Baking and bathing

It has occured to me this morning that there really are only a couple of weeks until Christmas and that whilst everyone around me is busy making preparations, I haven't yet started. My mother is coming to stay with us for a few days over Christmas and whilst she is an absolute whizz in the kitchen, it would be a bit mean to invite her to stay with us and then expect her to do lots of cooking. So I think this evening I will have to make a start on preparing goodies to eat and think about buying gifts for the family.

Dave and I have almost given up buying each other gifts at Christmas; the thing I most value from him is his time and to that end, a few years ago I requested 2 days of his time to create me my dream bathroom. Well inevitably it took longer than the 2 days I had imagined it would, but in the end I had my dream bathroom ~ a room with a bath in it, 2 armchairs and a chest of drawers. It is the sanctuary to which I retreat every night, armed with a cuppa and a book or magazine (It can be seen in photos on the website e.g. the bamboo towel ladder).

Three or four years ago, I was terribly organised and from September to December I spent each evening lovingly creating unique tapestry and petit point cushions for each member of my family. Each cushion took hours and hours to make as there were 14 stitches to each inch of cushion (so 196 stitches a square inch), but I was really pleased with the results and I know that my family members all treasure the cushions they received.
Some years I make a hamper full of home made goodies for my family, like green tomato chutney and apple and ginger wine, but this year I just haven't had the time to be that creative, so will have to think about buying gifts for them.
I asked my mother if there was anything she would like for Christmas and she suggested an ironing board cover .... well how dull is that?

Well, I had better get on with some work, some planning and to go and look in a cupboard or two for some inspiration, chat soon, Liz