Many Happy Returns

I didn't have a party but had some lovely presents from my wonderful family - thankyou.

Me at my 1st birthday party, forty something years ago (DaddyHen did confirm that I am still mid-forties!?!?)

 

MummyHen X

Cakes wonderful cakes

Yeah I have finished my cakes – all done n’ dusted.

Cake Parcel – inspiration from Jane Asher Christmas Holly Parcel. Oh my I didn't notice the price wow.

 

White Star Tree – inspiration from The Pink Whisk – if you not visited Ruths blog then you are missing a treat. 

Holly Cake – inspiration Pink Whisk Holly & Berries Cake.

 

I have a stressful job and making these cakes has been relaxing and I really enjoyed it.  I hope all the recipients will love then too.

 

MummyHen X

 

It’s cold

Actually it’s freezing – the cobwebs in the garden – no I don’t have any in the house!?!? – are very frosty this morning.

Cakes are coming on but not finished – only the two large round ones to complete, large square is complete but can't post a picture as the recipient reads my blog.

Here are some better pictures - actually not that pleased with the photos.

 

 

MummyHen X

 

Icing afternoon

I need to buy some more icing as I ran out, four small cakes (5” square) all done well almost need some sliver ribbon to put around the base of each cake.

Large 8” round has had its base white icing - still deciding on the design; spent far too much time yesterday evening looking at some wonderful designs. I have some ideas so watch this space.

Large 10” square didn’t get to this one today – need to buy some more icing

And I did make another Christmas cake – which will be gifted; had all the ingredients in the cupboard so it was ‘free’

 

The artificial light is dreadful so apologies for the poor quality of the photos

 MummyHen X

Marzipan afternoon

All done and ready for the icing tomorrow

 

MummyHen X

Advent has begun

Four weeks until Christmas, I love Christmas – I had hot Christmases as child when we lived in Africa and cold Christmases here in England, both very different – the food, traditions, and obviously the weather but the constant was the family being together, carols and church. 

How do you prepare for Christmas?

I have ordered meat and poultry from the butcher – in previous years I’ve used high street supermarkets but in more recent years I like to support the local butcher.

I have made drink – mentioned here in my previous post.  This will be decanted in the next week or so ready for gifting.

I have made food and stocked the freezer for the days after Christmas and New Year before life gets back to normal in January.  I am hoping to take time off from work and have a rest so I little planning ahead will help.

I have been crocheting a table running – my poinsettia table runner.  I used 100% cotton and a 4mm hook. 

Start with yellow, create a magic loop or chain 6 to form a circle/loop, chain 3 (counts as 1tr), 11tr in to the same space. Slip stitch into the first stitch to join.  12 stitches in total.

Change to red and work 12, 2tr & chain 1 clusters into each space. Slip stitch into the first stitch to join.

Change to green and work 12, 3tr & chain 1 clusters into each space. Slip stich into the first stitch to join.

Change to white into the next space work 2tr, chain 1, 2tr 1chain.

Into the next space work 2 dtr (double trebles), chain 3, 2 dtr, chain 1.  This forms a corner cluster.

Into the next space work *2tr, chain 1, 2tr 1chain*.  Repeat * *

Into the next space work 2 dtr (double trebles), chain 3, 2 dtr, chain 1.  This forms the second corner cluster.

Repeat until you get back to the beginning the format is two clusters [2tr, chain 1, 2tr 1chain] in between each corner cluster. 

I joined as I went along but you could create all the squares and then crochet them together. There are a few ends to sew in but its worth the effort.

 

 

I think I will block it as the edges look a little wonkie

 

 

MummyHen X

 

Back in my own bed

After a week of sleep deprivation in the Netherlands I had the best night sleep last night ever and I do mean EVER.  This is the photo of the bathroom that I couldn’t post the other day – it’s not a great but you can see there’s no roof and the glass ‘walls’.

I do enjoy going away especially for holidays but on business it’s different – it's jolly hard work, it’s always good to connected with colleagues that you only hear their voice.  But is nice to be home; except the jobs I had hoped that would complete are still far from complete – well a start has been made but not much else.  DH informed me that money would be needed as:

1.    The lights had gone in the kitchen

2.    The boiler is leaking

3.    The door on the dishwasher is hanging off

4.    The washing machines sounds like a cement mixer

5.    Cooker hood is blowing not sucking

And there’s me eager to not spend anything, other than household bills, from January until end of March – I want to get back on track with paying down our debts.

The week before I went away I received my annual statement for the car loan – the monthly credit amount didn’t look right, it was £12 lower than the amount that was leaving my bank each month.  I phoned to query and was reminded that I took out a ‘return to invoice’ insurance but now that there are only 10 more payments left of the loan and the car value is far higher than the amount owing I cancelled this insurance.  I remember us deliberating if we needed the insurance when we bought the car.  Which was the best thing as six months after we had the car we were burgled, and the car was taken – after nearly four weeks the insurance company was on the verge of paying-out when the car was found in a container at Felixstowe ready to be shipped to Mombasa.  Now, if the car had not been found there would have been a difference between the amount the insurance company paid out and the amount remaining of the car loan.  Anyway, this £12 will go towards paying off a credit card.

We’ve not used our credit cards at all since beginning of July – everything has been debit card or cash – and we are seeing a difference.  The first card is nearly paid off – should will be gone by end December it will be tight we will have to keep close eye on spending over Christmas.

All of the Christmas shopping is done – just food shopping to do and we are NOT going to go mad – why does the population think that a famine is coming and clear the shelves; The shops are only closed for 1 day.

MummyHen X