Catch-up Wednesday

I feel I have been dipping in and out of my blog this week and have barely written more than a few lines to you all.

For over the last two weeks I have not been too well, which turned into hospital visits at the end of last week. Which was made worse really by my poor husband being away on business, so he felt guilty too. I have been told to rest and have been quite good but still do not feel brilliant.

So this afternoon from my comfy sofa I have decided to write a catch-up post of sorts, I hope you are all reading this fit and well.

On Monday I ventured out (stupidly I might add) to buy my Christmas cards; every year I try to buy my packs of cards from charities. Lots of different charity cards are sold in a special shop set up in one of our local coastal town Tourist Information shops and I love looking through all the boxes and trying to stop myself buying far more than I need! I would have loved to show you some but I am doing a little Christmas card swap with Miss Prep from HeadbandsandHandbags and I wouldn't want to spoil her surprise! Most of the money made from the cards goes to the charities, so I try to choose those that mean something to me and local ones to support too.

(Christmas Card Swap packed up and ready to make its way to the USA)

Today I have also packed up my little etsy giveaway to send to the wonderful new Mummy Rebecca from Ardent Sparrow, who as well as winning my set of three handmade Thank You cards has also, more importantly, just had beautiful Baby No.2 - Congratulations!

(Giveaway cards packed up and ready to make their way to Canada)

I have been using this time confined to home to make a start with my Christmas shopping and I already have presents for two of my nieces and one of my nephews - we have eight to buy for!! We also have loads of family birthdays in November and December so I have been trying to make a start on those too. I have a post in mind to talk about my gift-wrapping fetish in the future!

I love this time of year, when my mind becomes full of all things Christmas. I buy all the Christmas magazines, begin to plan out my calendar and shop for my gift-wrap theme (more in future post about this, promise). I adore looking for new decorations to add to my current collection and one of my favourite shops at the moment is Cox and Cox - I particularly adore their acorns.

Whilst I have been staying at home I have been joined by something else too, our house is currently being invaded by ladybirds! Now, I usually like ladybirds and I believe someone once told me they were good luck. However, these are Harlequin ladybirds who are taking over our country at the moment and they gather in their hundreds in homes. They seem to particularly like our utility room and are clustered in the corners of the windows. Unfortunately, they are rumored to bite if they awake early and find no food!

Finally, I will leave you with a picture I took the other evening. After my post last week about the morning mists we have been fortunate to have, we have also been experiencing a stunning sky in the evening too.