5th November

Remember remember the fifth of November,

Gunpowder, treason and plot.

I see no reason why gunpowder,

treason Should ever be forgot...

Bonfire night came and went, I used to hate it as a child as the fireworks were so loud. It is my Sisters Birthday so there was always another reason to celebrate it. "Happy Birthday" by the way. Bonfire night always holds memories of the huge bonfire in the field at the back of our house, Jacket Potatoes coking at the bottom of the bonfire and of course people calling "Penny for the Guy" but you dont seem to get people calling with a Guy. I think that we have gone down the Halloween route here and have forgotten some of the older traditions. I bet that there will be lots of kids who have no idea what "Penny for the Guy " means, mine included.

Anyway we decided that we would go and visit friends and perhaps my little one would not "FREAK OUT " when he was in other company. Well he did us proud, we have gone from the little boy who had a major melt down at the mear mention of fireworks to the little boy who would stand at the patio doors, with fingers in ears (just in case!!) and watch. He even held a sparkler which is again a big deal for him, I took a photograph of him doing this so that next year when we hear the all too familiar whine "I dont like fireworks" it can be whipped out as lasting proof that he DID actually enjoy himself. Hehe........

So it is now the weekend and I have just left work and can put my feet up and not hear he sounds of "Miss, he said this" or "Miss, she hit me" and the tug at the arm of my clothes to get my attention. Although having two children and a husband I guess there is still plenty of whining in this house. It is just so nice to get o the weekend to spend some quality time with our own children and leave work at the school gates for Monday (although I must confess that I LOVE my job).

I hope that like the christmas tree on the top of the blog, it is far too early to decorate the house yet but as there are no pine needles to pick up in blogland I thought I would decorate the blog. This is just the start and I have other decorating plans for the next couple of weeks. Have a fab weekend whatever you are doing, if I can get the camera to work on this computer I will get some photographs put on here for you to look at.

GOD Bless

The Weekend

Wow we have had a busy weekend. The Tooth Fairy has yet again graced our home with a visit, he has lost another tooth and again is so proud. On Saturday we went to stay with family for the weekend. This gave DH and I the opportunity to call at some shops ALONE without any children, now whilst I love to take my children to places it is so nice to have the chance to be out without them. My quest was to find some christmas cars to give to people at Church, now whilst I am sure that these people have a sense of humor I was not sure if they would appreciate a card showing a place of brussles sprouts with one dressed up as Santa so I was looking for ones that had a more traditional feel to them. Anyway after the trip to the town we went to the town Firework display and then back home to let off our own fireworks.

On Sunday I took the opportunity to go to the Cemetry and visit the graves of some loved ones. I wish that I had taken the camera as the cemetry is so beautiful and with the leaves dropping onto the ground it was simply stunning. I know that it sounds strange to be taking photographs at a cemetry but honestly you had to be there.
Whilst walking around you could see grave stones underneath the trees practically hidden from view, upon closer inspection they were graves dating back to 1867 and some even older. I guess that nobody goes to visit these anymore and the trees which would have been small at the time have now grown and are now covering them from sight.

I think that the colours of Autumn are simply stunning, the trees are turning shades of red and gold and then they fall to ground. The smell of the air changes I think, There is a slight dampness to the air and you can smell fires burning. I think that we need to make the most of the chaning seasons as they quickly turn to the next season, which of course will be Winter.
As we are now in November my mind has been occupied with ideas for Christmas. I have nearly almost all of my shopping done and have ideas for the rest that I need to get. Next week I will be baking my Christmas cake and Christmas Pudding, should I dig out some christmas carols to listen to whilst I bake or would classical be better? Hmm I will have to think about that one.

I hope that you all have a great weekend, I am off to look up some recipes for treats for the children to have for Bonfire Night. GOD Bless xx

Whatever will they think of next

Christmas should be downgraded unless other religious festivals are marked on an even footing, a Government think-tank has said.

The Institute of Public Policy Research has suggested various ideas to make the UK more multicultural.
It also wants "national culture" barriers to be torn down to help immigrants settle into the UK.
In a report due to be published in coming weeks, the organisation said: "If we are going to continue to mark Christmas - and it would be very hard to expunge it from our national life even if we wanted to - then public organisations should mark other major religious festivals too.
"Even-handedness dictates that we provide public recognition to minority cultures and traditions."
It emerged in 2006 that three out of four employers were not putting up Christmas decorations in the workplace for fear of offending staff of other cultures.

You can view this article http://uk.news.yahoo.com/itn/20071101/tuk-think-tank-says-downgrade-christmas-dba1618_1.html

I mean I can understand the need to recognise other cultural festivities but why on earth should we have to downgrade our own to accomodate people who decide to come and live here. I honestly think that this is because due to mass consumerism people have no idea as to why we celebrate christmas. It really matters not to me if you are a Christian and celebrate the birth of JESUS or are Pagan and celebrate the festival of YULE, we are entitled to our own opinion and should not have to change our English ways of life incase other people ind it offensive. What is offensive to me is that we are been forced to change. GGGRRRRRRRRRRRRR

The Tooth Fairy has visited

I nearly forgot to mention that last week my dear son lost his very first tooth. He has been so excited to have his very own lose tooth, he has seen his sister loose teeth and be visited by the tooth fairy bu this one was all his. As last week was half term and the children were off school we helped out at the church holiday club, well on the Friday he came running up to me holding his mouth with one hand and a tooth in the other. He didnt care that his little mouth was bleeding all he was concerned about was that he is now a Big Boy (he is 6 you know) as his tooth had fallen out. He took great delight in leaving that tooth under his pillow at bedtime and was soon asleep with the anticipation of a visit from the tooth fairy. I guess he will never forget where he was when he lost this tooth, he had such a fun time at church that day.

Anyone for Halloween?

I really cant decide how I feel about Halloween. Part of me feels that it is just a bit of fun and an excuse for the children to get dressed up and then another part of me really doesnt like it at all. I dont like it when older kids knock at the door wearing their normal clothes asking for money "Penny for Halloween", they cant even get dressed up. The younger children who make the effort to be dressed up and have some kind of adult with them will be welcome to come to the house for "Sweeties". i dont even want to start on what the people at church feel towards the whole event. I shudder at the thought.

However my children dont miss out, Oh No....
We did go to a party this evening which is held at our church. It is a "Alternative Halloween party", the children are encouraged to get dressed up in their brightest of clothes, we make pizza, decorate biscuits, bob for apples and then instead of carving a scary face out of the pumpkin we carve out "Jesus" on one side and a cross on the other. Even the children who dont attend church who come always have a wonderful time. I guess it is one of those "Each to their own" moments.

Harvest Festival

Today was the Harvest Festival at my sons school...... OOOOOOh such a proud Mummy!
He got up and said his many lines and never looked uncomfortable at all. When he had finished he gave me the thumbs up and had a HUGE smile, he said that he had really enjoyed himself.
This is the child who would never leave my side and would cry every day going into school despite the fact that he was in his second year at school. I think that we have turned a corner and a confident little boy is emerging. YAY !!!!!! We are so proud of you son.... Love You!

Welcome October

Oh the time is literally flying here. I cant quite believe that it is October already. Things have been busy as usual here but nothing seems that interesting to blog about really. We are still enjoying vegetables form the garden. The courgettes are still growing and we have sweetcorn waiting to be picked for dinner on Sunday, there is still beetroot,leeks and onions. I am so pleased with what we have accomplished with such a small patch of earth. I would love to dig up the whole garden and plant veggies in the whole lot, but as we has new turf laid in the garden a year ago I cant really justify digging the whole lot up. However we do need new turf in the front garden so I could transplant it there couldnt I? heheheh we shall have to wait and see what happens with that.

I love all of the seasons as they all bring their own charm but I do love Autumn and Winter. I love the dark nights when I can snuggle up under a blanket and have candles lit around the room, I have to have lots and lots of candles. A hot cup of tea or hot chocolate is also another must have.



I am starting planning for the christmas season and have enjoyed having the sewing machine out for various craft projects to give as gifts. I have most of my gifts ready and only have my own children left to buy for. This is where I struggle, what on earth can I get them? I have no ideas. I once read a Victorian Poem which said;

Something they want,

Something they need,

Something to wear and

Something to read.

Or as some people have suggested, should we only buy three gifts which represent the three gifts given to Jesus by the Three Wise Men?

I dont think that there can be a right answer and I guess you have to do what fits your budget and your beliefs. I dont quite know what I will do but I do know that no matter what they get they will be delighted and the most important gift you can give a person is you and your time.