entrance music!
and a first halloween party. our kitten was a little nervous but later found her tiger feet.
two late nights and sugar highs. don't forget the clocks go back.
where did october go?

POM POM PART DEUX

we got to spend this wednesday with very precious people.
uncle b and auntie s came a-visiting and brought gifts from greece.

elsa now has the most amazing pair of slippers to match their's!

i am naturally feeling jealous and have already sought out the minas website so i can get my feet cosy too and firmly in the slipper club.

AUTUMN FOR REAL

well hello october! 

one week in and our autumn is now back to itself again after a crazy hot start. just 5 days ago my little girl was splashing about in the paddling pool.

now it is tights weather. and i am pleased. time to pack away our summer clothes and get cosy. don't get me wrong it was brilliant to kick the leaves about in sandals and take a picnic amongst the conkers...but with a new season there is something so very nice about different food-clothes-living.

i am knitting scarves for elsa. i am very much a novice with the needles and with a brain that doesn't seem to be able to compute patterns...knit and purl are about my limit. they are also nice and quick and should last her a few years! but is it wrong to think i may be able to convince my husband that he'll look good in a 4 ply tie for christmas?

i plan to sport a knitted headband about the village.

pom-pom making is also a go-go.

are you getting geared up for porridge and soup and stews? have you donned your uggs and lit the stove yet? what a lovely time of year this is. i feel very inspired and glad to be back blogging.

thank you so much sweet kerry...who has helped me by juggling and clearing up my space here. you are a star! a few more corners to dust down but it is a good place to be again.

ok. off to lay the fire and get ready for a weekend of rugby-pancakes-sparkles.

hope you have a nice one too.