Outside looking in.

Baby asleep awaiting her first Christmas Day. Bubbles of happiness and bubbles in my glass. Probably only my man is reading this blog but if you stumble upon it then Happy Christmas, may it be merry and  bright.

Juggling

There has been some of this......

and plenty of this.......

Wonderland.

For someone who was organised gift wise back in July the past two weeks, rather bizarrely, became a stressfest. Too many things came to a head and fretted away at my composure. When you're busy busy busy all day with a now walking baby you don't get a proper chance to process your thoughts, so when a 3am feed occurs you snuggle, rock the baby and get back into bed where you CANNOT sleep because of the ticking in your head. There will be open roads now next year as I won't be returning to my job after maternity leave. All my knots are untangled and I find yet again my life has changed and I need to make a new step towards......well something.

Christmas first though........and a chance to rest, play, sparkle and give thanks for all I have.

It's oh so quiet...............

Bambino and I have managed to pick up a cold bug and have felt under the weather. Luckily my little snuffly kiddo has been in terrific spirits even though I've not been as attentive as usual (she might well be enjoying the chance to play with her toys without Mamma getting in on the act). Anyhooooo there has been much staying indoors, reading of books and sofa snuggles. I've also been a big big tea belly but hey, maybe my tea 'thing' can be another post. Rather dramatically I lost my voice for a couple of days and goodness did I miss chattering to my girl. Crafting for crimble has now stepped up a notch and  my man loves to see me stitching and snipping and planning and we've had some lovely cosy evenings with wine and catch ups.

These little chaps cheered up my germy self this week.

Minced by.

Little lady chops has started to be a proper darling and have a real afternoon nap at last, all that toddling about I think. Now usually I'd run around catching up with chores and getting organised for supper but today I'm sitting down with a magazine, a cuppa and a little mince pie treat that came free with my veg box. A hundred million puzzles are wrapping around my head this week, the coming festive season and how to get the most out of our family time together whilst still keeping everyone else happy, my possible return to part time work next year and the ifs and what's and maybes of moving................so a reminder to think less and chill more is very very welcome.

Ta daaaaaaaaaaaa.

Finished. Huzzah. . . . I'm so proud of the little chaps. Babypie will get them in her Christmas stocking (yet to be made) and she will naturally attempt to chew and suck them but Hey ho what fun I had making them.

It's beginning to look a lot like.............

a Christmas cake................

First time making one and probably a bit late, took ages in my rubbish oven and a little burnt on the bottom but it smells divine, actually the whole house smells divine. I used a tinkered with Jamie Oliver recipe so fingers crossed. We all had a stir and made a wish, a new family tradition in the making. . . .Goodness knows what my girlie wished for though, an endless boob milk supply or Iggle Piggle probably. Apparently I wrap him up now and take him out for a drink a couple of times a week until he is well and truely scrummy. Must have a go at decorating too I guess.

Make me.

This time of year is perfect for snuggling up in front of the TV in the evening with a nice pile of crafty bits to play with. Since my little one has come along I've felt really inspired again, a holiday in St Ives helped, as did Instagram but the funny thing is I've much less time and energy to really get stuck in nowadays. Having a baby has really made me wonder what one earth I used to do with my time. A free hour these days is utterly precious and not to be wasted. . . .

It feels really special to be making Christmas gifts for my girl and these little finger puppets from the Mollie Makes Christmas book are great fun. Missy will probably be too little for them really and they'll no doubt end up being chewed but I'm so proud of them and my tiny stitches.

Pop bang whizzzzzz.

Homemade leek and potato pie, sparklers, River Cottage and Masterchef. Excitement she wrote.

Crunch crunch crunch underfoot.

We had a lovely walk in the park today and we're lucky enough to live just a minute away. The air was cold and crisp and the sky was bright so we on went coats and hats and off went. I kind of love it now the kids are back at school and we selfishly get the park to ourselves. Hope they sort the playground out before my girl is old enough for the swings though, it's shocking. Looking at the changing leaves and crunching them underfoot makes me realise just how quickly my year of maternity leave has gone. Happy to watch my little one grow and learn and explore but sad that it's all happening so quickly. . . . but hey, no time for Winter blues, not with the colours exploding on the trees and that magical smokey smell that lingers.

Boo.

My steampumpkin.

Fried green tomatoes..........

Well we had something of a harvest and I still managed to feel supremely pleased with myself for all the herbs we've grown and used in cooking this year. Unfortunately I don't have a real plot of ground to call my own as of yet but it's high on my wish list.

There's nothing like the peace I feel when digging about and planting, the warmth of a greenhouse and the sweeping of a path. I do love being outside, although I stress that I'm not in the least sporty, I'm more of an Autumn walk and cuppa tea afterwards kinda girl. As soon as the rain stops I need to be out there tidying up the dead bits and readying things for next year. . .I had a funny little imagining the other week, of me, much older and wrinkled and enjoying my garden, not that unusual I guess but it was more the fact that the idea didn't horrify me as thoughts old growing up usually do. Think it's something to do with me being in a happy place.

Walk a miles in someone else's shoes.

Always nice to have ones pedicure appreciated.

Summer, please restart yourself.

Much as I love September with its promise of cool evenings and quiet misty mornings with the park back to ourselves, I find it's only a treat if I've had a few midday heat headaches and melted ice creams. Goodness, this was supposed to be special summer for the little one and I but we've been trapped by torrential rain, thunder storms and flooded yards. I did manage to grow a little garden but unless the sun makes an appearance soon my tomatoes will fall green from their stems.

Picnic for bears.

How does a new(ish) Mamma decide which teddy to take to the picnic? Well you get your FB friends to vote. . . and so far it looks like Peter with be the lucky chap. Hello blog, my head is full of sleepysuits and baby led weaning so this will be my place to carve a little corner, pour out a few words and organise the thoughts that one day might lead to some crafting.