Advent day 8: Baby hats

When hatchling no2 and I heard that our nearest maternity hospital's NICU had run out of prem baby hats, and hats for babies born still, we thought there would be no better way to spend a chilly afternoon than watching holiday movies, knitting tiny hats for brand new people.

Here is one really good link for tiny patterns:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/stoke/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8674000/8674298.stm

Advent day 7: Alcohol free egg nog

6 large eggs, plus two yolks

1/2 cup, plus tablespoons sugar

4 cups milk

1 tbs vanilla

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/4 cup double cream, whipped

Whisk eggs, yolks, sugar together and then over low heat add milk slowly, whisking more.

Stir until mixture is 160 F and it thickens enough to coat back of a spoon.

This may take up to 45 mins.

Pour mixture through a sieve, and then add vanilla and nutmeg.

Pour into a glass jug and chill at least 4 hours before serving. When ready to serve folded whipped cream into the nog until combined.

Advent day 6: Cinnamon wreath

Putting our cinnamon bun wreath into the oven....smells so good!

Down time and enjoying the short days

The winter solstice is so close, and our afternoon sun sets well before 3pm.

Which makes for some quiet, much needed time indoors.

Advent day 5: Pipe cleaner snowflakes and candy canes

Advent day 4: Trimming the tree

Once upon a time, we had shop bought ornaments... now, I think we have three, all the others are hatchling manufactured.

Post tree lighting, disco.

Advent day 3: Rain, Home improvements and Gingerbread cake

We had a lot of rain, so it seemed an excellent day to stay home.

To rip out the grotty old carpet,

and discover we had a wood floor!

Before laying some lovely new lino/ vinyl

which has dramatically changed the whole room.

Then we snuggled up to watch the Grinch with a plate of sticky gingerbread cake.

Advent day 2: Christmas Printables

Advent day 1 - Christmas bazzar and tree lighting

It is the first of december and the social calendar has commenced.

Hatchling no1 and 

hatchling no2 were elves for the Christmas bazzar over the weekend.

We have disassembled the autumn wall and begun the winter one.

This wee hatchling sorted out our cookie cutters.

So, that we could complete a lot of baking; Gingerbread mince pies,

and gingerbread men, and sticky gingerbread cake...

for the town tree lighting and bazzar.

A whole lot of gingerbread this year, because I am completely addicted to the smell. 

Happy December!

Tie dye t-shirts

I know, an entire month went past and it never made it to the blog. 

We did stuff, lots of stuff, like crochet poppies, netball tournaments, football, swimming, and lots of school stuff.

In addition there have been so many dermatology, rheumatology, neurology, acupuncture, physio therapy and an array of other appointments that I do not really discuss on this blog.

Becuase this blog is about our life, and those sorts of things are filed sternly under 'stuff that gets in the way of life', but are still very neccesary.

Anyways, one of the many projects we tried out was tie dying.

The hatchlings loved every second and now wish to turn every linen in our home multi coloured.

And to announce our news, see that teeny little baby vest at the bottom...

As well as our advent calendar of activities, holidays, concerts and more; we are rather hoping that unless this brand new person is as tardy as the ones before, this month will see that vest filled with our newest family member.

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