Advent indeed....

 Dear Friend,

I am far more full of 'cold' than i am of Christmas Cheer this morning.

Never-the-less i am joyful! and replete with the excitement that Advent morning brings.

 And you are so right, of course!

To be gentle with oneself and not to keep demanding more. Put less expectation on 'what fabulousness needs to be achieved'... and to actually enjoy what fabulousness is already here.

 Memories!!

They are abundant and overflowing and the regularity of Christmas is so reassuring.

You are right, again, on every level.

I have done none of my shopping - none of my baking - none of my own making.

I care not a jot.

 The Angel Costume was hung up in the School Hall this morning with her name and class written boldy.

The Advent Santa was full on the advent surprises.

I have cocktails on Saturday Night with my local Girl Friends.

My dog thinks i am beautiful, even sat here in my tracksuit nursing the stinky cold.

And i can - just about - stomach my seething jealously of your Avent Elf  House for yet another year.

(they never made another as pretty and perfect as this)

Secretly you see, we instil the magic of Christmas into them, so they can keep it going for us when we run out of steam! Clever Mummies xxx have a Gluh Wein for me?

As my daughter said to me "ha. you're 36 now"... step by step guide to birthday-ness...

1. make a few calls. send a few emails. get the birthday ball rolling.

2. get waxed. get a haircut. get a babysitter. get your bags packed.

3. book an awesome hotel (good girl Pip)

4. obligatory 'me n my sister in cafe' shot (i could fill a book with our cafe shots)

5. what you see here is a 'baby YO' hand pose. It's a long story...

anyway, chillax in a most bodacious city.

6. gather friends around you. (i am skipping the photos that say: 7. drink wine. 8. drink cocktails. 9. EAT so much good food. 9. talk so much that you looooose your voice - yes, really. 10. run around a hotel lobby in various states of shoe and non shoes)

11. gifts!

12. more gifts?

13. family (now my birthday & life is complete)

14. you don't think i'd fail to list cake, did you?...

CAKE! and plenty of it.

15. another gift... ummmm, 'coz i'm worth it'?

16. he deserves an embarrasing shot of himself on the cyberlink because he is a bad boy.

(brotherfish in old plastic highlights cap that the kids had out as part of their superhero costumes)

17. did i say 'the kids' superhero costumes'?...

make that, the kids and grandma.

18. be home. recover. catch up on work. recover.

shake a little bit during the alcohol withdrawal period.

recover.

happy birthday me.

Be Safe x Be Magic....

 Everybody needs a little Magic....

 Just remember to stay safe and keep those pets all cosy indoors.

Bang! Whiiiizzzzz.... PoP!

Happy Guy Fawkes my friends xxx

Things making me happy on a Saturday Morning....

Things that are making me happy on a quiet Saturday morning....

*new* blue spotty pumps. They won't stay this clean for long. Thank the lord for a bit of Cath Kidston frivolity. The sun is shining, i might not need my Welly Boots today?

Fresh Bed Linen in random combinations. Pure cotton sheets and a salvaged over-sized Quilt.

I love to 'dress my bed' like some people might dress their living room.

A fun photo... who is that?....

it's me and my big brother at my Grandads wedding, or maybe my Aunt's?

(How many people can say they were at their Grandads wedding?)

Friendship.

Knowing that i am loved and that somebody somewhere has a thought for me and will sometimes think "i wonder how Kirsty is today" xxx

Tea. Of course. Always Tea.

A cuppa served in Car Booty 50p cup and saucer whilst sewing Christmas stock and looking forward to what might happen in my life today.

The Art of Tea, Manchester...

MsFish

and MrsB

Tea & Food

Happiness

Friendship x

Guess Where I've Been... tee,hee...

Hmmm, Twas the weekend before Christmas...

Where is that place that i'd most like to be?
Cupcakes, biscotti and vast pots of tea.... Where the ladies dress for dinner
and the food is divine...

Where the fairylights twinkle,

We toast our friendship with sparkly wine...

Yarn wreaths hanging on doors,

In bright Candy colours...

When it comes to Christmas details,

She outshines all others...

Popcorn on the tree,

Red and White decoration...

An Elven house, with chocolate for three!

Children's morning faces, shine with elation!

Shiny balls,

and hairy balls,

Stunning Photo opportunities for me...

I want to tell the world....

I've been with MrsB x

OK, so prose is not my strength... but the JOY - these photos... this house... this family.... this lady... i love her and she completely knows why.

And i present a few gorgeous details of my brief weekend at MrsB's - as a way of inviting all our creative friends and friendly blog family, to join in our Christmas party.

Grab a cupcake and pull over the teapot... Merry Christmas and "here's to friendship"

CHEERS! *and thankyou MrsB, mwah*

Dear Crafty Friends....

I thank you all for a wonderful weekend! Crafting day and night in a 'Girls School' in York...
This is BOMB x Preggers... On the phone to her broker sorting Stocks and Shares.

Sorry for the poor photo Sally - but this epitomises the weekend for me "Me and my Brew"

'My Girls' soaking up a few sunshiny minutes in a long crafting extravaganza of a weekend... Bomb, Fallulah and Lady....

Everybodys *new* bestest chum - Victoria Duck. We owe so many thanks to you and your infinite patience and skills that you shared! x x x

Mad Kat and Feltmeup!! Doing their bestest Harry Potter scene reinactments in *stolen* School Uniform Capes...

ME!! making a new Tea Cup Tote bag, mmmmm - it's not finished yet so i can't share it with you all yet x

There were more photos and more memories but this is what i'm sharing!

"What goes on retreat - Stays on Retreat" x x x