Intentions: December
Well, blow me down: it’s been rather a while since I did one of these, but somehow with the urge to make things appearing once more (nothing at all to do with Chrimbly, oh no – perish the proverbial! – or with having a small baby, oh goodness me no), I think a list is called for. Not least because there are also things which must happen which aren’t remotely interesting, and they should not be allowed to just peter quietly out until they drop off the list completely…
So here, in no particular order, is the list for December.
• Wrapping paper: we have stamps, we have a recipe for edible paint, we have brown wrapping paper, we have a small girl. ‘Nuff said.
• Chrimbly baking: so far, the list includes the dark solstice cake to which Antoinette introduced us, Lebkuchen, mincemeat, mince pies, jewel biscuits (those ones with broken boiled sweets which form windows when baked), possibly a gingerbread house (bastard roof collapsed, though), some (more) peppermint bark, the Aztec (?!) variant I read about t’other day while trying to work out just why it’s called bark in the first place, and probably a few things I have already forgotten.
• Two stockings. Quercus has one; the small girl has one. The smallest girl will have one, even though it won’t get much use this year, and you know what? I demand my own stocking. Thus, I shall make myself one. Yes. Indeed. And hope some blighter fills it.
• Submitting my tax return. Infamy, infamy; they’ve all got it inferme… Yes, it works better when spoken, that one, doesn’t it?
• Cream felt bunting, based on the autumnal variety in the last issue of Rhythm of the Home. We have thirty-two autumnal-coloured lanterns after a little, er, episode of craftiness which struck in November, and I’m now working on some half-sized cream ones for a more wintry feel.
• Going to see the reindeer. The farmer up the road has two reindeer which live on their farm year-round, Cinnamon and Spice. This year they are probably even big enough to look as if they could pull a, well, some sort of vehicle, even if not a sleigh.
• Mittens for the small girl. Nearly one down, one to go.
• Cast on the purple cardigan. I leave it at that.
• Window stars, as shown by the lovely Claire.
• Apple nut brittle. Oh, so very yes. We have already done a few versions of this, with the best being a honey, cranberry and spiced-berry-cordial number which was devoured in twenty-four hours.
• Boiled wool jumper for the small girl. I have four wool jumpers in the crafty cupboard begging to be made into something; two years ago, I made the small girl a pinafore dress out of a cast-off from the aged parent, and I’m itching to do likewise with a rather fetching brown job handed over by Quercus, who always roasts in wool. I’d also quite like to make a pixie bonnet for the small girl, as I made one for the smallest last night and am so tickled by how sweet she looks in it that I must inflict further examples of said confection on the world forthwith.
• Open sodding bank accounts for the girruls. (I can’t say ‘girls’ without thinking of that story about the Scottish teacher – played by Maggie Smith in the film, I think? – whose name escapes me, but whose accent does not.) Child Trust Funds. What a bag of shite. Also, Junior ISAs and the fact that you can’t transfer CTFs into them: a bigger bag of shite. Also, while I’m on a roll, banks who won’t let you open accounts without making half-hour appointments, and are then surprised that you can’t leave the children for whom you are opening said sodding accounts elsewhere for the duration of the bloody appointment. Grr. And also, bah.
• 200 words on green cleaning products as the intro to a magazine article. A page of writing on Radical Homemaking, UK-style, ditto.
I should probably leave it at that, methinks. Quite probably I won’t get even half of these things done. And you, gentle reader? What are you plotting and planning this month?
Would that be “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie”? – brilliant film.
Suddenly having nearly £2,000 removed from my bank account, and I won’t get any personal benefit from it. It’s rather dampened my weekend, actually.
planned-one funeral, mother’s, no tears just relief. one farmers’ mart, please let there be pot sales. one co-operative gallery duty day. two kiln firings when the pots dry, to co-ordinate with less-cold days, before christmas please so that the ordered pots can go.
Christmas….no plans yet!
I like your list an awful lot better than mine, which simply reads: while in full-time employment, sort + give away/sell/pack all my possessions in preparation for a move to the UK. Christmas? What where when? (Oh, so if one is looking to open one’s first ever UK bank account, is there such a thing as a good choice of bank these days?)
Bank accounts for the girls – we went with Triodos. Don’t remember it being complicated, certainly didn’t involve visits as no branches. They are green, ethical, and pay an interest rate that is pegged to the Bank Rate so doesn’t mysteriously go down when not expected. Wouldn’t work for main account.
As for main account question from commenter, who knows these days! Cooperative Bank?
Co-op Bank seconded here
Why is it called bark?
If you do absolutely nothing about the child trust fund they insist on opening one for you whether you want it or not. So you could just do nothing and will have no meetings to go to, but also no say in whether or not it’s an ethical fund.
I heard on the radio that Which? is having a campaign to get the Treasury to reconsider their position on moving CTCs into Junior ISAs… ah, yes, info here: http://www.which.co.uk/money/savings-and-investments/guides/junior-isas-explained/what-happens-to-child-trust-funds/
You’ve probably already seen the MSE info? http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/banking/2011/11/child-trust-funds-and-junior-isa
Junior ISAs may not give the best rate of savings for children either. If you can find a savings account that pays a better rate, and allows children to open accounts, fill in a R85 and the interest is paid tax free anyway.
Hmm – it’s a tricky one. We looked at the ISA option but the interest rate isn’t as good as a straightforward saving account at the Halifax (at the moment). They’re the ones with the evil appointment system, though. I have indeed read Martin’s article on the accounts, which is why we’d thought of a savings account rather than the ISA itself. Ho hum.
Bank accounts in the UK – well, my experience is only of large high-street-type affairs, and all I can say is don’t – in my experience alone! – go for any of them!
@Tuuli…such interesting timing for you move!
not much to for Yuletide…2 felt stockings to sew together, 3 batches of cookies, 10 dozen to help my daughter bake for her workplace exchange, a dozen or so presents to wrap.
I think you need to post me some of those recipes (please). It all sounds heavenly (& hungry making). The best I’ve managed so far are mallowpuffs with white chocolate doused on top & a spearmint leaf & two red pebbles to decorate, and some upside down gingerbread people made into reindeer with the aid of a large red lolly & some white chocolate buttons.
Hello there! Couldnt reply to your crochet question on the fairysteps blog because your comment came through as a no-reply email address. BUT yes, I just used standard trebles like the rest of the granny square and then joined into the gaps of each corresponding hole in the next square using the one chain space to go through. Sinch and NO HORRID ends to darn in or naff seams to show. And last words must be, enjoying your wonderful blog as ever and you look sooooo pretty with your new hairstyle! It makes you look fresh and young and beautiful. I think chopping hair off can be quite liberating, and lets face it when youre a Mother, a darn site less hassle! I mean… I dont even brush mine… ever! If it was long, I would look like a Womble by now. Merry Christmas! Ren xxx
PS I emailed you a couple of days ago and now feel v guilty because you haven’t replied. Did it not get to you or are you boycotting my evilness?
Still. Have. Not. Opened. Kids bank accounts. I am pretty shit at getting everything together, including pre-filled out forms and bloody birth certificates, all in one place with dressed and ready children and actually get us to the bank *on time*, on the right day. In TEN years of having children I have not managed it! Forms have withered, children have needed nappy changes, dogs have needed walking, it has rained, and life/the universe has conspired to keep me away from the banks. Instead I have spent the money people have given us for the children. On the children. Ouch. Sometimes, gasp, we spent it on other necessities that regular funds wouldn’t stretch too, like food. Felix still tells me I stole his last years Christmas money from his great-grandmother to buy him a boring car seat (true). Sigh. I am a bad mother. And my kids have no savings
One day soon I will get my act together. For sure. So don’t feel too bad. Claire x
My list has included de-canting the Sloe brandy (today) Had to test, obviously. Result – worth doing, Sloe Brandy is a recommendation from me to anyone who likes a seasonal tipple. Much nicer than sloe gin, imho.
The rest of my December list, I would share, but have forgotten where it is and what’s on it in brandy induced haze
apple nut brittle? that sounds good
notice i honed in on foody thing… ignored banky things…
my list is too long to contemplate. have started colour coding.
By gum! You have been busy! It all sounds utterly delish – and is that peppermint bark that you make the one from Soulemama? I’ve been thinking of making that one, as my girl is very, very keen on that idea.