It's on the Way

I'm not a great fan of Christmas. I can't stand all those crowds and seeing all those naff presents in the shops. But buying the Christmas edition of the Radio Times is one of those traditions that rates along with buying the tree each December. I've been very restrained and haven't even opened it yet, but I'm already anticipating the goodies that await us over the festive period. My favourite film The Railway Children must be in there along with Doctor Who and a Harry Potter. Mr. F and I will probably be fighting to read it first, but there is always consensus when it comes to choosing what we must watch. We never see anything on Christmas Day, but know what is a must on catch up t.v. and we'll enjoy searching out those feel good programmes and old black and white films that get hidden away in the schedules. There's nothing like cosying in on a dark December afternoon with an Ealing comedy, a little tipple and some Christmas chocolate or my absolute favourite...amaretti soffici.Just the thing after a long walk over Kinver Edge. I'd love you tell me your guilty(or not so guilty) tv pleasure over the Christmas period. We're really busy at the moment trying to decorate. Most of the house needs redecorating, but things move slowly in the Funkyhouse. For 18 months now, the books from the study (spare bedroom) have been boxed up and living in my bedroom, so that the study can be redecorated. It's taken a long time
to get to the stage where we can choose wallaper.




I was all for for a pale, modern look but both Mr. F and Teenage Boy insisted that we had to keep a warm and cosy look. Outnumbered again, I gave in and we have found something dark and cosy.It's not all papered yet. Fancy a sneaky peek?


Hopefully it will be finished by next weekend as it will be another full weekend as we need to buy a tree. It's one of the few outings we get with Teenage Boy these days, as he loves to help choose a tree. It's quite a decision some times and we cannot buy one without our young man's approval. Have a good week., I hope your festive preparations are going well.

Going With the Flow

From February 2011

There's nothing for it this week but to go with the flow. I've got the week off work and things I'd like to do. I'd like to get these colourful polys planted up into their lovely wicker basket but as you can see it's very wet. I don't garden in the wet. In the cold yes, but wet, no. But they'll wait until another day.

From February 2011

Teenage Boy went out of the house early this morning to do his paper round. 'Is it o.k if my mate comes around early this morning?' he asks absently. 'Yeh o.k' is my reply, thinking that the friend in question is not known for being an early riser and would probably turn up at about ten o'clock. No, he arrives at 8.20am, before Teenage Boy is back home from delivering newspapers. Good job I didn't decide to have a lie in then.LOL. Luckily, Teenage Boy's friend is a nice young man and can make himself at home. When Teenage Boy is breakfasted I think maybe it would be a good idea to clean the bathroom, so I begin industriously cleaning the bath, the basin etc when Teenage Boy appears and says 'I need a shower now'. All my work undone, yet again. Perhaps I won't do any cleaning today then. Good decision - as other friends arrive leaving their muddy trainers in various locations in the house....as well as a trail of mud. I give up, find my lovely Nigel Slater book

From February 2011

and bake a coffee and walnut cake instead. It's not complete until Teenage Boy and teenage boys have left the house, so it will last longer than a couple of hours and I can hide it until Mr. F. gets home.

From February 2011

So, this afternoon, I'm not going to try and acheive anything. I'll finish that bar of posh chocolate I was given for Valentine's Day.

From February 2011

Enjoy a nice cup of tea.

From February 2011

Watch one of the dvds I was given at Christmas.

From February 2011

Or I just might listen to some lovely music.

From February 2011

Whilst I catch up on some reading

From February 2011

Not forgetting that chocolate.

I'd love to know how you cope with half term. Do you battle on as usual or give in and go with the flow?

Unexpected Snowfall

I've been listening to the radio this morning. Presenters are taking phone calls from from people who have seen upto 14 inches of snow. Well, it's bloomin cold here in the West Midlands and I'm not particularly fond of snow but I am beginning to feel left out now. Don't get me wrong, if I'm snowed in tomorrow and can't get to the hairdresser I'll be mightily displeased but today, when I don't have to go out particularly, well perhaps a litle of the white stuff might be quite nice. I bought the jigsaw last weekend intending to keep it until Christmas as a little something to do inbetween all that eating. However, it is proving difficult to resist and as I no longer have Downton abbey or The Pilllars of the Earth to keep me out of trouble... well I might just have to unwrap it.




I have walked into town this morning and for once the charity shops came up trumps and I found this beautiful tablecloth. I love its cheerfully embroidered flowers, just right to brighten up a day of leaden skies. I also found this bright jingly jangly heart that does sound very like the bells on Santa's sleigh. I was extremely norty because I couldn't resist this little red heart either.




I thought you might like to meet our new pets. They came all the way from Ikea and will go on the Christmas tree eventually. At the moment though they do like exploring the house and keep popping up all over the place. Today, they're in the kitchen having agood old nose around. Thankfully, they've not discovered the biscuit tin yet.



Well, I think it's the kind of afternoon to spend with a pot of tea



in front of a snuggly, cosy fire.


I bought this for Christmas too. Do you think I would be very very norty if I opened it now?

Have a great weekend, I'd love to know what you're up to.

A Week to Myself

Yes, it's true. I've had a week's holiday from work all to myself. I've been into work some extra Saturdays and done some training to be able to lead walks for the public. That's meant I've ended up with loads of time owing and course I picked this week to have the time back, primarily because of the England game on Wednesday. (Huge sighs of relief on that front).

The weekend began with a trip to lovely Shrewsbury and my first visit to Vintage. Just look at that oh so inviting display in the window and on the pavement. Well, I couldn't pass it by now could I? The shop is mainly vintage with a few new items and is really attractively laid out despite its small size. Needless to say, I didn't come away empty handed. Have a look at my goodies. A pretty plate




another pretty plate



and a huge bar of French lavender soap.



Although I think the bargain of the day must have been the new pair of Birkenstocks from the QVC shop for only ten pounds.



This glorious weather has meant that I've actually been able to enjoy the garden





and pick some pretties to display in the house





along with some beauties from the local Waitrose.



I've also kept Mr F and Josh happy by baking yummy lemon drizzle






and the more exotic red velvet cupcakes





from this fantastic book.




Yesterday I took the train to Worcester and found a few goodies there. A new CK bag to feed my spotty obsession.



Also feeding my spot obsession was this bargain scarf at three pounds.



You might have noticed my fondness for anything Union flag related



it was a bargain - really!

I've also made a new button necklace from some vintage coat buttons. Larger than I usually use, but I've already had some sweet comments about it.



Tomorrow, I'm off to the hairdressers for some pampering and on Sunday - well, it will be a very stressful afternoon watching our boys pasting the Germans! Don't underestimate us Mr Beckenbauer.

Back at work next week for a rest I think.


Not sure they'll like it if I turn up in PJs.

Making me Happy

Oh I have missed my computer! After four weeks it's working again and I can do all the things that I've missed so much. I've already had some much needed retail therapy and now it's time for me to catch up with all you lovely ladies. I've tried to keep up with your blogs whilst I'm at work but it's very difficult as even though I'm using my lunch time to catch up with everyone the time is monitored as well as the sites we use. So all in all I feel quite uncomfortable using their p.c.s and as a result I've missed you all.

I was so happy to get the computer back and looking forward to sharing the photos I'd taken with you of the places we had visited and of the garden as it has sprung back into life. So as I settled down to upload my pictures yesterday I anticipated sharing loveliness with you and making up for lost time in blogging terms. However, just as the pictures had been uploaded and then deleted from the camera - the heavy rain outside turned into a thunderstorm and a power surge turned the p.c off for a few seconds - not long - but long enough to lose all my pictures! Maybe I should give up blogging now!

So today, I have very little to show you in the form of pictures. No pictures of my garden looking pretty or of elegant Berrington Hall or historic Hellens where we spent a couple of lovely days last week. Instead, just a few pictures of the things giving me plesaure today. Best of all, my Alys Fowler book arrived this morning. I have missed this series so much since it finished. I am hoping that they will put it out on dvd so I can watch it again and again and probably get something new from it on each occasion.



Also making me happy today - seeing the jolly cushions I made a few weeks ago, in the garden arbour


and being able to chill in there with my delicious new book.



Colourful teatowels that make the washing up a little less of a chore




my new, old tin,



Sweet William,




and new mugs for the picnic basket from Waitrose. I'm sure that we'd actually got plenty of mugs in the cupboard that could have fitted the picnic basket but these just said 'buy me'. Don't tell Mr F!

And the thing that's making me happy most of all?...........................Being back in the world of blog of course!

Catching Up

I've finally got chance to pop in and say hello. I want to say a big thank you to everyone who left comments on the last post. They certainly made me feel that I shouldn't give up blogging and should keep going, even if I can only find time sporadically.




I'm couldn't be accused of being the most prolific blogger and I just haven't felt the inclination, even to read many blogs at the moment.



The weather really has had an effect on me this winter and I really cannot wait to be sat in the garden with a cuppa/glass of wine, listening to the birds singing with a little warmth from the sun on my face. We have been out and about but I've been very naughty and not taken the camera with me. Last weekend saw us take a trip to Ludlow and I loved it despite the bitterly cold wind that chilled our hands and feet and saw my poor little nose glowing red like a beacon. I had a lucky day there and found a lovely green cordurouy skirt for just twelve pounds and a sweet little tin from Emma Bridgewater that has been duly filled with home made shortbread this weekend. Sunday meant a trip to Bridgnorth to collect our newly repaired mantel clock from the antiques centre in High Town and once again I feel comforted having it's regular tick tock accompanying my day, punctuated by its deep, serious chimes on the hour and half hour. My word, it's good to have it back home.



Because I've been lazy and not taken my camera with me everywhere I go, I've not got much in the way of photos to show you today. I hope you don't mind but I've quickly taken some photos of the newly finished kitchen. I'm sorry there's no special styling going on although it is pretty tidy. My promise not to clutter it all up is fading quickly as things creep back in and new acquisitions are discovered, oohed and aaahed over and Mr F saying 'buy it you know you'll regret it if you don't. I'll be a minimalist in my next life!




As you can see, it's still tiny, the aga is still a distant dream and you certainly aint gonna eat Christmas dinner in there



but I'm happy. I have new units and appliances that make me happy to be spending time in there




and I know how lucky I am.





Once again, thank you so much more the wonderful comments on my last post. I hope to begin catching up with everyone soon.