Happy New Year!

Well its that day again, the last one of 2010! As many of you said 'where did that year go?'. Never been a big New Years eve person, it just means the decorations have to come down soon, boo hoo. So it will be spent like Christmas, with my family, at home and some goodies to drink and eat. How will the first day of 2011 be? Same again please! Its a good enough formula for me. Then sunday......go on....same again, why not?

To end, a massive thank you to all the Bloggers I follow and all your good selves too, you brighten my days.

Happy New Year, enjoy!

Merry Christmas

My daughter's tree, she sure likes Hello Kitty.

Have a lovely Christmas everyone.

Amanda and the bears x

Snow.....it looks nice...but

Hi everyone.......that blooming white stuff. Set off for work but turned back and I live on a main road! That feeling when you put your brakes on and you keep going. Still others have it loads worse and then there is the airport closures, terrible.

I'm determined to get there later and will set off early, the roads seem better now. So ta ta for now and I'll leave you with some of my Christmas decor photos.

Yum yum yay!

Look what I won! It was Julie's giveaway at Vintage and Cake. I was only telling hubby about her Blog and business last saturday. My daughter is a good sponge maker and I emailed her the link. That makes her seem as if she lives away, she just lives in her bedroom LOL I'll so enjoy them, well one, got to share. Its not often I have cake

Yum yum yay!

Panic over, well mostly

My mum and dad both have birthdays in December so Christmas gifts are even harder as you use some ideas up for the birthdays. I like to get things they will like but won't necessarily buy themselves. Town was so busy, I think everyone stayed in over the weekend and went out today. I popped into Matalan and got these bargains. I will fill the large lantern with fake snow and the baubles. At least there is a bit more for mum and dad. Not quite there yet but hopefully a trip to Dunelm will see me finished. Well not quite I still need to......better get that list going!

21 Christmas questions....

Annie at The Felt Fairy blogged about this and I thought it would be fun to do. Just link back if you would like to join in.

1: Wrapping paper of gift bags?........Wrapping paper and it has to match my decor!

2: Real tree or artificial?........Artificial. Although I like real trees I have 6 trees up, so it would be too expensive. My latest one was a feather tree for my summerhouse.

3: When do you put up the tree?...... As I have to do a lot, I start the beginning of December.

4: When do you take the tree down?.......Usually 2nd January.

5: Favourite gift received as a child?........I can't really think of one. I used to have a stocking/pillowcase and my most favourite thing in that was a cocoa cola can radio. I switched it on and Silent night was playing.

6: Hardest person to buy for?........Hubby as if we want something we get it and at Christmas we don't buy gifts for each other for the sake of it. This year he does'nt really want anything so its even harder.

7: Easiest person to buy for?.......Me! Because I know what I like. Thats why I tend to get Christmas money.

8: Mail or email Christmas cards?........With cards I'm a bit of bah humbug so I do like to send ecards, more fun. I do send a few 'real' ones too.

9: Favourite Christmas movie?.......I do like Christmas Carol ones. I prefer things like Dr Who Christmas special or Christmas versions of things like Fools and Horses and the Royale Family.

10: When do you start shopping for Christmas?.......December.

11: Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?........Yes......

12: Favourite things to eat at Christmas?.......Its got to be the actual Christmas lunch.

13: Lights on the tree, coloured or clear?........Clear.

14: Favourite Christmas song?.......Last Christmas by Wham.

15: Travel at Christmas or stay home?......Stay home.

16: Angel, fairy, star or ribbon on top of the tree?.......A mixture. In the lounge its feathers, kitchen its a rustic star and conservatory a tall bauble type topper.

17: Opening presents Christmas eve or morning?.......Morning.

18: Most annoying thing about this time of year?.......People saying 'Are you done yet?' NOOOO! Don't you know I'm not that organised.

19: What do you want for Christmas this year?........Like Annie I buy what I want but enjoy my few surprises. I would like things that go in my summerhouse, to make it look nice.

20: Traditional colours like red and green or others?........Everything has to match and most years I change colours. This year the lounge theme is black feathers, with gold, silver and crystals. The kitchen is red and white. The conservatory, old gold, purple and brown, sounds odd but it works. The summerhouse was a mix. I'll post piccies another day. I love seeing everyones decor.

21: I'll add one......custard, brandy cream or fresh cream with your Christmas pud?......fresh cream.

The winner is...

Leny!

Thanks to all that entered. I did the very technical names on paper and my hubby drew one out. Why not pop over to Leny's Blog. Shes a collector of bears and now makes some lovely creations.

Giveaway....

Well I was looking through my fabric stash and found a head! OK I'm very naughty, start a bear then never finish it. I thought what a shame, so....turned it into a Christmas ornament. Its about the size of a tennis ball.

If you would like her, please leave a comment. If you're a follower let me know and I'll put you in twice, if you Blog about it, thats another chance and if I follow you LOL thats another. The draw will be on sunday 19th. Open worldwide.

Mince pies.....yummy

I posted about this recipe last year but for those that would like it, here it is. Its the most wonderful shortbread type pastry. These were a little rushed but as they are the first batch they get eaten straight away and not shared! The recipe is enough for two dozen so I froze half the pastry. 

Traditional Christmas mince pie recipe