Eve of New Year

Bottoms up to the eve of New Year and here's wishing you all the merriest of evenings - how ever you spend it from all the Boo's - young, old, small and tiddled! The Boo's that is - and of course not the little ones.

It has been an absolute pleasure having you with me, travelling this crazy path of mine, over the past year - and more.

Thank you for visiting and listening to my (almost) daily ramblings, no matter how random they may seem.

For leaving comments and taking the time to peek on into my topsy turvy world of mothering, part time crafting/sewing/allotmenting and photography.

I can't claim to be very good at any of the above, but I do so enjoy them all - on and off - dips and troughs, dips and troughs.

And most importantly - liking me for who I am and what I do.........or blog. Even if I am (a little) distracted - most of the time.

Anyhow - I'm not the one tiddled by the way, in case you were wondering about this current ramble.

To 2011 'or' twenty eleven - a most magnificent year to come.


Bottoms up, chin, chin here's to friendships - old and new - and I'll see you all in the New Year.

♥ xXx ♥

Misty

It has been (and still is) bizarrely misty, murky and foggy these past couple of days.

Not even a freezing fog, something different from the norm. Just bland, boring and grey - in a weather sort of way.


Even a Christmas walk down to the seafront to burn off some calories has been off the menu as it is just pure 'yuk' out there at the moment. Plus my hair doesn't agree with this kind of weather at all - think frizz!

But what it does make for is some verrrrry interesting (experimental) photos.

Here's to enjoying these last (weird and surreal) days of 2010 as the New Year is fast approaching.

It is most bizarre at the moment.

xXx

Hush

All is quiet.

These in between days of Christmas Day - now past - and with the New Year rapidly approaching.

All is hush in the Tabiboo household.

Well apart from the sound of children laughing, grown ups chattering the fire merrily crackling away plus the drip, drip, drip of the rain today.



But every now and then quiet can be found. In little pockets of conversation, children distracted with a new play thing or just when nothing needs to be said.

Reflective, remembering - the old and the new - contemplating (snacking) and maybe the odd (blissful) sigh - contentment is the name of the game and it is one I do so love to play.

{thank you Sue for this current 'photo' addiction!}

I hope you're finding some 'hush' in these post Christmas, pre New Year days?

{little Boo on Christmas morning}

Enjoy.

xXx

❉ Merry Christmas ❉

I've not quite started on the wine - yet!!

Here's wishing you all a 'very' Merry (hiccup) Christmas and a Happy New Year with warm, warm wishes to one and all for a most perfect 2011.

With much love and huge big hugs.


Nina and the Boo's

xXx

❉

Are you ready?

I'm making a list,

I'm checking it twice!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

'oh' who am I trying to kid?

I'm no where near ready or prepared this year - when did Christmas start to feel like a chore?

When did I loose the childish tummy churning excitement within that sent me into giddy flurries of silliness and dancing around the kitchen with a glass of wine in my hand?

Well I still do that, but on a more regular basis - silly dancing and wine are not just for Christmas!

I think I have a case of the pre Christmas cold feet.

But come tomorrow afternoon you can guarantee I will have those tummy churning giddy excitement flurries and.......I will most definitely be dancing around the kitchen with a glass of something good in my hands singing at the top of my voice along to the Christmas carols on the radio.

Classic FM if you were wondering.

Whilst checking and double checking Mr Claus's where abouts on the good old Santa tracking!

Are you ready??

xXx

Hot Chocolate and Candy Canes

For a melt in the mug minty hot chocolate try adding a peppermint candy cane to your warm milky chocolate.

Not only does it look rather lovely, festive and very very seasonal, but I also think it looks incredible beautiful too.


A definite friends over for a natter and sly warming chocolate drink (without the Baileys) 'wow' stopper!

Either leave the cane inside your mug of hot chocolate and let it gracefully soften and melt or use it as a swizzle stick and swirl it around taking - in between sips - a crafty minty lick or sticky sweetie nibble.

Snow photo shoot - optional!

To make hot chocolate I warm some milk in a saucepan then add hot chocolate of choice - good quality grated or powdered, which ever is to hand - then with a whisk I vigorously whizz it all together until my milky chocolate is all bubbly and frothy.

Tip into mug/posh cup of choice and fill only to three quarters full. Top off with thick double cream and some grated chocolate - a definite must.

Sit back, warm hands, sip and enjoy 'oh' and don't forget to check for a chocolate moustache!


Happy holidays.

xXx

Solstice

~ Happy Winter Solstice ~

...and the shortest day of the year.

I'd like to say that as from tomorrow things will gradually lighten up and not just from the brilliant whiteness of the snow at the moment I'm afraid 'oh no' -

Unfortunately it takes a couple of days for the whole cycle to work it's magic, but then softly, softly, slowly, slowly the process awakens gradually and the extra light gently creeps in.



To be honest though I really don't mind all that much as I am a natural burrower, hibernator and person that likes to hunker down for the Winter, so in these darker days of the season they only add to the ambiance and atmosphere - enchanting, magical and peaceful.



The fire has been lit and there is mulled wine on the stove to help warm the body the soul and our spirits- like a great big comforting hug.

Candles twinkle at the window and the house is full of warmth - the only light we need in the depth of these coming darker days.

Happy Winter Solstice.

And however you celebrate - enjoy.

xXx

:: this was the scene this time last year.

Snow Angels

Good day all.

Now I know everyone is winding down for Christmas......or maybe not - maybe you're winding up and just getting going.

Anyhow - life is certainly slowing down here in an everyday 'routine' kind of way, but blimey the kids are definitely gearing themselves up for December the 25th!!

Thank goodness for the snow!!

I've already confiscated a smuggled in tennis ball that was being used for an indoor rounders match - gggrrrrrrr! Fortunately nothing was broken. I'm such a mean mummy!

Anyway - however you are amusing yourself on these slowly advancing days towards Christmas - enjoy, have fun and keep calm - well as calm as you can be with bounding about excited little ones.

{daddy threw a snowball at the little snow angels - bad daddy!!}

xXx

The Holly and the Ivy

The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Saviour
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly and the ivy
Now both are full well grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir.

xXx

looking back at the Tabiboo archives, this was the scene this time last year - not dissimilar to the pictures I took just over an hour ago - and also the wonderful comments I received.

Many of you have stuck with me over the past year and for that I am very, very grateful - Merry Christmas. Nina xxx

Loving

~ Acorn & Will ~

Vintage themes with brightly coloured goodies.

Perfect for filling up all manner of stockings.

All come wrapped in pretty green paper.

Or delicately placed within seasonal bags.





This Christmas I am soooo loving Acorn and Will.


xXx