I’m sitting here wondering why it’s been so long since I last posted. I have been busy with work and things, but I’ve also been putting off writing for a while. Partly because I haven’t managed to get any new photographs, and partly because I didn’t want to write another woe-is-me post.
So I’ll start this one on a positive note. I wanted to express my thanks to everyone who posted comments on my last post. I read them all over a few times and take on board what you all have to say. I think at the time that I wrote that last post, I was struggling with my self assessment tax return and just feeling utterly hopeless.
I rang the tax office, who were absolutely no help, brisk and clearly wanted a number/logic thickie like me off the phone as soon as possible. I don’t blame them. They’re probably understaffed, underpaid and deal with a lot of rude and obnoxious people. But I’m not rude or obnoxious, I just really didn’t understand and needed help, and their two sentence explanation didn’t make things any clearer to me. I put the phone down and burst into tears. Luckily for me, Rich has logic and can do numbers, so he stepped in and we think we’ll be alright. In fact, I think I was actually ahead of myself with my tax returns, and so I am probably no longer on the back foot with finances and such as originally thought.
In the past couple of weeks I’ve also noticed what a massive bearing the weather has on me. On Friday I was able to enjoy porcelain-like clear blue skies and sunshine, and was out and about being constructive. I planted some Marco garlic (everywhere had sold out of Cristo, my preferred choice) and raked up a huge mound of leaves for my leaf bin. Just doing small bits like that makes me feel like I haven’t wasted a day. But yesterday was misty, grey, murky and damp and immediately I felt my energy levels sink, my desire to do anything useful ebb away and any motivation I had had the previous day just upped and left.
I think at the moment there’s just so much to do in the house in and around my Smallest Smallholding that I just don’t know where to begin. So sinking into the sofa, eating cheese toasties and watching the box is altogether easier and less demanding.
But I’m not having it. I’m not wasting my time with that. Maybe once in a while, but I don’t want to get into that frame of mind. This means it’s List Time. SO firstly, I need to consult my gardening/veg growing/smallholding books to see what I can be doing outside to get things in shape for next year 9and geesh, watching Giles and Sue milking goats doesn’t help as I’m so tempted to get a goat. And more chickens. And ducks. But NO. Must clear debts first).
I’m also having to strategise with my finances over the Christmas period. Almost everybody I know is thinking that this year is a ‘token gift’ year with Christmas. I just don’t get why people go absolutely bonkers… it’s as if we’re all carried along by the crowd and the hype surrounding it all, and somehow the cost of buying everyone gifts spirals out of control. I love giving presents as much as the next person but I don’t see how getting yourself into debt is in the spirit of Christmas, somehow. I do love the traditions, the decorations, the celebration… but why does it have to be so stressful? Why do we do it to ourselves? No, this year we’re all agreed it’s nice small things that brighten your day a bit. Plans seem to be relaxed. It’s not that expectations are low, it’s just that everybody in our families just seems to be going with the flow a bit more this year.
Actually, I’ve been planning what I can make people for Christmas – it’s a difficult one because I want to make them something that’ll be useful or tasty. So yes, of course food is always a good one… but beyond that, I’m stuck. I don’t want to just give decorative things, I like the idea of functional gifts too. So ideas in the comments section will be *most* welcome! Anything that has been recycled, remodelled, crafted or constructed would be great! Help me while away the long, dark evenings anyhow. I have a sewing machine that needs to be used, and some new skills to learn too, if that helps.
Right. Enough procrastination. I need to finish some freelance work and then get on with this dull, grey Sunday. Oh, and incidentally, I’m starting running again next week. It made me feel so much better and as if I I was achieving a little something each time I went. Good for the soul, I think.
Until next time…
I agree – Christmas debt this year is something we are not getting into either. Whatever I can make – I will do so. I received a couple of gift vouchers for my birthday (to buy myself something eco-friendly – and I’ve hummed and haa-ed, and still got them) so I’ll use them to buy our kids something eco-friendly as a Christmas gift 🙂
The exercise sounds good- will definitely help you focus easier.
How about making a pie (poultry, meat or fruit pie)in a preservation jar and wrapping it up in a couple of preservation recipes? Or “blow” a couple of hens eggs and decorate them as Christmas tree ornaments and wrap them (in tissue paper) in a small box? Or put together a small box / basket of whatever home grown produce you have, or have made (like cinnamon biscuits)together with a jar of honey.
Couldn’t agree more it seems everyone is carried on some crazy spending tide! Home made gifts would be great, you could do cushion covers on the sewing machine maybe. And who wouldn’t want a home-made pie or some biscuits. I’d love to receive something made by a friend as opposed to shipped in from China. The main thing is to have some fun making them.
If you have any scraps of fabric , how about making some bunting as a gift? Cut long triangles of fabric and run a seam around the edges so they don’t fray. If you want to make it double-sided cut two triangles for each piece of bunting and sew them together. Then sew them on to a tape – see. Do you see they are selling it at £24 for two metres! You could make it quite small for using to decorate a Christmas tree….
Hit the road and get running, Lucy. Any day I run 3m or more makes me feel like a success. Even if everything else goes wrong that day, I’ve achieved something most folks can’t/won’t/don’t. Plus I sleep better, feel better and can eat a proper lunch without guilt.
How good is that??!?
There’s still enough sloes around (quick, before the birds get them!). I’ve made a huge batch of sloe gin and vodka which I will decant nearer Christmas into smaller, fancier bottles.
I’ll tie them with a ribbon and a label reading, “Drink Me”.
I’ve also pinched a few pallets which I’ve dismantled and crafted into wooden boxes and baskets, complete with a bit of raffia or straw, I think these will look great under the tree.
Simple, but effective – and everyone loves a good Christmas tipple….even babies!
We have some bees which have produced a good amount of honey which will be made into mead, but that takes a year to mature!
We did a make Christmas last year and i have to say, it ended up being as expensive as just buying a present. It looked nicer and was fun but we were still making lemon curd on christmas morning! We did food hampers with chutneys, sloe gin, pate’s, biscotti, christmas cup cakes and home blended teas. We received cushions, place mats and napkins and mosaic hot plate stand. The best presents were definatly the cushions. Same sister in law aslo made make up bags, peg bags, paint brush and make-up brush rolls, bean bags and drawstring shoe bags. She didnt go out for about 2 months apparently!
It was lovely to see where everyones skills were and the thought and time that went in to everything.
Enjoy!
Oh, and little boxes to put the biscotti and other little sweet treats in we made from paper mache. That was fun, used an old tin we had already as a mould and painted in a silk emulsion paint, tester size is perfect. Start that now if you decide to do, also takes a lot longer to do and dry than you think.
I’ve made lap quilts from curtains in the past and they went down a storm. I used to find new or nearly new curtains, preferably cotton as they are easier to clean, at car boot sales and charity shops. If you use lined curtains you already have the back and front, you just have to trim the until they are both the same size and sandwich some wadding in between (just have to check and make sure the lining is nice and clean). There’s a few shenanigans making sure that you put the layers together correctly so when you sew and turn the right way out, you don’t end up with the lining on the inside and the wadding on the outside (ask me how I know!) but other than that they are nice and easy to make. You can buy wadding quite cheaply on ebay.
I’ve also done baskets of tasty goodies, like lemon curds or jams, biscuits, cherry and almond loaf cakes etc. I did chocolates one year but it was such a faff (and ended up not be too cheap) that i’ve never done them since.
Also, sometimes offering someone your time is a lovely present. A few nights babysitting for couples with kids or several hours in a garden for an elderly who can’t get out there might be appreciated.