Sunday, 03-12-23: Blogmas 3

Good morning, lovely people.  Welcome to a soggy, wet Sunday morning, above freezing for the first time in days and if we did get any snow overnight, we don't have it now.

In today's Body Shop Advent Calendar box was a little bottle of tea tree skin clearing toner.

I looked it up on the site and it says:  Super refreshing with a water-like texture, this Toner gently removes any residue after cleansing, leaving skin mattified and clearer of excess oil. Helps to purify skin and visibly reduce the appearance of blemishes
Skin feels thoroughly cleansed, softer and smoother
No tight-feeling skin
Enriched with purifying Community Fair Trade tea tree oil and salicylic acid
Infused with the fresh scent of tea tree
Suitable for oily and blemish-prone skin
Dermatologically tested 

My skin isn't unclear or oily but neither is it in great shape, not at my age, and I rarely wear make up, but I'll give this a go and see if it works any magic.  Bet it doesn't!  

The bumph on the box informs us that this oil is sustainably sources in Kenya, partnered with independent farmers. 

I took a photo of the wreath and

• it was a very dull, dismal day so hasn't photo-ed well
• I wanted a change to went for subdued and understated but I've decided that isn't me at all and next year I will be back to my red, green and gold vibe
• after all, is understated Christmas even a thing?
• but it looks - OK.  I'm happy!
  
  

So - yesterday.  I managed to get some stuff into the garden room storage and it's going in better than I thought - by that, I mean things are taking up less room and I can get more behind those doors than I thought.

People have been asking me 'what will you use it for?'
That's set me thinking and I've come to the conclusion that it will be whatever I want it to be.   What I mean is that by moving things in/out, it can be multi function.

If I have friends round, I can put a buffet and bar up in there.

I can move my small collection of exercise equipment and make it a mini gym

I can set up a table and turn it into a craft/sewing room

And I can have it as it is now - with chairs and a little table to sit in and have coffee and chats.

At a pinch, I could set up a blow up mattress and have it as a guest bedroom although until I get blinds put in, that isn't really feasible and there's no plumbing

And - note to self - I must see if the wheelchair ramp fits.  It isn't the end of the world if it doesn't but if it does we could have girls' nights face to face through the year im it.

Any other ideas, folks?

In the afternoon I drove off to Sharon's workshop.  I could have walked but it was nasty, freezing, foggy and I'd be coming back after dark when the pavements might be icy.
It was great fun, all the better for having a little think beforehand about what I wanted to do.  I haven't finished it yet but when I have I'll take a photo, whether I think it good, bad or indifferent!

And then I was home in time for Doctor Who and then Strictly.
The first was a scary one, in a similar genre to 'Blink' and 'Midnight'.  Really enjoyed it and will watch it again on iPlayer to pick up on details I always seem to miss first time.

No spoilers for Strictly but such a shame Nigel and Katya have had to leave after Nigel's injury.  They must be gutted.  I wonder how they are going to do the 'results' show when there are no results.  I'll find out later!

So . . .

This morning will be mostly taken up with going back and forth 'twix house and garden room and then, hopefully, garage and garden room.

This afternoon I am off out to the County Hotel for a Lindsey/Shimmy orgained festive afternoon tea.  That will be great fun and I'm really looking forward to it no end.  A chance to wear a sparkly top and, possibly, my shiny boots.  Lindsey said 'dress to sparkle'.

Today's Blogmas Advent music is a song that always says 'Christmas has started' to me because it's the first DVD we watch on Christmas Tree Day.  It is, of course, the beautiful 'Walking in the air' from The Snowman, sung by Peter Auty, NOT Aled Jones.

And then, just because I want to, another rendering of the same song, by the totally amazing Libera.

Sing along.  I do - but quietly so as not to scare the neighbours!!

We’re walking in the air

We’re floating in the moonlit sky

The people far below are sleeping as we fly

I’m holding very tight

I’m riding in the midnight blue

I’m finding I can fly so high above with you

On across the world the villages go by like dreams

The rivers and the hills, the forests and the streams

Children gaze open mouthed taken by surprise

Nobody down below believes their eyes

We’re surfing in the air, we’re swimming in the frozen sky

We’re drifting over icy mountains floating by

Suddenly swooping low on an ocean deep

Rousing up a mighty monster from his sleep

We’re walking in the air

We’re dancing in the midnight sky

And everyone who sees us greets us as we fly

We’re walking in the air