And That's the End of the 2023 Season

Well, it all sort of fell apart at the end there - this year certainly wasn't going to go easy on me!

Since the last post we went to the Beecraigs Festival of lights, hosted Friendmas, then we had our liverpudlian friends stay with us, complete with Ren:

After that was the home run to Christmas. Well, it should have been, I was drafted last minute to sew curtains for the eldest sister. Her MIL (which, seeing as I was 10 when she turned up in my life is really a bonus grandparent at this point) is very unwell so is moving in with my sisters family until she's ready to move on to whatever the next adventure is. This meant a very last minute, very urgent refit of the conservatory and a lot of hemming needing done. A lot. 

Of course, muggins showed up trying to save the day armed with the sewing machine and presents.... And promptly face planted as soon as I was out the car. Downplaying my new war wounds, the curtains were fixed and I hoped that karma was gonna be on my side for a little bit. 

Did I mention that was the Thursday and we were flying the Saturday? 

We finally ticked Christmas at Disneyland Paris off the bucket list. My good dead paid off as, despite my knee looking like a bruised grapefruit, everything went smoothly. Flights on time. Taxis on time. Got booked into the hotel no problem. It went perfectly.

We followed the American tradition and gave out gifts to all the staff on Christmas day... Which totally isn't a thing in Paris. St Nick was looking down in us though as our merry gift giving was met with absolute shock and delight from the cast. So much so that we were gifted with some complimentary fast passes from the lovely crew at the train station - we absolutely did not expect any kind of reciprocation to the key chains we gave out, so we were absolutely dumbstruck to be pulled aside and handed them.

Honest thoughts? If you just want to go for the season, go at the start of the month as it was heaving. If you want to be crazy and try and start a new tradition giving out cards, then go for it. That's what made the day actually feel like Christmas to us. 

Missy was not forgotten - she had a midweek break being spoiled at our friends. We had sent her off with a mystery stocking and really did appreciate the photos of her "opening" it. 

Then it was home and here we are. Hubby is back to work (the joys of retail) and I've been catching up on sewing and generally trying to recharge my very much exhausted batteries. 

Talking sewing, hubby was very unimpressed with the Wish merchandise. We had a tremendously wonderful meet and greet with Asha, the main protagonist, and he wanted Star. But the only Stars available were either ginormous, or hard and not very snuggly. So I present to you, my first attempt at designing my own embroidery pattern for the face, Star:

Is he a bit too chubby? Yes. Is he a bit wonky and out of proportion? Absolutely. Does he look like he's wearing a onsie? Yes, although I don't understand how. But am I chuffed to bits with it, and more importantly, is hubby? Yes. So all is well. 

On that note, I hope you all have a lovely festive season. I'd also like to wish you all a happy New Year and most importantly, I wish you all a 2024 that offers you no more than can fit on your plate. I am done hoping for "my year" and so I merely ask that it be one with trials I can cope with with dignity and grace.

As is tradition, I raise my cup of tea to you all. I hope the chapter can be cleanly closed on 2023 with the happy moments at the front of it, and that 2024 offers many more to you. 

Santa Paws is Coming to Town

I mean, we all know which ones on the nice list and which ones on the naughty list!

This weekend we had not one, but two trips to see Father Christmas. The first one my brother insisted we book back in September which was the official Grotto experience at Dobbies. That was tremendous fun as we arrived early enough to bump into the back if the previous slot, so we were in a lovely queue of dogs all in thier Christmas jumpers.

Maisie was clearly keen to impress as she bravely put up with bring in hers whilst Missy got lots of attention as the cutest one in a llama jumper as both hubby and I wore ours. Cringy. Maybe. But dud we make a lot of people smile? Absolutely. Which makes it all worthwhile. 

After a stop at the Dobbies cafe for breakfast (it would have been rude not to! ) we headed over to Jollyes for thier 1 year anniversary party, featuring (you've guessed it) Santa Paws!

He was clearly feeling more energetic after a morning cuddling dogs - we were treated to a sing along and stories before being given chocolates. 

Not a bad wee day! 

Sunday was a sewing day. I had completed the last of the Christmas sewing on Thursday and was pleased to get on with a different project. A pair of bride and groom sloths are slowly coming together (no pun intended) and I'm pleased with how they have turned out so far.

I had Maisie again so my brother could push on with his Xmas shopping and then I picked up hubby from work and we went along to the Beecraigs Festival of Light with my older sister, BIL and nephew. To say it's been a year for my poor sister is an understatement and truth be told, I think she really needed the distraction. Hubby and I were running about with out nephew and generally being upbeat and silly, who resulted in some of the nicest photos of my nephew taken this year! My sister held an owl and hubby got his photo with "Weegie Olaf" at "Freezin" and Anna and Elsa too.

My sister lamented about not being able to bring the dogs, but thats the way it is, the event was far too busy to drag a poor dog about in. 

And I'm sure Missy was pleased for the quiet evening. She was beat after a weekend putting up with her cousin (who we were shocked to learn had made it onto the nice list, she clearly smuggled some cookies in that jumper) and was sound asleep when we eventually got home.

All in all, a fan wee weekend. 

And there's more Christmas fun to come! 

Until next week! 

Swiftly Moving Through December

After a giid year for updates, I've rather fallen at the last hurdle. December has always been a ridiculously busy month and 2023 is no exception. 

Last weekend was spent playing board games and watching anime with my nephew who had come to stay and this week the beds have had the in laws in them.

I really must start charging as a b and b! 

I've been managing to fit in some nice walks, although the weather has definitely changed for the worst. Friday night brought in - 6C and today has been nothing but torrential rain. Fortunately Missy dislikes the rain as much and me, so it was a short afternoon walk! 

And thats the updates. This week is quiet as far as weeks go and the focus is finishing Christmas crafts. But it's not all work and no play - keep an eye out this weekend for a special day planned for Missy! 

Until then!