Happy Christmas!

Day 24 : little things of christmas advent calendar

Day 24 : old socks as stockings

Dig around in your drawer to find a suitable 'stocking' sock...just one more sleep!

Day 23 : little things of christmas advent calendar

Day 23 : christmas jumpers
....they ROCK!

Day 22 : little things of christmas advent calendar

Day 22 : the smell of a real christmas tree

That's it! Pure and simple! mmmmmm...

Day 21 : little things of christmas advent calendar

Day 21 : christmas tree game


OK so, this game is best played in the car (although you could tweak it
to suit your mode of transport). You need at least 2 players. Divide
yourself into teams- driver's side vs passenger's side. The aim of the
game is to see (and count out loud) as many Christmas trees as possible
on the way to your destination.  IMPORTANT, you can ONLY count
the trees that you pass on your side, trees MUST be decorated, the
tree can be inside or outside, as long as it is decorated. This game is
often harder for the driver as they have to kept their eyes on the road -
 so the route you take to your destination is entirely up to 'drive'- this may or may not advantage your driver and incur some elements of what may seem like cheating, this is, to be honest, pretty much in line with the tone of the game! GOOD LUCK- let me know your best scores/ routes/ tactics!
WARNING: you can sometimes be drawn into 'the amazingly decorated house, with lights/father Christmas hanging out of a window etc/ trap' assuming it'll be a score, but if it doesn't have a decorated tree it doesn't count !

Day 20 : little things of christmas

Day 20 : making lists

making lists comes in handy at all times, particularly at christmas...

NB. 2 apologises...
1) this is up v late ( had a few distractions today!)
2) item 6 on the list refers to 'day 5' it is actually day 9 for this years calendar!

Day 19 : little things of christmas advent calendar

Day 19 : baby jesus...?

OK so its a bit early, but well, to explain yesterday's calendar entry absence... I was having a baby!
9 Days early...our little 'thing' of christmas has arrived!! Sorry that this is maybe slightly indulgent, but hey I reckon I'm allowed!
Ursula Olive Hayes is looking forward to her first christmas!

Day 17 : Little things of christmas advent calendar

Day 17 : Strictly

Glitter, music, extravagant packaging, sentimental, entertaining, exciting (with possibly anti-climax!...)

Am I describing christmas or Strictly Come Dancing?
BOTH!
That's why they are both soooooo good!...Enjoy!

Day 16: little things of christmas advent calendar

Day 16 : choosing a chocolate

It's an art - this choosing a chocolate lark! It has to be done quickly, deftly & decisively!...and while you're at it- I'd take at least 3!
Enjoy!..I hope someone hasn't pinched your favourite! What is your favourite?

Day 15 : little things of christmas advent calendar

Day 15 : home-made ginger biscuits


HOMEMADE GINGER BISCUITS
125g unsalted butter
90g brown sugar
3 tbsp molasses / treacle
1 egg, beaten
370g plain flour, sifted
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp ground ginger
1 tsbp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp ground mixed spice

Mix it all up together- I’m sure you should be really careful or something- but I'm not, bung it together, then wrap it in cling film, and put in the fridge for at least half an hour - this will help make it manageable.




Then when its ready, pre heat oven to 180 degrees and roll out mixture and cut in to shapes, put in the oven for 10 -15 mins - keep checking, they should be a bit squidgy.

And hey presto biscuits for you to eat/ or give as presents- hurrah

Day 14 : little things of christmas advent calendar

Day 14 : snuggle on the sofa

On a VERY grey day like today, I can think of nothing better than just snuggling on the sofa. I believe, the christmas edition of the radio times came out yesterday- so find yourself a suitably sentimental festive film and enjoy!

Day 13 : little things of christmas advent calendar

Day 13 : fairy lights

Twinkly fairy lights are definitely a symbol of this festive time and a fast track to make you feel just a little bit more christmassy. Whether they are white or multi-coloured the innocent glow of a string of fairy lights is a very brilliant thing!

Ah magic!

Day 12 : little things of christmas advent calendar

Day 12 : getting exciting post

Whether its cards from family or friends or packages from random internet purchases, its all just a bit exciting! Its so great to hear from people you are in touch with day to day, start gathering presents and best wishes for the season of sharing the love!

Enjoy!

Day 11 : little things of christmas advent calendar

Day 11 : Beards & Knitwear

Need I say more?
What a festive combination for us all to admire! A good beard & a good jumper and it's 'winterval' epitomised. Keep your eyes peeled for this wondrous duo!

Day 10 : little things of christmas advent calendar

Day 10 : Monkey & Robot

Is this a blatant advert?
hmm yes I think it is!

Don't they look christmasy?
This is a wee reminder that there are 4 lovely (we hope you agree) books out there in the Monkey & Robot series awaiting to be given to small and BIG people alike as presents under the tree!

Its also a chance to say a BIG THANK YOU to everyone with the support you have given that blue stripy fellow & that red blocky chap! Much much appreciated.

If you are a fan- come an buy a signed copy of Snow from me today at the Colston Hall 'Made in Bristol' gift fair (10am - 4pm) ...

Or link below for more armchair friendly shopping method!
BUY Doctor Monkey
BUY Cardboard Robot
BUY In the Garden
BUY Snow

JOIN IN A BIT MORE MONKEY & ROBOT FUN AT THEIR VERY OWN BLOG...
www.monkeyandrobot.blogspot.com

Day 9 : little things of christmas advent calendar

Day 9 : Real fire

A real fire really does have a hypnotic quality to it...if you can get yourself somewhere that has one, and soak it in, let your worries float away and enjoy the warmth & calm the fire can provide.
The smell of it too will help add to the festive vibes.

Does this all sound a bit hippy-ish? You know what I mean though, real fires rock!

day 8 : little things of christmas advent calendar

Day 8 : chocolate money

Recession? Financial downturn? Its ok we've got chocolate money!
Ha ha, if only life's problems could be solved that easily ah?
Well, for the purposes of this 'little things of christmas advent calendar' they can! Chocolate money is a ubiquitous symbol of christmas, buy some, give some, eat some!

Day 7 : little things of christmas advent calendar

Day 7 : keeping your hands warm round a cup of something hot.

For me at the moment its got to be HOT ribeana- mmmmm bliss, slightly medicinal, slightly like sweets & full of blackcurranty goodness! Obviously please go for tea/ coffee/ toddy what ever you fancy, just enjoy a moment of clutching the mug in a ever-so-slightly 1980s advert kind of way!

Day 6 : little things of christmas advent calendar

Day 6 : When it's dark outside & houses are all lit up

I love this! I know it can make you feel a bit down, cause its dark before you've even finished work, but its ok, this is one of those weird and special things about this season...just go with it!
It does mean that when you pass everyones lit up homes, you can be super nosey and look in and get a glimpse into someone elses world!

When I was little I used to see house lit up in the distance and think it was Bethlehem! Ah bless!

Day 5 : the little things of christmas advent calendar

Day 5 : the addition of cranberries to all pre-packed sandwiches to make them festive!*


* red berries & a little bit of marketing/ my cynicism make instant christmas! Don't they?!

mmmmm! Have a tasty day...

Day 4 : little things of christmas

Day 3 : Dogs in jumpers!
This obviously is becoming more of a 'usual' sighting, but this time of year does seem to bring a few more out, particularly the specifically 'christmas themed canine outfits' - surely this is a bit of FREE festive entertainment for us all to enjoy! Hurrah!

NB: I heard some people were have a problem viewing m'blog on 'older' puters, so I have gone a wee bit retro and changed its template- hopefully this will suit all technical platforms you may wish to view on...let me know if that's not the case.

Day 3 : the little things of christmas advent calendar

Day 3 : Sausage & bean casserole
This may not sound particularly festive, but the process of slow cooking some yummy stew will help get those nesting, cosy wintery vibes going...then sit back with a fat glass of wine and wait for your soothing stew to be ready then pour another glass to accompany it! Enjoy!

Day 2 : little things of christmas advent calendar

Day 2 : Red & Green
What a simple thing! But doesn't it do it's job wonderfully? It just makes you feel festive & wintery, you can see it in nature & across our glorious technicoloured synthetic world too! Enjoy looking out for it in its many guises...

Happy Advent! Day 1 : the little things of christmas advent calendar

Happy Advent! Can you believe its the first of December already? Can you believe it was snowing this time last year?...I remember this because I made a picture about it to celebrate day 1 of my 'little things of christmas advent calendar'!
I'm afraid this years calendar is going to be a reworked version of last year (with a baby due in 3 weeks, I have quite a lot going on!) so think of this years calendar as being last years pulled out of the christmas box, it has all of its doors neatly shut again, ready for you to guess, anticipate & open them - but in a slightly different order!

Anyway, the idea of 'the little things of christmas' is just that! Looking out for and enjoying all those tiny moments, touches and combinations that get us in the festive mood!...so here's day 1 - enjoy!

Day 1: Lots of Layers
I love wearing wintery woollens.
It makes me feel cosy & a little bit invincible (which is always nice!) Embrace this time of year & wear lots of layers!