2010

I have been reading a lot of posts lately about what other bloggers have achieved in 2010. I've only had one truly major achievement this past year but I'd say it was a pretty important one so I'm quite content. As I started this blog in January I decided to look back to see if there was anything I'd missed that could be construed as an achievement. There were a few tiny ones but what I really noticed was how much fun I had this year! Here's a few things that I got up to:

January:

This happened to Britain. I got bored. I started the blog.

February:

The Boy and I went on our first proper holiday abroad together (my first holiday abroad ever!) There aren't any photos because it was awful. We went to Tenerife and both became ill 2 days into the trip. The Boy has had ill health since before I met him and it really hit him hard, so hard in fact I thought he would have to go to the hospital and we would be stranded there. In hind sight he probably should have gone into hospital but he's tough and stubborn as a mule even when he's as weak as a kitten. He's been through a lot worse so I'm guessing that's what got him through and I'm grateful it did. We're never going back to Tenerife.

March:

I learnt how to make sugar paste flowers.

April:
It was my birthday so there was cake...

and more cake...

and even more cake.

A trip to Kensington Palace.

And some Mojito's thrown in for good measure.

May:
I went to my friend Roz's Hen Weekend where there were more mojito's thrown in but we had to learn how to make them...and then drink them.

Everyone had to wear pink.

And proceeded to jump off stuff.

June:
I sewed my first plush toy. His name is Icabod.

And that major achievement? Well, I got a promotion! I am now the Trainee Conservator at the Gwent Record Office. Yeah Baby.

July:
I went to Yorkshire to see my friends and we went to Castle Howard.

Ma and Pa took me to North Wales for a family holiday and I snapped a good photograph.

In late July The Boy passed his driving test and drove us to Devon a week later to attend Roz and Andy's wedding.

It was a wonderful weekend and don't we all look fancy?!

August:

I went to my first ever Ice Hockey game...and surprisingly I enjoyed it.

I also went to the Eisteddfod which was being held in my home town.

September:
My friends Jayne and Paul got engaged and I went to their party in Kenilworth. Squeee!

October:
I went to The British Library for my first ever Conservation Training Day.

I had fun with some old...

and some new friends at Halloween.

November:

I was meant to go up north, see my chums and have a great time at the Harrogate Knitting and Stitching Show but it snowed, my mother bumped my car and I couldn't make it. Boo Hiss.

December:

The first ever annual event of 'Metalmass' happened and it was epic.

Christmas happened and I got some really thoughtful gifts.

So there you have it. It's been a great year, I've thoroughly enjoyed myself and just want to thank all the people who made it so fantastic!

Christmas Post

Christmas was a lovely, quiet, family affair this year. I spent a lot of time just eating Ma's home made goodies, watching films with The Boy, playing with his nephew in his new trike, totally confusing Lenny the cat with a treat ball and being totally spoilt rotten. Awesome.

I wish I took more photos but I was a bit bemused by my new camera; luckily I think I've worked out the basics today so here are some pics of a few wonderful gifts I received from my friends and family.

The Boy trying out my new camera that Ma & Pa gave me. The dress I have on was a present from my friend Leah, it's so pretty, I love it!

The most magical earrings that have ever existed; given to me by The Boy.

Sparkly Anna Lou gifts from Gemma. I'll definitely have to grow my hair really long now to get that mahoosive bow to stay in!

Yee-Ha and Coco Momiji's from Gemma and Delyn. Aren't the just the cutest?!

Pretty new 'posh' ring from The Boy.

Felipe modelling one half of the speakers The Boy bought for me. They are fantastic. I've spent most of the holidays uploading and downloading music to play through them.

Squeeee! Pierrot necklace from The Boys parents ^_^

Christmas is just way too stressful for cats.

I hope you all had a great Christmas too! I'd love to hear about the cool and not so cool stuff you all got up to! Anyway I'd better be off, we have one more bank holiday left so that means I'm taxi tonight.

A Nigella Moment

I decorated our Christmas Cake this morning. I didn't have a lot of time to fuss over drying out fondant reindeer etc. this year so I went for traditional royal icing peaks.

I tarted it up by throwing a load of edible holographic glitter at it (which always makes everything look amazing) and covered it in silver dragees.

Sparkle sparkle!

Christmas Traditions

My family usually put the Christmas Tree up the weekend before Christmas Day; as that is usually the most convenient time but we don't put the Star on top until every family member is home for the holidays. The last person to arrive home gets to put the topper on.

This year it was my brother's job, as we had to wait for him to come home from University. Luckily he's very tall so doesn't have the same problems that I do with balancing the star.

Yes, I'm fully aware that I look dreadful but I've been working hard all day and it's Christmas so nerr.

What are your family's Christmas/Holiday Traditions?

Creative Christmas

I'm so proud of this stocking that I made for The Boy's little Nephew that I just had to share it with you all.


Isn't the print just adorable?! I bought it from Fabric Rehab. I love the mini pom-poms too.

It is the Nephew's first Christmas so I wanted to give him something that he could keep. I hope Santa enjoys filling it up for him as much as I enjoyed making it for him.

Metalmass Time

Good news! Metalmass did take place and it was a huge success!

I was official photographer but unfortunately when I tried to upload my photos my card corrupted and I lost the lot! Boo Hiss. So all photos you see here were stolen from Kim, Gemma, Delyn and Steph. (Fanks you guys.)

Lazarus taking good care of Kim's presents

Gemma's amazing Choc orange cupcakes

My efforts: Pear and Almond Flan. Which seemed to go down quite well ^_^

Myself, Kim and Lee getting the dinner ready.

The Metalmass table wonderfully arranged by Delyn.

Our 'gravy boat'.

Lee carving the bird. Very manly.

Delyn andSteph

Photo booth.

Steph's Secret Santa Gift.

Kookee one of many goodie bag gifts lovingly prepared by Delyn.

Gideon getting into the Christmas spirit.

I have such amazingly generous friends and they all went above and beyond to make Metalmass special. I hope they all had as much fun as I did. I can't wait to do it all again next year!