A Pre-Christmas Pause

I think Missy is the only one ready to tackle Christmas this year! Honestly, I'm still flip-flopping between being the ghost of Christmas present and the grinch. Hubby has found his Christmas spirit, and hopefully I'll have grasped mine in time for the big day next week.

Yep. Next week. This time next week we'll be in a turkey induced coma whilst Muppets Christmas Carol plays away. I'm very much looking forward to it, but, despite the snow, and finishing my Christmas jigsaw, and getting the last stitch in the Christmas gift sewing, I'm not feeling it yet.

Missy had her Christmas Lead the Way walk yesterday. As usual, most folk were no shows, but we had a lovely time with those who did show up and Missy made a new friend in Sven (below with Missy atop Cockleroy, the only part of Beecraigs free of snow!) Hubby was full of Christmas cheer and handed out the unclaimed gift bags to anyone with a dog that made eye contact with him, which cheered everyone up no end.

After that was running a few errands before we started listening to A Christmas Carol, as read by Derek Jacobi. We have gotten as far as the arrival of the Ghost of Christmas Past, so it's going very well.

With Christmas sewing out the way, I spent today chilling out and getting on with some other things. This Strontium Dog dice bag has been a few years in the making - I'm sure we all have that one project that is forever being put down! I also reprinted and recut the pattern for my Inverness coat. I haven't been happy with it since it was finished, so I took apart the original one I made, seam by seam, and I'm remaking it in a smaller size with the pattern printed correctly. Here's hoping I'm happier with it this time!

There are presents to wrap and hot chocolate to drink, so have a Merry Christmas, and I'll write again when the festivities are over. 

An Unexpectedly Magical Weekend

It's our first proper snow of the winter, which makes everything look more magical, and helps with the Christmas spirit. I'm having an odd year with Christmas. Usually I'm all for it or just a apethetically following along, whereas this year I feel like I'm there, it's Christmas, let's be jolly and oh, uh, yay, I suppose?

This weekend started out the latter. For reasons I won't divulge, my long anticipated, steal the oldest neice and nephew, I'm the best-aunt-ever(tm) weekend was cancelled. Cancelled very last minute, as in, Friday morning last minute.

Thankfully, I had not bought or booked anything, otherwise I would. Have been too cross to be as understanding as I was. But nonetheless, less said the better. 

With my rather unexpectedly free weekend, I decided to shuffle the dog walk with my mum to the Saturday and go along to the Jollyes open day. I had never heard of this pet superstore before and, as the radio promoted that thier chosen charity was the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, I instantly had to find out about it.

It was more a soft launch open weekend rather than any extravagant grand opening. Well, the unicorn was a bit grand, but more on that in a moment. 

We did spin the wheel before entry and won a free toy. Great start! Then we got handed a free dog goodie bag. Even better! And was that birds I hear?!

So, whilst I would put it on par with Pets at Home in terms of ranges and products, the bird section was phenomenally larger (at the expense of the fish section, I suspect, that felt a bit small). So we got to pick out a nice new perch for the boys. As we were discussing what seed offered the best value, the photographer popped over and asked us how our dog was around horses.

Yep. Missy got a photoshoot with a Unicorn. 

OK, so we had to be there to wrangle, but it was absolutely Missys moment to shine. I can't wait to see the official press photos! 

Missy was allowed to pick herself some dead things from the doggy pick'n'mix as a reward for her outstanding behaviour and we picked up a new pink coat for her (first photo). 

Then it was off to my mums for lunch and a walk in the snow around the quarry. 

Today we swithered on ideas. We had a free day, an absolute rarity, so should we invite friends round for bonus free cheese? (The Magic Circle social night was on Thursday. Hubby and I were rewarded a bunch of spare cheese and chocolates as a thank you for staying back to tidy up.) Or should we have an elusive quiet day and spend it on the sofa eating chocolate and watching Christmas movies?

I'll be honest, neither happened. Duvet days are a thing of the past as Missy insists on a solid wall despite the snow (and I was happy to oblige taking her photo on her cute new coat). After a brisk walk to get the cobwebs out, I was in no mood to sit about. Hubby wasn't either, and he beat me to the punch of starting the big pre-Christmas clean and tidy up. After clearing the place too to bottom, I made tiffin and tear and share to go with the ill-gotten camembert. 

Missy was besotted by the cheese, but alas, had to make do with her advent calander instead! 

Unexpected, but not a bad weekend all told.

OK, OK, one more photo of the unicorn! 

Until next week! 

Beginning to Feel like Christmas

I've given up hope of a truly "quiet" weekend, but this one came close. After a busy run of weekends, and work being busy for various reasons, Hubby put his foot down and insisted that Saturday was to remain a free day for just us.

And it was. We tidied the house and got the last few bits for Christmas from the shops and made a good start on our escape room Advent calendar. I did the dog walks, partly to give him a break from mornings, and partly to complete the Pokemon Go event that day.

At least I'm honest!

Today was a busy one. We were up early to visit a friend for breakfast at the Salt Cafe in Morningside. Dog and child friendly, it was perfect for catching up on the goings on in Liverpool and laughing about parents and in laws and why is it that Christmas brings out the worst in both?

Missy became swift friends with the cafe pup and staff before snoozing under the high chair. She knows the best place to be to get the tidbits!

Then it was off to the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Homes Christmas Market. We picked up a few bits and had a nice time chatting to folk, although they've changed the set up and location, and without Santa Paws, wasn't as fun as in previous years. Missy will see Santa Paws soon enough though!

And then we finished the day with a walk around Lauriston Castle with another friend and got some tea and cake. No photos, too busy catching up!

Its been an industrious run on crafts in the house. I have five Christmas gifts left to make and I've made a solid start of a birthday gift too. I cant share most of them, but I will share this little token gift that when out to the Manchester Aunt and Uncle:

Its always good when its easy to post a gift!

Until next week!