AULD LANG SYNE

 Can you believe that just one week ago we were rushing around, worrying that we had enough food, presents and drink for everyone. Every year I promise myself that I will be more organised so that I can enjoy the day more but it never happens. We put so much on our own shoulders and feel we are letting everyone down if everything isn't 'just so'. We had a lovely Christmas, made even more magical with our little Granddaughter. We were also joined by my brother, Des and sister-in-law Fiona, the first time we had shared a Christmas in 23 years which made it even more special. Here are a few photos of before, during and after.

No snow as yet but fingers crossed!

Our BIG wreath gave me a few sleepless nights during the recent storms but it stayed in place, thankyou Jon!

The gingerbread and candy window with Merrylegs in the background!

The Father Christmas and woodland window!

The snowman window, children love this one!

A trip to see Father Christmas with Papa. Naughty Grams didn't do a very good job, very blurry. Soraya was quite unsure of the 'Big Fella' and wouldn't sit on his lap! She was very proud of herself afterwards though and wouldn't stop talking about him! 

The fireplace!

And again!

The candy table,yum!

The Christmas cake, quite a bit went home with the kids but still plenty for Dad's packed lunches!

Our lovely SIL making dinner for us all on Christmas Eve. Empire Chicken (a Jamie Oliver recipe) and rice/salad. It was sooo delicious, could be a new family tradition!

Our little princess, milk before bedtime in her new jimjams! She was very excited but her Baba managed to get her to sleep after quite a few stories! It was so lovely putting the milk and mince pie out for Santa and of course the carrot for Rudolph, once again.

One of the two Christmas tables, nearly ready for lunch! Two very tired dogs either side of the table, two year old humans are quite exhausting!

 Soraya with one of her presents, putting on a little show!

A slideshow in the afternoon, long forgotten piccies and many laughs. Soraya stole the show though!

For my husband and I the most memorable thing about this Christmas would be us listening from our bed to our little Soraya opening her stocking from Santa in her bedroom with her Mama and Baba. The excitement in her voice as she opened each little gift. "I must have been a good girl, I got soo many presents!", "Oooh look I got an orange!" and "I asked for one of those!". Also her great delight in her sugar mouse! I know these memories will stay with us forever. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family and to be all together for Christmas. Through all lifes ups and downs, family will always be there.
I hope that all you fellow bloggers had a lovely Christmas and I wish you and your loved ones health and happiness in 2012! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

ANNEMARIE XX

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READY TO SNUGGLE !

On a recent shopping trip to Grantham, a market town about 10 miles from me(also the birthplace of the 'Iron Lady' Margaret Thatcher!!), I couldn't help but feel that the countryside really was winding down ready for the big snuggle. Although our weather has been  mild, especially compared to this time last year, all around are signs of nature battening down the hatches and preparing for the long Winter ahead. I love these cool, sunny days we get now and then and always kick myself when I don't have my camera with me. This was one of those days when I was prepared and would like to share a little of the South Lincolnshire countryside with you.

 

I always have to stop and take a look at this fishing pond especially when all the ducklings and goslings are there!

Georgian farmhouse on the hill, very Wuthering Heights..ish.

Adorable little chapel in the middle of nowhere!

The long and winding road!

What train spotter wouldn't love to live here? 

A family of deer appeared just to make my day. Thanks dear!!

On the way home, the sun was setting and the countryside was beautiful. I also stayed out too long shopping as usual!

This is just a little taste of our wonderful Lincolnshire. Such a diverse County with the Fens, the Wolds and the Coast but all of them beautiful in their own way.

On a different note today I am meeting my hubby at lunchtime today to choose our Christmas tree, so exciting!  Then down to the serious (but fun) business of decorating! Hope you are all enjoying the start of the most wonderful Season of the year! Have fun!! xx

p.s. Our little cherub chops has chickenpox and won't be able to be an angel in her Nursery Nativity play, so sad. She is being such a brave little girl and Grams and Papa love her very much. xx

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BYE BYE HALLOWEEN !!

CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S BEEN AND GONE! HAD A LOVELY EVENING WITH OUR FAMILY. OUR GRANDDAUGHTER LOVED THE TRICK OR TREATERS BUT KEPT SAYING "THEY CAN'T COME IN!". FULL STEAM AHEAD NOW TOWARD CHRISTMAS!

 BYE FOR NOW, ANNEMARIE XXX

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NIGHTMARE ON HIGH STREET!!!!!

SOMETHING STRANGE IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD........

 WHICH WITCH?

 COUNTRY BUMKINS. OOPS I MEAN PUMPKINS!

 HUBBLE, BUBBLE, TOIL AND TROUBLE....

  ONE OF THE LOCALS!!

OUR DAUGHTER GETS QUITE UPSET WHEN DINNER ISN'T SERVED ON TIME!!

HAVE A HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!
 

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SHALL WE RETIRE TO THE LOUNGE?

I love the warmth of all the Autumn colours but my main colour throughout the cottage is blue so have to be careful which shades of Fall I use. I tend to favour oranges and browns rather than red so we don't have too much colour clashing going on!

A cozy corner! A much cherished cross-stitch picture of all the seasons made by my dear friend Sue. The little Fenton glass basket holds dried rosehips and to add a little  Halloween to the mix, tiny witches brooms! The tiny Fortnum & Mason basket contained Halloween choccies (long gone!). I adore the figurine of the Grandmother and Grandchild called 'The Quilt', reminds me of Soraya and me(or I)!

 My dresser which I promise will one day have a paint treatment! Our lounge is very long(33ft) so I tend to keep this end the cozy end. I can snuggle up on the huge squidgy chair and read(or fall asleep!).

 Danish Pixie children, this one is Winter.

And this one is Autumn! Aren't they adorable? Loving the clogs!

                                                                THE FIREPLACE

One of our three large windows. As I have mentioned before, our cottage was formerly the village stores so I have these three huge windows to play with!

     The wooden dough bowl was bought at a local antiques fair and restored for me by my lovely brother!                                                  

Next week I will be doing the Halloween decorations, yippee! Bring on the witches, wizards and pumpkins!

TTFN ANNEMARIE XXX

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AND THE AUTUMN LEAVES WERE TURNING TO THE COLOUR OF HER HAIR....

Our little Cherub Chops having a rare nap! She really fights her daytime naps now but this time gave in and fell asleep on my lap. I very gently transferred her to the sofa, made myself a nice cuppa and just watched her sleeping. Sheer bliss!!

I ADORE Autumn! Such a lovely time of year, all snuggly and toasty..cool and sunny (if it isn't raining!). A pleasant hiatus before the harsher weather is upon us. We haven't turned that switch on yet(central heating) but I feel the time is getting near. I am hearing little groans from the men in the family, such wimps. I like the house cool and fresh so they will have to wait a while longer!

Autumn has arrived in our home and would like to share some of its little touches around and about our cottage!.
                                                      

 

Ain't that the truth!

THE
KITCHEN

I recently bought these little pumpkins at a Craft and Vintage Fayre locally,cheap as chips but adorable! 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
The little sugar bowl and milk jug, a little worn but it adds to the character!                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

The little condiment set, the spoon is missing but adore the little leaf they sit on. This was made in Germany.

   

Scarecrow bear and his pumpkins! The little cart is an antique toy, very rustic and basic.

Dont look so worried Tallulah, you are here for keeps!

Love that cup and saucer, my Daughter and SIL bought it for me in France.

A lot of people would probably say that I am an old crow! Who cares! This little stool is very old, too rickety to sit or stand on but makes a lovely shelf!!

Had to include my favourite lamp, don't you just love those cups and saucers. Am I the only person who can't resist cupcake cases? Probably!

THE LAMP!! again

Very old scales and weights. Love these greeney blue pumpkins. Although my kitchen is quite modern (that is another story!) I do like to add an antique here and there like this little barley twist leg table.

Tomorrow we will move into the Lounge where natures paintbrush has again coloured our home.

TTFN ANNEMARIE XXX
p.s. I hope this all makes sense, suffering from Labyrinthitis at the mo and the world won't stop spinning!! xx

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SEASONS OF YOUR LIFE

August always comes to me with trepidation, I lost both of my parents within 19 days of each other in August 2004. The smells and feelings of this month always take me back to that highly charged emotional time. Having to delay our grief over my Dad's sudden death because my Mum was so ill. We all piled into her hospice room after Dads funeral as she was too poorly to go herself, my husband even videoed the event so she could watch it with my eldest brother who selflessly stayed with my Mum. Three weeks later we were all gathered again this time to say goodbye to our amazing, strong Mum.   Looking back, I don't know how we all got through that time.
Seven years on, I still miss them everyday but this year I didn't linger on  the events leading up to their deaths as I have in the past but focussed more on the wonderful, loving, kind people they were and the legacy they left us all.
As human beings we need time to heal, to grieve in our own way. Our feelings are ever changing just like the seasons, we grow spiritually as we grow older and the Winter of our life doesn't hold the fears we had when we were in our Springtime.  Life is a circle and we are all part of that big circle.
Still, I will not be sad to say " Bye bye " to August but look forward to the new seasons ahead and everything they have to offer. I adore Autumn!

Beautiful flowers from my daughter, SIL and granddaughter!

I spent yesterday, the anniversary of Mums death, with my darling Soraya, so full of  life and laughter. Just as my Mum and Dad would have wanted. In their words "life is for the living", how true is that!
Thankyou to my lovely daughter for making it a special day for me and to my husband, sons and friends for thinking of me, I am lucky in so many ways.

And more flowers when I got home from hubby and boys!!

C'MON AUTUMN!! I'M READY AND WAITING FOR YOU!!

To get us all in the mood , a little taster of what is to come.....

THE PUMPKIN WINDOW (SIL in background on his laptop!)!!

 

WITCHY WINDOW...HOCUS POCUS

 

 

WIZARDY WINDOW.....WHERE'S HARRY?

FIVE LITTLE PUMPKINS ALL IN A ROW...

 Oooh I cant wait, can you?

TTFN ANNEMARIE XXX

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