You know how the Game of Throne’s saying is “Winter is Coming” well according to our press today “Christmas is Coming” and we had better get to it!  They are forecasting shortages of Christmas food, including turkey, as well as other food stuffs and presents apparently.  Now of course this may be a good marketing ploy but you never know.  The Government announced measures for the Winter months which if cases rise again we may be back to wearing masks everywhere and people working from home again but hopefully no lockdowns!  However there is always that option if things get bad again, which I am really hoping it won’t be.

On the basis that things might be scarce I have decided to get the Christmas cake and pudding made a little earlier than normal and also get some mince pies into the freezer as well.  I am just in the process of getting the freezer’s empty so I can start sorting them out.  I think I will also put the vegetables we have at Christmas in the freezer as well so they are all ready and waiting. 

I have already bought four Christmas presents for people we buy for and tucked them away and know what I am getting for the rest so that little bit is sorted.  I know people will laugh at me doing this but at least by the time December rolls round I am not running around like the proverbial headless chicken, like everyone else, and get time to spend with family and friends which is the most important part of Christmas. 

I have also booked for DH and I to go to Chatsworth this year, which will hopefully be on.  The last time we went was 2019 of course so it will be nice to go and see what they have been up to, especially as it is twenty years since they first opened Chatsworth at Christmas.  It was first put on by the previous Duke of Devonshire to help as that year the whole country was suffering from Foot & Mouth disease so visitors to the house were drastically down.  It was a great success so they decided to make it an annual event. Can’t wait.

As you saw earlier in the week Treacle is already on to her Christmas list and one of the things she definitely needs is a new football for outside as her current one is well and truly used up!!!  I saw an Instagram post the other day of a dog in the pet store going along the treat shelves and choosing one treat!!!  If we took Treacle she would have eaten half the shelf before we had chance to stop her!!!!  This picture was taken last year in November on a foggy and very cold day!

I do love all the seasons as I think every one has something different to offer us, but I do love Autumn going into Winter a little bit more than Spring and Summer, even if we are not able to do all that we usually do still. 

Over the weekend I am going to plan what I am going to make with this lovely lot of material. 

Don’t forget – CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!!!!

Happy Thursday you lovely lot. 

Hugs & Love, Susie xx

Happy New Year 2021!

I am sending up a prayer to the Universe that 2021 is going to be so much better than 2020!  I never normally am, but I welcome 2021 with open arms.

To All My Family, Friends & Followers I hope the New Year is great for you!

New Year Hugs & Love,

Susie, DH, Eldest, Youngest, Girlfriend & Treacle

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Yes Covid has managed to do it again!  DH and I were due to go to Nottingham today to return a few items of clothing which did not fit for him and the Boys and do a little bit of retail therapy.  We were due to go yesterday but DH changed the plan and did something else with Youngest.  Last night because of growing infection rates again the Government moved us all in our area into Tier 4!!!  Which means non-essential shops, gyms and spas closed basically everything is closed except for essential shops; food/pharmacy/garages etc.  Which stopped our trip today!  I now need to get things sent back via the post again!

We had a great day yesterday at the Stitching Resolution Blog Hop and I think the thing that made be laugh the most is all us Quilters seem to have boxes and boxes of scraps which need dealing with.  I loved meeting some new Quilters and seeing what everyone is hoping to get done in the New Year.  Thanks to Carla again for sorting a great Hop out.

I have seen a lot on Blogs and Instagram with people reviewing the year and I think every Christmas card we have received this year has said the same thing about New Year, it’s got to be better than 2020!  I am very, very grateful to get to the end of 2020 with my family safe and well and our business has still been able to run with all the chaos, which a lot of people around the World cannot say.  I do hope that 2021 is going to be better for everyone and we can reign in this horrible virus and slowly the World can get back to a more calm and normal existence.

I wanted to pick some pictures from the year to show you.  Most are new and some are from #TBT, the throwback ones are because we haven’t been anywhere this year except three days in London between Lockdowns!!!!!!

I hope everyone has a peaceful New Year’s Eve and a wonderful New Year’s Day and we will all get to see one another, give everyone a hug and not have to wear face masks eventually in 2021.

Stay Safe

New Year Hugs & Love, Susie xx

Because of this year lots of businesses have found enterprising ways to do things to help their income but also make something special at this time of year.  One being Silverstone Race Track, home of the F1 British Grand Prix.  They put on a visit to “Lapland” with lights and displays and where you get to drive round the Grand Prix track and we all went last night, in three cars so the Boys could drive round the track as well.

There were lots of Christmas scenes laid out along the track.

Christmas Trees of course.

They had used the big screens to show Christmas scenes.

All the pit lights and lights around the track were on boosted by lights on stands.

There were lots and lots of lasers.

Water tanks were stacked and lights played along them.

The Grandstands were all lit up.

The new pits and the now renamed Hamilton Straight.  This where they hold the presentation ceremony and it was all decked out with Lewis Hamilton’s car number, 44, the Seven Time World Champion.

The stand opposite the pits and new building being built.

We are on the grid waiting for the lights to turn green!

The final light bars.

The Christmas tree at the entrance/exit.

It was a great night, all covid safe as no one got out of their cars.  Well done Silverstone for bringing some of the Christmas magic to the Christmas holidays. 

Hugs & Love, Susie xx

We have had the most wonderful of few days, unplugged from screens, emails and mobile phones!!!!  Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day were spent at home with everyone and we have played board games, watched a bit of TV and read some books!  Some of us are back at work later this week and we all have New Year’s Day off and then we will be back fully on Monday Janury 4th! 

We had a wonderful gift box from our great friends Sue and Molly in the US which arrived quite a few weeks before Christmas and which I had to hide in the attic as Treacle would not leave it alone.  I think she knew it was from Molly!  Here are some pictures of the lovely gifts inside.

Treacle got a little mouse from Molly and it plays a tune and she absolutely loves it!

As you can see she is carrying it around.

Molly sent Treacle these biscuits before and she really loves them.

Sue sent me this lovely Crystal which I am going to hang in my kitchen window so it catches the light.

Sue and Molly also sent me this wonderful Airedale pulling a train along.  They are so special and I absolutely love them.  We now have two so we have called them Kelly and Treacle as they look like our Airedales.

The Boys loved trains, and still do, so this is so apt.

There is snow about but has not fallen here in our part of Derbyshire yet.  It is always the same we get snow after Christmas and especially when everyone has to be back at work!  The High Peak have got quite a lot and it is as far as Ashbourne but not reached us.  I am keeping my fingers crossed and Treacle has her paws crossed. 

If you follow me you know I talk about Chatsworth House and visiting when it is dressed for Christmas.  Obviously this year they have not been able to open but have put a tour of the rooms decorated for Christmas on their website and here is the link.

Have a tour around and you will be able to see some of the rooms.  They have not decorated as much as normal obviously as the visitors are not there, but you will get to see some of it.

All of us are off tonight to go and see a special lights event which I will show you pictures of tomorrow.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a good week to come.

Christmas Hugs & Love, Susie xxxx

To All My Family, Friends & Followers

Wishing You All A Very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Hugs & Love

Susie, DH, Eldest, Youngest, Girlfriend & Treacle

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Merry Christmas Everyone!

We have made it!  After the year that we have all had I think it is probably the Christmas miracle that we have got to Christmas!!!!

For those of you who follow my blog may rememeber me talking about this hand whisk which I bought when DH and I first moved in together in 1986!  It has been going strong ever since until today when I was right in the middle of whisking the egg whites and icing sugar for the Christmas cake!  Yes it stopped after I had put the first lot of sugar in and would not go!  It was not repairable either!  SO I used my food mixer to whisk it but it was not as thick as I had wished!!!!!!  I think it just sums up the whole year!!!!

Anyway here is the cake all iced and its Christmas figures on!

Here is the chocolate log done and definitely out of the way of Treacle!

Treacle has been in the thick of it all day “helping”.  Here she is now waiting for her dinner.

Where has the Chocolate Log gone Mom?!!!!!!

I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas Eve and tomorrow will bring you peace and joy.  Have the most wonderful of times and we shall all see you soon.

Christmas Hugs & Love, Susie xx