Why I love Christmas but please don't feel sorry for me!

I love Christmas everything from the smells to the decorations, singing carols and the giving of presents. I'm like a big kid at this time of the year but I feel I deserve it. I'm determined to make sure my children remember Christmas and it's traditions without spoiling them and going over the top. I save for Christmas presents throughout the year and we don't go mad on food and drink I'm not a big drinker so very rarely have spirits in the house.

 This is something I missed out on during my childhood. Father Christmas very seldom visited my house decorations never were put up and Christmas Day was often another day of being lonely. The only presents I can remember getting was books from a lovely neighbour which to this day I'm still very greatful for. It's not because we didn't believe in Christmas more like the adults couldn't be bothered money was tight but funnily enough there was money for alcohol and ciggerettes! 

My first real Christmas came when I was 13 and placed in the care of a loving family I remember the tree having a stocking and the next morning my little pile of presents just for me it wasn't the material things that mattered but the fact that somebody took the time and care to choose things for me eating a Christmas dinner and having fun and playing games theses are all the things that make me love Christmas today a feeling of togetherness and more important family.

So from tomorrow when we open our advents right up till the decorations come down I'm usually in full flow singing I wish it could be christmas everyday. 

 

Tidying,cooking and owl pellets

It's been a busy couple of days with tidying the childrens bedrooms especially Little Miss I don't know where all the stuff comes from there are bits of paper with all important lists scattered everywhere and if any goes in the recycling you can bet it's the most important bit of paper ever. I try to keep everything tidy with everything in its place but sometimes it doesn't happen other members of the house seems to think if they leave something somewhere it will grow legs and suddenly find itself in the right place which normally results in me doing it. I don't mind though there are days where I feel I'm going around in circles. 

I have also been batch cooking soups for the freezer and having a to at making my own bread which hasn't turned out to bad. The Christmas cake is done along with plenty of mince pies for various bake sales and get togethers. 

Today at beavers we dissected owl pellets it was so fascinating and surprising at how small shrew and vole skulls actually are. Some of the bones are so tiny it was a job to see them the boys and girls as we have a couple in our group loved it and were in thier element trying to identify the diffrent bones.

Tomorrow is a day of more cooking and housework. 

Writing down your feelings

I had written a post before this one which was a bit of a rant I needed to let of steam... I have been for a run that hasn't helped which normally it would so I thought I would write it down and it certainly helped. I thought about posting it but didn't as I didn't want to air personal laundry in public but it was basically about a relationship I have with a member of the family no not my husband but someone else related to the husband and me by marriage.  I feel much better now for having my feeling put down in words something I think I will do more often. 

Other news yesterday we went shopping in Bury St Edmunds I have never been before and I was pleasantly surprised there was a good mix of shops and I found it to be much better than Ipswich which at the moment can't be hard as so many shops are closing down. We managed to do a bit of Christmas shopping. Today has been mainly taken up by making cakes for lunch boxes and mince pies for the freezer and cooking a traditional Sunday roast.  

it's been a pretty quiet weekend here which is one of the last ones as we seem to be very busy in the coming weeks. 

Walk, Germans and Beavers

What awful weather we had this morning, I decided to put of my walk till a little later and use the time to research an article I'm writing about Shingle Street. This isolated place is where the sea meets the river mouth, tides are precarious and certainly not a place to go for a leisurely dip not that you would want to in this weather with a very cold North Sea and bitterly easterly winds but it is a great place for a walk. 

The bit that interests me is the evacuation in 1940 and the bodies of 4 German Airman who were washed up on the shore. Lots of rumours and speculation surrounds this place many says it was used to test Chemical bombs others says they set fire to the sea to stop us being invaded but nothing has been confirmed so I will be going to the library to see what other secrets I can find.

It finally stopped raining so out for a brisk and cold walk around the country roads that surround me. There was plenty of water lying around but it was good to see the sun shine. 

This evening was Beavers where entertaining 22 boys can be a challenge but the key is being organised and keeping them entertain tonight was bingo on the theme of deadly 60 and learning about  these beasts, next week is about owl pellets and bones. That will definitely  jeep them amused. 

Another day at home

As my little girl still wasn't feeling great I kept her at home again she is feeling much better now and will be going back tomorrow. It's been a really quiet day with me doing housework and ironing a task I dispise but it has to be done it's always harder to iron the clothes when they have been dried indoors.I use the time to catch up on house programmes though they do seem to be a lot of repeats on and they never seem to buy any property they have looked at.

Tomorrow I'm looking forward to going out in the fresh air for a nice long walk as I'm not great at being indoors all day there isn't anything to do in our garden as it's all been packed away for winter. 

Cuddles and movies

Today has been about giving plenty of cuddles and watching movies. My little girl seems to have caught this bug that's sweeping through school, last night was spent trying to bring her temperature down so was a very sleepless night for both her and me. So today was very welcome to just snuggle up on the sofa. 

I'm hoping we both will have a better nights sleep she hasn't had any temperature today just felt dizzy and tired. Hoping she will be feeling better tomorrow. 

A Ramble Around The Forest.

It has been a lovely family day today. Starting with tennis lessons at 8.30 this morning. It's an extra activity and as sports in school does not seem very important in schools anymore we try to encourage the children to do things outside of school this was followed by a cooked breakfast. 

This afternoon we took a ramble around the UFO trail in Rendlesham Forest. It's a 3 mile walk through heavenly scented pines with a few beech and oak trees. The storms we had a couple of weeks ago were still very evident in the amount of fallen trees. It's a good trail with posts telling you which way  to go which the children love following. I'm not sure I believe a UFO ever landed in 1980 but it still a much debated topic in Suffolk. 

Once home I thought it was best to cook the Christmas cake as the fruit has been soaking in brandy for 4 days the cake is still in the oven with another 45 minutes to go at least it does smell delicious. I'm just planning my colour scheme this year for the wrapping I'm liking the brown paper look or the music sheet look I will probably go for neither and stick to the traditional red,green and gold. 

The big developers

We are a very sporty family and we particularly love cricket. I used to be a cricket scorer at the local cricket club and that is where I met my husband cliche I know 15 years later we still love cricket Mr M still plays every Saturday during the season, I'm now training as a coach and my little boy also plays. We also love watching England play and I have been to Lords to see them play so you could say we are a cricket mad.

Our little club which has been around for over 100 years has come under threat from the developers who wish to build houses adjacent to our ground with two houses very close to the boundary. This posses a health and safety issue with stray cricket balls. Which could see potential law suits for injury and damage.  Their solution buy the cricket ground ( we only lease it) kick the club off build more houses. With a little bit of work  behind the scenes and creating a fuss in the local paper they have backed down.They still want to build houses but not as close we don't and the village don't want them to build at all.They have announced they have no interest in buying our land!  but there is a but YET.  

The developers have been refused planning permission as it's also on historic parkland it's now going to the high court so it's a waiting game to see what happens. I know we won't go with out a fight though. 

Christmas is coming

I'm just a tad excited. I love Christmas so much and we have two trees both decorated very different. When I was growing up I don't have many memories of Christmas and the ones I do are not pleasant. So I make every effort to have traditions that my children will pass on, I'm careful that I don't indulge them in material gifts but I do like to get them things they really want along with things that are practical  but we use the time to spend as a family playing games and just switching off from work and busy schedules. 

Today I have started my preparations I love my cook books and ordered the new Mary Berry Christmas book I must say I love it it's full of easy recepies and also there is something to suit every taste bud. So today I started the Christmas cake I have never made one before last year I bought a supermarket kit one which all I had to do was mix all the ingredients together. So this year I thought I would do it properly also Mr M doesn't like cherries in his cake so they have been omitted. The house smells wonderful already and that's just the fruit and orange zest soaking in Brandy for three days. It was supposed to be sherry but I picked up brandy instead. 

The rest of the cake will be made on Saturday. 

Remembrance

Today like many others I have taken part in the towns Remembrance parade. My son is in the beavers and I am training to become a leader. It was a really momentous occasion and the 22 boys all behaved so well and did us proud. 

I always took part in the parade when I was younger as a brownie and then a guide it was something I felt very proud to do and judging from the amount of people that turned up today so many other youngster feel the same and we must give them some credit for this. 

The rest of the day has been spent helping my daughter do her homework and cooking a Sunday Roast. It's been such a lovely family Sunday today. 

 

Catching Up

It's been a busy few days getting back into the swing of the school routine and after school clubs. The weather hasn't been to good so only manged to do a couple of small walks. Myself and a couple of friends have decided we would quite like a challenge so we are currently looking at doing a 26 mile walk next year along with doing the Suffolk Sunrise 100 where you cycle 100k around Suffolk. I have already done this before a couple of years ago it was such a lovely day and the route took us through some amazing Suffolk countryside so I'm looking forward to doing that again. 

This weather has been awful latley which has made it rather difficult to dry the washing I always try to put it on the line as we have no tumble dryer but even today it was still wet when I got it in. So it's currently on the airer in the kitchen. For me this is the worst part of winter trying to get the washing dry and drying it indoors is never the same.

I have been enjoying reading everyone's blogs I follow and have picked up some great tips and advice I have started writing them down so I don't forget. 

We have quite a relaxing weekend coming up which I'm looking forward to I expect we will get out for a walk on both days as nothing beats a bit of fresh air.

Much Needed Family Time

We have just got back from a lovely couple of days away in South Gloucestershire. We have family that live there as this is where Mr M originates from so us and the two children went to stay  and visit Aunties, uncles, cousins and Nan (or great Nan). They all live in the seven vale and have stunning views over the river Severn. It's very different from the landscape in Suffolk. 

There is one particular place that interests Little M which is the boast wreaks that are used to protect the Severn bank also along with this is the tragedy of the Severn & Wye Railway Bridge disaster in 1960. This is where two Oil tankers one which was made in Lowestoft collided in very thick fog and exploded just as a train was going over the bridge. My father-in-law was only little at the time and his house wasn't far away and he says  he can still remember the screams that night. When the tide is low you can still see one of the tankers sticking out of the mud. There is now a very touching memorial to the crew that lost their lives.

We also took the children to a wonderful Manor Park and I'm afraid to say it blows the farm parks near me out of the water not only on cost which was £20.00 for a family of four there was so much to do once inside the park from spectacular climbing farms to walks around fantastic vegetable gardens orchards and so many farm animals from Lamas,Cows, Pigs Goats and even a Wallaby. The views were stunning you could see both Severn Bridges. The children had so much fun we would have stayed all day but we had other family to see. 

We stayed in a Premier Inn it's a first for us and I must say that the room was very clean and we all had a good nights sleep so we will definitely stay again when we visit again.