Christmas Season Album

Just a few pages from my Christmas season album











I also want to do a page with this photo, such a stormy day yesterday that my umbrella  has completely had it, metal twisted and cover hanging on by threads

title has got to be The Weather outside is Frightful but I don't have a fire to finish the line :-D

have a good Christmas Eve everyone.

Today I am grateful for the weather calming down and the sight of the big yellow ball in the sky
for family to spend Christmas with
for all the goodies ready to take over to the family

Christmas Cooking

I've been having fun today, I've made some sausage rolls and made them more festive than usual

take some good quality Pork & Apple sausages out of their skins
add finely chopped (done in my electric chopper) cranberries & mixed Peel (I always buy fresh peel each year for my puddings and then the rest gets left so thought I would try this)
mix well together
shop bought puff pastry (can't be faffed to make my own)
roll the sausage mixture back into sausage shapes, put on their pastry coats and cook for 15 mins at 220
ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS (these are staying here for me to nibble on when I'm on my own)

also tried a different variety of mince pies I used filo pastry for the base and shortcrust for the top they look good but still have to taste them.

also made Neil (my son) some coconut crisps, I think I would be in his bad books if I hadn't lol

pasties are already made and in the freezer ready to come out tomorrow and cook for Christmas Eve dinner another tradition that we love to continue.
Neil has been over and taken all the rest of the food (I have a large chest freezer so plenty of room for all the goodies)

today I am grateful for being more or less ready for Christmas
for tasty food tempting me to eat
for being good and not eating too much yet

Journal your Christmas

Half way through December only 8 days to go till Christmas and as usual I am no where near ready.
but I have been scrapping I am making a Christmas season album so not exactly following the prompts for JYC but some of them do tie in.
My first page is what Christmas is all about, it's why it is called CHRISTmas and not crimbo or xmas as so many people seem to call it now-a-days. The greatest gift that man has ever received
For unto us a child is born, who is our Saviour, who showed us how to live our lives for our Father God



I really enjoyed my birthday, spent with Helen (Ben was at nursery and Danny at School) we went to Boulton Abbey, had lunch in the Cavendish and then took a stroll along the river. The sun was shining and reflecting off the trees into the water in such a beautiful way making my day, a birthday present that is beyond anything that money can buy



here is the double page I did to celebrate my birthday


Neil sent me a lovely photo of Eli and I just had to do this page


one of the prompts for JYC is Special treats, my special treat is a Luxury Pick-a-mix from Lindt. Earlier in the year I had discovered the Lindt shop in the outlet village, all my favourite chocolates in bowls that you can choose your own. Well I couldn't resist having a big bag of them for my Christmas treat, the only difficulty is keeping them till the 25th.


Although I am struggling to really get into the atmosphere of Christmas I am enjoying all the little things that make this time of the year special.
I have put up some decorations, have sorted out some presents, still have more to get but it's finding the right things especially for my son so perhaps a trip into town today, a mingle with the crowd, perhaps taking some photos of people rushing hither and thither and hopefully finding something that will bring a smile to Neil's face when he opens his present

today I am so thankful for the warmth of family love
for the warmth of my bungalow
for the warmth of a friends smile.

God bless you one and all

A trip up to Skipton

Thursday 28th November, sees me on the train journeying north to see my daughter and family. The trains were on time but somehow I seemed more anxious than usual. Maybe it's because I was developing a cold.
Good to be greeted by my two grandsons and a lovely hug with my daughter.

Saturday, a slower start then a wonder round the town and a little Christmas shopping. Now have a few presents to wrap.

Sunday 1st December and church in the morning, Danny lit the first Advent candle, shame I didn't get a photo of that.
Andy does have some brilliant remedies for colds a glass of Mulled berry drink with a tot of Whisky did the trick and I was able to get to the evening service in which Helen was singing in the choir.
The church looked beautiful both outside

and in


I did get a photo of Helen in her gown


Monday and I feel much better, I take Ben to Musical Tots and we have a lovely morning together. Go for snacks in the Craven centre and take photos of Ben and the Christmas tree for my Christmas Album.



Today I am grateful for fun with Ben
for not falling when I tripped (long story)
for being with family