It's only a holiday if someone else is doing all the domestic stuff, otherwise it's just doing all the things you do everyday without all the things you use to do all the things. As a person with a back injury, I feel for you sitting in the car so long. From memory, I think you have a Stoov electric hot water bottle? I tuck mine right down where the upright part of the seat joins to horizontal part. The heat gets right to the spot and makes the pain a little more bearable. Hugs from Melbourne, where we are expecting 38 degrees Celsius on Monday!
I've got a temporary Christmas idea for your frames! I was in a pub recently and they had wrapped up all of the pictures on the walls like presents, including ribbons and bows. Could look quite sweet maybe? xx
Gosh Gayna, I absolutely relate! Going away before Christmas stops you from pottering around your own place doing all the lovely Christmas stuff you’ve been looking forward to all year! I’m the same- I’m going away this year on the 24th, and am working very long days until the 23rd, so nothing will be done and it makes me feel really sad and frustrated and angry. I feel for you!
Gayna, I'm with you. Traveling to another country so close to Christmas is absolute madness to me. I have pretty much everything done for Christmas and now I can sit back and enjoy the season, my friends and my decorated home. However, I do wish you safe travels and lots of fun and I'll look forward to your vlogs. That run drink sounds like our Dark and Stormys. Yum.
Scottish Power have given us half price energy between 11 - 4pm Saturday & Sunday for 3 months. I leave most of the washing/ drying/hoovering till the weekend at the moment, I’m loving it lol
Thanks for the demonstration on how to wrap squishy stuff. It is going to help me when wrapping Christmas. Wish I could help you with a pain free trip.
I totally get where you’re coming from re going away so close to Christmas. I know I’d be exactly the same. I hope you find some time to relax and enjoy the snow. Just looking at the view will be relaxing 😍x
Oh goodness. I feel ya! We typically go away to Santa Fe, New Mexico for several days the day after Christmas. I love it so much 🎄The perfect time, but it doesn’t always work out. So much cleaning up to do when we return home. 😊
Such a lot to do before going away ! Hope the journey is not to torturous for you. Don’t forget to delegate chores when you’re away! Take care love WW xx
Been loving Vlogmas, I totally understand your reluctance to go away, whenever we go away with our family its just extra work, shopping cooking, cleaning but in another location. A true holiday is staying at home without the chores, just enjoying your surroundings and spending the day crafting and doing lovely stuff. Take your watercolours and do the daily Advent Calendar painting with Harriet at De Winton like you did last year, the best recommendation from you which made me take up painting which I now thoroughly enjoy 😀 I remember you doing a fab chalk drawing on a blackboard for Christmas a few years ago, do you still do it ? Have a lovely time away 😚
Yes I hope to do the chalk board when I get home, I’ve seen a lovely idea of a wreath. I realised on our way to granny’s that had forgotten my water colours and I even dreamed about shopping for some last night 😳🫣
I found it very interesting seeing the wrapping of a squishy. We don’t wrap presents, we use gift bags and Amazon boxes and the brown paper out of the Amazon boxes. I absolutely understand why you are so reluctant to go, but hopefully you’ll enjoy it. Personally I like the two of us getting away before Christmas (off to Skye this year) because my mother in law ruins Christmas Eve, Day and Boxing Day without fail every year. So us away is the best bit of December. Hope you arrived safely and your back wasn’t too painful.
I usually use whatever packaging paper is available but Chloe wouldn’t understand that so I bought recycled and recyclable paper for her. She loved it! Oh man, getting away at Christmas is essential for you!!!
I completely get you, you can have too much of a good thing. You want it to be when you’re ready for it otherwise it’s too much. Christmas as well can take a lot out of people, but I’m sure it’s mostly for the boys anyway so that’s what gives the energy. Happy Holiday xx
Catching up with your vlogs today has been my side quest from tackling a vexing work issue. I know I'll feel so much better once it's done but taking a break and knitting whilst catching up on Vlogmas was so much more appealing. Safe travels x
If you want a suggestion for a beautiful scribble picture Shayda Campbell (here on TH-cam) has a video has a lovely tutorial called "December Plan With Me | LAST BULLET JOURNAL OF 2023 | Winter Cabin Theme!" I absolutely LOVE it!!
Haha!! The peg of shame game!! Definitely you should do it.. we used to play it too but it was called the peg of truth! There's still one peg in an air brick in the wall of the house that's been there for at least 20 years! 😂
I hope you do have a lovely time away and come back refreshed. I really hope you can find a way to travel without pain. Otherwise it’s just not fair! X
Following on from your vlog about flashing, aggressive Christmas lights. Since the lights became LED they can't have the same settings. You need to get firefly lights they are beautiful and have a lovely gentle twinkle setting. I bought some last year and they're lovely nice and soft twinkle not like disco rave. Hope you have a fab holiday, it's quality time with your family. 💕
Super multi-tasking Gayna, men will never understand how women get so much done due to multi-tasking! I must admit I would completely burnt out socially by the skiing trip followed by Christmas hosting, it’s a hell of lot, and like you say you do most of the cooking and general house keeping when you are away it’s no wonder you are exhausted in January, but like you say going a different time is not an option at this time. Fab that Bill has a girlfriend. Love & Hugs, Suze. 🐓👩❤️👨🤗 xxx
Really enjoying vlogmas. Love the fancy bits you do at the beginning. A question - does the colour of the chicken determine the colour of the egg shell?
It’s the type of breed that determines it. I have a Devon blue, Devon bronze and a white leg horn (Steve, Pablo and Galadriel) it’s lovely having the different coloured ones in the mix.
Gayna next year let the boys go on their own they are old enough to look after themselves. You can have a week catching up with your girlfriends and enjoy the festive season staying at home and being with your dogs. I would plant the notion in the boys heads now so that by this time next year they are fine with it.
I use paper tape too but you can get paper tape with Christmas patterns on it, still biodegradable. Very disappointed Toby didn't burst into I Want To Break Free! 🤣
Might be a bit late as I’m catching up with your vlogs and you may have solved the picture frame dilemma already. But I thought you could use a piece of pretty wallpaper (places like B&Q usually let you have free samples) or some nice fabric (cut bigger than the aperture and taped to the picture board if that makes sense!). Either would be quick and cheap temporary solutions. 💕
You re dead right it s not a holiday really know how you will be the usual cuckoo looking after everyone but remember it’s ur hol too and enjoy sweetie xx
I’m not good at going away at any time and send the family away in the summer . I stay at home and have a fabulous “ me” time. You’re not moaning at all so don’t think that. I stay at home because it is swopping one kitchen to another and I prefer my own kitchen🙈🎄
My husband makes NO ARRANGEMENTS when we travel…I’ve got to do it all….kennel, horse care arrangements, flights, etc…..I make him pack his own things,,,, Yup. Send the men and stay home! My friend didn’t even go to her daughters wedding because of painful surgery and animal care….
I love traveling, but since I fell in love with my cavalier King Charles spaniel, unless he can go with me, my desire to travel has nearly disappeared entirely ❤
I am really liking this paper folding. I was thinking that a person could use Glitter Glue, which has no glitter in it, but dries quickly and doesn't make paper ripple. I would use my little plastic clips I have for sewing to let the glue dry. I will try this and get back to you.
My Daughter loves Squishmallows she is autistic and they help her sleep, she has her bed covered in them ! Your vlogs are fantastic and help get me through the winter blues x
With you on that Gayna….you are swopping one kitchen for another. And even although it is a familiar kitchen it is not your own kitchen where you have everything to hand. I am sure there is a reason for going skiing this particular week in December but it might be nicer (for you) to go over New Year before schools starts back up. The chooks are looking happy. Funny how nosey they are.
Why don’t you tell all of this to Toby and your family??? You need a brake and your injuries make it even more difficult. You are burdening too much alone. You do so much for so many, it needs to be returned ❤❤❤
Self-catering holidays are no holiday if the person who usually does all the chores is still doing them. Some of the rest of your party need to step up a bit I think. Anyway, I hope you do enjoy yourself.
Question cos uou are resourceful just wondering if you do anything for dog poo which is more environmentally friendly. Heard very little about dog poo composting just wondering your take on it
Pablo is a boys name but she is a hen. I have a hen called Steve too. I’ve also had a hen in the past called Harold Fry and another called Phillip Raymond Hawkins. They don’t mind, they think it’s funny too. X
You're not moaning at all. Holidays like that are just "washing up with a view" when you're the one doing all the domestic stuff. Hope you still have a lovely time though! 😊
I completely get you, you can have too much of a good thing. You want it to be when you’re ready for it otherwise it’s too much. Christmas as well can take a lot out of people, but I’m sure it’s mostly for the boys anyway so that’s what gives the energy. Happy Holiday xx
Those bay leaves looked amazing! Supermarket offerings are grim!
I’m with you 100% re going away just before Christmas, I’d be waving my menfolk goodbye! Hope the journey isn’t too grim. Xx
It's only a holiday if someone else is doing all the domestic stuff, otherwise it's just doing all the things you do everyday without all the things you use to do all the things.
As a person with a back injury, I feel for you sitting in the car so long. From memory, I think you have a Stoov electric hot water bottle? I tuck mine right down where the upright part of the seat joins to horizontal part. The heat gets right to the spot and makes the pain a little more bearable.
Hugs from Melbourne, where we are expecting 38 degrees Celsius on Monday!
Completely understand what you saying about going away
Having said that hope you all have a wonderful time 😊😊
I wouldn’t want to go away now either just too stressful before Christmas but I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time once you get there xx 8:54
I've got a temporary Christmas idea for your frames! I was in a pub recently and they had wrapped up all of the pictures on the walls like presents, including ribbons and bows. Could look quite sweet maybe? xx
That's a great idea!
@GaynaJane I thought so too, I've never seen it before but going to do it myself this weekend x
Gosh Gayna, I absolutely relate! Going away before Christmas stops you from pottering around your own place doing all the lovely Christmas stuff you’ve been looking forward to all year! I’m the same- I’m going away this year on the 24th, and am working very long days until the 23rd, so nothing will be done and it makes me feel really sad and frustrated and angry. I feel for you!
Gayna, I'm with you. Traveling to another country so close to Christmas is absolute madness to me. I have pretty much everything done for Christmas and now I can sit back and enjoy the season, my friends and my decorated home. However, I do wish you safe travels and lots of fun and I'll look forward to your vlogs. That run drink sounds like our Dark and Stormys. Yum.
Scottish Power have given us half price energy between 11 - 4pm Saturday & Sunday for 3 months. I leave most of the washing/ drying/hoovering till the weekend at the moment, I’m loving it lol
British Gas have been giving half price on Sundays between 11and 4 for at least a year
Thanks for the demonstration on how to wrap squishy stuff. It is going to help me when wrapping Christmas. Wish I could help you with a pain free trip.
Just found your channel and have been enjoying them. They are so calming and quiet.
I totally get where you’re coming from re going away so close to Christmas. I know I’d be exactly the same. I hope you find some time to relax and enjoy the snow. Just looking at the view will be relaxing 😍x
MORE times than not... I need a vacation from my vacation when I return exhausted. 🤣
Oh goodness. I feel ya! We typically go away to Santa Fe, New Mexico for several days the day after Christmas. I love it so much 🎄The perfect time, but it doesn’t always work out. So much cleaning up to do when we return home. 😊
Such a lot to do before going away ! Hope the journey is not to torturous for you. Don’t forget to delegate chores when you’re away! Take care love WW xx
I agree about going away now, but hopefully when you get there you’ll feel differently. Have a fab time 😊
Been loving Vlogmas, I totally understand your reluctance to go away, whenever we go away with our family its just extra work, shopping cooking, cleaning but in another location. A true holiday is staying at home without the chores, just enjoying your surroundings and spending the day crafting and doing lovely stuff.
Take your watercolours and do the daily Advent Calendar painting with Harriet at De Winton like you did last year, the best recommendation from you which made me take up painting which I now thoroughly enjoy 😀 I remember you doing a fab chalk drawing on a blackboard for Christmas a few years ago, do you still do it ? Have a lovely time away 😚
Yes I hope to do the chalk board when I get home, I’ve seen a lovely idea of a wreath. I realised on our way to granny’s that had forgotten my water colours and I even dreamed about shopping for some last night 😳🫣
I absolutely love your intros ❤ and I can’t wait to see your trip! Don’t forget they have shops there! In case you forget something ❤
I found it very interesting seeing the wrapping of a squishy. We don’t wrap presents, we use gift bags and Amazon boxes and the brown paper out of the Amazon boxes. I absolutely understand why you are so reluctant to go, but hopefully you’ll enjoy it. Personally I like the two of us getting away before Christmas (off to Skye this year) because my mother in law ruins Christmas Eve, Day and Boxing Day without fail every year. So us away is the best bit of December. Hope you arrived safely and your back wasn’t too painful.
I usually use whatever packaging paper is available but Chloe wouldn’t understand that so I bought recycled and recyclable paper for her. She loved it! Oh man, getting away at Christmas is essential for you!!!
Try to relax and enjoy the break before the Christmas excitement xx😍
I completely get you, you can have too much of a good thing. You want it to be when you’re ready for it otherwise it’s too much. Christmas as well can take a lot out of people, but I’m sure it’s mostly for the boys anyway so that’s what gives the energy.
Happy Holiday xx
Rum and ginger beer sounds good to me !! Along with a pinch of money spider😂 Pablo's egg was beautiful..what a gorgeous shade..☘️❤️
Catching up with your vlogs today has been my side quest from tackling a vexing work issue. I know I'll feel so much better once it's done but taking a break and knitting whilst catching up on Vlogmas was so much more appealing. Safe travels x
If you want a suggestion for a beautiful scribble picture Shayda Campbell (here on TH-cam) has a video has a lovely tutorial called "December Plan With Me | LAST BULLET JOURNAL OF 2023 | Winter Cabin Theme!" I absolutely LOVE it!!
Haha!! The peg of shame game!! Definitely you should do it.. we used to play it too but it was called the peg of truth! There's still one peg in an air brick in the wall of the house that's been there for at least 20 years! 😂
I felt rather stressed on your behalf having all those chores the day before a week away! Best wishes for a safe journey!
I hope you do have a lovely time away and come back refreshed. I really hope you can find a way to travel without pain. Otherwise it’s just not fair! X
Following on from your vlog about flashing, aggressive Christmas lights. Since the lights became LED they can't have the same settings. You need to get firefly lights they are beautiful and have a lovely gentle twinkle setting. I bought some last year and they're lovely nice and soft twinkle not like disco rave. Hope you have a fab holiday, it's quality time with your family. 💕
Firefly lights? Are you in the UK? Would you mind telling where you bought them if so? X
It’s not the end of the world…….sounds like it is though……wondering why you’re going away 😂
Had to keep checking to see if my nose was wheezing…it was Margot 😂
Super multi-tasking Gayna, men will never understand how women get so much done due to multi-tasking! I must admit I would completely burnt out socially by the skiing trip followed by Christmas hosting, it’s a hell of lot, and like you say you do most of the cooking and general house keeping when you are away it’s no wonder you are exhausted in January, but like you say going a different time is not an option at this time. Fab that Bill has a girlfriend. Love & Hugs, Suze. 🐓👩❤️👨🤗 xxx
Really enjoying vlogmas. Love the fancy bits you do at the beginning. A question - does the colour of the chicken determine the colour of the egg shell?
It’s the type of breed that determines it. I have a Devon blue, Devon bronze and a white leg horn (Steve, Pablo and Galadriel) it’s lovely having the different coloured ones in the mix.
Gayna next year let the boys go on their own they are old enough to look after themselves. You can have a week catching up with your girlfriends and enjoy the festive season staying at home and being with your dogs. I would plant the notion in the boys heads now so that by this time next year they are fine with it.
I use paper tape too but you can get paper tape with Christmas patterns on it, still biodegradable. Very disappointed Toby didn't burst into I Want To Break Free! 🤣
Might be a bit late as I’m catching up with your vlogs and you may have solved the picture frame dilemma already. But I thought you could use a piece of pretty wallpaper (places like B&Q usually let you have free samples) or some nice fabric (cut bigger than the aperture and taped to the picture board if that makes sense!). Either would be quick and cheap temporary solutions. 💕
Ok, I have some mini Pokemon to wrap so I’m going to see if I can wrap them like your squish mallows 😅
Was it last year or the year before when you did your Santa scene in chalk on your blackboard in the kitchen?that was ace 🤗🎄🎄
I have done it a few years now. I hope to do it again when we get back, I have a wreath idea I’ve seen. X
Gayna you’re just so funny and lovely and great company! And I agree- nothing as attractive as your other half doing the chores 😂
Loving all your vlogs gayna 🥰
You re dead right it s not a holiday really know how you will be the usual cuckoo looking after everyone but remember it’s ur hol too and enjoy sweetie xx
Maybe you can delegate some of the tasks to others while you’re away. It’s your vacation too.
I understand how you feel going away before Christmas 😱I love your pinafore. Looks lovely on you . Where was it purchased please ❤
Our plastic recycling has been gone 2 years now 😢
Agree with your dislike of going away just before Christmas, couldn’t you stay behind to get organised and let the boys go without you? xxx
I’m not good at going away at any time and send the family away in the summer . I stay at home and have a fabulous “ me” time. You’re not moaning at all so don’t think that. I stay at home because it is swopping one kitchen to another and I prefer my own kitchen🙈🎄
My husband makes NO ARRANGEMENTS when we travel…I’ve got to do it all….kennel, horse care arrangements, flights, etc…..I make him pack his own things,,,,
Yup. Send the men and stay home! My friend didn’t even go to her daughters wedding because of painful surgery and animal care….
I’m lucky in that Toby does all the travel stuff and I do all the home stuff. He does packs his pants and toothbrush 😝.
I love traveling, but since I fell in love with my cavalier King Charles spaniel, unless he can go with me, my desire to travel has nearly disappeared entirely ❤
I am really liking this paper folding. I was thinking that a person could use Glitter Glue, which has no glitter in it, but dries quickly and doesn't make paper ripple. I would use my little plastic clips I have for sewing to let the glue dry. I will try this and get back to you.
Gayna, I really worry that you don't put yourself first often enough. Could you not do your ski holiday on alternate years?
My Daughter loves Squishmallows she is autistic and they help her sleep, she has her bed covered in them ! Your vlogs are fantastic and help get me through the winter blues x
Bill’s girlfriend is the same. She has hundreds and she loves them all, they are her friends and companions.
@GaynaJane they are very lovely. Megan has lent me hers befor I have been ill or sad.
Gayna you should stay at home let the boys go and have a week of peace and quiet 😅. X
With you on that Gayna….you are swopping one kitchen for another. And even although it is a familiar kitchen it is not your own kitchen where you have everything to hand. I am sure there is a reason for going skiing this particular week in December but it might be nicer (for you) to go over New Year before schools starts back up. The chooks are looking happy. Funny how nosey they are.
I cant watch yet 😢, we have no power (only for 5hours maintenance) well i could watch om my 4g but i will wait for the tv to come back 🤣
Why don’t you tell all of this to Toby and your family??? You need a brake and your injuries make it even more difficult. You are burdening too much alone. You do so much for so many, it needs to be returned ❤❤❤
Gayna, do you like William Morris ? Check it out 👍. Do soft furnishings, clothes and all sorts ! For time being how about a bit of Xmas paper ?
Self-catering holidays are no holiday if the person who usually does all the chores is still doing them. Some of the rest of your party need to step up a bit I think. Anyway, I hope you do enjoy yourself.
Wishing you all a lovely holiday Look after that back of yours Safe journey
Question cos uou are resourceful just wondering if you do anything for dog poo which is more environmentally friendly. Heard very little about dog poo composting just wondering your take on it
❤❤❤
How can you name a chicken Pablo? Surely that is a boy's name? Or is Pablo a rooster?
Pablo is a boys name but she is a hen. I have a hen called Steve too. I’ve also had a hen in the past called Harold Fry and another called Phillip Raymond Hawkins. They don’t mind, they think it’s funny too. X
You're not moaning at all. Holidays like that are just "washing up with a view" when you're the one doing all the domestic stuff. Hope you still have a lovely time though! 😊
I completely get you, you can have too much of a good thing. You want it to be when you’re ready for it otherwise it’s too much. Christmas as well can take a lot out of people, but I’m sure it’s mostly for the boys anyway so that’s what gives the energy.
Happy Holiday xx