Around Here Lately

Oh my goodness. I've not been here for a while. Just wanted to drop in & say "Hi!" I hope all your plans for this Festive Season are going well. 

I've been suffering from insomnia - I was warned I would go straight into menopause following my Hysterectomy, whereas usually it is a slow onset, it has been headlong. They warn you about the hot sweats (around 30 to 40 a day currently) but not about how that affects your sleep. I am mentally and physically drained. Not good......hoping to start HRT next week. Bring. It. On

Luckily I have been able to embrace this wonderful season slowly, I have written Christmas cards (next year I think I shall buy a goat instead of sending cards!!), instead of the usual frenzied wrapping I am just wrapping a few presents a day, I have the first of three christmas cakes in the oven and am sat here nursing a cup of lemon and ginger tea, the dog at my feet and the sweetest little tree with its twinkling lights turned on to enjoy. It's 6am.....

This year I bought some gorgeous christmas cards from Michaela Gogova, a lovely lady who I met at my Sister In Laws hen party a couple of years ago. You know when you just meet someone and hit it off? Becoming Facebook friends, watching as she has flourished, showing works in London Galleries, Liberty purchasing some of her designs, posters on the Underground and now a student again at Central St. Martins. Her designs are simple forms but with the most intricate detail added, often with hidden words (spot them!) Love them! Hoping for a t-shirt for my birthday.......

 My Daughter and Sister share the same birthday. Both Sagittarians. Both fiery. My Daughter celebrated her 21st this time, I saw this card and thought the words were perfect advice for a 21 year old - maybe for me too! In fact, everyone ;-)

& for my Sister, this from A Two Pipe Problem - She loves her GIN! First seen on the lovely Jen's blog Little Birdie 

Whatever you are doing, I hope you manage to relax this weekend!
Thanks for dropping by, I really do appreciate it, XX

The Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house......

Oh, I love this and used to read it every Christmas Eve with two brimming with excitement children. I look forward to reading it to Sebastian, cosy and snuggly....

For now I am sat, with my usual cup of chai, sinking in the silence, gathering thoughts and thinking about how I want to spend these precious few days off work,
 I'm sure it will include the following...

Watching Love Actually, Elf, Polar Express, The Holiday & Scrooge

Reading In My Shoes - Tamara Mellon (had this for ages) & The Gift - Cecelia Ahern (I love a Christmas novel!)

Listening to this from Kings College. Oh Holy Night. My absolute favourite carol. Beautiful. 

My home is ready for fun and memories to be made! This year feels extra special, the new addition to our family so taken with the lights, taking in the sights and sounds of this World so new to him. Holding him close and not wanting to share with whoever is waiting!

Wishing all who drop by this small space a thank you & a World full of light and happiness. 

Christmas Wishes & Love,Vikki XX

Happy Monday

I found this and thought I'd share with you lovelies!

How to stop time: Kiss

How to travel in time: Read

How to escape time: Music

How to feel time: Write

How to Christmas time: Mulled Wine!

Happy Monday!

XX

It's Coming...

Nothing says Christmas is approaching in this house than the beguiling scent of
Neom's Christmas Wish candle.
Always beautifully packaged, even though I know what's inside I love opening the packaging, getting that first whiff of scent as I do so.

Neom candles are the best I have found.
You can smell them as soon as you walk into the room, even when unlit.
The glass jars are excellent quality, although I took the label off the front this year.

The first thing I do at this time of year, when I have finished work and  walked the pup, is light my candles, breathing an almost audible sigh as I start to chill :-)

Who else buys a special candle for the festive season?
Do you have an after work ritual that involves lighting a candle?
It's an instant pick me up isn't it?

Wishing you all a lovely Week!
XX

Hello!

Good Morning!  I do hope you  had the kind of Christmas you wished for?

I have had a wonderful time, my family together is the best gift I could ask for. 

We have walked, talked, shared, visited family and seen younger family member's get sooooo excited when the big man himself came to visit!! Played chess and Family Fortunes

 and best of all had no falling outs!

I am sitting here in pyjamas (& new wrist warmers!), cup of tea, candle lit, puppy snoring at my side, the house silent whilst everyone is deep in sleep. 

A comforting morning ritual which I have enjoyed and wonder if I could get up that 

little bit earlier after the holidays to enjoy this quiet? 

Read, write, think,  maybe do some Yoga?

Those who drop by regularly may notice some changes to the blog - thank you Mr.L!

I have enjoyed writing here more than I imagined I could. It has made me look with fresh eyes at my surroundings, capture moments which can so easily be lost, treasure the simple things & actually slow down, which may surprise you - but writing re-energises me, makes me feel good.

I am so grateful that people drop by and especially leave comments. 

Recently I wrote my 100th post and had my 5,000th visitor - 

couldn't imagine this in my wildest dreams! 

Teeny tiny I know compared to so many fabulous blogs out there, but it's mine! 

Thankyou! XX

I have a lovely new header photograph, my instagram linked - please hop over & take a look 

(the pics aren't as good quality as I would like but they are all taken with my phone - I am patiently waiting for my current contract to end), subscriber and search bars and Google Plus.

 I shall also be updating my favourite blogs, in order of most recently updated.

Most popular posts are also displayed -

 is it any surprise that "I got nailed in Sweden"  is most popular????

 Hmmmm - wonder why???

I will be back later today with my '52 Weeks of Happy'.

I can hear the house coming to life - & I need to think about what to cook for my 

Mama & Papa later today!

Bye for now - I leave you with this lovely link from 1972 - just look at that hair :-)

http://www.channel4.com/news/so-whats-christmas-all-about-how-we-did-it-back-then

XX

Christmas Wishes

Wishing all who drop by the most wonderful 

Christmas!

XX

Weekend Wanders York

Late with post's this week - not because I am running around like a 

mad thing on account of Christmas. 

This year, so far, I have had the kind of December I have always dreamed of - 

spending time with family and friends. 

Making memories :-)

I have even had two whole days of pottering at home, watching DVD's in front of a cosy fire with my family is just THE BEST!

Last weekend Mr.L and I went to York, one of my favourite City's, being so picturesque,

 full of some of the oldest buildings & unique streets, some leaning and all higgledy piggledy, 

so much heritage and culture.

& did it feel Christmassy!! 

We visited to go to York Festival of Angels

Snow machines, ice sculptures, excitement in the air, street food, entertainment.

How about this? I would love my Bailey's served like this every time!

With a chocolate flake too - yum!

This banana curry looked wonderful & El Piano are known for vegan, gluten free fabulous food -

 but we had eaten - a must visit for next time...El Piano

A few snapshots of the beautiful buildings, hidden passages - 

York has one of the most striking roof-lines.

York Minster

Map sculpture of the City

Street entertainment! He was amazing! Cool Yoda!

Lovely shops to peruse & windows to admire

The Famous Bettys Tearoom - Stonegate, York

This robin shop was just lovely - thousands of robins of different sizes 

some made from Liberty fabric

As nightfall fell, the City lit up - there was the most fabulous live band - I had a bit of a jig!!

The sculptor at work...

Time for a drink!

We ate at Little Italy - one of York's finest family run Italian restaurants.

Gorgeous & unpretentious with simple décor, a friendly atmosphere and boxes of 

Panetonne hung from the ceiling.

Such a lovely restaurant, run by Italian women mainly chatting away in their native tongue.

One was making the delicacies below.

Yummy deserts

Amazing day - definitely visiting again next year!

I hope you are managing to spend quality time with loved one's 

this Festive Season!

Has anyone been able to sneak away like me??

XX