Daily December :: the 27th

Hello Lovelies,

how was your Christmas? Ours was mostly about the familiar traditions we have got used to over the years. Foody traditions like nuts in their shells and jewel coloured chocolates.......

 Family traditions like this wonderful Christmas dinner at my sister and brother in laws...we are so lucky to spend the day with so many family members...14 this year.........

After all the rich food a traditional walk is very welcome, about 4pm , when it's dark and everybody's lights look so pretty...and a few homes still have their curtains open so you can peek in on the festive scenes :0).......

Since Christmas day the weather has gone back to mild and rainy...we are very lucky it's not as rainy as further north where the scenes of flooding in my beloved West Yorkshire and the surrounding areas have been quiet upsetting. Here it's just muddy and puddly.
 I went for a short walk this morning and spotted these pretty Ivy berries, glistening with raindrops.........

 How I love to hear the beautiful  notes of the Blackbird.......

A sweet little Dunnock was hopping about in the Silver Birch tree too..........

I liked this simple wreath on this garden gate..........

Though in truth the wet conditions made walking on the footpaths a muddy and slippery affair......

I only did a mile and a half so I still have 11 and a half miles to squeeze in before Friday if I'm to hit my 1000 mile target for the year....it's going to be a close call :0)

Back home I smiled at the sight of my best Christmas prezzie....a wonderful bench made from scraps of wood by eldest for his dad and me ...........

I think he did a brilliant job for a 15 year old and it's so sturdy. Just needs a little bit of sanding and some preservative now.

I do hope your Christmas went well and you are enjoying the holidays lovelies.

Jacquie x

Daily December :: the 24th

Happy Christmas  Lovelies
Right now it's almost midnight and I'm waiting for my boys to go to sleep.
It's been a busy day of housework and cooking as we have family over on Christmas eve. Just 14 of us this year....a nice number and plenty of these four small walls to cope with.

As is my usual tradition I've been making a decoration for my sister in law and family as they very generously host Christmas Dinner at their home for all the family.

Here's my last minute make ( finished late on the 23rd ) .....

There are so many free patterns out there for crochet Christmas trees. Due to the time factor I chose a simple one from Ravelry and had fun with the colour changes and added beads........

I think it's the 6th or 7th decoration I've made now and they all come with a little tag...........

The afternoon was chilly but sunny and I decided to grab a little fresh air about 3.30pm. It made me smile to see there will be no post collection until Tuesday..........

 Enjoy your rest Mr Postie...you have earned it.

The low sun was making the allotments glow...........

Red Hawthorn berries caught my eye...........

and black Ivy berries...........

I even ignored the signs and trespassed onto the Allotments. I loved seeing the stalks of Brussels sprouts and took only photographs..........

 please don't put me on the naughty list father Christmas :0)

As the sun set I headed home...........

I think I love the moments before guests arrive the best...when all the work is done and the house is tidy and it's time to light the candles...........

Merry Christmas Lovelies,
Jacquie x

Daily December :: the 23rd

Hello Lovelies,

This morning dawned bight and sunny. How I love a sunny winters day. Youngest and I headed out to do our Couch to 5k together..........

Nearing home my attention was drawn to the flock of busy sparrows chirruping in the hedgerow and I stopped to listen a while......

Back home the low winter sun was shining into our front room and I smiled at my ripple WIP already looking at home on the back of a chair........

The postman had been too. It's so nice to get pretty mail from friends. This beautiful card from my friend who has had a difficult year made me smile......inside she wrote " this looks like one of your photos, looking forward to more walks in 2016"..........

 It's a MUCH better Robin photo than I have ever taken but it was a kind comment....and I'm so glad she is in a better place now.

And look, a sweet card from Jones, with news too.........

 Thank you so much Jones. It's really adorable and so lovely to hear from you.

 With cards on my mantle and pretty flowers in the hearth how could I fail to feel happy........

And look....I have a new painting too..........

A beautiful watercolour, painted by mum, especially for me.

Isn't it the perfect winter scene, with bare trees, snow, a colourful sunset and a hazy moon.....

It's inspired by a lodge on the St Ives Estate in Bingley...somewhere we used to go when I was little. Mum tells me her friend always called it "the three bears cottage"...bless.

I cannot remember it myself but a little internet search found one of my favourite bloggers had posted about it a few years ago HERE :0)

Thank you so much Mum, I love it.

Jacquie x

Daily December :: the 21st

Hello Lovelies,

on Saturday evening I was doing so crochet whilst watching the Strictly final at my mum in laws...so entertaining........

On sunday I was at work so I was very glad to get the day off on Monday. I hoped it was the shortest day, and I could go on a solstice walk.... but it seems this year it's the 22nd. I will be at work all day. Never mind...I still headed out for a walk.

I smiled when I saw some livestock in the highland cattle field. It's been a bit sad to see it empty........

These guys are cute too............

The Ash trees along the lane are bare, but I could hear the sweet chirping of birds.........

Dozens of Goldfinches were hopping about in the branches...........

 Yay I managed a bird photo for the first time in ages :0)

Flowers are an easier subject...but they are few and far between at the time of year. These sweet little Periwinkles  were flowering profusely.........



Though the windy conditions made them a tricky subject too :0)........

It's finally getting chillier around these parts and the horses were all wearing their winter coats......

There are no more fallen leaves by the church, just a clear path and an unobstructed view.......

Oh look, a beautifully simple decoration on the church porch........

 Love these wire stars

And by the door, pretty floral displays........

 seasonal greenery and some long lasting chrysanthemums.... Perfect......

There are still some leaves by the kissing gate......

and the sight of a newly repaired stile tempted me onwards , rather than heading for home........

Along field edges, past bare oaks.........

Through the little strip of Hawthorn woodland I know so well these days..........

The tree that blew down in the November storms has been cleared from the path...hope some mini beasts make this into a cosy home for the winter..........

As I emerged again it had started to rain quiet quickly, the distant view disappeared into the mist.......

Time for a hog weed skeleton shot....not many left now.......

After I took that photo I headed along the footpath which runs along the righ hand edge of the big field. When I had almost reached the far end I realised my camera was missing. Oh no...I headed back to retrace my steps. Uphill, into the wind and rain.. I was so happy when I found it. But it was lying in the mud and wet with rain.

I dried it as best I could and took a photo.....

 Bit blurry

I tried a macro shot.........

 Perfect...phew.

It was a squelchy walk back home, though the crops in the field were almost spring like in their greenness.........

It's lovely to get outdoors, and I really didn't mind the wet and windy weather. It was three more miles to get me that bit closer to my 1000 mile target ( only 18 miles to go now :0)....I'm getting there)

And back home, as I made a simple lunch for the hungry troops who are on school holidays, I smiled at the colourful cards on my Kitchen windowsill..........

I don't think I'll manage to squeeze in another walk before the big day, so I'm happy I made the effort on Winter Solstice Eve.

Jacquie x