Wednesday, 30th December. 2015 - Cocktails at Caxton Cottage

At 6.30pm we found ourselves in the good company of Mandi, Murdoch, Rob and Caroline at Mike and Pippa's ever increasing house. The kitchen conversion is looking amazing. Good setting for tasty nibbles and cocktails. Mike has the most amazing imagination and then can create it into an interesting space. Clever man and combined with Pippa's creative flair make a great team. If you want to do something interesting and unusual with your home they are the couple to ask.

A new device for Christmas, I think it was an iBox, provided amusement along with YouTube.

Thankyou for a delightful evening.

Tuesday, 29th December 2015 - One Mother, Four Children and a Couple ofSons-in-Law

We had a thoroughly good time with Liz and Keith. I love their house by the sea and just a bit jealous that Liz has a potters wheel and kiln in her garden. Accompanied by David, Susan, Roger and Brenda we had a delicious festive dinner with a splash or two of prosecco. I really have reduced my drinking it was Keith being a most attentive host is where the fault lies....but I liked it.

Monday, 28th December 2015 - Little Relations

We had a muddy mammoth walk with Tony and Wendy. I am so pleased and surprised we all stayed upright. We came back to ours where I managed to feed them Christmas excess food. Bella and Hetty had George, Henry and Thomas over to play. The budding teenage boys are incredible patient with the girls. Lindsey and Fizzy popped by and consumed a few more leftovers. The tasting of the various homemade liqueurs was my best bit. Sloe Gin made by Lottie - yummy. Apricot liqueur provided by Alan's daughter (too much alcohol has a obliterated her name from my memory banks for now). Walnut, wild cherry and one other made by Ross were all delicious by now.

Sunday, 27th December 2015 - Hunting Costumes

Today we found a space in time to do the Treasure Hunt. A puzzle followed by a search dressed up in coronations dresses for two unicorns and a fairy in the garden led to presents. It sounds much more impressive than in reality. I believe I am possibly the one who enjoys it most. The family seem to be growing out of this tradition.

Saturday, 26th December 2016 - Shooting Clays at Howfield

The Joy family are the most wonderful hosts. We turned up with Tom to shoot clay pigeons (there is no resemblance whatsoever to a pigeon unless it has been run over by a car and is flat and grey). Tom was an unexpected extra but they calmly laid another place at the table. What a delicious lunch.

Si, Lesley, Tim, Cliff, Nick, Alex and Tom shot and more often than not, missed many clays. I was going to have a go but wimped out at the last minute. I am annoyed at myself.

 Thankyou once again Nick and Alli for your amazing hospitality.

Friday, 25th December 2015 - Crowns On

Christmas Day today. Yippee.

It turned out to be a relaxed event. Hetty and Bella were carefully guided by Harriet. Well done you. I remember a few Incidents of Christmas Day that I lost the plot in the past. Mum and Chris called by on their way to Lindsey's. There was a bit of dozing along with cooking, eating, drinking ( I do like an excuse to drink Champagne) and watching some fine festive television.

Thursday, 24th December 2015 - Snowball Testing

A couple of drinks and no food turned into something much more major at Hallwood Farm. Sarah and Nigel invited Mike, Karen and ourselves for a brief Christmas Eve drink. It ended rather later than planned due to the hosts being most generous and entertaining. Light nibbles were accompanied by Christmas cake and Yule log along with ham, smoked salmon and mashed potato. It was the testing, taking and experimenting with Snowballs that extended the evening. Don't buy Lidl advocat it is pretty disgusting until you have had a few. Warnicks won. Mike and I were defeatd as to why a maraschino cherry needed to be speared by a straw for drinking through. I don't think we outstayed our welcome. Did we?

Wednesday, 23rd December 2015 - Archie, Rebekah and Gary

This evening we went to Ray and Linda's. They have the most beautiful house. I would love to hate them in a twisted way but they are the most gorgeous couple so one can't. We met Archie, Mike and Pippa's adorable grandson for the first time. In my enthusiasm for canapés not only did I spill my prosecco I managed to smash the glass too. Quite embarrassing.

Tuesday, 22nd December 2015 - Santa Special

Mum has again bought us all tickets for the steam railway trip from Tenterden to the North Pole with Father Christmas. I like watching faces. Hetty and Bella were delights to see. It must be the warmth and the rhythm of the train that makes the older family members close their eyes. The merry-go-round got a few turns. Once was enough for me. It really goes quite fast - such fun. When you can borrow a child you rally must take in the experience. I thoroughly recommend it. Thankyou Mum.

Monday, 21st December 2015 - Tiling at Little Holt

It may be the holidays but some people just don't stop working. Tom has use of my car while home. In fair and generous exchange, on my part, he has been helping Tim. Not sure the rubber gloves do it for me Tim. I prefer a man in a bee suit.

Sunday, 20th December 2015 - Deep in Discussion

I woke to the sound of Seagulls. I feel like I am on holiday.

What a way to start the day...have a fantastic breakfast cooked by Vivien with sausages made by Si.

We visited Brenda on our way home for tea. She is keen to get a Tablet as more information is now not being printed. I am impressed by her keeness to learn. We found out that Cats Eyes and Ballisha Beacons were invented in the early 1930's. Just as Brenda thought.

This evening it was carols at The Peacock. Emily and Michael were goose pimpling good. Stunning voices. The rest of us tried really really hard. I am not sure why Michael moved away from Tom? 

Saturday, 19th December 2015 - Annual Dinner Party

This years Christmas dinner party was held by the seaside at Vivien's. What a great venue.

We arrived in the afternoon for a wander through the Old Town of Hastings (charming) and the Town (interesting but not charming). After trailing up and down the streets, they are pretty to start with but passing the Jenny Linn repetitively reduced its appeal, we eventually got to our destination. We were looking for Ray and Linda's house where June and Barry were staying. Found it. We changed into our dress and suits. Dinner suits transform men don't you think. And I was in the company of four of them. Yum.

Dinner was stunning. I don't think we could have eaten or drunk much more. Canapés, cocktails, sparkling wine, red wine, soup, soufflé, beef Wellington, a couple of puddings and a cheese board to finish. We were treated to a night in Steve and Vivien's bedroom. They slept on the floor. Yes, I did feel slightly guilty but I slept like a baby. Such a lot of hard work but appreciated very very much.

I am pleased to say it is not our turn next year. June and Barry its at yours. I am looking forward to it already. 

 Si's bow tie got crooked. That is the sign of a fine evening.

Friday, 18th December 2015 - Christmas Cactus

I have been feativising the house today. A wheelbarrow loaded with greenery has been disbursed along the banisters and over pictures. Hetty helped. I have never done high velocity decorating before. She seems to run at twice the speed that I do. Bella is fast catching up. Great job done is very little time. I am exhausted.

I found my nude Christmas cake from last year. Looks and smells nicely matured. Much to Mum's disgust it is covered In yellow marzipan. None of that sophisticated white stuff. I am rather proud of my rainbow glittered icing peaks. The girls can adorn it with robins and the like tomorrow. I hope the glue gun can stick Father Christmas's legs back on.

Harriet gave me a cactus. Mum always had one. Apparently they are hard to come by as they are not trendy. You just wait. Next year you will all want one.

Thursday, 17th December 2015 - David Demonstrating.

Sarah and I went to Cocolicous for coffee/tea and a bacon roll where we put ourselves to rights. Harriet and Bella joined us for cupcake and coffee before we headed out o the hunt for things to stick on top of our Christmas cake. It was exasperatingly futile. Six shops and only half a dozen robins, a polar bear and a cake frill.

Lee lee reminded me it was the Weald of Kent Art Group Christmas party. A surpringly enjoyable evening watching the talented David Aspinall demonstrate. We even had drinks and nibbles. Still no alcohol has passed my lips. I think my body appreciates it but not my mind yet.

Wednesday, 16th December 2015 - Egg Collectors

I have had my last bed and breakfast guest for 2015. I can now get the room ready for when Tom comes home. Sooo looking forward to seeing him. I wonder if he still likes to argue/discuss as much.

Harriet walks the girls to school. She has a front pack for Bella whose legs are too little for now. It reminds me of a kangaroo. I am amazed that Harriet can carry Bella she is quite heavy now. 

I hate it when you find a teabag at the bottom of your mug.

Tuesday, 15th December 2015 - Work Continues

We have not stopped building yet. Tim is getting the bathroom ready for a bit of plastering. Damn dusty work but he has a new tool that seems to aid his work.

I was delighted to be able to watch Brian Cox this evening. Tim Peake docking onto the International Space Station seemed much more interesting. It was actually fascinating. Well done you up there.

Monday, 14th December 2015 - Plasterer's Van

Little Holt has been plastered today. I do like to watch plasterers (?sp and punctuation) working. Still a lot of work to do but it is looking pretty good so far.

Saturday, 12th December 2015 - An Evening at The Joy Home

This evening we picked up Si and Lesley before spending the evening with Nick and Alli accompanied by Nick and Suzy. The food was delicious. I do so enjoy being cooked for. Gorgeous company which took me enjoyably way past my bedtime.

Friday, 11th December 2015 - Girls at Juliets

I spent the morning in Tunbridge Wells. I met with Pippa, Fiona, Linda and June. We coffeed, caked and did a bit of shopping.

When I got home Tim said to me to slip into something more comfortable. What a sexy little devil he can be. He had other ideas. So we ended up doing some plasterboaring.

Thursday, 10th December 2015 - Still Hanging On

An had an unfortunate experience this morning. My much loved black knickers have come detached from their lacy top. Not badly enough for me not to wear them though. 

I was in cleaning mode, not mood, today. I even ventured into the garden and did some leaf collecting. I love the trees but not so keen on the vast amount of leaves they shed. Bloody heavy, soggy, mushy leaves. 

Wednesday, 9th December 2015 - Poinsettia Rehab

Paloma Faith and I did some gardening today. We sang at great volume. Excellent expulsion of all those tense bits.

Harriet saved a poinsettia from being composed. It is now in my tender care. It is good to see its long stems. 

Tuesday, 8th December 2015 - Hetty's First Nativity

Such a proud day today.

After a trip to East Sussex to collect a couple of Great Grandmas and a spot of lunch we went to Benenden Church to await the arrival of Hetty. Ok, she was not the only one performing in the school nativity but I only had eyes for her. There were four generations there to watch her. She made a brilliant singing and dancing snowflake.

We celebrated with the cake I was working on yesterday. 

Monday, 7th December 2015 - Wrapping

Today I have been making a very complicated cake. Tim kindly bought me some silicone cake tins. I don't think I used them correctly. They wobbled as I transferred them into the oven and the cake stuck to the bottom. Oh I have not finished yet. When I turned them out the side caved in taking a bite of cake with it. Luckily there is a lot of buttercream frosting for patching. Possibly a picture tomorrow of the monster it has become.

In between cake making I wrapped Christmas presents. Still a few of those early twenties boys to consider. They are damn difficult. I don't like to encourage them with alcoholic bad habits even it is appreciated and I have done in the past. Any ideas boys?

Sunday, 6th December 2015 - Ibuprofen

Tim and Brett had a long day working on Little Holt. Harriet is finding it hard not having Brett to help with the girls. They don't seem to mind. They can at least see daddy through the hole in the living room wall. We are hoping to get plastered this week.

Pain killers sorted me out today and an exciting episode of Dr Who.

Saturday, 5th December 2015 - Balloon Rescue

Harriet and I took Hetty and Bella to Tenterden. They were holding a Christmas fair. A bit of discussion ensued after Father Christmas gave them some sweets in the High Street and then they saw him shortly after in his grotto. Hetty knows that is far too many places for a person to be and some of them have dodgy looking beards. I bought them a couple of unfestive helium balloons. Bella's string snapped and we watched her Dalmatian go floating off into a tree. Harriet and I stood pondering whether it would be possible to catch it, probably not, you can imagine Bella's little sad face. A young lad passed by and insisted on climbing the rather spiky tree to rescue her balloon. Now imagine her delighted little face. As he handed the balloon back he got a round of applause. Then ran off. What a kind deed. I hope he has a lovely happy Christmas and future life.

Work continues on Little Holt. Tim and Brett have broken through and they have a charming hole in their living room wall. The girls found it most entertaining.

Friday, 4th December 2015 - Fish Friday

This evening I finished painting our Christmas cards. It is a therapeutic with its repetitiveness.

We had a Bewl water trout for dinner. It took far much longer than usual to prepare the potatoes with a mandolin slicer for potato Boulanger. Not a success. They turned out slimey. Potato soup tomorrow.

Wednesday, 2nd December 2015 - Mahonia

Today it was sunny but not gorgeous enough to entice me into the garden until after 3pm. I did some leaf clearing. A horrid task. The scent of Mahonia eased the task. Hetty and Bella climbed into the builders bag we collect the leaves in. Being dragged around the garden caused much enjoyment. Funny little pair.

Tom phoned this afternoon while waiting for recovery from his exhaust falling off. He the. Went on to tell me he had been test driving a Tesla. So I presumed this was the car missing the exhaust. How was I meant to know it is an electric car. Great little drive if you have £80,000 to spend.

Tonight I am off for our Christmas Book Group meeting at The Great House. I am looking forward to it greatly!!!

Tuesday, 1st December 2015 - Christmas Elf Delivery

I have wrapped presents for Hetty, Bella and Harriet's Christmas Advent calender. 72 is a lot of presents. It has been great fun finding suitable gifts from colouring books to whoopee cushions.

I can now get excited about Christmas. Very quietly to myself so as not to over excite the children and make Tim think I am a bit weird.

Bella had a little confusion about the Elf and presents. Hetty had no problem. Harriet was also included.