Friday Chat Day

Hello friends

2020 - sounds strange doesn't it? 

I guarantee I'll get it wrong a few times when typing/writing.

Nonetheless, Happy New Year to you!

May it be just the way you planned with only nice surprises.

I confess I'm not a big fan of New Year's Eve,

I think there's an incredible amount of pressure to be out and partying 

when I'm very happy staying in on the sofa - with crochet - and a Bella.

This year the boys felt the same (possibly due to them both coming down 

with a horrible lurgy) so our New Year's Eve was incredibly tame and all 

of us in bed by 10pm! 

One of my New Year traditions is to open up my memory jar.

I started this a few years ago and I print off little photos of events etc

throughout the year (good and bad).

My jar is a kilner storage jar but you could use anything,

doesn't even have to be a jar.

I like to use photos and write on the back of each,

but there's also the option of writing on little sheets/cards,

so many free printables online including this one.

On New Year's Eve I open it up and remind myself of everything than has 

happened in the previous 12 months. It is good for the soul.  

It's so easy to think you haven't achieved/done anything and this is a firm reminder.

So a little of my 2019: 

I did some telly work, learned how to crochet, tried my hand at gardening,

had eye surgery, we lost our beloved Imogen cat and Bella lost a lot of teeth!

I had wonderful days out with friends, theatre trips, cinema, concert.

We decorated the lounge, got a new fence and more! 

For a brief moment, back in December I wondered if I would continue

with my jar of memories but I'm now inspired to do it all again.

Some little finds over the Christmas period:

I often stumble across things and think 'I'll pop that on my blog'.

I discovered this image and was instantly (and obviously) drawn

to the Bella look-alike dog - turns out this is Agatha Christie! 

I am a mahoosive fan of AC,

 (I bet she would never use the word 'mahoosive'!)

Especially at this time of year I cram in as many TV adaptions and novels

that I can, even though I know all the 'whodunnits'. 

And I'm probably very late to the table with this find:

The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by 

Charlie Mackesy

I chose to buy this amazing book with my Christmas money,

beautifully illustrated and poignant.

Crochet:

I can now share with you a blanket I completed a few months ago.

This was for a friend's birthday so I had to keep it under wraps.

It is the Hydrangea Pattern by Lucy at Attic 24 and I've chosen

to use a combination of silver, lilac and purple.

Delighted to say the birthday girl loved it.

I'm now doing the same pattern with multi colours and I'll be sure to 

share that with you.

Birdhouses:

More listings of my Dad's gorgeous birdhouses are now on Etsy here.

We are coming into the perfect time to install birdhouses

so he has been extra busy in his workshop.

This beauty is on my cabin and has visitors each year,

I know because I can hear the babies chirping! 

The birdhouses make such a lovely gift or a treat for yourself,

and sent by courier free of charge.

Other stuff: 

In  the downtime approaching New Year 

I made all the arrangements to close down the 

Hope and Chances website. 

It was finalised by a click of a mouse button and I admit it

felt very strange and quite emotional.

But I was then instantly bouyed by the fact that I have made the 

charity kits ready to go on Sunday.

A few things about the charity kits, some details and minor changes.

I'll be mentioning this again on Sunday but thought I would give

you a heads up.

Kits will be available first Sunday of each month here on the blog.

Payment will be via a PayPal link and free UK postage and packing.

(If you wish to purchase and would prefer not to use PayPal 

then please message me:

hope-chances@live.co.uk  

happy to help).

If you subscribed to the website an email reminder will be sent out 

and kits will also be advertised on Facebook.

Here's a tiny sneak peek...

Oh yes, something new with the kits: 

each month a donation will be made to a different charity,

(sharing the love).

If you have a charity that is close to your heart then please 

let me know, I would like to compile a list.

I'm looking for both human and animal charities please.

So I think that's it for chatter,

I truly hope you can stop by on Sunday for the relaunch 

of the kits, until then have a wonderful weekend.

I'll be taking down the Christmas decorations which I really 

don't want to do! 

Take care friends.