Christmas look!

A snowy St Albans on Saturday.

I made the Postman Happy!!!!

So Monday morning and another frost but with the sunshine through it, it is truly beautiful.

So it took me so long to download the photos last night I didn't have the energy to right that we had gone on a walk yesterday afternoon to collect stuff for me to make my Christmas Wreath. Last year I went on a Christmas Wreath making morning but had kept the metal frame for this year. Amazingly we found the spagnam moss you need to make your base (as show here - this is a bit like Blue Peter).

Once you have your moss base (this stays moist outside so it last longer - my last wreath lasted six weeks!) you add whatever!!

And guess who is back by popular demand. The postman knocked this morning and instantly remembered the owl. He complained last year when I eventually took the wreath down. He was very pleased to see it back. Also yesterday when we decided to get our tree out of the loft. Simon discover another tree which we had had in our Saffron Walden house. As he is very keen to empty our overladed loft he said this second tree was not going back up. We sorted through our decorations as well and made a bag of spare. This morning I put outside the house the box spare tree plus decs with a note saying "Free tree and decs..... Happy Christmas". Within two hours Simon says a white van turned up and hovered. He could see a child on board.... the next thing everything has gone! Hopefully this has enriched someone elses Christmas too!

I must say myself that I love my special Christmas Wreath. I am particularly in love with the yellow and white lichen covered twigs just about the mushrooms. You can't really see it here but the yellow is very bright and lovely.

Ah yes. Cake of the week turned into Christmas Cake. It will hopefully last two weeks.


Let me know your thoughts on the wreath and cake!

Sunday - its a little Christmassy!

Thank you Emily for a lovely night!! and things....

A frosty day. It was a real hoar frost. Here is the usual picture from our bedroom window.

Here are some of our Christmas cards hot off the press. As I use oil they take a while to dry. Put them on our bed as it is the warmest room in the house. Guess who decided to play and now oil footprints on cards!! MATILDA......

Wednesday evening. Here is Emily's beautiful Christmas tree.

Emily and me ready to go out to her works do at Selwin college.

Charlotte and Josie making their supper!

After a wonderful champagne reception here we are in the main hall having our supper of:

Parma ham and fig starter

Phesant and mash

Toffee Apple Crumble

Very lovely.

I sat next to Srilom (something like that) from Madras.

Guess what Simon got in his cracker!

Steve supporting a a charming green hat!

Emily and Manosh ( very charming man). There was a ceilidh afterwards. After one dance where I think I got swung round at least 100 I felt a little worst for ware and had to rest! I think Simon enjoyed his dance as he ended up in the middle of a circle with a girl who he was told was the women of his dreams. I am not sure about that!!!


We had a great time - thank you Emily!!!

Thursday - Acoustic night

Wow!! A most fantastic evening. Here is Emily Mcquire she was amazing. She has been played on Radio 2 and has suppported Don Mclean.

You can't see him but this is Ady Johnson. He was also amazing. We even bought his cd which I just love.

Friday- Lavenham Christmas Market.

I arrived late afternoon to help out. Here is the "Flora Tree" as Lizzi called it with my hearts on.

I also found that I was sharing Magic Table with the lovely Jane.

Sold one of my little bowls to a lovely girl. Hurrah.

Here is Jane and Serena (photographer)

Here's me on display with Janes stuff.

Now the very silly bit. Jane said we had to wear these flashing pink bunny ears. Hey ho.... what I do for my art.

We are back again tomorrow and Josie will be busking.

A lovely time in Brussels !

Here is Hearts and Crafts latest recruit. She was on trial. She was very helpful. We might keep her on!

Thank you AJ for coming and keeping Josie company while we went away!












A and Josei tuck into new chocolate cake.

AJ is honoured by Matilda.

Have set off at 4am we travelled on less than safe roads and finally reaching Ebsfleet found the carpark really treacherous. But we were not going to give up.

Brussels was quite snowy too and about minus 5!

We thought this a bit strange.

The wonderful Grand Place.,

Fantastic Mer de Nord stall selling hot squid and scampi. Pouring wine like it was water. It was very crowded and great fun!

Amazing mushrooms

The Quotidien. Very healthy. Didn't enjoy a rather bitter goats cheese and olive pate.

La Mort Subit - Meaning "sudden death"
A truely wonderful place with loads of atmostphere and the best beer! We didn't bother with a meal we just sat and had a crocque.

Traditional snack to go with beer. Celery salt really makes it.

Christmas market.

Lovely Nicolidas from Crete. We bought a few xmas presents from him.

View from our Aris hotel - five floors up.

Back home and a Sunday walk to see the last of the snow.

There's always time for a head.

A new display from things from our walk.

Even managed to fit in some printing.