Emily in the Lyme Light

Well it's drawing to a close. I mustn't complain as it's lovely to have a whole fortnight off but I do hate the last day of the holiday feelings. Last night I couldn't sleep. Not because I don't want  to go to work or love my job but because I'm a lazy old bones and being at home is easy peasy! So this afternoon we made an effort not to let the last day together slip away too quickly. We headed off to Lyme Regis as we realised we hadn't managed to get there to see the lights before Christmas and I had some new stock to deliver to Caroline.

 

 

 I love the pretty trees on the shops with decent size lights that show up - take note Dorchester!

And of course Emily Button came with us as she does now.

It was her first trip to the sea and she'd been wrapped up in a borrowed cardigan but still found it a bit nippy.

How she wished she had new snug long socks like smug Mrs Jam...

 She admired the houses and dreamt of living in this beautiful blue one.

And then in a flash the peace and tranquility of Emily's first trip to Lyme were dashed. The jammers spotted an amusement arcade.

The lure of the 2p machines beckoned and Emily was led astray. Led into the colourful neon world of gambling only to emerge a short while later with her pretty apron pocket £1 lighter. Poor Emily she's a lot to learn!

 After that we thought things couldn't get much worse, so chips it was!

 

Finally it was dark enough for a look at the lights. Loved the tree!

 But prefered it when they used to string loads of bulbs on wires across the street instead of the stars. Maybe I just don't like change!

As we headed back to the car I spotted Caroline had put my favourite Foxy Lady in the window of Ruby Rock Cake.

Now life will take over and posts will go back to being infrequent watch and see!

x

Post Christmas putting away

Today has been a tidying, DIYing kind of day. Fresh starts and all that? Finishing those jobs we started last year... more of that another day.

I've been finding homes for the little piles of presents that are scattered around the house and started to notice some themes cropping up.

I have reacquainted myself with jigsaws this Christmas! When I was little we always had a big puzzle 'on the go' over the holiday when my grandma (master of jigsaws) came to stay. It would even get carefully covered up with a tablecloth at mealtimes. Well both my sisters bought us jigsaws this year and funnily enough both with a vintagey theme.

Mr Jam was delighted to receive some notable moustaches from the youngest jammer. The whole Movember horror experience is never ever to be repeated!

 Some more prickly friends found their way into the youngest jammer's bedroom

 and I think January's going to be a bit of a making month. I've signed up for Annie's monthly make just to keep my making focused! See the link on the right if you fancy joining us.

There were lots of presents with a knitted theme. I am now the proud owner of a knitted Kitty Kaboodle necklace courtesy of my BIL and his wife. I didn't even know such a thing existed but it is just my favourite colours. I was slightly perturbed by the label that told me it was particularly suitable for people who 'struggle' with clasps. Do I look that old and doddery? Perhaps I've spent too much time around old people this holiday. Wednesday was a care home recky - what an eye opener (or closer depending how you look at it)!

 The slipper fairy paid us all a visit but sadly Mr Jam has had to return all 3, yes 3, pairs I've bought him on account of none of them fitting. I've told him that's it now choose your own!

And finally if anyone can offer any tips/tactics for this fabby looking game Mancala I'd be grateful!

Happy New Year readers

x

Christmas Post II

Just a week before Christmas it was the youngest jammer's 6th birthday. Our kids are great at not really wanting anything in particular for Christmas and birthdays. We never get long lists of wants - thank goodness! When we ask them what they'd like the answer is usually "a surprise"! However a while before her birthday Little Jam did spot this rather lovely doll in M&S. We made a mental note and came home to order it. Unfortunately it was out of stock online so off I trekked to my local (tiny) M&S to see if they had one. No luck, it appeared Emily Button as she's known had sold out across the country. Just our luck! My kids have never wanted the toy of the year but all of a sudden I had to have one. A picture was printed and posted in my staffroom at work. 'Please look out for an Emily Button on your Christmas shopping trips'. The following Monday a lovely colleague produced Emily from her bag. She was cooed over and her ric rac hair admired. How I'd love hair like Emily's! I hoped the youngest jammer would be as thrilled as I was...

Luckily she was so that meant I could get Emily's friends for Christmas (for LJ not me you understand). A kind Auntie bought her a spare set of clothes - school uniform says LJ. Wish school uniforms really were as nice! All she needed now was a cosy pair of PJs to snuggle down with and that was my job last night. 

 Perfect!

Oh and Emily is back in stock at M&S, wouldn't you know it!

x

The Christmas post

This was my run up to Christmas. 24 photos capturing a 'Love is...' moment each day. I thought I'd throw them all together and see what my month looked like!

 But now it's been and gone. After all that build up the big day is over and I've looked back through my photos to see what to post. However they are mostly taken up with my gorgeous new niece who isn't mine to share with you online! This little one is though. As you can see she spent most of the time wearing different hats in different ways

Whereas our Eldest Jammer loved the hat Santa left in her stocking so much she wore it all day and again all day Boxing Day! I can't believe how grown up she is looking all of a sudden.

 Baby niece did seem to appreciate her blankety bunny though.

Awww!

Now us Jammers are all vegetarian which usually makes for good perusal of recipes as we decide what to have for Christmas lunch. It's always something that can just replace the meat and go alongside the roast potatoes and veggies. This year we had an old favourite from the Vegetarian Good Food magazine from 2007 - Forester's Pie. The most amazing thing was that my dad who is a bit of a meatatarian thought it smelt so good he'd better have some alongside his turkey (and other assorted creatures that adorned his plate) - ha victory!!!

What did you eat I wonder?

x

Love is... prison visiting!!

Late this afternoon we took a walk down to Dorchester Prison! No we weren't going in but along the mill stream walk past the prison gardens to look at these...

Every year the prison put on the best display in town with the garden lit up with dozens of reindeer, some articulated.

Back at home things are looking festive in the living room.

I'm hoping by next Christmas we will have decorated the living room and have a logburner. More days at work needed I think!

and a last minute blankie bunny make this afternoon for my baby niece!

Merry Christmas to all my followers and the friends that stop by!
xxx

Love is... colourful

My lovely jars full of trimmings or passementerie have inspired today's 'Love is'. It's been a bit of a making day and a colourful one at that!

 Tonight I finished this set of hedgehog T-shirts for Little Jam.

She's really into hedgehogs and I know she'll love them!

 

There was colour in the kitchen too.

 Making Simon Rimmer's Christmas Muffins.

And decorating them with my new reindeer from Acorn & Will. Thanks Daniella!

Elsewhere Hectic was taking a colourful nap

 and I'm loving my dotty paper under the tree!

Love is... beginning to feel Christmassy

Well the bed that was propped up next to it has been delivered so time for a photo. Here is our lovely big Tincleton Christmas tree!! I love it and I loved unwrapping all the gorgeous bits and bobs that go on it. 

When we moved into our house this year the little jammers were pleased to find this mini tree left in the garden. It became a table decoration for my youngest's birthday party last weekend.

Santa has been brought down from the loft and has found himself a Christmassy corner in the hall.

 The advent calendars are nearly done. I'm a mean mum and don't buy chocolate ones! The Playmobil one comes out most years...

 ... and we loved Eric Carle's tree so much last year I put all the decorations back in and blu tacked the doors shut!!