Hello! I meant to post this Friday, then yesterday, and now here I am on Sunday night. Life is relentless at the moment. I feel slightly spaced out tonight, as this afternoon was Bella's birthday party. I decided (wisely) to not try and do everything myself, as I usually do, and so they went bowling and then on to an American diner-style restaurant for tea. You can book this converted yellow school bus for parties, and it's all decked out with red and chrome tables and chairs. It's absolutely fantastic, they loved it. And no work from me, either. I just made the cake.
My moments of happiness this last week have mainly involved finding pockets of calm and peace amid the craziness.
1. Buying the Christmas edition of The Radio Times. It always gives me a little fizz of festive excitement in my tummy. I know that I'll spend longer reading through it than I will actually watching anything on television, but it's a little ritual of mine.
My moments of happiness this last week have mainly involved finding pockets of calm and peace amid the craziness.
1. Buying the Christmas edition of The Radio Times. It always gives me a little fizz of festive excitement in my tummy. I know that I'll spend longer reading through it than I will actually watching anything on television, but it's a little ritual of mine.
2. I finished Mr Fox. He is wonky but still rather fantastic and I'm a little bit in love with him. I know making gifts like these might seem like lunacy given our current situation, but I can honestly say that making this toy for Angus has provided me with a very welcome distraction. I do find hand sewing very relaxing, and the process of following a pattern and losing myself in the stitches has been a huge pleasure this last week. Ok, except for the shirt. That was not relaxing, but damn I was proud of myself when I'd finished it. I'll do a proper post on it soon.
3. New slippers = cosy toes. Lovely.
4. These advent calender tea bags were a gift from my friend Debora. They're German, so I never really know quite what I am drinking, but anything that provides a moment to sit and be still right now is very good indeed.
We've just ordered an Indian takeaway which will hopefully turn up soon as I'm famished. We're trying to run down the contents of the fridge and cupboards before the move, but think we may have slightly overdone it! Tonight I will watch some television and try to finish Bella's doe for Christmas. Tomorrow we'll see Bella in her school Christmas play and pack, pack, pack. I see rolls parcel tape when I close my eyes in bed at night...
Ah well done on the fox he is super cute. I am glad it was a relaxing pastime not a rush to get him done. Wonky is good anyway! Jo x
ReplyDeleteWe moved just before Christmas, five years ago. We didn't move far, but I remember it being pretty stressful. BUT it was the best thing we've done and come Christmas morning, Father Christmas had visited and the stress of the move was nearly forgotten. Wishing you lots of luck for your moving day!! Sarah. Ps loving Mr Fox.
ReplyDeleteMister fox is a real dandy :-) ! So cute ! Did you sew him completely by hand ?
ReplyDeletePS I saw your photo of Bella's cake on IG - so pretty !
I sewed the body and boots by hand, and the clothes on a machine. I'll post about him and the doe soon! x
DeleteI have a Miss Maggie and that sweet Deer to make, I am so hesitant as I cannot hand sew at all.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
Mr Fox is a triumph, well done you.
ReplyDeleteLove the mug, with another fox on!
Hope you enjoyed the takeaway.
Happy birthday wishes to Bella.
Lisa x
Well done for finishing Mr.Fox. He is fantastic! And happy birthday to Bella.
ReplyDeleteHope you get to relax this evening - enjoy your takeaway! x
Yes, I'm a big fan of Mr Fox too I reckon you could do a roaring trade at craft markets. Enjoy the slide in festivities, Antonia x
ReplyDeleteMr Fox is going to be well and truly loved. I hope the move goes well and you have a wonderful Christmas.
ReplyDeleteps. I know what you mean about the Radio Times, it's a family tradition and we only get it at Christmas too.
Hang on in there Gillian, it will all be worth it in the end. I hope Bella had a good birthday party. And I hope it's a good week for you all. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteCute fox! Well done on the birthday party and the advent calendar teas are lovely. I had one a couple of years ago and wish I'd thought about another one this year!
ReplyDeleteWow! You are thriving in the midst of your moving madness, Gillian. Good for you! I am smitten with your Mr. Fox...and my daughter looking over my shoulder just now said "Oh the girls would like him." Oh my.... maybe next year??? xx
ReplyDeleteMr. Fox is lovely!! I can't sew at all, so I admire anyone who is creative and patient enough to do anything of the kind. My German Adventskalender contains a piece of Ritter chocolate every day :-) (Ritter is a chocolate manufacturer not very far from where I live.)
ReplyDeleteAlways a busy time of year. I love Mr. Fox!
ReplyDeleteJacqui x
I always buy the Christmas edition of the Radio Times too - it's the only time I do buy it. Love the new slippers, your mug and, of course, your fox - he'll be a great hit. Advent calendar teas sound a fantastic idea - I can only drink decaff, I wonder if they do a fruity selection? You seem to be remaining remarkably calm, given the circumstances - I'm terribly impressed. I think I would be needing Advent Calendar Alcohol instead! x
ReplyDeleteHey Gillian,
ReplyDeleteI haven't bought my copy of Radio Times yet, but like you I flick through and end up watching hardly anything. Father Christmas has bought Olly the Frozen dvd. I predict that it will be on a continuous loop for the holiday duration.
The end is in sight Gillian. The home straight. The finishing line. The fox is indeed fantastic. I want one.
Leanne xx
That school bus sounds great! Good luck with the packing - and I hope your takeaway was good. I do love Indian food...
ReplyDeleteS xx
Can't believe you are finding time to blog! I get the radio times too, we used to get it as a child and it was a real treat and signalled Christmas was on its way. Love mr fox, did you get him from Alicia and if so did you end up having yo pay import duty? Take care. Xxxx
ReplyDeleteYes, he's an Alicia Paulson softie and I bought the pattern only, which came as a download. But I did order a kit for a friend and had to pay £12 duty!!
DeleteWishing you a great week and I hope you find some moments of calm. X
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the move. I find myself making things when there is so much else I really have to do. It's a way of finding a little headspace. Thanks for the heads up that the radio Times is out. A ritual in our house too.
ReplyDeleteHome made cake! That is the best cake there is.
ReplyDeleteI love your Mr Fox!! He is fabulous isn't he. I have the Christmas radio times as well, it is a real tradition for me! Hope that you have a good week and that the moving preparations are all going well. xx
ReplyDeleteMr Fox looks really cute and like you I have purchased my radio times, the only time I do so in the year.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a fantastic birthday party. Happy birthday to your sweet girl. I love your new slippers. They look very warm and cuddly. I wish I could wear slippers everywhere I go this time of year, I hate to have cold feet!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic Mr Fox and birthday party....both sound wonderful and happy belated birthday to Bella.
ReplyDeleteI went against tradition and bought a copy of the TV Times this year - I was so disappointed with the Radio Times last year. The cover is always a winner for me though. X
Good luck with the packing. I really like the fox, he is super cute.
ReplyDeleteThe fox is SO adorable Gillian - well done! I'd love to make something like that, but I feel like I don't have very much time for handstitching - too slow a process for me. We love Indian take-out!
ReplyDeleteI am so with you on the Radio Times. When we buy our Christmas edition I know Christmas has begun! X
ReplyDeleteLove Mr Fox! He is indeed fantastic and I'm sure Angus will adore him. I have to confess I have never bought a copy of the Radio Times before!
ReplyDeleteI hope the packing and move etc is not too stressful and you are managing to get even a little time to yourself.
It has been a pleasure to read your lovely blog again this year Gillian and thank you so much for the lovely comments you have left on mine. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and festive season with your family.
Marianne x
Mr Fox is such fun! Angus is going to adore him!
ReplyDeleteI hope you're beginning to see daylight on the packing front.
Foxy is cute, but I'd rather have those lovely slippers!
ReplyDeleteMargaret P
What a fantastic Mr Fox! Angus is sure to love him. And yay for cosy toes! Very important this time of year. Bee xx
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the move ,and a happy xmas to you all x
ReplyDeleteThe fox is amazing and well, the fact you have a moment to post at all is kind of amazing too. I hope everything is going ok!
ReplyDeleteS x
I feel your pain ... I mean pleasure at the delightful process of moving at this most relaxing time of year! It will all be worth it...and at the new house hopefully you'll find you unpack the most important things first....and you may even be surprised what those are...enjoy as much as possible...deep breaths...good luck. J. x
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