Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Things are very busy here as I'm sure they are with you but I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Christmas and New Year.

Fairy Lights

Christmas always seems to take me by surprise.  I know it's coming but somehow no matter how hard I try I am never as organised as I feel I should be.

The supermarket was manic last night.  I hadn't intended going but Steve needed some last minute bits so off we marched.  We had both indulged in the Harvey's Bristol Cream whilst putting the tree up so driving was out of the question.  I decided to have a basket instead of a trolley so as not to buy too much to carry and this turned out to be a stroke of genius.  The basket isle was quite short by comparison to the others with their trolleys piled high and I was checked out in double quick time.

Today we have to visit again to finish off but I have already instructed hubby that we both should grab a basket as I think today might be even busier.
I also need make the mince pies, sausage rolls and trifle.  I'm sure no one would miss them if I didn't bother but it's tradition to try to do much more than is physically possible to do in 24 hours, isn't it?
Thank you for stopping by and thank you for your comments.  I love hearing from you and hope that more of you will visit next year.  I still feel very privileged to be able to share my comings and goings with you and think that blogging has made me appreciate my life so much more.  Sometimes we stumble through life not noticing how interesting things are.  When you have a camera in your hand and a loyal following of friends to share things with, things take on a new meaning.  I appreciate you all more than you can imagine.
All the very best and take care x

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas

Floristry by Lord Hurst - Tea Rooms and Gifts

On my day off last week I took Mum to the Doctors for a blood test and in return she took me to a new tearoom she had discovered.  It is actually a bespoke florists ran by a man called Andrew Hurst.  Not a Lord unfortunately.

She didn't tell me anything about it, just that she thought I might like it.  Boy was she right.  It was love at first sight.

You can read all about it here.
The lady who does all the baking used to work at The Point which is just down the road on South Parade, Doncaster.  The cakes are amazing and I recommend you try the homemade soup.  We had warm tea loaf with cheese for afters. I couldn't decide between that and the Lemon Cake.

Vintage tea cups and candle light

We sat in the front room but beyond there is a tiny lounge, a kitchen, a garden room and two further rooms upstairs. 

Handmade wreaths, Christmas cushions on all the chairs, flowers on the tables

I have to say that it is the most unusual place I have ever been in.  It feels like you are actually in someones home.  The staff are so welcoming and the owner comes and speaks to you and was having tea in the garden room with some customers when we left.

The smell of Christmas coming from an oil burner, handmade gifts

There were so many things to buy too.
This has to be my favourite place ever.  I can't wait to go after Christmas to see if it is still as magical.


 

Frozen in Time

It has been absolutely freezing these past few days with Jack Frost nipping at our toes.

I find the way the frost attaches itself to everything simply magical.  It makes the mundane interesting.

The White Swan, Blyth Nr Worksop/Retford

Steve surprised me last night by taking me for a meal to the White Swan in Blyth.
We go there quite regularly and it has become a bit of a tradition to visit on Christmas Eve to exchange Christmas presents with my son's partner Heather.

White Swan in Summer

The pub has had a recent refurb and new management and has been transformed in to a beautiful place.
Inside the blazing fire remains but the upholstery and decor have had a revamp.

The food is absolutely amazing. It is about mid range as far as price is concerned and the menu is a little restricted however the presentation is fantastic. Our meals even came with their own tiny salt and vinegar pots.

Homemade Burger with thick chips in a basket with parsnip crisps

We chose from the bar menu although there is also the festive menu which we are thinking of trying next week.  They have a candlelit restaurant too which is lovely.

Fish Goujons

I would definitely recommend this place.  It is fast becoming my favourite hostelry.

Vintage Style

I'm feeling very nostalgic at the moment probably due to the time of  year and reading a lovely book called Miracle on Regent Street. I was drawn to the cover by the beautiful colours.

This was such a romantic book which emphasised the importance of the old and traditional and was a joy to read.  It was based around Christmas too.

I needed a dress for the Christmas party.  I already had one that I bought last week but thought I'd just have a quick browse on the Internet just in case I saw something more suitable.  My friend gets a lot of bargains on eBay so not to be out done off I went, virtually of course.
This is a copy of a 1940's tea dress which fits like a dream.  I love it and it has tiny little swallows all over it.  I wore it with black patent leather court shoes and a vintage art deco brooch.
I was explaining to my hubby how I have suddenly jumped on the vintage band waggon and that I had always wanted to own my own bottle of Channel No 5. The sheer decadence of it makes me all tingly.

I just love it's old fashioned simple style and elegance.
Oh and yes this is mine.  I love a man that can take a hint! Who said romance was dead?

Sledmere Christmas Market

Wow where did the weekend go?
Sledmere held it's Christmas market which started on Friday.  This was excellent and I managed to forget to take any photos of the actual event.  However here are a few of my purchases.

Bear in a box with handmade quilt

Basket to put my contact lens bits in

Gorgeous beads to complete my knitted necklaces

Bow ring to wear with my new dress for the Christmas party

Calorie free hand sewn sweeties

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.  Steve gave the kitchen a good clean yesterday whilst I pottered about nursing a slight hang over from the previous nights works Christmas party.  I had a great time but didn't get to bed until three in the morning. I don't very often let my hair down but when I do I make it count.
No stall this weekend due to car trouble.  We did arrive however the radiator had burst on the way so we had to turn round.  We did manage to get it fixed though.  We're going to be a few hundred pounds short of a Christmas though.  (Did you see what I did there? Sausage short of a barbie, etc.).
Hey Ho, Hey Ho, it's off to work we go.  Such fun.

Happy Birthday Shiela

I have been trying to find time to blog and failing miserably so in an attempt to fit everything in I have come to bed whilst hubby practices his mandolin to get on with a little Internet shopping and blogging.
I have just wasted about thirty minutes opening emails and trawling the Internet looking at things I had no intention of looking at.
How much time do I waste during the day, I wondered to myself.  A heck of a lot is my reply.
If I could stay focused at all times I would achieve so much more, I'm sure of it.  Maybe that should be a new years resolution.  I have already started making a list of next year intentions.  I looked back at last year's and out of 33 I managed to achieve 24.  I don't think that's bad at all. There is always room for improvement though.

We've been to see my Mother in Law tonight.  It is her birthday tomorrow and no she isn't carrying this cake for someone else.  She is definitely 70. Can you believe it?
The family arranged a surprise party for her at the weekend.

Three generations

She loved every minute of it.