New Year Quote

☃❅MERRY CHRISTMAS❅☃

☃❅MERRY CHRISTMAS❅☃

Christmas Countdown☃❅PANTOMIME❅☃

PANTOMIME❅☃

It's Christmas day tomorrow! I can't wait! SANTA is coming this evening! 

It is CHRISTMAS EVE and such a busy day for me. Not only is it Christmas eve but it is also my auntie's birthday, so every year we have celebrated that as well as it being Christmas eve. For ever since I can remember we have visited the theater and watched the Christmas pantomime.  Hence the randomness of today's favourite. Every year they have something different and I have watched so many I couldn't name half of them. I can't remember when our Christmas eve tradition started but our day consists of going to my Auntie's for some Christmas nibbles lunch where we eat cheese, cooked ham rolls, snack on nuts and crisp. We then go to the theater (when I say we I mean all out my immediate family) My amazing nan pays for us all as part of a Christmas gift. This year the panto was Jack and The Beanstalk and to be honest I didn't go much on this years but Bobby Davro was in it so it was pretty funny. 

It always makes me feel so Christmassy going to the panto on Christmas eve as it is tradition and the whole family look forward to it and have a great time. Except my Dad who regularly falls asleep through it, classic. This year little Esme came with us and loved it. She's only 2 and really took it all in bless her. I have just dropped her and my cousin home and watched her get the food and drink out for santa and his reindeer's. I am so blessed to have a little one in my life who makes Christmas still magical. LOVE IT!

I am looking forward to Christmas day so much! I can't wait to give family the presents I have bought them:) 

1 DAY TILL CHRISTMAS!☃

Christmas Countdown☃❅SANTA❅☃

SANTA❅☃
The most magical thing about Christmas is Santa. As a baby Santa was the scary man with a big beard, as a child Santa was the big fat man with the huge white beard who rode a sleigh pulled by reindeer and delivers you everything on your Christmas list down your chimney, now as an adult I feel joy how magical Santa is for children. I am not a parent myself yet but realise how much Christmas can cost. This year my younger sister is starting to grow out of the whole believing in Santa thing but thankfully our house is still very magical due to my crazy family. We have my niece Esme too who is only two so there is still some magical Christmas spirit here. I love Christmas day and watching them open everything they wished for. 
When I was younger my parents went all out there with the whole Santa situation and used to stomp icing sugar boots around the house. Crazy!
I feel weird being 21 and enjoying Christmas so much, people my age usually enjoy it to get drunk and celebrate but honestly I love the fact of spending time with my wonderful family. I think that because we have little ones in the family still it is exciting for us. I have friends who have no young family members so Christmas day becomes sort of boring for them.
Last night I had an amazing opportunity with a cancer charity to go on a trip on the polar express train.Not on my own of course, I took Ella and Esme with me. I don't know if you have watched the film but it was exactly like the film. A train took us to the 'North Pole', we drank hot chocolate and Santa boarded the train and gave the children magical bells. It made me feel really festive and full of joy watching how excited my sister and niece were. 

2 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!☃

Christmas Countdown☃❅CHRISTMAS SPIRIT❅☃

SPIRIT❅☃
Christmas is the time of year where everyone is in such a jolly mood I love it. Every one around me has a really festive spirit and I just love it! 
I am so grateful to have a loving family to spend my Christmas with as I know some people are less fortunate. I find that everyone is in a festive mood if they are filled with Christmas spirit.Happy days!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

3 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!☃

Christmas Countdown☃❅TELEVISION❅☃

TV❅☃
I know previously I posted about my love for Christmas movies, but Christmas Television is bloody brilliant. I love watching the Christmas specials every year. 
Today we bought the TV Times which we do every year. I don't know if anyone else does this but our family buy it every year. 

Every year after buying the TV Times, we circle everything we want to watch that is on tele. Of course Christmas is such a busy time so we don't actually get to watch everything but I tend to record most of it. As well as a lot of brilliant movies, there is lot of great tv shown on Christmas. We watch a lot of the specials, Gavin and Stacey, Paul O'Grady, Catherine Tate, Miranda and of course the Christmas drama of all of the soaps. I don't watch any of them regularly but something dramatic always happens around Christmas. 
4 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!☃

Christmas Countdown☃❅SALES❅☃

SALES❅☃
One thing I think everyone enjoys about Christmas is the amazing sales. When all of the presents bought are half price so Christmas is a huge rip off really. 
I love a sale, even throughout the year. But recently I haven't enjoyed the boxing day sales in store as they are too stressful...I would rather shop online for the sales. I'm just a lazy cow really! 
Some people que early in the morning and go completely crazy. I think the next one starts at a ridiculous time in the morning. 
When I was younger - like 13 I used to love going into town and splashing all of my Christmas money in the sales. It mostly consisted of new clothes, hair and makeup products and of course a new 'tiny' side bag.
This year I am hoping to buy a new camera in the sales, maybe a small bridge one. I have been doing my research and have some in mind. Recently I have really been enjoying taking photos of scenery and really enjoy it as a hobby. I have a camera but it is nothing special. 
Are you a sale obsessive?
Here are some opening times if you are interested in hunting the sales this Christmas. 
Argos - Online - Christmas Day  In Store - Boxing Day
Currys - Online - Christmas Eve 7pm  In Store - Christmas Day 8am
Debenhams - Online - Christmas Eve  In Store - Boxing Day
Homebase - Online - Christmas Eve  In Store - Boxing Day
John Lewis - Online - Christmas Eve  In Store - Boxing Day
Next - Online - Christmas Eve  In Store - Boxing Day
5 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!☃

Christmas Countdown☃❅SNOW❅☃

SNOW❅☃

Even though it doesn't snow much here in the UK It is still one of my favourite things about Christmas. I can't remember when it last snowed, I think it was about 3 years ago. I wish it snowed every year. 

Building snowmen, sledging and snow angels. LOVE IT! 

6 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!☃

Christmas Countdown☃❅NEW PYJAMAS❅☃

NEW PYJAMAS❅☃
I don't know what it is about Christmas but every year I love to buy new pyjamas. Also on Christmas day I get about 3 new pairs as presents. I think because it gets really cold and a nice comfy pair of thick pj's is really needed. 
My mum buys me a new pair to wear for Christmas eve, I love it :) I am easily pleased I know! I bought myself a new checked pair yesterday as I am going on The Polar Express train on Monday so wanted a new pair. I ended up getting Ella a matching pair, cute!

7 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!☃

My Month In Photos | November 2014

This seems like so long ago as I have been so bloody busy these past few months it's crazy. I can't complain though as I am on the road to getting better by the day. I have a lot more energy these days compared to last year. I had an amazing time in Scotland at the beginning of November. I went with my cousin and we met Judith who is lovely. I have wrote a blog post here about my Scotland travels if you are nosey and want to read more :)

I had the most amazing time at the Find your sense of tumour conference. Center parks is amazing and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to go on this brilliant trip. 

Every year in November, myself and my family go to Endsleigh garden center to see the Christmas decorations and see Santa arrive in his sleigh, pulled by real reindeer.  I always feel really festive. My friend Maria came with her handsome boy Louie. We had a catch up and a delicious hot chocolate in the cafe. 

  Photography is something I have recently grown to love. I don't think I am very good at it but I would call it more of a hobby. I am hoping to buy myself a new camera, possibly a bridge one in the Christmas sales. The 3rd photo is of Peaches the bulldog who is JayJay's (my tiny yorkie) best friend. It is really funny when they walk together as Jay is really tiny and Peaches is huge. 

My 2 years post stem cell transplant celebration was lovely...and I am not just talking about the food, it was lovely to be surrounded by all of my amazing friends and family.

I had my friend Jess's 21st birthday party. It was a brilliant night and lovely to catch up with family & friends. I didn't take no photos this evening, just a usual #selfie. 

Christmas Countdown☃❅MARKETS❅☃

MARKETS❅☃
Roasted nuts, cute crafts, hot chocolate, mulled wine and beer. All part of a Christmas market experience. I visit a Christmas market every year and always feel really festive when I go to one. 
We have some lovely markets in the UK but I have always wanted to go to one in Germany, as they are known to be amazing and magical!.....One day! :) 

8 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!☃

Christmas Countdown☃❅CANDLES❅☃

CANDLES❅☃

I light candles all year round as I have a huge obsession with them but there's nothing better than the smell of Christmas. They have such a variety of Christmas smelling candles. My favorite is sugared apple. Last year I had a Yankee Christmas advent calendar and it contained small tea lights of all the Christmas scented candles.I loved it, it was amazing and I was able to try some scents that I wouldn't usually buy in store. I just love the smell of Christmas. The smell of a Christmas tree is very festive too. My favorite candles are obviously the Yankee ones. I find they have a long burning time and are the most scented I have tried. The only other candle that I feel was similar or even better to Yankee candles are Copenhagen candles. 

What are your favorite candle scents?

9 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!☃

Christmas Countdown☃❅MINCE PIES❅☃

MINCE PIES❅☃

The only time you can eat mince pies is at Christmas so obviously this is going to be one of my Christmas countdown favourites. A cup of tea with a warm mince pie and cream is so scrummy. I really want to make my own mince pies and as I have never made them before I have researched a simple recipe. 

Ingredients

225g cold butter, diced

350g plain flour

100g golden caster sugar

280g mince meat

1 small egg

Icing sugar to dust

Method

1. To make the pastry, rub 225g cold, diced butter into 350g plain flour, then mix in 100g golden caster sugar and a pinch of salt. Combine the pastry into a ball – don’t add liquid – and knead it briefly. The dough will be fairly firm, like shortbread dough. You can use the dough immediately, or chill for later.

2. Preheat the oven to 200C/gas 6/fan 180C. Line 18 holes of two 12-hole patty tins, by pressing small walnut-sized balls of pastry into each hole. Spoon 280g mincemeat into the pies.

3. Take slightly smaller balls of pastry than before and pat them out between your hands to make round lids, big enough to cover the pies. Top the pies with their lids, pressing the edges gently together to seal – you don’t need to seal them with milk or egg as they will stick on their own. (The pies may now be frozen for up to 1 month).

4. Beat 1 small egg and brush the tops of the pies. Bake for 20 minutes until golden. Leave to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack. To serve, lightly dust with icing sugar. They will keep for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container.

10 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!☃

Christmas Countdown☃❅REINDEER❅☃

REINDEER❅☃

Reindeer are a very festive animal as they are the 'magical' animals who pull 'Santa's sleigh' They are such cute animals. There are Christmas songs about reindeer, Rudolph being the greatest reindeer of all. Christmas films about reindeer, such as one of my favorites  Prancer.

I took these photos this year when I went to Endsleigh Garden Center a few weeks ago. How cute are they?
11 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!☃

Christmas Countdown☃❅GIVING❅☃

GIVING❅☃
Something that makes me smile the most at Christmas is giving to others. Personally I would rather give presents on Christmas than receive them. Obviously it is lovely and I appreciate all of the presents I receive but I love to buy my family nice gifts. I also go a bit over the top and find it hard to stop buying. I do get stick off some people when I buy the youngest member of the family a sack each but honestly If that's what I love to spend my money on....leave me be :)  
Not only is Christmas about giving presents but it is also the time of year when I think about people less fortunate than myself. Yes I have had a shitty few years but there is always somebody a lot worse off than myself. It upsets me that there are people in this world who wont enjoy their Christmas day half as much as I do because they don't have a loving family around them or they simply cannot afford to buy food let alone a gift at Christmas. I find this time of year everyone is a lot more giving and compassionate for those less fortunate. In our house we usually have a big sort out of stuff we don't need or use like old toys, clothes, shoes etc before Christmas and give bags and bags to charity shops. I have recently completed a bucket collection to raise money for CLIC Sargent and found that a lot of people donated money which is amazing. 
You don't have to be rich or have money to give to people. You could help someone out by just talking to them and giving your time, or even simply being kind of giving your love to someone who needs it. 

12 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!☃