festiveness

Usually when people give Bill a festive present for all his work it's bottles of wine or whisky, or food of some sort. I've spent the past week in a pistachio nut coma as someone gave him a big tub of salted pistachios. He isn't a fan so they came my way, I tried to pace myself but couldn't resist and ended up scoffing the lot in record time. On his way home on Monday he called me and said he'd been given a 'Jo Loves' candle, my response was to squeal loudly. What a glorious and generous treat, I love Jo Malone and this seasonal scented candle smells fantastic.

Talking of Bill, the treatment for his health issue has been brought forward, instead of starting in the new year it has already started. Hoping it all goes well and we can move on from this as quickly as possible. Another case of don't believe all you read in the newspapers, despite the ongoing friction between the NHS and the government and the strike action, the health workers are still working and caring for people. They just want a decent pay for a very difficult job, which is more than fair enough.

The weather has warmed up, but I am still hoping for a cold snap over the weekend. If we can't have snow at Christmas, then a crisp, cold, frosty day would be most welcome. Anything but sunshine. Sunshine on Christmas Day feels all kinds of wrong unless you live in a tropical climate.

The weekend was busy. On Saturday morning we picked up my mum bright and early so she could go and get her festive food shop in. It wasn't a quick shop, so took up most of the morning. Once back home it was a quick turnaround so Bill could take Violet to Walberswick for an overnight stay with her Auntie. He had lunch at the pub with them then came home. We didn't have our usual Saturday takeaway, instead I cooked up a pasta bolognese and with the money we didn't spend we popped to a fish & chip shop and took cod and chips round to my Mum. I'd heard her mention earlier in the day that she should have gone to the chip shop to get some lunch. We took it round and left her to enjoy it, which she tells me she really did.

On Sunday Violet was returned, and she came with Rosie Dog. My SIL was going to a drinks party and didn't want to leave her alone, so we dog sat. It's no secret that I am a cat person not a dog person, but I don't hate dogs and Rosie has had a tough start in life. Rescued from overseas after being dumped by a road, she is a very soft and grateful little friend.

Henry Cat isn't bothered by her one way or the other. He glares at her, she sniffs at him, but they don't fight like cat and dog. Just as well as both she and my SIL will be staying here over Christmas.
Apparently my SIL didn't have a tree in her house, Bill said he'd like to get one for her. Hmm. I looked outside and found a potted tree that I'd had in the kitchen a few years ago. It had got too big for the kitchen, but it would be perfect for my SIL. I added lights and a bow and Bill gave it to her to take home. She can plant it in her garden afterwards.

If you are in my Real Life life and I know you haven't got a tree then just know that I'll get one for you. A few weeks ago we bought a tree and took round to my mum, or she wouldn't have a tree this year. When I spoke to her on Monday she still hadn't got it in place, so I need to phone and make sure it's in her living room. Christmas is just that much better if you have a tree - even a teeny one - with lights.

Have just removed my nail varnish. I painted my nails on Friday, by last night they looked like this.

Quite a bit of chipping, but it only started yesterday morning, so that was a good four + days of full nail coverage, with only the slightest wear and tear on the ends. It helps that I keep my nails short, but very often red nail varnish is a pain and will chip so quickly that you wonder why you bothered in the first place. So I give it 10/10. I know Dior nail varnishes are good as I often wear the palest pinks by them, but the real test is red, red is unforgiving and shows up any chips. I'm very impressed.

Well I caved and added more fairy lights in the garden. Not to anywhere new, just adding a couple of extra sets on the garage wall and the tiny tree. I love the simplicity of the front garden this year, and already know it's going to look the same again next year. Garage. That's what I meant to show you. On the 6th December the final makeover project happened. The pink garage doors were removed and replaced with these.

So much better and so much easier to use. It was completed in a day which was brilliant, and even better was knowing that That's It. No more trade, all projects done. Yey. And you can see that we used a more vibrant varnish on the gate, it covers up the straggles of left behind grey really well and everything looks so much better now.