This and that....

So I've been rather neglectful of keeping up with my JYC retrospective, but it has been a bit of a busy period! LOL

Today has been a lovely day.

The Christmas cupcakes I made for our annual work wine and mince pies get together were a huge hit, and I am especially happy at how the cherry cupcakes tasted. I would love to get another batch of those made before the weekend, so only time will tell!

Then I saw that my cards were featuring today on the Crate Paper blog as part of the Very Crate Christmas feature and give-away.

I never thought in a million years they'd get picked, let alone have gained any votes from people! I am just amazed! :D

The other projects are simply stunning and I am even more sad now that I have nearly run out of my favourite Peppermint papers! I may just be trawling ebay soon looking for anyone that is still selling them as I think they are all gone in the UK. If anyone spots them somewhere give me a shout please! I will be most grateful. :D

Now, back to some Christmas journal posts. I have been keeping up with Shimelle's prompts and have also been really chuffed to see some of my entries from last year featuring there. 

So where was I up to on the retrospective...

December 9th and the very addictive tradition of buying "a" new bauble every year... or three or four... ;)

Before that the 9th was looking at having the best of both worlds and both traditions. Polish Christmas Eve, Wigilia, and a British Christmas day... well after the Polish breakfast that is. ;)

I seemed a bit more organised on the 10th last year, it is now the 20th and I have wrapping to do!

I am still loving the American Crafts gift bows I managed to snag in Florida a few years ago - still have some left and just wish they sold them over here!

The 11th was about my sparkly, sparkly tree.

Yep, I have had that sparkly tree a while - in fact this year I had to change the bulb in it for the first time ever.

The 12th featured my rather mature knitted angel - she must be in her late twenties now!

I loved the quote I found for this entry - my brother and I back in the days when it sometimes did snow in the 80s. Something tells me I wasn't too happy with his snowballing efforts.

The 13th was all about Christmas music. Last year's new addition was the fabulous album by Pink Martini that is getting a lot of playtime in Starbucks this year, it is on every time I go in... which really... hasn't been that often(!).

This year the only new additions are Michael Bubblé's new album and John Rutter's Colours of Christmas - there is something about carols that just instantly switches on the festive spirit for me. It is a fantastic CD and am sure it'll be on most of Christmas Day in our house.

Another favourite CD (along with Sarah Mclachlan's Wintersong which I can never recommend highly enough) was the Starbucks CD of 2008. Excellent choices.

On the 14th I had made better progress with my wrapping. This year I have some lovely nordic wrapping paper from M&S and from IKEA - just love it! And I think it'll be the perfect excuse for some baker's twine and ribbon usage too. ;o)

There were even gifts under the tree in 2008!

The 15th was a rather tongue in cheek reference to the "annual" gingerbread house decorating session enjoyed by Zoe, her girls, and me that was started 4 years ago and cancelled due to snow the two years that followed. This year it was held in mid November when there was definitely no snow!

...merry was a nice element of Christmas.

For the 16th it was time to contemplate and stop and breathe for a moment - and simply enjoy.

Another thing to be thankful for are friends who really know you. :)

Well I'd best go check on my tea and make a start on some Christmas wrapping!

Comments

[Samm]

Ahh, I was eyeing up some more Pepprmint myself yesterday on Sarah's Cards but only just managed to restrain myself as the only one not in. Stock was my beloved wood grain! I need a pack of just that sheet please Santa

[Natty]

LOL, I hear you Samm! The collection packs and dimensional chip stickers have all disappeared, my favourite is the pin and red check and the peppermint swirl - I am using the woodgrain sparingly!

[Ruth S]

I spotted you over at CP, great designs Nat ;)
And best of all - I just saw today that you won too. CONGRATS!!
Hope you have a great Christmas and happy 2012, Rx

[Lynda B]

oooh, you've won it?!! Fab-u-lous dah-ling!! well done, AND you're getting featured on Shimelles posts....oh wow, its all happening for you hon, well done, I'm really pleased for you.
Looking forward to our next get together.

[Natty]

Thanks Ruth! :D Hope you have a lovely Christmas and New Year too, will no doubt see you pinning away on Pinterest. ;o)

Lynda, I know, I cannot believe it. It is all go isn't it! LOL I am still in shock and seriously I looked like the OMG cat for a good few minutes as soon as I saw the blog post. LOL Had been hoping there would be time for a December get together, but er... it's the 22nd so that didn't quite work, we will have to sort something for January. I also need to get to the MetroCentre before the end of Jan to cash in a L'Occitaine voucher - well it is while stocks last, but would be nice to sort a meal at the same time. :)