THE LAST DAY OF 2019

Well it is the last day of the year 2019 and soon we'll be entering the next decade.

My year's been totally different to how I expected it to be in many ways but that's life for you, it does with you what it will.

I know Kendal, for one, will find this amazing but I have only bought two Sasha's this year! Yes just two!  Christian and Coco ! Both totally unexpected purchases but you all know that with one of these dolls, they only have to catch you in a weak moment and then suddenly you have a new member of the tribe!

However I have sold far more dolls this year than I have purchased which must be a record for me, at least! I have also sold on a lot of dolls clothes and other items, including furniture, which was no longer needed. But dispite all the sales the house and Sasha studio are still full to over flowing!

I had intended to get on and use some of my fabrics every month this year, but that was very hit and much more miss but at least I did not add more to the doll fabric although I cannot say the same about the furnishing fabric ! Having been inspired by all things William Morris and Arts and Crafts my furnishing stash, which was quite small, is now much bigger !

This last year, I feel, as been more of a paddling year! In so far as I have been just paddling along, in my canoe/boat, and stopping here and there before moving on to admire and see more. getting on with a few things before totally forgetting about any plans and going off on a tangent and starting something else!

If I had a school report it would read, must knuckle down and not daydream her life away! It's true.. but I do like a good day dream  :)

( Coco arriving in a whirl )



Although not many dolls have arrived , props have fallen over themselves to appear at the door! Remember that armada of boats that appeared for the Chat n Snap ! Then there's been all their scout and brownie uniforms , although I already had most of the brownies ones.

The Chat n Snap was a great day, with everyone enjoying meeting up and buying a Sasha or two! I am really looking forward to next years one with the forties railway station theme, which will require a lot of building work starting in spring to ensure it actually happens.
Let's hope I can stop myself buying half a dozen trains....

So I would like to thank everyone for stopping by and wish you all a Very Happy New Year and hope to see you again in 2020 ....where no doubt more plans will be made and ignored , while other things unplanned appear in their place ! It seems we go with the flow these days ...


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THE LAST SUNDAY IN 2019

And yes I will say it once again.. that's come round really quick! We had a quiet Christmas here due to having to change our plans.

Our daughter , who lives at home, unfortunately came down with a virus on Christmas day so was unwell and is still recovering with a hacking cough and the sneezes.

Then just before Christmas, my 98 year old father in law, fell and broke his right elbow , while out getting his hair cut. He lives close to Paul's older brother, so that side of the family mainly deals with his general needs. He also doesn't like to sleep away from home so didn't want to come and stay with either of his sons. Also with my daughter having a virus it wasn't an ideal time to have people stay over.

It's just over a two hour round trip from us to his dad's ,so on Friday Paul went to stay at his until this coming Monday to take care of him , while his brother and his wife were away on a prebooked Christmas break.

Which meant we cancelled our family get together until this coming weekend, once we know his dad will have family close around. He found the plaster cast they put on his arm so heavy he could not get himself up, it has been changed but even this one he finds heavy although not as bad as the first.

My eldest daughter and I went to visit him and Paul today and I'm pleased to say he seemed a lot brighter and to have got over the shock of his accident.

So with Lindsey mostly sleeping and Paul away, it was me and the cats and dogs over the last few days, although I did work on Saturday, which got me out and about.

Time passed with not much happening but things should spark into life later this week with Paul's return, Lindsey cold on it's way out and family visiting.

 I seem to have had an Emma Bridgewater Christmas , having received the above items from family and friends.

 

I also love Radley handbags and one of my daughter's bought me this picture purse from their range.

Well all being well I'll be back to write my end of year review and prepare for the new year ahead.


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MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR FRIENDS OUT THERE ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB.

WISHING YOU ALL A JOYFUL AND HAPPY DAY.

IT'S THE SUNDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS

And all through the house
nothing much's happened
not even a douse..

Of water to the kitchen floor
cos I was ill and stomach sore
I sat upon the sofa where
I fell asleep and didn't care

That Christmas cards were needing posting
presents wrapped and almonds toasting
Decisions made about the dinner
was I even getting thinner ?

but now the bug as finally fled
off to take over someone elses head
and sit them on a sofa where
they'll just rest and no longer care

So now the work has fianlly begun!
off just like a loaded gun
Cards await the postman's catch
Decisions made and presents wrapped

But Bruno's tale will now take place
looking back , cos we cannot race
with only two more days to go
Too short for such a tale of woe !

Is it woe? we'll have to wait and see
but that sweet boy will hopefully
get his granny's present done
before the years a different one!

Dee 

CHRISTMAS IS COMING...

Yes it is however I've been brought to a halt by a virus! Arrived totally out of the blue yesterday, went off to work feeling okay but within an hour was feeling awful!
Managed to get back home before it it me! But then thats meant sleeping most of yesterday and sitting about most of today! Not helpful when cards need posting, presents need wrapping and Christmas is just round the corner!

 However the unexpected diets going well ! two crackers one day and a small bowl of soup tonight!

So Bruno is still working on Granny's Christmas present! But I'll share a couple of photos of things around here.

I received this lovely hamper from Paul's work. I love this red basket it's arrived in, will definiately be able to find a use for this once it's emptied.

 Nicely wrapped.

 Top layer, I've not delved down below yet as not felt up to it but will investiagte soon.

I bought this tiny jug on ebay and it arrived in the box behind!!! Now I know it's best to protect breakable items but.....

 When we were putting up the tree we added a few more orniments to the dresser.

 A lttle snowman..

 There is even a bear on an elephant!

I hope to continue Bruno's tale soon.

Dee

A STANDEN HOUSE CHRISTMAS VISIT

You may remember when I visited the National Trust property Standen House back in September and how I was hoping to get to visit it again when they had the house set for a 1920's Christmas.

 Well today, friday , we paid another visit along with our daughter and grand daughter.

 This was one of the first of the many Christmas trees around the house.

This little scene was beside the tree.

There was information about what happened at Christmas written in the most interesting places and ways.
When we visited this room before the table was covered by boxing with screen above telling the William Morris story, so it looked so different and much bigger now the table was uncovered.

 Candles and greenery , along with cards.

 I noticed these tiles framed on the wall in the billards room.

 

 The cushion in the centre tells us that the children would play shipwreaks which involved launching themselves of the sofa to see just how far under the billards table they could go!

 The family rocking horse.

 Clara, carrying her gruffalo child and her hat, spent the whole time saying Wow  when she saw each new room and christmas tree, so sweet.

This black eyed Susan was still flowering in the gorgeous converatory/ garden room.

 Another lovely tree in the living room.

I love this room and that carpet!

 A musical Christmas tree near the piano.

The bottom of the beautiful big Christmas tree in the stairwell.

 The top of the tree and the stair decor

 One of the upstairs rooms had been turned into a craft shop with lots of beautifully made items.

 more

Loved this quilt hanging up.

 more

more treasure! Did I buy anything... no .. you have to keep moving with a twenty two month old ...

 One of the bedrooms

 a tapestry in the hallway.

 A bronze arts and crafts plate

another bedroom where we disturbed a bear at his bath...

 a display cabinet of wonders.

 The half landing on the stairs.

 going down again..

 The dinning room laid for Christmas

 again with the information in words along the table cloth.

another tree in the dinning room.

This room was roped off last time,so it was nice to be able to enter and look closer at things.

 boxes of old dec's

 It was nice to see the plates above the books up closer.

 The paperchains reminded me of my own childhood, my siblings and I would make loads and pin the up all around the house, criss crossing them along the hallway ceiling towards the front door.

 a lovely bureau with a display cabinte above.

 Back in the hallway.

another tree in the corner where the corridor turns towards the servants areas

 The servants dinning area

 some embrodiery and knitting waiting for some spare time to be worked on.

The shop!!

 food...

smellies

 Christmas decorations

 China

 Nativity .... and it was at this point a little Clara decided that she'd had enough of being told look but don't touch and made her complaint loudly!..... so we agthered her up and when off to the barn cafe where she fnished her packed lunch and enjoyed some cake along with Granddad, Grandee and Mummy before heading home for her afternoon nap!

It was lovely visiting again , some of the rooms that were roped off were open to enter fully into and another was full with the craft shop with the sun streaming through the windows.

Yet again I came away , this time, empty handed!! Not a single item... I had considered buying a decoration but there was a problem at the till and people were waiting for someone to come help and Clara made her complaint, so I returned it to the table and made my way outside.

I'd be seriously worried ... if I was not expecting several Emma Bridgwater parcels in the next few days...... Let's be honest once a shopper .. always a shopper...


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