Christmas 2013

Exactly one month ago today was Christmas day.  I don't know if it is just me, but it feels as though it was a lot longer than a month ago, and I still haven't talked about it on here.  So while the weather outside is frightful and the fire is so delightful, I thought I'd tell you about my Christmas.  Better late than never right!

It was going to be a different one for me this year (last year) I knew that.  It was going to be my first Christmas in my very own home away from my family.

For me the best part about Christmas is the build up to it, I just love it.  I couldn't wait to decorate our little home and had so much fun doing so.  My parents have had a fake tree for the past goodness knows how many years so I had to have a real tree.  Ah the smell of that tree, I miss it so much.  If I had my own way it would still be up ha-ha.

I had been buying decorations for the past few years ready for when we had our own place, I'm glad I did as it definitely helped with the cost and luckily for us it all went together nicely, good job my taste hasn't changed too much over the years.   There were still some new bits bought and I'm sure that will be the case every year, I just can't help it, I'm a Christmas addict!

Christmas Eve night was spent with my family, we went out for dinner together which was lovely.  We spent Christmas day with James' family in his family home, so it was nice being able to enjoy some of the festivities with my family too, especially as it was the first Christmas day I would be spending away from them.  The evening ended with a new tradition I started last year with me and James sat at home by the light of the Christmas tree watching the Snowman & The Snowman and The Snow Dog (I just love those films, they are so magical) it was perfect.

I was worried about how I would find Christmas day, it was weird but I did enjoy it.  I get on really well with all of James' family, we have been together for seven and a half years now so they are practically family to me anyway.  I needn't have worried.  I was made very welcome and we all had a great day. 

I was spoilt by everyone and got some lovely presents but I'll tell you all about that in another post :)

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas too and also that you are all keeping safe and well in this awful weather we have been having.  Stay safe.

~ Gem x  

A Craft Column

Before I update you on my Christmas, I thought I'd tell you about a new little venture that started for me just before Christmas.  The title kind of gives it away :) I have my very own craft column.  How exciting is that.

It is a free, local magazine that is published monthly.  The magazine itself is new so I'm thankful to be a part of this exciting project from the very beginning.  I've written three articles so far and am loving it. 

I've already met some lovely people through this opportunity and am really looking forward to seeing where this venture may lead in the future. 

image sourced from The City Times Facebook page

You can read my articles from the following links:

November page 9

December page 9

January page 9

I'll post links to future articles on the blog, as they are available to me.

I'll be back soon with my Christmas update.

Love Gem x x x x

Happy 2014

Hello there you lovely people, Happy New Year to you all.  Did you have a good Christmas and New Year?  It all seemed to go way too quickly don't you think!

I had planned to do so much over the festivities including catching up with all your gorgeous blogs, needless to say it didn't happen, time ran away with me, again, and before I knew it I was back to work again.  As much as I love Christmas, in some ways it doesn't even feel as though it has happened, I'm not sure if the weather has had anything to do with it, but it is very odd.  Am I the only one who feels this way about Christmas this year?  Please say I'm not.

Any way, fear not, it is a new year and I am feeling somewhat positive about it.  This is going to be my year.  I'm going to get organised, I'm going to get to where I want to be, I'm going to get married.  Yep the wedding is all booked, it has only taken us 2 years.  James asked me to marry him on Christmas day 2011, honestly, I don't know where that time has gone.  So I'm not only planning to get organised this year, I'm also planning a wedding.  I probably won't share too much about it on here as I want to keep a lot of it a surprise for our guests but I will be sure to blog all about it when it is all over.  There isn't too long to wait, the date has been set for the 10th October, already time feels as though it is flying by, and there is so much to do.  (The picture above was actually taken at Halloween but it looked as though it could have been from New Years plus it is our wedding venue so I had to include it in this post :) )

In some ways it feels as though so much has happened since I last blogged but in reality there isn't all that much.  Even so, I'm going to split my posts up just so that I don't overload you with too much at once, I'm good like that!  So I will be back real soon with news of what I have been up to recently, I promise.

Love Gem x x x x