Wednesday 31 October 2007

Mary, Mary fairly contrary, how does yourb garden grow?

Hello. I must begin with an apology for not posting for some time. No excuses really I have just been fairly busy. Starting with my views from the kitchen window. Some garlic which I hope will survive the winter and some some winter flowering pansies.









I must thank the two lovely Sandis for their awards recently given to me. First Sandi at "The Nostalgia Fairy "for her "You make me smile" award. The other Sandi at "Holding Patterns" for her two awards, "Community Bloggers" and "Christmas Spirit". Many thanks to both of you I'm sure I don't deserve either as I have been such a bad blogger of late. However the Christmas Spirit one did inspire me to write a little about Christmas.


Christmas has always been a special time for my family, always a time when we would get together whenever we could. For the last 42 Christmas I have always worked some part of the holiday. People didn't stop being ill 'cus it was Christmas and rotas needed to be filled. We opened presents when we could, ate dinner when we could and visited family when we could. I've bought presents and filled Christmas stockings for patients as well as children. I've driven to work for a twelve hour night shift on Christmas Eve and Day seeing families through their open curtains having fun and wished so hard it could have been me. Well this year it will be me!!!!!!!. I have time to plan , shop, clean, decorate, cook, laugh, play games and entertain!!! I even have some cash to do this as finally, having been retired for 6 months the hospital where I worked have paid me the pack pay from a pay rise some three years ago. Thats some surprise! So bring it on. In some preparation I have made, with a little help from Sarah, yes Christmas cakes and puddings!!


Sarah and I also went to an Autumn fair and look at the things I got for a whole 50pence ($1)!!


I love the little swan pin cushion. The others are going to go in a hanging thingy I'm making. I'll show you when finished. Sarah got some real bargains but I'll make her blog about them.


Now for the dining room. We have almost finished. The carpet went down last Friday. The new table and chairs should be here by early next week but all else is done. Here are some pics.First are the curtains and the wall colour. Its actually a green rather than the blue it looks here.

Some decanters but most sadly lacking in alcohol! (did you drink it all Sarah?)



Whoops forgot the candles!



As you can see we are getting there and it has given me great oportunity to clear the clutter. When furniture is in I will post a pic of whole room and try to get the wall colour right. I'm not good with a camera so may get Sarah to do for me.
I'm still going to my once a week craft lessons. I have one pic of something I made which is decent enough to show you all. But its only been 4 weeks and I'm hoping to improve!!! Yes folks its a bookmark.


Well I must be away to do some dreaded housework as I want to go shopping later to buy some vests as I am really feeling the cold this year!! Apparently Marks and Spencers have some nice lacy ones!! I cannot miss the Strictly Come Dancing programme thats on at 6.30 each evening. I'm addicted to this programme!! Love it! Will catch up with my blog reading soon. Enjoy Halloween!!

20 comments:

Sandi McBride said...

So glad to see you back in, but even though you didn't post, I heard from you frequently...I love your bookmark...can't wait to see your "hangy thingy" you're making. I must say I love the swan too!

The Nostalgia Fairy said...

Hi Mary,
Welcome back and happy halloween to you. Hangy thingy? I'm all agog!!!!
Take care,
Sandi x

12 Days of Christmas Swap said...

Your room is starting to take shape, it is looking wonderful already -what are those little pots that your garlic is in?? now that looks interesting

Country Cottage Chic said...

Love the pots of garlic!!
I bet you're really going to enjoy the preparations for Christmas this year - your cake looks fantastic.

I really like your curtain fabric.

Anonymous said...

Love the containers for your garlic

corry said...

Welcome back Mary! I love the bookmark you made. Thanks for visiting me! groeten, Corry

Beverley Wainwright said...

Oh my word Mary your christmas cake and mine look like twins!!! I will take photos and upload when I get my new camera docking thingy. Yes it smelt just like christmas, the whole house was filled with the smell - I love it!! I am going to keep feeding it brandy and then try my hand at icing it!! Results to follow!

Love bev xxx

Gill said...

Nice to see you back, lovely pics too. Christmas is so much more enjoyable when you've got time to do all those festive things, you must be looking forward to it. I haven't made my Christmas cake yet, I must do it this weekend.
I've got those curtains in my bedroom, I love them as they're quite subtle. Can't beat Laura Ashley!
Gill

Rubyred said...

Hi Mary,your room is looking lovely!I bet your cakes and puddings smell gorgeous!

Kari (GrannySkywalker) said...

I love your "garlic garden". It looks perfect.
I'm working on getting all excited for Christmas, too! I usually have decorations up by now, but I'm running a little behind this year. (My kids are grateful for that...I'm usually embarrassing them by being "the crazy lady who passes out candy canes for Halloween" because I skip right over that holiday normally). lol
Congratulations on your awards. I do want to thank you so much for your kind words to me and, more importantly, to Joey's wife during this awfully sad time. I am so grateful that you took the time to do that. Thank you, Mary.
Love the swan pin cushion, too, and really love the bookmark! Maybe I should take a crafting class...it'd be nice to be able to "master" something for a change. lol
Good luck on the vest shopping!
Kari

Sophie Honeysuckle said...

Love your photos-am just catching up!

Ragged Roses said...

Hello Mary. I love the view from your kitchen, the garlic looks great in all that enamelware. So pleased you'll be able to spend Christmas at home this year. Congrats on the awards too. The living room is looking lovely, love the wall colour and the curtains. Have a good weekend
Kim x

Tea said...

What a neet idea with the garlic! Love your curtains too.

tea
xo

Merisi said...

Those pots of garlic make me wonder if they really do grow into bulbs this time of the year or are you eating the shoots?
I am looking forwared to see your finished dining room. You may come to my house after that, please. ;-)

Mary said...

Hi Mary, Mary!

Good to hear from you! I read your post with a smile on my face. Oh, I remember the years of working long hours straight through Christmas and always wishing for "time off". I still work full-time, but have a college break for a short while during Christmas. That's the time when I'll clean my house very well and do cooking and shopping and wrapping :o)

I applaud nurses and those who provide services 24-7. My Dad worked Christmas day, Christmas Eve, too. Burning building need attention when they happen.

Your house and fireplace is looking better each time you show it!

Lovely post. A happy one.

andsewtosleep said...

Oh Mary - I'm with you on the working Christmas thing. Although mine is only 34 years and counting! I hope you have a really lovely time this year.
Mary
PS Love the way you grow your garlic - very pretty

Sandi McBride said...

Darling Mary, get back to it now, we're missing you, now...was so glad to see you back and then you quit on us again!!! Hopefully all is well.
hugs
Sandi

thehomelyyear said...

Hi Mary, your cake and pudding look superb...Noreen is making her cake now, but I'm still thinking about it...must get on with it. Your room looks lovely...such pretty decanters and bargain finds.
Margaret and Noreen

julie said...

hi mary have been over to england for 10 days to the new forest, bit of a disaster really daughter ended up in hospital ok now, and my vertigo gave me no end of jip. oh well back now and renovating with a vengeance

julie

Sandi McBride said...

Did you get the housework done? I had to come in and look at the photo's again, the sweet faced pansies are my favorite...after the calf...did you do a Barbara Woodstock good old sniff up the nose so you'd have a friend for life? I loved dear Barbara, and had the pleasure of meeting her...grand lady...