Farewell 2024!

It's the time honoured last post of the year and I'm going to start by wishing you all a fab 2025. I have some modest plans and hopes for the year ahead, but I'm keeping it low key.

Missy intends to repeat her resolution from every year. To eat, sleep and try and keep out of mischief! Her plans of conquerong the squirrel overlords are in hold these days, though she still gives the scouts a good run for their money should she get the chance.

It's been a funny old year, too fast and yet so long at the same time. We went on our first cruise, Missy sailed first class to Ireland and there were many ribbons won and new adventurs had. It's been nearly a year since we lost my sister's MIL, and her family is still trying to find it's new normal. 

Still, we all have to make the most of things. Missy was bamboozled at the amount of gifts she recieved this year. The Christmas season was a delight this year, ice skating made us all merry and the day went perfectly.

My Manchester based sister arrived boxing day and we had a tremendous time in the chaos.

And that's that. Another Christmas over and a new year ahead.

So, I raise my mug of tea and I'll wish you all a Happy New Year. To many adventures ahead!

A Quick Update

It's been a hot minute since the last update! Firstly, I had an emotional proud dog mum moment when the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home released this:

Missy has come a long way in 10 years, and anything to promote a story of a stray-to-riches, an ode to rescues, is worth sharing. 

Although it has had the funny effect of reminding my family that Missy doesn't do Christmas trees. I've had to come to the realisation they must think me the Grinch in recent years with our "barely there" decor! I've had my brother, my older sister and my own mother check that their trees aren't going to upset Missy! So I've had to explain that the big Faux Pas is leaving her with it. She'll tolerate being about one, but clearly doesn't trust them enough to leave her alone.

Out with Missys celebrity moment, we've visited friends and family and had the in laws through too. This is the calm week, a chance to recharge the batteries ahead of the big push of Christmas to New Year.

We have Yule (we're doing friendmas) on Saturday, then Christmas Eve is ice skating before the day itself. We're doing "the doors" this year and visiting various parts of the family throughout the day. We are seeing cousin Maisie, so Missy will not be forgotten as we have a very nice dog walk planned.

And then the exciting bit - we've had last minute visit organised by Manchester based sister and my youngest niblings! Christmas really is made by kids, so I can't wait for the mini Christmas on the 27th when they are through.

On that note, I will catch you up after the big day! So much to do and so little time!

But first, please take a moment to raise your mug of tea to the "Marvellous Missy", and all the other pets in their second chance homes, and most importantly, on those waiting to find one.

Getting in the Christmas Spirit

It's December. We've had our first snow and some truly freezing weather and you know what that means! Yep, time to crack out the Xmas tunes.

We've had a very busy run of late, between the in-laws and friends visiting, I feel like I've not stopped hosting! To finish off November, we had the much anticipated Goblin Ball and it was absolutely amazing.

These outfits have been months in the making! It's not clear in the photo, but we are dressed as moths, myself a Luna moth and hubby as deathshead. The theme came to be as hubby was adamant he wanted a mothman cosplay, and I managed to swerve the enthusiasm onto a rogue/traveller inspired moth attire.

Very pleased with how they came out, and the night itself was amazing. The food was fantastic, everyone was really friendly and the outfits ... Well, the bar has been raised for next year! There was even a medieval band and we played medieval dancing games, absolutely fantastic evening.

Missy was not to be left out. We took her to see Santa Paws on the Saturday - bizarrely IKEA hosted one, even though they aren't dog friendly. One day! We popped into Jollyes on the way home to get her a treat for being on the nice list.

Following on from the being on the nice list, I did a little photoshoot with Missy on Sunday around the theme "naughty or nice", and she absolutely does belong on the nice list.

Missy knows not to take (at least when no one is looking!) and she would sniff at the treats, look and me and then sniff them again. I managed to coax her into nudging at them so it looks like she's taking them in another photo, but it was a delightful bit of fun.

Monday was a quick trip to Ireland to see my dad for his Christmas. It went very quickly but also went very well. He has 5 dogs and they were on best behaviour around my sister and I.

We had some drama on the flight there. Literally as the plane was starting to take off I got a nosebleed. So I was hunched up, one hand clamping my nose shut whilst the other was under my chin in the event of a stray drip whilst my sister was poised awaiting the air stewardess unbuckling her seatbelt. Apparently the woman pulled a face when the call bell sounded the split second she stood up, but when she realised it was an actual emergency, she was fantastic with us. She dashed off, brought me tissues and wipes and a bottle of water along with some sick bags and a plastic bag to put it all in when done. As a first aider, I appreciated the questions about if this was normal or not and was also checked on a few times during the flight. As soon as those around us realised what was going on, a small mexican wave of tissues being offered occured.

My sister found all of this hilarious and, in retrospect, it was funny, although at the time if I could have opened the emergency exit and yeeted myself onto the tarmac, I absolutely would have. Mortified doesn't cut it!

Then it was a very late arrival home before the grind of the week started up again!

I'm hoping to update before Christmas, but no promises! Stay safe and enjoy the festive season.

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. 

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!

Slumber Party

Winter is drawing in for sure now as our afternoon walk feels more and more like a midnight run. Missy isn't phased - she's been chasing off the zombie hordes whilst I've followed warily behind. I will admit that after this photo, I did dig out her high vis' coat, which had made the walk significantly less stressful. Black dogs do not show up very well in the twilight woodland.

Missy is all growing up though; she had her first slumber party this weekend. Well, it was more hubby and I indulging my twin niece and nephew who have been begging for us to stay over for a considerable amount of time now. With thier dad suffering long covid and chronic fatigue, we kept the weekend very simple. We arrived at 9am the Saturday, then I took the mum out for a well deserved stress free few hours bauble painting. 

I am very, very pleased with mine. The workshop was at Dalkeith Country Park and was an early Christmas present which was well received as we spent two hours catching up and enjoying some cake. 

Meanwhile, hubby, dad and the kids did a local treasure hunt through the High Street, looking for the odd things out in the windows, before we all got back for lunch. We let the dad snooze for a little as I got to catch up with the kids and we showed off our trinkets. My neice, who is very, very crafty, was extremely jealous in the most fun way to have been left the the "smelly boys". Honestly, the girl is 8 going on 19!

We had lunch, there was colouring in and board games before dinner. The board games were picked up again as we had a girls round and a boys round of chess - coming from a family that actually played chess very seriously, I loved watching my nephew seriously challenging my hubby. Hubby knows the pieces, and what they do, but he has no idea of tactics. After an initial false start where I realised that the problem was both players were purely reacting on the other and no one had a game plan, I stepped in to help my nephew a little. Then helped hubby a little. Dad joined in and we soon fell into a good rhythm of suggesting some nudges of an idea whilst letting them both actually do the thinking. Hubby won, but it was a close thing, giving my nephew a but more confidence in the game. I played my neice who was far too tired at this point, but was insistent that she should have a go too.

I kept it short, but kind. And let her take a few "big" pieces. I firmly believe chess can only be learned whilst losing and that letting someone win does no one a favour. 

Kids went to bed and we stayed up far too late trying to sort the wrongs of the world. 

Well. We weren't surprised that there was no lie in. So it was a rambling dog walk to air out the cobwebs before games were again played until lunchtime. 

We ate and left and got home to do the chores and get prepped for another week. A very good weekend, but tiring too.

10/10 though, would definitely do again - perhaps not next weekend though like the kids were asking! 

Bringing in 2022

It's the start of a new year and with that, the promise of new adventures to come whilst firmly closing aside 2021. 

Whilst not a bad year, as there were plenty of highlights to be had (a sneaky Disney trip, lots of visits to friends and family, Missy coming 2nd in Golden Oldie and finally having her medication sorted so itchy paws are a thing of the past, to name a few), there was a fair share of lows. Hubby was made redundant from a job he truly loved and, whilst happy doing what he's doing now, it will never replace the gap in his life. We've lost acquaintances, and almost lost close family. Good friends are struggling with the burdens of covid and burnout, and there is little I can do to help them but offer a cup of tea and an open ear. And yes, the plague we had hoped to have banished is still here making life difficult and interrupting our most simple plans. 

Yes. Whilst 2020 was a dumpster fire, the heights of 2021 have really made me feel the lows of the year much harder. 

So, that chapter is being closed and I am opening the next warily, but with optimism. 

Final comments on 2021:

Christmas this year went very well. We had decided on a low key event with my mother coming over and that being all the guests. A quick walk around the estate in the morning made me feel like the ghost of Christmas present; the streets were dark and all the curtains were open and lit, displaying families opening thier presents and running around throwing wrapping paper and glitter. 

It certainly got me in the right mood for the day. My mum turned up at 11 and we had okonomiyaki for dinner (with a Christmas twist, it being of the turkey and crispy bacon variety) which went down a treat. She humoured us in a gnome painting activity and very quickly took the whole affair very seriously. It was just the right thing to idley pass the time as we got caught up on the goings on in life and then it was time for her to head off.

A good Christmas. 

And then, as I mentioned previously, it's been redecorating. I normally deep clean the house for the bells, so I've baan anxious that it was an impossible task this year. We spent the passing of the year painting skirting together, which I suppose in its own way is what we want for the year to come, to enjoy each others company and continue to work well as a team. 

Now onto 2022.

We started out today as we meant to go on with our first #leadtheway walk, which was a Loony Dook inspired affair at Portobello. It was also our best turn out yet with half a dozen people. After Missys last walk being all girls, this time it was all boys, and she was in her element flirting with them (particularly with an Irish Terrier called Red). 

For those unaware, the Loony Dook is the practice of going swimming in the sea on the first of January. Even at an almost tropical 14C, its always been one step too far from me. Looking at the bright red cold-sore skin on show, and hearing the humorous shrieks of shock and laughter made me quite glad for my wellies as I waded in a little. Missy had to be bribed in order to try the water, and she took the biscuit and went back to her flirting on dry land. 

Some of the dogs on our walk did brave the water, and it was lovely to watch them. 

Then back home to putting up wallpaper, there truly is no rest for the wicked! 

In other news, we finally got our Wilderness Wolf badge with Dog Furiendly - the first in the pack to do so, and quite an achievement! 

Missy is wondering where the girl scout cookies are to be found...

Normally this is where I put in my hopes and plans for year to come, but I'm not going to do that this year. Yes, I have grand plans in my ever evolving wartime garden, but I'm not making elaborate plans. Or resolutions. I'm just gonna focus on making this year count, and bringing in as much good to it as I can.

And so, with great sincerity, I raise a mug of tea and, truly, wish you all a Happy New Year. 

Levelling up in the Festive Season

It's been a busy week. Between the pre-Christmas rush at work to get projects closed, getting jobs done about the house, and trying to see friends and family before the big day, we haven't really stopped.

The week started well with Missy receiving her secret santa gift (organised by Dog Furiendly), and she got a really cute collar. Over the Xmas/new year period we're planning on doing a big move about with the rooms of the house working from home is now a default status these days, and sharing my space with the guest room is proving problematic. The few times we've had guests recently result in me working in the living room and the budgies getting relocated to the media room. (The budgies are slowly getting there, Fry will join me at my desk on occasion!) 

So it's time for a change and a reshuffle, and when you do one big job, you may as well do it all, so we're levelling up on life skills by teaching hubby to lay carpets and trying a new way to hang wall paper.

Oh how exciting life is! 

We also installed a fence this weekend, which was the last garden job of the year. It's cheap and cheerful and the intention is to use it to grow a hedge on in the spring, so it's all we need! 

We managed to get the mini family Xmas organised Saturday night, and also saw old friends Sunday night, so we're well and truly worn out from the festivities! A good weekend, but I am looking forward to a quiet few days to recharge the batteries for the main event next weekend! 

A New Christmas Jumper

This weekend has been a long overdue quiet one. We got the house tidied and all the odd jobs out the way. It's a low key set up this Christmas - we're planning on using the time between Christmas and New year to get some long overdue DIY done, so it's jusg the window and a few festive ornaments. 

Which, really, is how Missy prefers it - our little Scrooge is quite happy to let the nonsense pass us all by. 

It wasn't all work and no play though - I got us all matching jumpers and, with a bit of upcycling wizardry, had a kids one adjusted for Missy. 

Next years Christmas card is going to be epic. 

Missy got to debut her new glad rags on our second shot at a Lead the Way walk, this time a Christmas themed one around Arthur's Seat. 

Despite very good ticket sales, it wasn't a very big turnout. I suspect anxiety on the new Covid strain is to blame, but nonetheless, we still had a good time with those who did come along. Missy made some new friends and we had an all girl pack hanging out together. 

Our hour walk turned into an hour and a half and Missy is worn out from all the attention. Not a bad way to finish a quiet weekend. 

Until next time! 

A Surprisingly Busy Xmas

Well, we're back in lockdown for at least 3 weeks, but we managed to squeeze in some Christmas celebrations. There was an outdoor social distanced get together with my lot and then, following guidelines, the hubbies family came to visit for Xmas itself.

Missy was pleased to see Ruby again, although the novelty of the 18 month old pup quickly wore thin! There was lots of presents, lots of elbow bumps and waving of arms for social distance hugs and everyone's souls feel very topped up and ready to weather through the next lockdown. 

This lockdown, hubby has been furloughed, meaning for the first time in the 13 years we have known one another, we'll both be off fit the festive period. Sad as it sounds, it's one of the best gifts I've been given this year. Between redeployment and working from home, I haven't had the authentic lock down experience, so I'm looking forward to us all spending time together.

This week for #leadthewayatoz was the dreaded letter Z. After scratching our heads for a bit, we decided on petting Zoo. The Almond Valley Heritage Centre is closed, owing to lockdown, but you can follow the river and pass the fields with the horses and alpacas. The alpacas were clearly too cold to bother with us, but this horse was pleased for some company and came over to say hello.

And last (but not least), is my latest complete project. Ironically, this has been stitched for ages, I've just been waiting on the hoops to arrive to frame it! 

It's a house warming gift for a friend who used to work in the Haunted Mansion ride in Florida - I'm sure she'll love it! 

Well, this is officially the last post of 2020. Its been a year, I'll admit, but I can't say it's been all bad. I got to Disneyland Paris. My garden is years ahead of schedule and I grew carrots for the first time. Missy won us a holiday to Durham, and won an Honourable Hound award with Dog Furiendly. It's had its lows, redeployment and continental shifts are something I do not want to repeat, but that's as low as it got. I feel like I've gotten lucky all things considered with the virus, and I'm hoping that in the dark winter days ahead my luck will continue to carry on. 

So, I raise a mug of tea to all, for 2020, a year we want to forget but will be remembered in history, and to 2021 where hopefully we can start to truly celebrate this new decade. 

A Strange Christmas

It's been a struggle for me this year to get Christmassy. Each time I feel that I'm starting to get that way, and my mood lifts, and the cold dark days don't seem to everlasting, something comes up. My Christmas weekend with the in laws was blighted with some truly bad weather and the hubby's broken toe. Cheer from my mini Christmas was short lived as the brother in law had a bit of a scare with his post op life (he's OK, still not fine, but OK).

So I was determined. Absolutely determined that I was going to get christmassy this weekend. The Cameo Cinema was hosting a dog friendly screening of Its A Wonderful Life so I scheduled a girls day out with the cinema and a lunch planned and a walk along the canal. My friend and I had a good laugh on the walk to the cinema about the fact that our parents had been equally horrified that we had never seen the movie before, and how we had both had the same response of "well, that's because you've never shown me it before!".

The event had been organised by the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home who were also fundraising. I bought Missy a big bag of biscuits and she put on the charm to get pets and biscuits off everyone else. One of the staff recognised her as an" ex resident" and I got a proud pawrent moment saying that Missy had won best rescue this year in the open day. Then off we went to the show.

It was a sold out event. There was maybe 30 dogs altogether and they were all amazingly well behaved. There was the occasional chain of barks (one specific dog clearly had to have the last word) and an occasional grumble, but other than that, nothing. My friend was very impressed, she had expected the dogs to be doing laps around the screen or howling and barking throughout!

Feeling thoroughly christmassy, I switched my phone back on and found 40 missed messages. I just knew exactly what had happened - my uncle who had been very poorly had given up the good fight. I cancelled lunch with my (very understanding) friend and then spent the rest of the day on the phone. 

There was one good moment of the night, a rare coming together of siblings where my older sister came up with the idea of sending flowers, we all agreed on a bunch, my little sister picked some beautiful words and I then got it organised and they were delivered the next day (and very well received). Knowing my aunt has both her sons looking after her (and my mother, her sister, is already visiting to check on her) has alleviated my feelings of guilt about the unfortunate timing. They want to be left alone for the season and I respect that. 

Hubby had Sunday off and, bless him, did his best to get us back on track and in good cheer. There was Christmas music, we wrapped presents together and went on a lovely walk around beecraigs before having cream scones at Dobbies (whilst it's amazing they now have a dog friendly section in the cafe, the three tables given to dog owners were in high demand, so it would be nice to have a few more tables in future!) 

Missy humoured me and sat in the sleigh very nicely, and we then mooched about at all the Christmas tat. Hubby is on a quest to find a nutcracker but, whilst we say some ornaments that looked like one, they didn't actually crack nuts. How will we be protected from the seven headed mouse King of our nutcracker can't crack nuts? 

Yes, we've both finally read the nutcracker stories. Its a strange year this one. I think it will come together, I know my BIL is very pleased we are visiting him on the day, as is my brother who has been invited to join us in our traditional Christmas dog walk, complete with santa hats. Perhaps their enthusiasm will rub off. 

Not the brightest note to end on, but I'm sure there will be another update before the year is out. I hope that one will be more positive. The new year for me is a time to focus on what has went right and what has gone well, so I should be in a more optimistic mood. 

Think of family and loved ones, those who are with us and those who are gone, and be pleased for the company of those around us.

Have a merry Christmas all, we are all luckier than we think. 

A Quick Catch Up

It's been a busy couple of weeks! So, as mentioned in me last post, hubby has fractured his toe so I've ended up taking on all the dog walking chores although this last week he's managed to slowly make their way around the park for the morning walk.

After a long week, we had the in laws through with Ruby Havok last weekend. My hubby's Aunt (MILs sister) also came for a visit with the intention of us all getting in the Christmas mood. 

Ruby is doing very well, she's only 7 months old but is now an equal weight to Missy, so they got along very well now they can actually play on equal ground. As you can see from the photo though, she's still getting the hang of having her picture taken! It took almost a whole day to puppy proof the house and we did OK, the only casualty being some air hardening clay (which she ate, threw up and then ate some more of... Clearly not the sharpest tack in the box!) 

We were supposed to be doing the lights at the castle, but they were cancelled last minute due to high winds. Then the Sunday was a wash out with some pretty horrendous rain. Sunday had always been planned as the dogs day, and Aunt had asked to see the Kelpies. Despite the shock of my sister who lives nearby (and rang me 3 times to say it was terrible weather and I was mad to go out) but as I said, dogs need walking and so we went anyway. 

Yes. It was very wet. But not so bad that it put Ruby off trying to swim in the canal! Both dogs were quickly snuggled up in dressing gowns (MIL has commissioned one for Ruby) and we all had a well deserved cup of tea when we got in. 

Monday was much more successful. We had booked the lanterns at the zoo and woke up to a hard frost and bright blue skies. I'm happy to do the cold, it's the wet that I hate. I made pancakes for us all much to the Aunts amusement - it had been years, she said, since she had pancakes for breakfast! 

The in laws went to visit BIL and the hubby and I had a quiet morning with the dogs. He hobbled around a nice slow dog walk (linhouse loop, it was the flattest I could think of with something resembling a pavement) and we enjoyed some time to ourselves. 

The lanterns were spectacular. My inner six year old nearly died in joy at the life size triceratops and smilodon. I wasn't sure about the theme originally as I feel dinosaurs are a bit over done these days - and as someone who wanted to be a palaeontologist as a kid, that's saying something. However, I absolutely loved it. The lanterns translated really well into the dinosaurs and, with a pause for a hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows, it took us 2 hours to get round them all. 

Tuesday was back to normal and by the time I was home from work the house was empty again. A lovely visit and finally starting to feel a bit christmassy. 

I didn't get a lot of time for craft, but I was very pleased with this quick project. This is Ruby's first Christmas and I felt she needed a stocking. It had to be girly and sparkly and full of fun treats. I just hope she likes it as much as the rest of us do! 

The Last Post of 2018

Well, its that gap in the year between Christmas and New Year and it seemed a good moment to squeeze in one last blog post.

My sister, BIL and kids are safely back south after a terrific Christmas - since the last update we all managed Christmas itself including a lovely dog walk at Almondvale, a whole family Nerf battle and a visit out to butterfly world. We have certainly kept ourselves busy!

The Nerf battle is probably a highlight of the week; basically my eldest sister owns her own business and there's unused office space adjacent to her which we commandeered for the games. We started using Missys agility set as an obstacle course to warm everyone into it (and to ensure I got some good action shots of everybody) before chaos reigned and the battle started. I wandered about in a pocket of blissful calm behind the toddler, taking photos and ensuring no one shot at him, feeling very much a war journalist chauffeuring precious cargo through the war zone...

One of my big sewing projects ties into the family Nerf battle and that was a set of tacti-cool Nerf vests for my sisters whole family, including a teeny tiny one for the 18 month old! I've lined the kids ones with jersey to keep them warmer (a huge mistake in terms of sewing, such an awkward fabric to work with) and they worked out great in the end. 

The vests were a real item of envy, I've already had my older sister telling me that she and her eldest boy want one, and with talk of an Easter rematch, I think I may be skipping on buying eggs this year...

That's the only real sewing update, I've spent today working through the 'adjustment pile' - basically the stack of stuff that I've been given to hem, or I've picked up knowing the size is wrong but its an easy fix or sewing failures that I need to revisit when I'm less cross with them!

Well, I shall head off now and decorate my Hogmany cakes - we are going to see the bells in with friends and play some board games whilst eating too much cake and sweets. The perfect way to bring in a new year!

So, I raise a cup my cup tea to you and Missy and I wish you all a  Happy New Year.

Almond Valley

Its the most wonderful time of the year...

My house is officially full with my sister, BIL and niece (5) and nephew (1) and we are counting down the days to Christmas. Its the first year since I was about 19 that I have had the time in between Christmas and New Year off and I'm pleased to have family round to help fill in the days!

So today we did the Almond Valley Museum, Farm and Discovery Centre - more of a small city farm meets outdoor play areas. Its great, you can show the kids some sheep then move onto the trampolines then go and see the goats before playing in the sandpit. Despite a particularity chilly start, the day warmed up and, after a visit to Santa, everyone was warmed up and enjoying the day.

Apart from the cafe, everywhere in te heritage centre is dog friendly, so whilst Missy and I missed out on the Santa visit, she was able to keep up with her cousins looking at all the animals and running about all the different activity areas. I've done Almond Valley quite a few times now, and the favourites amongst my God-kids are the sand pit and the trampolines, so it great to discover that the sledge slide and the many play parks were the top priority of my niece and nephew. 

My sister was most pleased with the special Santa entry price, as well as getting to pet all the bunnies and my BIL seemed to just enjoy the easy going nature of the place - it was that perfect level of busy where there are enough kids about that the place doesn't feel like a ghost town and yet quiet enough that they aren't fighting over getting on things...

We've also managed to fit in some festive baking and, whilst I very much took charge, I am pleased with the joint effort of the cake I made with my niece:

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I have the joy of seeing what new traditions my sisters family have taken on - there is a much talked about 'Yule Cat' who is set to be a big part of tomorrow night and I've made some stockings to hang up for my niece and nephew. I hope they are pleased with the outcome!

 

As a final note, Missy finally got to meet her doppelganger in Cerberus form:

Until after Christmas!