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.

Ready

Today I finally feel as though Christmas is real. I finished work yesterday evening and was glad to do so. There was no heating in the building for five days running and we were all perished, the chief of all our branches visited and never even thanked us for putting up with the conditions. It was a cold, long journey on the train to get home to a warm home and warm hearts.

Today feels positive. The jewelled colours of Christmas chocolate immediately cheers me up and yes, I've pinched one. But don't tell my teenage boy - he's been told not to touch until Christmas Eve. I know he's not touched them.......there would be a tell-tale trail of discarded wrappers glistening and glinting all over the house.

Christmas is certainly on the way and I feel ready after a few final touches to here and there. Baubles popped underneath a domed cake stand should look o.k. as a table centre for Christmas Day I think?





And there's a wreath on the kitchen door as a welcome



Presents are wrapped and ready under the tree.



The Teenager has gone out to meet friends and I'm going to enjoy these last few quiet hours before the hustle and bustle of Christmas really begins. I may even watch a film this afternoon.....I might even pinch a few more of those chocolates. Would you like one? Help yourself.


The snow has really only affected us badly since Saturday when its heavy, silent downfall filled the skies and streets and quietened the normal sounds of the day replacing them with the thuds of snowballs landing and children shouting and laughing as the snow hit its target. You've all probably seen enough snowy pictures to last you until the summer but we enjoyed such a wonderful afternoon walk at the weekend around our town that I just wanted to share a few with
you if you don't mind. Down our street




to the local park





and a walk around the frozen pond






through the town and past beautiful St Thomas's church.





As the light faded, we walked home along the canal, past the Bonded Warehouse, still busy with families queueing for narrowboat trips to see Santa




passing a few narrowboats along the way. It was dark by the time we reached home and we were ready for that warming cup of tea.



Have a great Christmas everyone. Stay warm and safe annd enjoy the snow. Let me know what you're up to.

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.

Nearly There

Whilst shopping at the weekend I was pleased to see someone entering into the Christmas spirit! How are your preparations going? We're almost there, just the fresh food to buy on Christmas Eve. Hopefully, we'll be up and about early enough to get to Bridgnorth's bustling market and to indulge in a good hearty breakfast here as well. I've got my damson gin bottled ready to warm us on these cold winter evenings. Well actually, it's already been started and it's yummy, yummy yummy. Just the stuff needed to make watching Cranford on a Sunday evening even more enjoyable.



Most of the decorations are up.








Although I always leave some decorating for Christmas Eve because we have an abundance of ivy in the garden which just has to be one of the best things to bring into the house at this time of year.



New, snuggly Christmas pyjamas are ready



and I've been searching through these lovely books that Mr F surprised me with earlier this month.



Mr F. gave me another surprise at the weekend with a trip to see Wightwick Manor decorated for Christmas. I've been to this house at all times of year and it never fails to have the tingle factor. If I do ever win the lottery I will make the NT an offer they cannot refuse and move in to enjoy its Pre-raphaelite paintings and its William Morris decor - I'd be in Funky heaven!








We strolled around its magnicent rooms decorated in Christmas finery as we listened to the carol singers in the great hall. Their music followed us throughout the rooms and up to the minstrels gallery and even into the bedrooms leading off the landing. Everything looked wonderful with its natural Christmas greenery, flowers and candles - no balding tinsel here! I only wish that I could
have videoed the visit to share with you the atmosphere of my favourite place. You are not allowed to take photos of the interiors but Mr F. took one from the outside looking in. It's not brilliant but does give a little taste of its beauty, along with the painting of Janey Morris by Rossetti.


Sadly, they said I couldn't spend Christmas there, so I'll carry on with my preparations here in the Funkyhouse. Have a good Christmas ladies - don't work too hard, make sure you enjoy it.

Much Wenlock Christmas Fayre

There's nothing like seeing a donkey to make you feel all gooey and Christmassy is there? This chap (or lady) was at Much Wenlock Christmas Fayre on Saturday with his friends giving rides to youngsters in the town. This fayre is a ritual for us the first weekend in December, ever since Josh was tiny and he rode a donkey through the priory grounds to visit Father Christmas in his candlelit grotto. Nowadays we are accompanied by a sometimes reluctant teenager. This little fayre in this tiny town feels like no other. It really has that special feeling you get in a smaller community as shopkeepers and stallholders alike join in proceedings. There is a marquee selling local crafts and foods.



As well as stalls lining the narrow high street.



Vintage vehicles



You can always find something good to eat





and there are still favourite shops to explore and festive shop windows to peer through.



Ippikin has loads of funkiness going on with colourful wacky knits. If you enlarge the picture you might see some of their wonderful tea cosies. Mr F did buy me a little pressie from there...but of course I can't show you until after Christmas.


And of course you have to have The Salvation Army belting out some beautiful Christmas Carols.



After a busy morning and lunch at the fayre we moved on to Bishops Castle for more shopping and aftenoon tea. You can see more of Bishops Castle here. Our journey there and back meant a steep drive over Long Mynd at Church Stretton. The homeward bound journey was quite eerie as the mist and rain moved in. I'm not quite sure the photos show it at its mysterious best.







Of course when we got home we felt we needed more tea and cake!



Yesterday was still busy as we visited several garden centres looking for door wreaths. After much deliberation I chose this. Do you think it will do? I'm pleased with it as it is a little different to ones that I've had previously....time to ring the changes...but only a little.




One place we visited had a family of reindeers visiting for the weekend. No doubt they were having a nice rest before their busy time ahead. Each time the reindeer moved the bells on their collars made the most tremendous jingling sounds....just like Santa was already on the way.



Next weekend is tree weekend. Josh had a friend staying on Saturday evening/Sunday morning so wasn't free to come choosing trees with us. I don't think we would have been popular parents if we had chosen without him! I hope they still have some good ones left....you know the type I need....one that is exactly the right height, the right shape, a good straight bit at the top for fixing a star and branches that are spread nice and evenly throughout the tree. Oh and it needs not to shed needles everytime someone walks past. Please tell me if you see one!

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.