Sunshine and Snowflakes

(Well stick-on ones, but the half-finished conservatory did in a way seem festive but full of New Year promise this morning.)

I hope everyone had a really fantastic festive season, we had a lovely time at No.25. I must admit the big day itself did rather pass by in a blur of cooking, serving up, washing up etc but it was really lovely to be with the family and the early morning bit with the boys was just a joy. All my childhood Christmases came flooding back as we padded silently down the stairs hoping that Father Christmas had managed to find our new house and wasn't still unloading because he delivers to North Staffordshire on the way home of course, not until at least 6.30am when the sun is waking up (thanks mum for reminding me of this fact!)

We were a very lucky household and received pirate ships, lego airports, teasets, mini ironing boards, CK washbags, and an EB teapot (I'll let you imagine what was for who!) and possibly my most favourite gift - a holly tree of my very own so that in a few years I can snip my own berries to bring inside (if I buy her a boyfriend to make berries with first though!). You're a gem Woodyx

Much turkey, cheese, pickles, crackers, salad, prawns, chocs, pate etc has been consumed, a few Baileys and glasses of rose quaffed, many pieces of lego have been painstakingly put together and best of all we've enjoyed a couple of days when the boys didn't even get dressed and we played and played in our cosy new home.

New Years' Eve is a bit of a non-event for us with having little ones (Woody actually filed his tax return at 1am?!) but it was also mum's birthday so we had a fun morning with her and a lovely afternoon being spoiled at mum-in-laws too, fine ways to see in the New Year.

Today we got out and breathed some much needed fresh air down in a very misty, murky Manifold Valley, splashing in muddy puddles and getting all excited about the snow forecast for the next couple of days.

2007 was a pretty good year for me and I'm really grateful for what a calm, happy, pleasant life I have. I thought I'd do a quick 'end of year review' type thing, not exactly Sky News but a nice chance to look back.

*** Blogging - my personal highlight of the year. It might sound silly but its changed my day to day life so much and I can't believe that I didn't used to do this and hadn't made such fabulous online friends before last summer. I've really enjoyed sharing everyone's stories, marvelling at the amazing crafty skills so many of you have, looking at gorgeous thrifted finds, drooling over beautiful homes and gardens and generally taking pleasure in the joyous things of everyday life. My little blog has brought me so much fun. It's joy to have somewhere to squirrel away thoughts, post reminders and memories of happy days and beautiful things and discovering wonderful new collections and obsessions. Thank you to everyone who has popped by and for letting me in on your own blogging life.

*** Port Isaac - I dream about the stroll we took in the evening to fetch the fish and chips and gaze down on the Platt. I'm not sure when we'll get to go back again but I hope its soon and for longer. I adore this lovely place.

*** Not so great - Woody's paper closing. A tough few months but we're back to managing again and his comedy nights start to run in January again, hurrah.

*** New home - Life in the new house and our new village is the family highlight without a doubt. Things are so different, we're closer to family, school, each other. We have peace and quiet, a tranquility we thought we'd never get and more space too. Very, very lucky Woodhouses we are indeed.

*** Treasure hunting - I've really enjoyed my thrifting expeditions and have found some beautiful things, I almost don't mind being a pauper. The joy of finding a pretty teacup smothered in dainty pansies for £1 is pretty unrivalled in my book.

*** Not so good again - the bloomin' summer. No floods here but dismal, dready, wet, wet, wet. Oh please let it be better this year, I've got a garden now that really, really needs some work!

*** My boys - watching them grow into such lovely little chaps who're such fun. Barney has found more confidence this year and got a bit braver (everything from making friends at school to really enjoying paddling) and seeing Archie's first steps and watching him change from a baby into a real little boy has been amazing.

I'm not very good at New Year's resolutions, I don't think I know anyone who really is, but this year I'm resolving to try and have a good intention instead. I NEED to be more organised. Our bills and paperwork are still in various bags and drawers and I've been putting off sorting it for far too long. I buy dairies and calendars but never really get to grips with using them properly. Far too many things creep up on me and send me into a flap. No more. I am going to try really, really hard to be more organised and everyone reading this can hold me to it - gulp!

Happy New Year!!