Cheer

This morning seemed darker and wetter than ever. it has been confirmed, what we already knew, that we are in recession. We've been told at work, that there are no job losses for this year but next year...who knows. Well, I'm fed up with trying not to spend money, the darkness, rain and the bloody economy. So when I saw these little beauties I threw caution to the wind, spent some money and provided a little cheer for my home.



Aah! I already feel better for little hint of spring that these precious green shoots bring. Hopefully, in a few weeks time the heady scent of blue and lilac hyacinths will waft through the house and provide some much needed colour and cheerfulness. Something else that cheers me up no end are these little coffee and walnut cupcakes.



I found the recipe for these little cakes in this wonderful book by Kate Shirazi.



There was an article in last April's CL about this lady, who runs a cupcake making business from home. If you pop over to her website cakeadoodledo.co.uk you can see the wonderful creations that she sells.



Her gorgeousl little book has a range of cakes from 'low-faff' (my level) up to 'high-faff' cakes which look far too good to eat. Just take a look here(these two photos are from the book, not my creations sadly.)



and here

...........yum. Well they certainly add a little cheer don't they? (As well as a few inches, but we won't go there).

Listening to this wonderful man perform last night certainly lifted my spirits. Please let me introduce you to Mr. Martin Simpson, winner of the best album in the BBC Folk Awards last year with 'Prodigal Son'.


He was absolutely superb last night. I tried to upload a video for you but alas, Youtube and Blogger don't seem to be talking to each other at present. Martin's song about his father 'Never any Good' took the folk world by storm last year. As the video won't load I'll give you the link here Martin Simpson 'Never any Good'. It's an honest song, not sentimental, but it will give you goosebumps!

I'm off to listen to his album now - that will cheer me up even more!

Have a good weekend everyone.

Recipe for a Perfect Saturday

There's nothing like waking up on a Saturday morning with no-one to please but yourselves. It's bitingly cold outside although there is no frost. It's time to snuggle down in bed with a few good magazines and a mug of steaming hot tea.

Then when it's time to face the day what about a short journey to a local market town with luscious tea rooms


that also has wonderful views from its dining room windows?


It's just the sort of morning that you need a hearty breakfast



and a hot chocolate with all the trimmings.



Scrumptious.

Once breakfast is digested its off to gaze round some wonderful shops.











The wind is becoming increasingly cold and the skies a more intense grey, so we decide to leave the High Town via the steps into Low Town and make our way home.

Where it's a relief to be cosy in front of a warm fire

with tea and cookies.

Catching Up

January - and today is the day when things begin to get back to normal. No more worrying (as usual) about the Christmas meal being edible. It was fine (as usual) but it never stops me fretting! Today I am on my own and it's time to catch up. There are lots of things that have been neglected over the past two weeks and they now need attention. Now, all todays chores are finished and I can have a little r&r and start cross stitching again. Who knows, the chess board might get completed soon. This morning was a bit of a surprise as we woke up to this.



I should have been brave and ventured out for a walk in the local park to take some spectacular photos but no chance - I'm staying put and staying snug and warm today and I won't even venture outdoors for you lovely bloggers. I might however watch my new DVD, which I won in Annie's giveaway at A Saucerful of Secrets. I love old films and being able to snuggle up and watch a Hollywood romance or an Ealing Comedy, and admire the old stars like Bette Davis and Ingrid Bergman and films like The Wicked Lady and Rebecca.I think today is just the sort of day to curl up with a mug of hot chocolate and a good film. I'd love to know if you do the same or which film stars you like to watch.



My wonderful package also included a jar of Green and Blacks Hot Chocolate and best of all, a surprise gift made by Annie herself.



This little brooch is so beautifully made and so individual. I think it will have to kept on display when it's not being worn - so I'm now searching for a little cushion to pin it on, so that it's there for all to see and admire. You must visit Annie's blog and website where you can see her gorgeous home and the beautiful dolls that she makes.

I've got quite a few photos of places we visited over Christmas but thought that today I'd show you some of our Boxing Day walk along the canal.



This is my favourite walk, in summer or winter and it was such a gloriously sunny day you just had to be happy. (Plus the thought of not having to cook a three course meal made me feel even more chirpy!)


As usual there were plenty of brightly coloured narrowboats lined up against the towpath





although today we don't see anyone going through the locks.



It is a day to stay put and keep warm as we watch woodsmoke from the boats curl up from their little chimneys and we see some of the occupants emerge from the cabins to walk down the towpath to the pub.


I'd love a little cottage next to the canal and to be able to watch the boats as they travel along sedately and watch the wildlife in the spring. Of course we see ducklings but we have seen herons and at twilight bats swooping above the water between the trees. All in all I love it here.

Christmas Eve

Rob took this photograph of our town at around 8am this morning. It's still not quite light and the Christmas lights are still sparkling brightly. Shopping is done and Rob has let me off preparing vegetables for tomorrow and I'm here to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I've just taken the ham out of the oven and I'll be making some sticky toffee puddings later today.





The garden has been raided for its supply of ivy. The picture above is of our bedroom and tonight we sleep beneath the fairy lights in our own little grotto!



The advent village is complete with the addition of the church yesterday,



and today, the Christmas tree has been added with its bright lights and is already covered in a sprinkling of fresh snow.




The village remains busy today. The toyshop and sweetshop are both full of children's laughter as they persaude a willing relative to part with their cash. The greengrocer and baker are selling out of their stock quickly and the florist still has a few wreaths for sale for last minute shoppers. Only the dressmaker is quiet today as those little black dresses have been collected and are hanging in wardrobes ready for the parties that begin this evening. The quietest place to be is the church. It looks wonderful at this time of year with the warm glow from its stained glass windows and its magnificent displays of winter greenery. Tonight it will be the focal point for the villagers as there is only standing room left for latecomers for the midnight service.



Merry Christmas everyone. Hope yours is a good one.

Anticipation

This week has been a week of anticipation in the funkyhouse. Of course there is all the usual excitement and busyness of the festive season. But we have also had the anticipation of a new roof being put on the house. It's been a long time coming and I'm relieved to see the new slates going on now. Here are a couple of views

before

and after.



Much better don't you think? I must say the roofers have kept me busy making cups of tea on what have been very cold days for working outside. So much so that the kettle exploded on Saturday. Attempts to buy a matching replacement have been difficult. I did find one, but on getting it home and unpacking it from its box it was covered in scratches......I wasn't a happy bunny (or monkey for that matter) and back to the shop it had to go. I refuse to battle with shopping centre crowds any more, so I've ordered a new one from Amazon and in the meantime am catering with a saucepan!

Without doubt this week the most exciting thing was the anticipation of a parcel. I won a giveaway from lovely Simone at Linden Grove. Iwas so excited when I found the parcel on the doormat on Wednesday evening after work that I could hardly contain myself.



Inside were these beautifully wrapped little parcels.



They were opened feverishly to reveal these little beauties.


You will be shocked to know that I've already eaten the chocolate. The large heart is on display in the dining room filling it with the fragrance of the most delicious Christmas spices and the little pink heart sits prettily on my jacket.

I'm so lucky to win these beautiful handmade items and I was so shocked because I never usually win anything. Isn't the kindness and generosity of fellow bloggers absolutely amazing!

Thnak you Simone.

A Busy Weekend

I don't particularly enjoy shopping in large cities, especially at this time of year. Instead we try to visit small market towns with interesting independent shops. Most of the major Christmas items are bought over the internet. This weekend meant a visit to Much Wenlock for their Christmas Fayre. It used to begin for us with a viist to Wenlock Priory and a donkey ride for Josh to visit Father Christmas in the candlelit ruins of the Priory. Well, he's far too grown up and sophisticated to do that sort of thing now, so we content ourselves with a leisurely wander around the shops, exploring the stalls in the streets and having a good mooch in the craft tent.





The Wenlock Deli is full of foodie gorgeousness, my favourites being their sumptuous desserts sold by the slice. In Wenlock Books we were offered warm punch to drink which reinvigorated us for our trek around the craft tent.



In the town square there is always a variety of entertainment, although this year 'Windbag' was playing his hurdy-gurdy in the main street.




I think this house belongs in my Advent village.




As the darkness fell we left Wenlock behind to return home to a warm fire and the promise of hot chocolate.



Sunday morning was bright and frosty and after hot porridge and chocolate croissants to fortify ourselves we ventured forth to find our perfect Christmas tree. Trees are lifted and stood up straight, examined carefully - that one is too tall, that one too bushy, another too spindly, until we find a tree we can all agree on. However, deliberation doesn't end here as we have to choose a wreath for the door.


With a wreath duly chosen, the tree is packed tightly into the car and we all jump in, eager to return home for some warming soup and an afternoon of tree decorating ahead.




Eventually, the tree is finished, although as hard as I try I can't seem to take a good photograph of it.





The Advent village is growing (too quickly I think) and the Greengrocers is now open for business and will be joined by more shops in the coming days. Quite a few people have asked where the village came from. Well, it's good old M&S, although it is around 10 years old now.