At the weekend I...

Cleaned the house, changed the bed sheets, put a couple of clothes washes on – there may only be one of us living here at the moment but it’s funny (well not really) how much crap/ washing up/ tidying up one person generates…

Paid a visit to some relatives. It was clearly a time for tulips, their living room was full of them already. You can’t beat those colours, so cheerful, full of hope. Makes up for the garden still covered in white snow...

Ended the weekend with the best fish pie ever, and I can’t take any credit for it (so no recipe I’m afraid! Although I was told it was a Jamie Oliver one). Either way, very healthy and very tasty. Wish I could have brought some home with me!

All in all, a lovely weekend. Getting stuff sorted out and back in their place, as opposed to doing anything "fun" as such, but all very necessary. And I don't know about you, but I can't get creative and allow myself to get my crafting supplies out until both my house and mind feel organised. So I guess that was the first step, right? 

At the weekend I...

• Went to a Christmas party and fit in my dress. Admitedly, there was no space for the padded strapless bra but thanks to my modest frontage, fellow party goers were none the wiser and I was a whole lot more comfortable. I could actually breathe and eat. Bonus.

• Watched snowflakes the size of a child's hand fall on the ground. Winter is truly here. Let's just hope the snow remains sporadic and doesn't mess up our Christmas plans. We've suffered enough in the last couple of years!!

• Pealed chestnuts in preparation for a Christmas day chestnut puree. French traditions all the way.

• Did some shawl knitting. I've given myself tomorrow night as a deadline for blocking. Nan should be arriving on Christmas eve (fingers crossed) and I hope to have the shawl blocked and dried by then so that the surprise isn't ruined.

• Wore a new golden glittery top with pride at a famous jazz club in London Town. Totally blended in and felt very festive. The martini cocktail may have helped.

• Pealed some more chestnuts.

• Did some more knitting.

• Made cranberry sauce and plonked it in the freezer. One less thing to do this week. (Ok, so not French all the way. The English have got a few things right and cranberry sauce is one of those!)

• Thought about marzipaning my Christmas cake but just didn't get round to it. Was too busy pealing chestnuts and knitting a shawl.

• Had a little internal weep over the state of my fingers. Handling boiling hot chestnuts all weekend and pealing approximately 1.5kg takes its toll. That puree better be good!

At the weekend I...

• Despaired at the cloudy start to Saturday only to rejoice at the real summer's day that ensued.
• Made the most of it by having our very first barbecue in our new house. Very first barbecue of the year too. Oh dear, in September, that says quite a lot doesn't it?!
• Enjoyed some lovely wine brought back many moons ago from a holiday in the south of France. Oh memories...!
• Made wasp traps... which didn't end up having a purpose as for some unknown reason, the wasps didn't come out that afternoon...
• Watched a very poignant movie. Not exactly your Saturday night happy laugh-out-loud movie, but I'm pleased to have seen it. Another reminder of what human nature has done...
• Used another spare notebook to make a house inspiration/ decoration ideas notebook. Lovely. Makes me drool, makes me dream people!!!
• Had fun with the neighbour's cat. Felix is my new garden buddy. Every time you're out, he comes and finds you. A nice cat that enjoys human company and snail hunting (see below).
• Went on another snail hunt. Felt very brave and went on a slug hunt too. During the day, the little buggers rest under bricks we have in the back garden.
• Made myself feel quite ill due to the above point. Actually physically unwell. I did find the biggest slug I'd ever seen in my entire life.
• Started making plans for Christmas. I know, I know. I wish train/plane/hotel companies allowed us to be a little more spontaneous, but this is the kind of world we live in.
• Made some apple and cinnamon muffins. Best ever. I'll try and post the recipe later on this week. If you know what's good for you, you'll try it.
• Enjoyed the torrential rain we had on Sunday by lighting all the candles in the living room. It felt magical! Hey, if you can't beat it, you might as might as well make the most of it!

At the weekend

Soulemama does "right now" posts so well, I thought I'd try it myself... although of course I'm a little busy and posting tends to be delayed a little somehow... I'm sure noone will mind though! And it's quite nice doing a little retrospective anyway...

At the weekend I:

* Enjoyed lovely flowers scattered around my home. I can actually say "my home" now which is rather unerving... and terribly exciting!

* Prepared lunch for some garden helpers. The weather was good, new tools were purchased, gloves were worn (through? already?!). We've started the battle of the gardens. And we're enjoying some seasonal cuttings on the mantelpiece - I'm in love!

* Was thinking that my crochet top is long overdue. It just needs blocking and sewing up woman, get your skates on! Did I do anything about it though? Not yet, *sigh*...

* Got a little sad that we've had to say goodbye to our furry friend... and already thinking of a way to fill his shoes paws...

* Painted my toes red. Meant to do it in my favourite shade so far this year, Marron glace by Mavala, but a party meant it just had to match...
* Tried to make the most of the weekend and not let myself have a heart attack after the quote we were given to get the carpet changed... now, where's that lottery ticket gone?!