chrimbo limbo

I heard the phrase 'Chrimbo Limbo' on the radio yesterday and I quite liked it - Chrimbo Limbo is a phrase used to describe the redundant time between Christmas and new year. I'm not really feeling the Chrimbo Limbo feeling however as I just haven't had chance to stop over the last week.
We spent Christmas day and Boxing day with my sis, her hubby and her boys. The boys are a joy, both full of the magic of christmas, hyperactive because they'd eaten too many sweets, and had so many presents they didn't know what to play with first. This is how Christmas should be in my book. We had a great time.
I had lots of great pressies too - will share some pics at a later date though.
We were then home for a day before heading up to North Wales to see my parents - the nice thing was that that whole family was there, and everyone knows how difficult it is to get an entire family in one room these days, especially when they are spread out across the country. It's worth making the effort though - building the memory bank for a time when inevitably there won't be the opportunity for everyone to be together. It snowed up there yesterday so I snuck out into the garden to take some pics. The little robin here was looking right at me:
Aside from making Christmas cakes to give as gifts, mince pies to give as gifts and infused vodka to give as gifts I haven't done any Christmas cooking - I think it will be my turn next year. I'm presently busy making a non too festive cauliflower curry, recipe here

I spotted this little festive new year garland idea today over on the purl bee and thought I would share. I sadly won't have the time to make one, but I'll keep it in the bank for a later date!It's fair to say that I won't blog again between now and the new year, so would just like to wish everyone a very happy and prosperous new year, and say thanks to my supportive and lovely blog buddies - if you're reading this, then that means you.

2009, over and out.

here comes the snow

As I sit here and type, we have quite a snow flurry coming down - there are no cars on the road outside so the snow is undisturbed - just a crisp, cold, white covering as far as the eye can see. I love the snow, and it certainly feels quite festive in the approach to Christmas.

I've had a lovely day today. It's Mr Monda's b'day so we both took the day off work just to have a lie in, and a potter about, a trip to the cinema and something nice to eat. We wrapped a few pressies and wrote a few Christmas cards and just generally had a nice relaxing day.
We also bought these 2 Christmas singles today, because we are feeling festive:




I don't watch the X-factor, and I do quite like the idea of having a non X-factor number one. I haven't purchased rage against the machine just yet (I already have it actually) but I might. It's currently in the number one spot on iTunes :o)

Lastly, I used the random number generator which picked Claire Hurd as the recipient of my little giveaway. Claire, I'll pop your goodies in the post soon.
Now I'm just hoping the snow might stay around long enough to snow my car in so I can't possibly get out to go to work tomorrow. I would LOVE to stay at home and build a snowman instead.

sneaking up on us

Every year I promise myself to to be more organised at Christmas time, and every year I feel like I'm so behind with things. This feeling is probably not helped by the horrible lurgy I had last week - a full on cold with headache, sore and aching body, sneezing, tickly cough, chesty cough, blocked nose, running nose and plenty of mucus. nice. It really wiped me out for a good week but I'm back on the way up now thankfully.

My Handmade Christmas flickr group is filling up very nicely. I've picked out a few of my faves to share with you. If you've made some Christmas themed goodies, I'd love to see them in the group pool.
1. all hanging!, 2. Crocheted flower ornament, 3. christmas ball, 4. hello pear, 5. Untitled, 6. Snowflake Crochet Pillow, 7. Christmas Star Stocking - Detail, 8. robin, 9. Felt Gingerbread Biscuits // Star group

Now, because Christmas is all about giving, I've put together a little freebie. It's just a small package, but contains some nice bits, including one of these:If you'd like to partake, please leave me a comment on this blog post by midday on Thursday 17th Dec, and I'll draw the recipient randomly. The freebie will only arrive before Christmas if you live in the UK though (although feel free to enter if you live outside of the UK).

just flown in...

18 birds have just flown into my etsy shop - they are sold in packs of 3 as pictured below:

Christmas future, but no ghosts, I promise

If you're looking for something to do for the next couple of weekends, you could always pop over to the very lovely town of Henley on Thames for a spot of handmade Christmas shopping.

For the geographically challenged amongst you, you can take a peek into the new and ever so exciting Handmade Christmas flickr group and post a pic or two, or just feast on the festive eye candy. I know, I know, I'm so good to you.and lastly, if you fancy a pre Christmas treat for yourself, then you must buy this book : the pictures alone do it for me, but the recipes also look fab. On Sunday I'll be making a Delia Christmas cake.