retro xmas

got maurice mouse from a charity shop and he was still wearing his 1960s outfit so a new scarf and hat and smile and nose have perked him up no end

middle farm

today was a national strike by public sector workers in uk over pension changes

so kids were not at school

as a very lovely gesture, middle farm offered free entrance to everyone today

(to keep those little darlings amused)

so we got an invite from our fab friends and of course we jumped at the chance

very cute begging fluffy white rabbit

broody hens

"get orf my land!"

this horse has just arrived at the farm from essex

he was a bit overwhelmed with everything

his name is mark wright

i love donkeys!

llamas have very pretty eyes

beefy boys

a play hay barn!

don't you just want to lay down beside her?

he was very chatty and had rather pointy teeth

it's so fluffy!

ahhh teeny calves

maureen the milky moo

isn't it udderly wonderful?

old and newer shape milkman bottles

did you eat one today?

talented teenager!

seesaws are great at any age

i am so proud...

a thanksgiving joke

we are thankful for...

lottie's blessings:

ellie's blessings:

mummy's blessings:

thanksgiving

lottie's story beads

ellie's story beads

lottie's corn

ellie's corn

oh my pumpkin pie!

buttery corn muffins

roast turkey, roast sweet potatoes, roast corncobs, special turkey gravy

(long time since we had a roast, hence the excitement!)

a box

the wonder of an empty cardboard box and a girl and her dog

first row or third row?

we may be annoying but we will not apologise for being front row

EVER

comfort

on a fuddy day like today what do you do with one grumpy teenager and one grumpy pre-teenager and a grumpy mum (because they are grumpy)?

go to subway and eat

make mine a turkey ham on wheat, toasted with cheese, with all the salad except jalapenos and gherkins and definitely no sauce

make ellie's a spicy italian on wheat, toasted with cheese, with some salad and ranch dressing

make lottie's turkey, ham and beef on wheat, toasted with cheese but absolutely no salad and no sauce

miracle cure as the rest of the day was great

try it yourself

Tā moko is the permanent body and face marking by Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. Traditionally it is distinct from tattoo and tatau in that the skin was carved by uhi (chisels) rather than punctured. This left the skin with grooves, rather than a smooth surface.

all blacks moko

wow



letters to FC

every year on december 1st we do our letters to FC the german way...on a fire so the ashes float up the chimney, the wind carries them to the north pole, they float down FC's chimney and the letter is reformed by the power of xmas magic...

after putting our letters on, we throw glitter sugar (because it makes rainbow flames) and make a wish

i had communication with the big man last week...he wanted letters early because these past 2 years the snow has caused delays with his outsourcing deliveries and he doesn't want it to happen again (he has a reputation to live up to and not having the goods is not an option)

so we are obeying

letters? check

glitter sugar? check

roaring fire? check

lottie's wish was never divulged

ellie's wish "bigger boobs"

my wish "no-one knows hunger and everyone knows love"

(same every year)