T'was The Night Before Christmas

Santa's sleigh

 

Mr B went to Iceland for a Pina Colada Dome, batteries for Big Mouth Billy Bass and a dress from boohoo.com

I've got some DiSaronno but I'm not sure what it is,

cheese footballs some cat food and a bottle of Bucks Fizz.

 

I'm writing a list and checking it twice just like it says in the song.

 

We started the After Eights last night,

I knew they wouldn't last long!

The evening's dark, the days are short, the weather gets you down,

We paid a ten pound deposit on a two kilo turkey crown.

 

The cards got posted, second class, just on the final day

Mrs B bought some market clamps - to stop the gazebo blowing away!

 

So, never mind the decorations are still all boxed and stacked

I haven't bought any presents, so there's nothing left to wrap.

 

 



Christmas Day 2013

Feet up after dinner!

We didn't eat until this evening...giving us enough time to work up an appetite!

So much so, there isn't actually a picture of the dinner itself; you'll just have to take my word for it that it was very tasty!

Festive Versace head; cup of brandy butter with obligatory vintage cake decorations; a very Grinch-like Tabby, really not getting into the spirit of things; table & piano; Wol and Rudolph on our 'minimal woodland' tree; feet up; origami Santa and toadstool on tree.

Mr B has just made me a cup of coffee and I feel an After Eight moment coming on!

 

Happy Christmas!

Z & Mr B

xxxx



 

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all love and good health during the festive season.

 

Z xx

The Holidays Are In My Town

What's this? Who came to Northampton?

 

 

He even has his own number plate!

 

 

Oh Yes! The Holidays are in my town!

 

 

Woop woop!

Now I'm feeling really festive!

Z xx

Make The World Better With A Sweater

It was 'wear your Christmas sweater to work' day today apparently. 

 

 

So, having 'youtubed' one of Ditsy Sprinkles fave Chrimbo songs that I didn't know, (The Chipmunks one, if you're wondering), I found a whole heap of 'go-go' songs including this wonderful version of 'Boots'.

 

Well, if they're not wearing a rather snappy collection of Christmassy jumpers, (and very little else!),

well, I'll eat my....sweater!

 

a waxwork version...can you believe it?

(I do think they mean a festive number a la Bridget Jones; but look at all that shimmering going on. Let alone the shimmying!)

 

Personally, I'd prefer an invite to Penny's Best Christmas Jumper party in Miranda! The greatest TV that Patricia Hodge has ever done IMHO!!

 

Such fun!

Z xx

My Fave Bedding

 Yehaw!

 

 

I do love this bedding set.

 

It's by Nick & Nora, from Target (USA), from a few years back.

 



 

It has a fitted sheet, a top sheet and 2 pillowcases, so I use a pale pink duvet cover with matching pillowcases to bump it up.

 

Mr B knows my tastes too well!

Z xx



Holidays Are Coming...Holidays Are Here!

Well, in Birmingham, actually!

 

MK Winter Wonderland

 Gosh, I haven't been to Milton Keynes for years. 

 

So, to go when they have decorated for Christmas is a particularly good time to visit.

 

 

 

More twinkling lights than you can shake a stick at, as the saying goes!

 

 

A 'cheeky little something' for supper at Jonny Loulous' with a turkey and cranberry sauce filled crusty baguette.

 

That big bag in the background?? That's my Chrimbo pressie! Which we opened last night!!

Want to know what it is?

Zxx

Prettimas

 

Six squid for 100 ever-so-pretty, sturdy and specially shaped paper chains.

 

My surprise find yesterday at Jonny Loulou, Milton Keynes.

 

I am soooo in love with these it's sad!

Zxx



Janices' Twelve Days of Christmas

 

My gift to you, my lovelies!

Zxx

I Made This

When I was in Plymouth I did my little foray to Dunelm Mill. We don't have one near us at home so it's like a little treat for me which takes a couple of buses to get to. There is a Hobbycraft next door so I have to have a little snoop around there too! Which is where I found these Jesse James beads. I was so wanting to make them into a bracelet and picked out findings, thread and some extra beads that I put in a pot. But, no, you can't buy just a few beads....you have to buy a pot-full that starts at £4.99 - £7.99.

So, I just kept these and finally, with a few bits from my stash I made this. 

I used earring wires and cut and twisted them into 'links', joining the next one before closing the loop. I'm really chuffed how it worked; so much so I never took it off the first night I mad it!!

How many of you remember this, from the end credits of the TV version of the X Files?

One of those 'bits' we would always join in with.

Now it's The Big Bang Theory theme song and I'm looking forward to a double bill tonight!

(Hope the neighbours can't hear me!)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

to all my American readers.

Z xx

Lap Land

Today I...

 

Today I was going to go to the Fair and my local butchers' and greengrocers'.

But I didn't.

 

Instead, I made our Christmas cake, which is cooking away as I type.

 

 

 

I wore my new Christmas Cats apron. I do believe that Santa has found a matching mug and coaster set; guess I know what I'll be drinking my festive hot drinks in!!!

 

Having popped the cake in the oven and done a mountain of washing up I had a sit down with a coffee and a couple of slices of this Weetabix cake, which I bought from the Village Fair last Saturday.

I was a tad unsure, I mean, Weetabix cake? But so pleased I took the plunge...it is totally yummy. A dense, filled with fruit tea loaf with no hint of the breakfast cereal.

I've been have a slice as my 'breakfast' each morning. A pretty good way to start the day!

 

Right, I'm off to have a gawp at my cake.

Have a great weekend!

Z xx

A Nifty Thrifty Idea

Now that there is a chill in the air, it is time for me to swap to 'winter curtain mode'.

 

The long mustard velvet curtains go up in the bedroom and thermal linings are attached too!

 

The last couple of years I have tacked in these...

 



 

 ...an unused quilted mattress cover, cut in half and just caught in with tacking along the curtain tape.

 

But this year, after a trip to Abakhan in Manchester, I upgraded them with bias tape to finish the edges and some lightweight slotted tape at the top.

 

Simple, cosy and a lot more professional looking in the front room!

Just right!

 And not costing a lot of pennies or time.

Z xx 

The Village Christmas Fair

view to the old school hall

a hearty welcome

view from the hall to the church

 

I'm Having A Fergie Moment*

I recently painted my toenails with Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate.

 

 

Suck my toes!

 

Nah! Not a wholesome idea!! It is in fact one of the adorable Leighton Denny nail varnish colours, On Parade.

 

 

Ooo, what colour next? Red for Christmas seems a bit predictable.

Ideas please?

Zxx

 

*The toe-sucking photos  (for those of you too young to remember!) 

In January 1992, after six years of marriage, Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew agreed to separate. In August, photographs of the Duchess sunbathing topless with John Bryan, an American financial manager, appeared on the front of the Daily Mirror. He could be seen kissing her feet.

 

All info/picture from The Telegraph



Oh yes, icky, icky, icky!

Isn't it rumoured that her and her ex-husband are getting back together?

I once had to 'be' Fergie(!). Whilst working at Chelsea Design Co, I was the nearest to her size and had to try on a dress we were making for her, sticking my bum out to get the right shape!
Oh yeah... I've lived  I  'ave!

The Holidays Are Coming!



Shrieks out loud, all round, please!

 

 

Saw it for the first time this evening!

Woop! Woop!

Oh, yes!

 

Happy weekend

Z xx

Pearl Shots - the firework



 

This is what we found in our £4.99 bargain box from Aldi. I have written a 'Post for Pearl', but now I've found a firework too! 



 

 Me and Mr B had a little party for 2 with homemade potato salad and coleslaw.

 

 

Everyones' favourite...cheese and pineapple on sticks!

(Check out my groovy salad servers too!)

Carry on Camping beakers. (That's a pound, Mr Fiddler)

Plus the obligatory mini sausage rolls from Iceland.

 

Extra fireworks enjoyed via The Saints Rugby Ground! Hurrah!

Zxx



Un-packing List

I always write my 'packing list' after I've come home. I put down what I took, adding in if I didn't wear it. 

*Gold coat is not as gold as it sounds! But I know which coat I mean

I've got these lists going back years; they don't change much. Plymouth in March is pretty much the same as Plymouth at the end of October!

Most of the time!

 

I remember when Vix was doing her last trip abroad and I commented her she had got it down to such a fine art that she could fit all she needed for 3 weeks into a wash bag! A slight exaggeration, I know, but as she replied, it is SO awkward packing for the UK. You need to cover all bases...wind, rain, sun and, on our earlier return trip this year, snow! 

 

I try and sort out 'little outfits' than can be layered up and down depending on the weather. I need to try and pack something smart-ish for going to see the show; can't let the side down and go in looking like a tramp.

 

That happened once to me and I felt really uncomfortable!

I'd gone to 'The Wells' to drop off a costume I'd been working on for a friend for this gala he was taking part in with Diana, Princess of Wales, as Guest of Honour. I'd turned up in sweatpants etc and then was asked if I wanted a guest ticket. Well, I wasn't going to say no, was I?

So, there I was, tucked in the audience, looking like a bag lady, surrounded by bods all dressed up to the nines! It's funny now, but I did feel a bit mortified then!

 

Who'd have thought, a couple of years later I would be stitching stuff for PoW, (as we called her), myself?

Certainly not me!

 

Funny, this thing called Life, eh?

Zxx

 

Bus Stop With A View

A choice of views from one of the bus stops that I use to go into Plymouth city centre!

Even better coming home last night...the driver had to stop up on the Esplanade,  by the Gary Rhodes' restaurant,  as he was going to be too early at the next stop; oh, what a view.

Mind you, a couple of minutes later, when I got off the bus - phew, I had trouble standing upright, it was so windy. And the rain...got soaked on the 30 second walk home!

By the time you read this we should be on the train home.

'Til next year!

Z xx

When I'm 64

I had to take a sneaky snap of this couple, who came and sat in the theatre foyer this afternoon,  whilst I was waiting for Mr B.

I looked at them and hope this will be us at their age.

Happy days!

Z xx

Misty/Murky

A bit different than the other photo!

Damping, as an old theatre digs landlady, from Plymouth, used to call it. That drizzly, damp weather.

The mist rolling in off the sea, at times so thick you can't actually see across to the other side of the inlet. This is where the big ferries dock, coming in from France and Spain, (I think). Giant white beauties that defy the idea of being able to float. And that wonderful honking noise as they leave for yet another Channel crossing.

Today was supposed to be a trip to Totnes,  but was spent eating yummy toasted bacon baps and drinking Americanos at the local cafe.

Way to go!

Z xx

Heaven On Earth

Driving myself nuts trying to post from my tablet. So, just a "postcard" from Plymouth, to say 'hello' and let y'all know I'm still in the land of the living!!

(And it's taken me all week to get this done! Just how many things does it take to download just to be able to blog?)

Shoe Symposium

 

Fabulous time spent at Northampton Shoe Museum today, courtesy of Pearl.
Thank you, and all who made it possible.
More to follow...
Z xx

Edible Earrings

 

 

Teeny weeny bunches of home grown grapes

 

 Madeline Angevine.

Taste so sweet.

Maybe next year I might be able to get them to grow a little big bigger!

Zxx

Oaty Goodness

 

My fave 'oaty ' recipe from Lucy at Attic 24.

(And check out all her beauteous creations and colour-loveliness while you're there)

 

 

With added almond slivers and coconut shavings. Which I toasted beforehand in a skillet. Makes them so much more tasty.

 

 

A rather solid slab of flapjack!

 

 

Could find my usual recipe, which, really, I should know by heart. So, I tried one from Anthea Turner's "The Perfect Christmas" (The most pretentious video ever...worth watching for the 'curl-up-with-embarrassment' factor, but quite a nice book really!); a bargain find at TK Maxx ages ago.

 

This had shredded coconut in which is okay but with no timings given it was a bit-play-it-by-ear; I think if I'd put it into 2 baking dishes rather than the 8" one suggested, making it thinner, it would've been so much nicer. But it won't go to waste...these are the only ways you'll get me to eat porridge oats, so it's a pretty good breakfast meal!

 

I've been rather unsociable blog-wise recently. Stinky cold-type thing and feeling as though I've fallen at the third hurdle of my CBT, so not been in the best of places since coming home.

 

But...cooking, at least that's a start!

Z xx