No New Year resolutions here

I no longer make new year resolutions, I know myself well enough to know I do not posses one iota of willpower, therefore ultimately resulting in disappointment by the second week in January.
I have decided though that this year I am going to put more effort into making things for us and our home. I still hope to do a few fairs but as they take up so much time, I'm going to concentrate more on the Etsy shop, probably adding a few vintagey bits and bobs to the mix......who knows I might even make another sale!

Iv'e already started as I mean to go on, Iv'e hooked up a few granny squares and made lots of little hexies

these will hopefully be transformed in cushions for the dining room chairs (boy are they hard on the old bum!) they will also add a splash of much needed colour to the predominantly green/cream colour scheme.
My eyes have been opened to colour over the past year or so and colours I would have never thought of entertaining have now become firm favourites and feel I need them in my everyday life.

I always like to have a few balls of colourful wool and a hook close to hand as I find crochet something you can dip in and out of at any time, especially when the light fades and it becomes difficult to thread the needle (I'm turning into my grandma!)

So as I'm still not ready to completely let go of Christmas I hooked up a few of these which will become jam pot covers for the home made chilli jam I have in mind to give as little prezzies next year.

I had also planned to do a litte makeover on the standard lamp and after seeing this gorgeous shade at the button tin last year but never managed to get around to it, somehow other things just got in the way (and Mr. H needed some convincing) then seeing Ada's blog and her amazing lampshade 'tree' I knew I needed to have a go, then as if I needed any more convincing I visited Dotty about Vintage on my recent Christmas jaunt to Whitby and there in the shop window was Trudie's gorgeous tree, the only problem I have now is whether to use fabric like Ada or tissue paper like Trudie........decisions decisions!

There are also a few rather large decorating projects that need to be tackled in the coming months. Our windows need stripping and re painting on the outside. Mr. H insists on doing these ourselves as he takes pride in the fact he completely strips them back, replaces any old/rotting wood with new then undercoats and paints them meticulously, something he says no regular painter would do unless we took out a small mortgage and I must admit I think he's right, and the proof is in the pudding as they say because the sash windows we renovated at our old house nearly 20 years ago are still going strong and look as good as new.
Our hallway floor also needs completely re sanding and varnishing, the loft needs insulating and boarding and there are rooms that are also in need of a lick of paint and a spot of prettifying, not forgetting the 30 quid kitchen unit that needs finishing.
I also want to spend more time in the garden. I'm sad to say I did lose faith after the chickens were taken last year, in fact I haven't been able to bring myself to do anything out there since they went, but thanks to the lovely Mr. H who gave me this for Christmas, I have found I'm itching to pull on my wellies and get myself out there again.

I have a massive crush on Monty just incase you didn't know!


So no resolutions per se but plenty of plans and more lists for the year ahead so bring it on!

I would love to hear of your plans resolutions or anything else you might be getting up to in 2013

Rewind

HAPPY NEW YEAR ONE AND ALL.
I'm hoping by now any sore heads are a distant memory and everyone is feeling wide awake positive for the new year ahead.
Although I don't want to tempt fate, the Hotchpotch household has managed to steer clear of the dreaded sickness bug and apart from the odd cough and sniffle we have stayed relatively healthy.

I just want to say a BIG THANK YOU to followers/loiterers old and new and to anyone who has left a comment or kind word. I never realised how addictive this blogging malarkey would become, and I for one am more than happy to be an addict!
Through blogging I have realised that there are plenty of like minded people out there and this has given me the confidence to be happy in my own skin, doing my own thing.
I have done vintage/handmade fairs and opened up an etsy shop (o.k I might have only sold one thing but we will gloss over that!) but I have sold things at the fairs to people who return time and time again to buy purchase my wares.
I have met some fantastic, kind and generous people and Iv'e even met a 'real life' friend through blogging and to say she makes me laugh out loud is somewhat of an understatement (you know who you are!)
Anyway that's enough gushing for now.

2012 brought it's ups and it's downs.....I'm pleased to say mainly ups.

Here was my 2012 in pictures

Of course who could forget the amazing Jubilee Celebrations and the Olympics which I absolutely loved.
As you can see, I am a girl of simple pleasures and I can't see this changing any time soon.

So here's to lots more blogging in 2013 (hopefully I might learn how to take better photographs but don't hold your breath!!!)

: )

Christmas shenanigans

Happy Christmas everyone, hope you have had a fabulous time.
We spent a few blissful days in Pickering prior to Christmas not returning home until Christmas Eve which was very relaxing, although the run up to our departure was slightly stressful to say the least!
Presents were wrapped and delivered, the food shop done and dusted apart from the turkey but as there are a couple of butchers and farm shops nearby we were confident we could pick one up on our travels but for a while we did feel like we were playing turkey roulette! as it turned out there was no need to panic as the butcher had a couple left and agreed to save us one until Christmas eve.

Regular readers will know that Pickering has to be one of my favourite places and we head up there every Christmas staying at The White Swan, dogs are allowed so even Brucie gets in on the act.

First stop on Saturday morning was Reeds, my favourite shop in Pickering, it's the paper/gift shop and upstairs is the most wonderful little room full of gorgeousness, if you fancy taking a peek for yourself check out Annes blog where you will find a link to her lovely shop.
Although I have never been during the war weekend, I know it transforms into the most fabulous tea room (hopefully I will get to see it in 'real life' next year). I usually get my war weekend fix from Hen's blog.

The NYMR is always a hive of activity at this time of year as Father Christmas takes time out from his busy schedule to hop on the steam train to meet the Children. Little H used to love this (as did we) but sadly he feels he is a little too grown up to visit Father Christmas now he's twelve.
It didn't stop us taking a stroll down to the station before popping into the model railway shop across the road.

We tootled over the moors on Sunday to Whitby which I have to say was strangely quiet. I just managed to whip out my phone in time to take this.

It was somewhat surreal to say the least to see Father Christmas speeding through Whitby on his sleigh on which was probably the most quietest of days.

After a bracing walk on Sandsend beach we headed back into town to Humble pie for the most delicious pie and mash I have ever tasted and it's only a couple of doors away from Trudie's shop, Dotty about vintage so double the pleasure!


Before we knew it Christmas Eve came around and it was time to collect our turkey and fruit and veg and pack up and head for home... always a sad time as I never feel ready to leave but it was a great feeling knowing we could take our time as everything was organised at home....I had even set the table before we left.

We took a slight detour and drove through the Howardian Hills and past Castle Howard.

It was really lovely to spend quality time together for a few days on the run up to the big day without the frantic dashing around and also to take some time out from cooking. We watched some great T.V, Merlin and Mr. Stink being our favourites and played board games in the Bothy.

So the big day arrived and all I can say is I must have been a very good girl this year as Father Christmas left me some beautiful prezzies in my stocking...love you Mr. H ; )

X

Are you ready?

Arrived safely back this afternoon after a fantastically Christmassy 3 day break in Pickering (more about that next time).
I love going away on little jaunts but I'm always happy to return to our lovely home, especially when it looks so festive.

Everything is prepared and ready for tomorrows festivities so all that's left for me to do is kick back with a cheeky little tipple and maybe a mince pie or two and wish you all a very HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A PEACEFUL NEW YEAR

: )

Lazy(ish) Sunday

Today was supposed to be our Chatsworth day. We don't visit as often as we used to but we do go every Christmas without fail, thing is I just didn't feel like venturing out today, maybe it had something to do with having a late night last night at Mr. H's work Christmas party but I just fancied staying at home and enjoying the warm cozy feeling and the twinkling fairy lights....Mr H went out and bought another set today to adorn the apple tree in the front garden (I am slightly concerned now as every time he goes out he comes home with another set!)

This nativity is very special to me as it was given to me by one of the Sisters when I worked at the Convent. It's always little H's job to put the crib in on Christmas eve. I love these little traditions we have created over the years since he came along.


Anyhows Iv'e managed to get a few more jobs done in preparation for the big day, Iv'e wrapped a few more prezzies, baked a few mince pies and made a few sparkly snowflakes to top the cupcakes at work tomorrow.
All the present shopping is now complete and everything is ready to deliver this week before we head up to North Yorkshire on Friday.
We've decided not to order the turkey this year but to get one while we are up there, there are a couple of great butchers and a fabulous farm shop just outside pickering, hopefully we aren't tempting fate as we have my mum dad and grandma coming for Christmas lunch and I don't think they would be very impressed if we didn't have a bird!!!

As some of you know I had a little giveaway last week so thanks to everyone who entered and left a comment.
Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without a quality street tin, this one being vintage and minus the chocolate so perfect for the occasion, so the names were added and little A rummaged around for a bit before picking a winner.
So without further ado, drumroll please!.................

I am happy to announce the winner ...... Claire over at Thriftwood.
Your parcel is all wrapped and ready and waiting to be taken to the post office tomorrow so it should be finding it's way to Cumbria in the next couple of days.
Claire has a great blog by the way, so why not make yourself a cuppa and pop over.

Something else that's making me happy this week is this

It's the little things!
Hope you've had a great pre Christmas weekend, I'm off now to sample a mince pie while watching SPOTY........COME ON WIGGO!!!

: )