Boxing Day 2024

And then it was Boxing Day! I didn't take many photos this day actually, which probably means that I was just too busy having a good time. We played games, drank wine, ate good food. We had Christmas dinner leftovers but with different vegetables. At lunchtime we must have had just sandwiches and dips and stuff. For pudding at lunchtime I had a warmed mince pie with clotted cream, which was delicious! I also opened the bottle of Pineau that my aunt and uncle bought me. It's a bit like port, it's from Charente in France and I had it over there in October and wanted some for myself here! 

We played the game Sky Jo which Lee and I bought in France. Well I sat and did some cross stitching but I was sitting at the table while others were playing it! We had our main meal at teatime and it was just as delicious as the day before. 

I was wearing my Sprinkle of Glitter tutu skirt that I've had absolutely years but which I don't often pull out. It's cute at Christmas though. With it I wore a top that I got from Evans, again an absolute age ago. I know I had it in 2013 because I wore it on holiday in Benidorm! I actually don't know why I don't wear it more though because it's very nice and easy to wear. The back of it is grey t shirt material so nice and soft and stretchy. 

It was a good, relaxing day. 

Mince pie and Christmas - pure indulgence and pure Christmas in a dish! 

My skirt and top combo later in the evening. My stepdad had been practicing on his bass

And here's me and my lovely cousin Peter

Christmas Day 2024

And now I am finally blogging about Christmas! Blogging is taking me so long at the moment that it is already past my birthday on January the 19th as I write this! It's almost a month since Christmas! But never mind, it is what it is. My blog is always there for me. 

So Christmas Day dawned and Lee, Peter and I were at our house. But Peter had had a visit from Father Christmas at our house in the shape of two stockings! Haha, he had never not had one so my aunt and uncle asked if we could make sure he still had one even though he was away. He had had a pretty rubbish year so my mum, aunt and I put together TWO stockings for him for him to open first thing. He wasn't expecting it at all so that was very sweet. He came and sat on the bed with Lee and I and opened his things, which of course included a chocolate orange or two which I know he loves. 

We got dressed and headed off to my mum's house. Caroline and Neil had gone to church but they weren't very long so we quickly broke out the Bucks Fizz. We had a lovely day all together. We had starter at lunchtime and our main course at about 5pm I think. Most everyone pitched in to help; we drank well and ate well and played games and played with all our gifts and such. I got a lot of lovely things - Lee bought me tickets to see The Pogues in May, my mum made me a dress which you'll see in a few weeks on my birthday post, and I got some lovely Secret Santa gifts. We had dessert at like 8pm or something; Peter and I again had lemon cheesecake because we are just devils like that. 

It was nice to spend Christmas with my aunt, uncle, and one of my cousins. It doesn't happen often! I was wearing my spangly dress that I bought for my cruise last year. My mum cut it shorter for me for my holiday, so I wore it with tights on Christmas Day although I was plenty warm enough. I was sprinkling sequins everywhere - oh well, it was Christmas joy!

In previous years I've had a replacement for the meat on my vegetarian Christmas dinner, but I've never enjoyed it that much so I decided this year I would just have stuffing (which I really like anyway) and all the trimmings. It worked out really well and I liked it. 

The stockings waiting for Peter at around 9am on Christmas morning

And here he is opening stuff. I like stockings and I'm glad he still got one even though he wasn't at home or with his parents

The table all set nicely before our starter - didn't it look lovely? it was a bit of a squash but it was fine

Here's my main course - stuffing, carrots, broccoli, sprouts, roast potatoes, veggie sausage and bacon, gravy, and bread sauce. My mum and I love bread sauce and look forward to it all year!

One of the book swaps I did came packaged really nicely in this lovely box. The gifts were lovely

Here I am in my sparkly cocktail dress later in the evening

And finally here are my hyacinths at home which had finally come out!

Christmas Eve 2024

As I said previously, my aunt, uncle and cousin were spending Christmas in Yorkshire with us. Peter was staying at our house, so on Christmas Eve morning we had a lie in and we had sausage sandwiches and leftovers for an early lunch. We were just chatting and stuff. Then I had to go to work. I don't often work Christmas Eve but I had a lot of things to do so I decided I would go in for just a couple of hours. Then there was a carol service at the church where I work and my mum had asked me to stay for that with her and my stepdad and my aunt and uncle so it made sense for me to go to work later. I took Lee and Peter to my mother's and they just hung out there. 

I finished working about 3.45 and went into the nave where the vicars were setting everything up. They had lit loads of candles and kept the lights low, so it felt really special. There was mulled wine and snacks. The rest of my family arrived and we sat down. It was a relaxed service and I enjoyed the singing. And as you can see, both the ministers were dressed up for the occasion!

After it had finished we went back to my mum's house. She made fajitas for tea - vegetarian for me of course. Plus while I was working my family had made a 7 layer dip! I saw the receipe absolutely ages ago and really wanted to try it. So everyone put it together for us all to share. It was black beans in the bottom and then avocado, salsa, sour cream, cheese, onions, tons of stuff! It was really yummy and lots of us really enjoyed it and said we would try it again. A triumph!

My mum had also made one of her famous lemon cheesecakes - it is SO good and I love it and so does my cousin, so we both had some of that. In the evening we played more games and got stuff ready for Christmas Day so that was good. My mum was in need of resting so we were all trying to take care of her. 

Peter and Kiki when he insisted on giving her a cuddle in the morning

The vicars all dressed up ready for the carol service

The lights looked so lovely especially as it was getting so dark outside. The wooden plinth is covering the baptismal and it has so many delightful things on it. I'm not a Christian but I love our nave - and of course the work I do because I do believe in the charity

Mulled wine when I was waiting for everyone else to arrive

All ready for Christmas at my mum's - she had to move all the furniture around but the tree looked so beautiful 

The table all set for fajitas - but with the best china haha 

The seven layer dip! It was really nice to try!

And the famous lemon cheesecake

December the 23rd

On the 23rd of December Christmas started for real! I went to craft club in the morning. The previous week we had had a fuddle/faith lunch/add whatever you call it and we often don't meet the week of Christmas itself, but a few people said they would still be there, so we had a meeting anyway. I went. I am working on a big cross stitch at the moment and have been doing it for months... it's big! 

In the afternoon Lee and I did some tidying up and got ready for family to come later. My aunt, uncle, and youngest cousin Peter were coming up to Yorkshire for Christmas. My aunt and uncle were staying at my mum's and Peter was staying with us! But they all wanted to come and meet our new cats, so we arranged to have tea at ours that day. 

Everyone arrived about 5pm, I'm guessing. Lee and I made roast chicken for the meat eaters and veggie sausages for me, along with bread and roast potatoes and lashings of gravy. I had got a Christmas cake from work so I had that out for pudding and probably something else too as Lee doesn't like Christmas cake. My uncle and I ate ours with Wensleydale cheese which is a very Yorkshire thing to do, I love it! 

We played some games and just generally chatted and had a nice time. My mum and stepdad and aunt and uncle left at some point and it was eventually time for bed! I was wearing a tartan skirt that my mum made for me years ago but which I don't wear often - I really should! On top I was wearing a silver sparkly top that I have also had a while but which was tucked away in the wardrobe and had been forgotten about! 

Katniss wouldn't come down to meet anyone, as she's still quite shy around anyone except Lee and me, but Kiki loves all strangers so she came down for fussing. Poppy loves people so she was around too. 

Christmas cake with Wensleydale cheese. I just put some stars on top of the cake. The only food colouring I had was orange so the stars are that colour. It wasn't perfect, but it was fine, it looked cute enough

Here's Peter and Kiki 

And here's my outfit! I think this looks good, I'll have to wear it again soon

Weekend in Durham

As is tradition, Lee and I went to Durham to visit his family the weekend before Christmas. Lee's mam and stepdad always throw a party for a bunch of people including his four siblings and their families, and we usually stay at Lee's dad's house and spend some time with him and Lee's stepmam too. We always have a lovely time. This year there was a family thing hanging over me so I wasn't at my best, but I had explained to people and I think people understood why I was a bit down. 

We set off on Saturday morning up the A1 and got to Lee's mam's at about 12 o'clock, I'm guessing. We had stopped for some coffee on the way up. I was wearing a blue velvet Simply Be dress that I only ever wear at Christmas, and tartan patterned tights. They were from Snag originally but I got them off Chloe I think. I definitely hadn't worn them before so they were new to me.

About 1pm Lee's siblings and co started turning up. Oh and our friends Paul and Lianne who are basically family now; we always love to spend time with them too. Lee's mam had done a bunch of food including vegan and vegetarian options, so there was plenty for me to choose from. 

Lee's brother Chris was forty the following day, so Lee's mam had got a chocolate orange cake for him and I had a piece; it was delicious! We took a photo of the whole clan and I got some photos with my niblings. There was plenty of wine. We also usually use this time to swap Christmas presents. However, this year Lee's brother Andrew had suggested that we did Secret Santa and each of us got one person to buy for and spend more money on. It worked out really well - we still got presents for the kids - so we all opened that stuff and all the adults were happy with what we got!

We left Lee's mam's house quite late on when most people had already left, and went to Lee's dad's. We talked to Michael and Mary for a bit before going to bed. On Sunday morning I got up and had a shower and Lee's stepmam made us breakfast. We sometimes go out with them at Christmas but we decided to stay in so Mary cooked a lovely lunch. One of her sons came over so we talked to him for a bit and I did some of my cross stitch. 

We finally said goodbye and headed back to Lee's mum's for a bit. His mam and stepdad and youngest brother were there, so we talked for a little bit before heading home. It wasn't too late when we got back but we were both knackered so we got into bed and watched TV. As you can see from my last photo, Katniss was lying with us and we had the Christmas bedding on which I always love! 

On Sunday I was wearing my festive star top and my maroon pleated skirt which came from New Look forever ago and which I weirdly only ever wear at Christmas too! 

It was a nice weekend, I always really like this tradition. 

Tights and boots when we were about to set off on the Saturday. I love these tights for looking festive!

Chocolate orange cake, delish!

I always try to get a photo of Bev and all her kids - that's Andrew, Chris, Daniel and Lee at the back, and Kim and Bev at the front. Gorgeous photo!

My eldest niece Leah who always poses for a photo with me. Hey boyfriend Mason came as well

My second niece Caitlin, she's a lovely kid

Caitlin's brother. I have another niece and another nephew but I didn't get round to asking them for photos

I am aware of how crap I look in these photos, but it is what it is

Lee's stepdad Gary took this of all of us including his parents and Lee's uncle

This was Lee's dad's Christmas tree on the Sunday morning in the new extension of their house

Sunday's outfit of festive top and skirt

Here's what I got in my Secret Santa - in  the box is a kit to make resin coasters so that'll be fun to do! And I love Cotes du Rhone Villages wine

And here's Katniss lying on me on the Sunday night

Lunch with Philippa

On the 19th of December I went to Wentworth Garden Centre to meet up with Philippa for lunch. We have been to all kinds of pubs and cafes and definitely have our favourites, but I thought that as it was Christmas it would be nice to go a bit fancy and have afternoon tea at Wentworth. It's not that far from my house; I think technically it's in Rotherham but I could be wrong there. But it wasn't far for Philippa to travel either. 

Lee and I had afternoon tea there before a couple of years ago, in the Bothy, after my mum had bought us a voucher for it for Christmas I think. Back then the Bothy was a tiny glorified shed with about five tables in it out the back of the main restaurant. So I assumed it was still there! I asked Philippa and she was happy to go there. As it was just before Christmas they had a special festive afternoon tea, so I booked it.

We met outside as Philippa hadn't been before so didn't know where she was going. But then as I was following the signs I realised the Bothy has moved! It's not behind the restaurant anymore, it's off to the left, and it is HUGE. It is now three different rooms, really busy with a bunch of tables and a lot of staff! The restaurant was always too busy so I'm glad they've expanded! 

We got seated at a lovely table. Inside the Bothy is decorated all dark greys and leather, but I think they've stolen some decor from Betty's cafes too. We were quickly served with our afternoon teas; they were so gorgeous. I had decaf coffee and it was plentiful and so was the milk. As I'm vegetarian I had veggie sandwiches - there was egg mayo, cheese and pickle, red pepper and hummus, and mozarella and pesto. They were all really nice. The cakes were gorgeous! There was a scone with jam and cream, a meringue, a Viennese mince pie, a piece of ginger cake and a piece of chocolate brownie. I ended up bringing the meringue home as I was so full. I don't understand how you can get so full on tiny sandwiches and pieces of cake?! 

After lunch and after we had chatted a lot, we both headed home. At other times I would have had a wander round the shop and the garden centre, but it was so busy that I just couldn't be bothered. So I headed home. I was wearing my Christmas themed skirt and on top a t shirt (can't remember which offhand) but I had put my ridiculous Snag jumper on top as it was cold. I love the strawberry and cherry pattern and it's so cosy and warm. 

Look how cute the plate looked when it arrived

And a close up of the cakes on top. Pippa had slightly different cakes, I assume that one of hers had gelatine and wasn't suitable for vegetarians

This map was in the toilets and I thought it was really cute 

And here I am when I got home in my Christmas skirt and my very cheerful jumper

Afternoon with Friends

On the second Sunday in December Lee and I went across to Manchester to meet up with college friends of mine. There are four of us who are still close from 6th form college, and we try to meet up at Christmas each year. Between them they have a lot of small children, so wrangling them can be difficult. Because of that, we decided to go to Amy's house where the kids (six little girls - the only boy, R, is still a baby so not mobile!) can just play with stuff and we can chat. Amy's family is vegan so she asked us all to take some vegan goodies to share, and she and Mike made mulled cider and apple juice. 

Lee and I decided to set off earlier and call off in Glossop which is about halfway between us and Manchester. We know there's a bunch of charity shops there which we like looking round, and we thought we could get some brunch type of food as we knew we would be eating a bit later at Amy's house. We set off and were soon into the gloom over the moors, but it was fine. We got to Glossop and parked by the Marks and Spencer and went for a wander. Quite a few shops were open so we had fun looking in them. I think I bought a quiz book but nothing else. 

We wanted a drink and some food, so Lee suggested a chain cafe but I thought something else would be open and I was right, and it was SO CUTE. It was called About Thyme and it was absolutely cute inside. There were a bunch of vegetarian choices which was good for me. I went for crumpets with cheese on, and we both had ridiculous hot chocolates too. Lee had forgotten his hoodie so I ended up giving him my cardigan (as I had my coat too) as it was raining. We bought some bits in M&S and then set off to Manchester. 

We chatted to Amy and Mike and the kids for a while and then after a while we were joined by Gillian and Tom and their girls, and Michelle and Sam and their girls too. We had plenty of food and drink and we were able to just chat and enjoy each other's company. It was a lovely time with old friends. I'm glad we still do it! I got to cuddle some babies too. 

Lee and I left about 6.30 I'm guessing, and had a fine drive home over the tops in the dark. I was wearing my rose print dress - it's a nice dress for winter and warm enough. I love the pattern of it, I have been wearing it a lot. 

It was really foggy over Woodhead Pass as we set off

Lee in the cafe wearing my cardigan and looking very hipster. Amy and I should meet up in that cafe as they had a fair few vegan choices too 

Ridiculous hot chocolates

And crumpets with cheese

Three of the six little girls playing with something, not sure what. We ended up putting music on and having a bit of a disco, too. They're so much fun

I took this photo of Lee and I in Amy's bright sunshiney kitchen 

Me and Gillian

Me and Amy and baby R

And fin ally here's my outfit when we got home