16 Days to X’mas

I took leave last Friday to finish my X’mas shopping. And I wasn’t alone. It was a lovely day. The sun came out to accompany us. We went to Touchwood in Solihull and it was heaving. All the parking signs were lighted up “FULL”!!! Not a good start huh. Luckily we managed to get a space at our usual parking spot.

We headed for John Lewis to get some X’mas decorations. Every year, Babe will get me one really posh and expensive bauble to be added to the X’mas tree. I got a pair of finely glass-blown doves this year.

As usual, I took a photograph of this beautiful Xmas  centrepiece that was hanging from the ceiling. I wish I could do one for our casa. I also got a cute resin robin for the mantle piece. We always enjoyed shopping here because the shop assistants were very courteous and helpful. A very great contrast to Coventry.

Then to Lakeland. We got a knitting doll for our niece’s, Holly, birthday. I also got a pack of floral soaps for moi. I would have stayed longer but Kevin was starting to feel unwell.

We made a quick pit stop at my favourite bookshop, Borders, which had gone under administration. The shop looked like it had been ransacked. I managed to rummage 2 titles from under the chaos. Where will I go to get my book fix????

Outside Touchwood, we came across this Santa Grotto. I had to wait for a while before I could take this. There were a lot of little people wandering around and in this sad, suspicious world we are currently living you have to be very careful where you point your camera.

I spent the weekend putting up the X’mas tree and couldn’t wait to hang the baubles that I’ve collected all these years. And guess what? My latest baubles handles came off. I couldn’t hang them. D—n!!!I was soo furious. Is it worth the trip for an exchange…

Anyway, the tree was up, over laden with baubles. I’ve changed the cushion covers, cover the sofas with red throws, hang the stockings and no empty space anywhere in sight. CC also made me a huge evergreen wreath of ivy and fir. Thanks a million CC. I wanted to add some colour but Babe prefers it au naturale.

Even the Xmas cactus hanging in the bathroom was covered with buds. Fingers crossed, they will be blooming when the festive season starts. We are not going overboard with the chocolates, cakes and sweets this year because we are still eating last years hoard!!! Food for the table will be purchased when the season gets closer.

I’ve also posted all the X’mas cards. I’ve got Babe’s pressies hidden away, waiting to be wrapped. What will I be getting this year? I’ve got an eye on a pink Buxton leather tote, a DKNY/Hugo Boss and a pair of Schuh. Will see if I get my wish…

On Friday, was the World Cup 2010 draw in South Africa. There were smiles when England was placed in Group C with the USA, Algeria and Slovenia. According to FIFA/Coca Cola world ranking, England was 9th and their first match on the 12/06/2010 will be against the USA ranked 14th. Algeria was at 28th and Slovenia 33rd. On paper, it looks like England could be top of the group. Good luck to the team and off course, I’ll be in front of the screen.

During the weekend, we made our usual trip to  Brandon Marsh. I had my sexy, red wellies on cos I knew it was going to be very muddy. The water level was very high so only the usual culprits were around. Babe took this cuddly, fuzzy chaffinch, all puffed up trying to keep warm.

On Sunday, we met Kay and Andy at Baldwin Hide. They had invited us for dinner but we could only make it after the new year. Gracias. We then made our way to Carlton Hide where Babe took this photograph of 3 Barn Owls outside their box a few days back. I turned green!!!

There was more people than natives at the hide. It was soo quiet. We waited for 30 minutes and nothing, zilch, nada… We made our way to East Marsh Pool and spotted this ring, a ring of mallards feeding. We had observed them feeding, paddling clockwise in this spot several times.

I also tried a new recipe this week. It was a spicy paneer with peas curry. Paneer is Indian (cottage) cheese which maintains its shape when fried or cooked. It was lovely eaten with chapatti. I must remember the next time I cook this dish to boil the potatoes first. It took a long time to soften/cook resulting in the paneer becoming a bit rubbery and the peas, mushy. Anyway, it was delish. Do give it a try…