Contemplating life, as I always do at this time of the year. Well, it's the in-between time, we have alsready had a new year, thanks to the solstice, but still we wait with anticipation for the 2nd new year on the 1st. This year, very soon in fact, I leave the realms of teenagerhood behind and embark on the next step, whatever that may be, of an even longer voyage. This, for me, is the most reflective time of the year. Just like I do every night, go through what's happened to me in that day, I sit and think about the year that I/we've had, good bits, bad bits, and bits I'd rather forget all come to the front for one long last look before they get filed away in the 2005 filing cabinet.

My teens haven't been the happiest of times, actually, at points they have been pretty hard. But I have learnt a tremendous amount, from people, from life, from the world. My opinions have been formed, conclusions made, and experiences had. Sometimes I still feel like the child I was, but don't we all? My life is one that is constantly changing, sometimes slower than others, but as everything changes and evolves, so do I, and my life is made all the richer for it.

If I look back at the last 5 years, what has happened, the things I didn't think ever would happen to me, I am amazed. The things I have achieved, however small, the steps made, and the tasks accomplished. I still have many dreams and aspirations, but I haven't found my niche in life just yet. However I am absolutely positive that, like everything else in my life, it will come to me when I am ready for it, and not a moment before. There will be more challenges, monumental decisions and ups and downs, which will have to be faced with a courage that will sometimes eludes me.

But when I look at what I've got, the fact that I am loved by so many people, that I can do good deeds, empathise and change, I am grateful for everything I have. I will work on bettering myself, learning more, experiencing many more things, and trying to break down those barriers that have been erected by my past. I still have so much more to do before my time is done.

So, this is to everyone who reads, I wish you a good new year, may you realise your full potential, do great things, may your mind open and your horizons widen to the possibility of All That Is.

Goodbye 2005, hello 2006!

This year, xmas was magical. Not the magical childhood xmasses, where santa comes down the chimney and leaves you your heart's desire, nor the skeptical xmasses of my early teens, this was different, but magical nonetheless. It all went to plan, with no hitches, crises, burnt bits (10 raisins, to be exact), shouting, illness, worry or stress.
The turkey was perfect (if a little large), perfectly cooked, the vegetables were all prepared by my commis-chef (a.k.a. The Fiancé) wonderfully, we sat at the table by scant candle-light and enjoyed the moments which, in all reality, are too fleeting. Presents made up a small part of the day, everything that I received was so perfect for me, and very creative for the most part. We spent the best quality time with each other. The cake was definitely lush, moist and everyones favourite, the dog got her presents too (which she enjoyed greatly) and the day was everything and more than I hoped it'd be.

I hope everyone else had as good a time as I know I did, and will have a very merry new year.

So...

"for now, let me say - Without hope or agenda - Just because it's Christmas - And at Christmas you tell the truth - for me, this was one of the best xmasses ever" ~ with apologies to Love, Actually

The puds are now done! I am so pleased, my first xmas puds. There was a little accident with the first one (they are done in two smaller containers to halve boiling time) as it went into water that was a tad too deep and temporarily drowned. Thankfully it hadn't got too wet, and was saved by my quick-wit and cunning :-D I am pleased to report that they are both happy, healthy xmas puds, weighing in at just over 1lb (550-600g approx.). As for fingers and toes, I'm hoping they don't have any... I do have a great tip to make steaming/boiling quicker, once in their little containers, use a rubber band or three, with some baking parchment, to cover their little tops. Cruel as it may sound, it does help them cook a lot faster and more evenly, without them getting wet from steam condensation.

The scarf is coming along, after changing my mind and deciding to do it in one type of wool, instead of two, and using up the lilac wool that should've been a scarf many moons ago but never was. I am learning new stitches daily, this baby fern is so sweet and ridiculously easy to do. One day, I shall work up to a garment. I regularly threaten the Fiancé with a jumper, he eyes me with great suspicion and mumbles something (I don't ask what hehe).

So, without further ado drumroll ifyouplease, I present, the beginning of yet another scarf!


[scarf artfully placed on book]


[a close-up of the pattern, it is much prettier in person]

Currently listening to:
Troika, composed by Prokofief, from the Lieutenant Kije Suite
For me one of the ultimate xmas songs...

It seems that finally everyone is feeling a little more xmassy at last. The tinsel is draped artfully over most objects in people's homes, and the xmas lights are twinkling. Today was spent mostly recovering from the long drive that the Fiancé and I took on Friday. It is the MIL's b'day this week, and the Fiancé wanted to get down to give her the presents (and of course, the xmas presents as well). Knowing full-well that the dog would not tollerate a room full of people she didn't know, and not wanting to cause family ructions if, by some horrible turn of events, she decided to make a nuisance of herself, we took a detour via my mothers house where the dog and I stayed for the weekend. We had a great time, eating plenty and watching Love, Actually whilst bobbing up and down maniacally when Hugh Grant, as Prime Minister, dances around Downing Street. If you haven't seen it, the film is an xmas must!

Tonight was spent in a far more laid-back way. Having done the last shop before xmas, bought more brussel sprouts than are really necessary, we got home exhausted. The Fiancé suggested we open the bottle of Pimms #3, the winter one, which was added to apple juice, with cinnamon and cloves. It was delicious. We also *bought* an xmas pud, but only for the container that it comes in, so I can make one myself ;-) We decided to sit listening to Jools Holland's xmas special on Radio2, followed by a spectacular Big Band Christmas Special of which I am particularly fond, whilst drinking our gorgeous spiced Pimms concoction, eating xmas pud, in only the light of our xmas tree. We sat there cuddled for ages, until the call for bed was made. This is the best part of xmas for me, and it couldn't have been any more magical.

Night night ladies, I'm off to dive under our warm duvet with my belovéd :-)

Well, it is the middle of winter, is it not? (Ok, not for Australian gals ~ sorry!) It is really starting to feel a little wintry here, it's getting colder and we're expecting snow (not an ideal situation to walk the dog in)!

So this is the time of year when there is nothing left to do but find comfort in the warmth of your own home, spend precious time with loved ones, and celebrate each others company. I feel like I should be baking, but I couldn't be less in the baking mood if I tried! Next week, once this weekend is over, it will be hectic. Monday is a big baking and shopping day ~ gingerbread, xmas pud and the supermarket at its busiest! Sometime next week the lovely new dresser unit will be arriving (they cocked up the dates of the delivery, apparently), there are some personal gifts I'd like to get for people, although in theory we've done all of the xmas present shopping. Then on Friday, the eve of xmas eve, dawns the day when our turkey shall be ready to be picked up from our local farm-shop, and my mother arrives. I can't wait!

Now off to walk the dog, before it gets pitch black (at 3.25pm no less!!) whilst humming some 'Christmas with the Rat Pack', all that's left to be said now; 'Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!'

Still knitting my MIL's scarf, I had a break thinking that there was plenty of time before next weekend. Then poof, there's only 2 days *sigh*
Thankfully, I am a quick knitter when it comes to knitting and purling in various combinations, although I have knitted a purl and purled a knit ~ which usually only gets noticed 5 rows later (argh!).
This scarf, made up of 30 sts, in a 7x3 rib, has only taken one ball of Sirdar's Aran, which means that I have one left, hopefully for a scarf idea (for me!) that I have brewing!


[MIL's scarf, currently around floor to navel length]

I shall do the meme that Robyn tagged me to partake in, but at the moment I'm as busy as can be (must get arse off computer!)
I am still waiting for the washing machine repair man to come and fix, what I presume, is something stuck in the pump which makes an ungodly noise. Why oh why do these things always happen around xmas?!
Tomorrow we are having a gorgeous dresser unit delivered, a present from the The Fiancé's parents, which will be really useful in freeing up space in our really teeny tiny kitchen. Yay!
Phew, we are now updated. Off to write the xmas cards that The Fiancé said he'd write 2 weeks ago - but didn't (argh!!!)

Later:
Scarf now finished! Woohoo. Just tying up loose ends, and I can wrap it. Now maybe onto a scarf of my choice?!

Thanks to anyone who did ask a question - is it a little narcissistic to enjoy asking and being asked questions? I think I'm just a naturally enquisitive person ;-)
Ok, on with the show, the questions! Any later questions will appear below this post. Feel free to keep asking.

Rachel asked:

"Do you like animals? Any pets?
What is your favority color?"

I love animals! I have always had animals, from goldfish, right up to cats, dogs and the horses I cared for in boarding school. Right now we have a lovely dog, whom we rescued in Oct 2004, from a dog sanctuary. From the ages of 3 upwards, there were always animals at our house, I remember counting about 8 at one time (from fish to guineapigs to mice to rabbits and a dog)! My favourite colour is probably blood-red, as it's such a rich colour.

Anonymous asked:

"do you work?
how did you meet your fiance? whats your 'love story'...how did he propose? whats happening with the wedding?
what is an average day like for you?
can we see more photos of your house...and maybe one of you guys?"


I don't work right now. I did used to run my own cleaning business, but last November (2004) we moved many miles away from where we used to live and I haven't yet decided what to do with my life. I am a keen photographer, and have some absolutely fantastic (modest, me hehe) photos which I'm getting blown-up to be A4-ish size and hoping to sell those.
I met my fiancé via mutual online friends. As soon as we met online we exchanged phone numbers and we chatted throught the night. We decided to meet about a week later, and from then on, the rest is history :-) That was in August 2003, and we haven't looked back. Actually, he didn't propose, I did. It was a really spur of the moment thing, I am known to be a tad impulsive when it comes to something I'm sure about. At the moment, there is no date set for the wedding, we really like the idea of a long engagement. When we do get married, it will be a quiet small family affair, with no bells and whistles, in a non-religious registry office. It will hopefully be sometime in 2006, but as yet, we have no idea when or where!
An average day? Hmmm, in the morning I get up, make breakfast, see the Fiancé off to work and have my sacred hour of reading and/or knitting which makes me feel semi-human. After showering, I'll get to work on the housework until I've done what needs to be done, then either go out and do errands or maybe have a coffee at a local tea rooms. If the weather is nice enough, I'll take the dog and my camera out to the local country park, and walk her whilst taking photos. Make dinner (I LOVE cooking, and like to think that I'm good at it), knit, watch a little TV or a DVD, then off to bed at a reasonable hour! Of course, no two days are alike, it all depends on what's happening at the time. In summer I'll be out in the garden *alot* but in the winter it is more house-oriented activities.
I'll try to take some more photos of the house - although I'm not sure about photos of myself, I spend half my life avoiding the dreaded camera lens!

Ms*Robyn asked:

"what do you like to collect?
and
I know you write for brocantehome - on vintage gardening. Did you study horticulture or are you self taught?"

I love collecting old linens, really old cotton and wool tablecloths, sturdy and typical-of-the-1930's utilitarian furniture. Frank Sinatra records, pressed glass, 'useful' plant seeds, pre-raphelite art prints, garden books, enamelware and anything that catches my magpie-eye!

I am completely self-taught when it comes to all things green. I love writing, especially about topics which are really important to me. Gardening is definitely one of those, and being as young as I am it'd be fab to inspire other youngsters to get their hands dirty. After all, I was out in sub-zero temperatures yesterday planting bulbs! I would love to do a horticulture course, just to say that 'I've done it', but everything I've learnt has been from Alan Titchmarsh or the plethora of books that I have on the subject, and for me, that's enough. Much of gardening is by trial-and-error anyway :-)

I have been thinking that not very many people really know me on here. Anonymity is fun, but it's also nice to get to know people a little better. So, for a short time, I am going to be opening this up a bit and inviting anyone to ask me a question. Try to keep it clean (hehe), but apart from that, anyone can ask pretty much anything! It's a great way for people to get to know each other better.

Ask away!

I must've mentioned that I am an Xmas obsessive, right? We got a gorgeous tree on Saturday and decorated it on Sunday with The Fiancé's parents as helpers. I have sent xmas cards a-plenty, and have recieved some also. I love the smell of pine and tinsel, which has its own unique smell, taking me back to my childhood when santa would come to give me what my heart desired.
I have xmas music playing on every music-player in the house, switching from Paul McCartney to Slade to Wizzard and even Cliff Richard! I am drinking my christmas tea, revelling in the atmosphere that the little lights on our tree create. From here on in it can only get more xmassy, and I shall be enjoying every last drop of what December has to offer.


[Our tree]