I've spent the day doing some very mundane tasks - a short Tesco shop, getting rid of Christmas day veggies that no one can face anymore, boiling up the turkey bones for soup tomorrow and emptying the bins...such is my exciting day!! I've been working away on my ripple blanket - it's still not looking right - I definitely lost count somewhere in row 1 and so subsequent rows were all askew - but hopefully I've sorted it...if I haven't I think I'll dismantle it (for the 3rd time) and think about a different blanket!!

Above is a shot of my Christmas berries. I bought these a long time ago, and every year when they emerge into the light, a little more paint has been lost and they're looking at little more tired - but as long as there are more berries than none I shall carry on hanging them off my dining room light!!

I also think of friends as the year draws to a close. My dear friend Zoe, who died two years ago, my aunt who died on Christmas day, my old friends, my work friends, my flickr friends, my new friends. Recently I re established contact with a very dear friend who I had met years ago when I was a Saturday girl at Laura Ashley, paying my way through university. She's had some success as as actress (she can be spotted in Bridget Jones and Sense & Sensibility!) and she and her house were featured in a glossy magazine; so I got in touch and she reminded me that despite all the years that have passed, there's too much history to ever forget our friendship.

And finally, back to decorations!! I've got to the stage where I want them to come down!!! - so, not a promise, but this may be the last of the decoration photos for this year!!

All my four are at their father's today - the eldest comes home tomorrow - she has A level exams in January and wants to revise. The younger three will return on New Year's Eve. Although I'm enjoying the peace and quiet, I do miss them - the days are always a little slower when they're not around.