Christmas .... but not quite as expected!

I have had a lovely Christmas but it did not start quite as expected. This time last week (10 am Thursday) I was sitting in the A&E department. Earlier that morning I had been sitting at the computer "chatting" to a friend via facebook. I moved my foot across the carpet and felt a stab. I knew straightway what had happened and looked down t find the offending needle! It was lying on the floor, a number 26 x stitch needle, minus its eye. Tentatively I pulled off my sock noticing the dmc thread clinging to it. My foot sported a spot of blood. I carefully placed it on the ground and walked to the bedroom feeling a stabbing as I went. That explained where the rest of the needle was. So there I was sitting in the A&E. The whole process took several hours but I was seen quite quickly and an x ray revealed the offending object in the ball of my foot. In between seeing doctors and collecting medication took up most of the time. The doctor explained that the trauma unit had no spaces for that day and I would have to come back to have it removed. So Christmas eve saw me waiting for a minor op under general anaesthetic! I was more worried about whether I would be out in time to go to my daughter's for Christmas. At about 2 30 off I went to have the foreign body removed and I awoke later to find my foot swathed in bandages. After a welcome meal more medication and sporting a rather "fine" sandal I was allowed to go.

Steve came to collect us not long after we arrived home and off we went complete with Tia for a few days on Teesside. Waiting to welcome us was Oswin

the elder statescat. he can be somewhat shy but he does seem to remember me whenever I visit.

Then we were introduced to the teeny tiny new kitten Samphire. He decided that he was going to bed down with us during our stay, however like all babies he decided that it was fun to be awake in the middle of the night. Jessica was more elusive and when she had enough of being chased she would retreat to a place tiny kittens could not reach

Tia is not good with other cats so she spent her time in her own room. She totally ignored us when we popped in to visit. Usually we are on holiday when she takes her annual Teesside trip.

During our stay we ate some delicious food cooked by Elizabeth, including Christmas pudding and cake and stilton tartlets. The buns were so nice that kitten just had to try some too
Needless to say Elizabeth does not get her love of baking from me!
I received some wonderful gifts including


and

the most spectacular patchwork bag. John and I had left our gifts to each other at home and they are not photographed as yet.


Throughout the visit and since we have been home I have not been allowed to do much at all. I have spent nearly a week sitting around in jamas and dressing gown being waited on. It is most strange as I am used to flitting from one thing to another and back again. The foot has not been too painful but unpredictable and the sandal cumbersome. Going up and down stairs has been difficult at times. So I have watched several long films during the day this week including Dr Zhivago and The Lion in Winter a film we recorded back in September.

Seems that the rest of the year will be spent idling about. I am having my stitches out next Wednesday.

Thanks for visiting

still freezing...

... it seems as if it is going to stay cold for a while yet. This was what we woke upto on Saturday morning.


Although suddenly at lunch time today the temperature rose from -5 to -1 quite quickly. It must be that hint of sunshine. While i was out to day it was bitter. I had my trip to have my 3 yearly mammogram. it was in a different place than usual as because the pavements are so slippery it involved two buses. I got there rather early but no one else was waiting to be seen so i was in an out before my allocated appointment time. The young lady was very pleasant and explained everything she was going to do. I forget each time time how hard that metal squeezes! Hopefully that will be it for another three years.

On Saturday we went for a short visit to the craft fair in Saltaire. We had some very scrummy cake made by the marvellous teadance company
and some very cute angels at Wise Young Crone
we saw beautiful wooden bowls by flyingshavings.co.uk

I did not buy anything there though as money is tight, I tend not to buy from textile stalls and most of the products I would not be able to make were out of my price range. However it was very enjoyable and has spurred me into wanting to make things after Christmas.
When we arrived home on Saturday for a late lunch we were pleased to find a new visitor in the garden



excuse the blur but there were taken from the kitchen window. He has been back most days attacking the fat slab although a starling was having a good hack today. I caught him resting on the bird cage


I am well prepared for winter this year

these are my new wellies very useful for popping out the back to feed the birds and eventually to visit the allotment.
These are my impulse buy from a couple of years ago


Waterproof and warm but not suitable for deep,deep snow.

Tia is none the worse from her slide off the bed last week but has decided this is a much safer place


Most of what I have done this week is secret and involves cards. The sewing room is gradually winding down until after Christmas and has been promised a bit of a tidy! Sewing machine has gone for a little rest until next week. I think she deserves it.

Thank you for popping by and a

Merry Christmas and happy New year

we have had some more...

of this




It is extremely cold but bright today. The weather forecast has changed every day. Yesterday heavy snow was suggested for Sunday now they are saying sunshine but cold. So who knows?
At the weekend we ate our last two home grown potatoes

We had not bought any since July and were very pleased with our first crop.

I was beginning to panic that neither the blog draw prize and my ornament swap had been lost but they both reached their destination this week so I can now show the ornament I sent to Terri


I forgot to photograph the back which is bottle green fabric with gold fir trees.




Tia had an exciting day yesterday the postman brought her a package from the Soggibottom furries



She was so excited she fell of the bed trying to get into the package

Inside she found snowy mousie


She is a very pleased puss


I have been invited to have a mammogram next week. I thought it wasn't due until next March so it came as some what of a surprise. It will involve two buses to a mobile unit instead of a short walk to the local hospital which has a great deal of demolition work going on at the moment.

This is my first whole week at home for a while and it is lovely to potter about. I have made a few cards and read library books. i still have not decided what to make.

Thanks for popping by

It's going...

... the snow that is. Suddenly yesterday afternoon the temperature rose and it was drip drip everywhere. I had taken a precarious journey to school it had taken 30 minutes instead of less less than the fifteen I am used to walking. I fear today will be worse as most of the pavements are solid ice and will not have melted yet.

We have gone from this last Friday

yes that is almost -10C to this


much as I like snow the ice was becoming a nuisance and dangerous.

I received a lovely package during the week. It was my swap ornament I wish my eyes allowed me to do such delicate work.


Thank you Terri

I have been buy finishing off things the angels are complete




and the second bird dangly is ready to hang. It looks pretty much the same as the giveaway one.

My tree is dressed


I am pleased with it however we had to buy a new set of lights both sets went away working but one is not any more. What do they do over the year?

Most of the other bits and pieces are out


The ceiling trimmings will go up at the weekend. John gets the unenviable task of clambering up the ladder.

I have begun stitching a Shepherd's Bush Christmas piece I am determined it will be done for next year! It has been kitted up since last year. I am not sure what I shall be sewing next. The Mother Nature doll pattern has been calling me for a spring version.

Thanks for spending time here

snow and congratulations

We started with this at the weekend


We are now covered in nearly a foot of snow

Yesterday was the worse day

so the snowmen decided they would stay indoors


Most of the schools are closed so I am home this afternoon and will make the day up later. We are due some more snow according to the forecast but there is no sign of it as yet.

Just before John left for work this morning I invited him to draw the winner for my blogoversery prize. He pulled out



congratulations. I am not sure if I have your current address so I will email you. If I am quick you should receive your prize before Christmas. Thank you to everyone who posted a comment I am sorry you could not all win. I never win things.

I decided I liked the prize so much I would make myself a set. They are not finished yet and some of the fabrics used are different. My little angels now have hair but are feeling a little camera shy at the moment. I shall persuade them to come out of hiding later. I have put out all the winter and Christmas pictures and the tree is going up at the weekend. Shopping is not going as well as I hoped it would.

I hope it is warm where you all are

Thanks for visiting