Yawn Yawn Wakey Wakey 2025

Morning all.

Another wet day here. I’ll dig out some lights and a few decorations today to counter the dark days. Always brings find memories of childhood too - the bringing down of the Christmas box, the fairy light ‘test’ where you turn the lights off and squint to see if they look ok, and the cupboard/box of treats and food that we couldn’t touch until Christmas Eve!

Have a lovely Sunday folks - whether that’s through socialising, keeping cosy, trying to be festive or anything else.

 

Another horrible wet day here too. I've made the Christmas table stands/ extenders with some help from R one of the GD'S. Since graduating she expressed an interest in coming to the Allotments again and she helped with the re-assembly of the fame for the Lemons. She's not had the chance to use power tools etc before. I'm not the greatest DIY person, but I'm happy to pass on what little I can. I'm afraid her dad is the same as his dad just does jobs without thinking they might like to learn something.
They are not the most elegantly made but functional. Tops and legs from 18mm ply, battens top and bottom of legs for fixing and a more stable footprint. Just painted with dilute emulsion for what I believe they call the shabby chic look.

They will be a bonus present for both step daughters from Father Christmas and his apprentice.

 

On another note, we are due to go to Ashridge to see Christmas lights later. Really hoping the rain stops.

 

Yep, but understood this a while ago. it is his family. They can't even spell my first name right after 40 years. I am so glad I have MY family about who are supportive. Certain events with husband's family I have to attend, it is what it is.

 

We put up the Christmas tree and I had to cut some off the top spike to fit the star on. I had thought we were getting a 4ft tree but Cedric got quite excited at the tree farm and we have a 7 foot one! That meant we were a bit short of lights so went went to Bressingham GC and bought a longer string of lights. Wish I'd bought some more tinsel too. We decorated it this afternoon.

 

Good afternoon all. First of all can I just say how lovely your tree looks @Busy-Lizzie. This next week's job is to get mine up. The Christmas Fair went well despite the atrocious weather and our craft stall made over £220. I am still waiting to hear what the overall total was but quite happy with our contribution. The feeling of relief now that we are finished with the Christmas Fair is amazing. Back to normal this week and I will be making cakes for next weekend's tea/coffee morning.

 

I think that your Christmas table stands look super @Allotment Boy. Sorry but I am probably being a bit thick here, are they to place on top of a table to display items?

 

Thank you @Ladybird4. Your stall made a good sum for just one stall. Well done

 

I was so pleased to see you back on the forum, @Badly_Maintained! We have all missed you. Love the cheery colours in your summer garden. I think you’ll find there are experts spending hours and money, carefully achieving just that effect!
Hope you are feeling a lot better now, and if you are under stress from health or family issues in the future, implore you, and everyone else, to just say a quick hello on here. Just remembering you are part of a bigger community can sometimes help, and a few prayers and sympathy can act like a little light in dark days.
I’ve had a great weekend in Oxford. The weather did its best to dampen the event, but everyone still seemed to be having a great time at the Christmas Fair. The Botanical Gardens was a lovely venue, even in the winter. We ate wood fired pizzas and wraps, balanced on benches almost, but not quite, under the shelter of a gazebo! We were serenaded by Christmas carols played by an amateur brass band called Horns of Plenty, and more carols played on steel drums!
There were so many lovely handmade items on sale. I was thinking of you, @Ladybird4! I was very restrained, but have come home with some beautiful soaps, handmade cards, and an amazing brooch shaped like a blackbird, hand made, embroidered and painted. It was a struggle to select just one from the lovely designs on her stall, and chat to the lady who had made them.
The rest of the gardens were open, so I got to visit four big greenhouses, boasting collections of rain forest plants, a lily pond with fish, and massive collections of cacti and carnivorous plants.
Another conservatory provided respite from the rain, and cups of mulled wine, to enjoy among the Christmas trees and citrus trees. Oxford was really busy, with several other Christmas markets, but we had managed to get a table reserved for dinner in an Italian restaurant.
Back home on the train today with no delays, OH waiting to pick me up, having watched the last Grand Prix of the season. I’ll need an early night before the next lot of festivities!
Your lovely tree, @Busy-Lizzie, has reminded me that I need to brave the under stairs dumping ground, and extricate our artificial one. At least I won’t have to brave the loft!
Hope everyone is coping with the rain, I saw a lot of flooded fields in Somerset.

A Christmas present to myself! ( the coin is to give an indication of size)

 

That is absolutely super @Ergates. So very realistic. I will be looking her up. Your Christmas Fair sounds deluxe compared to ours

 

I agree @Ergates. Beautiful. Might have to drop a large hint to OH when my next birthday comes round.

 

Have found her site and noticed that the blackbird brooch has a swarovski pearl on it! Wow. Would match my swarovski watch……..

 

Signing out for today. I hope you all have peaceful nights. See you in the morning.

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@Ladybird4 , yes exactly, you can either put it in the centre if everyone is sitting round, or on at the back if a buffet style, just gives you extra space for all those extras at this time of year. I should have a picture of ours in use but can't find it at the moment.