Home!

I'm home!

Got in about 5 hours ago, in the wee hours of these morning.

Feeling really rather wonky as have only had 3 hours sleep in the last 30 odd hours.

So forgive me if I rant or don't make sense.

It's soo lovely to be home , as lovely as the trip was, and you know me, I'm a real Melbourne girl.

I'm loving being warm, not wearing 6 layers, the sun on my back , the light and the familiarity of the known. The way I just know the way to the Market without even thinking about it, it's in my bones.

My homecoming was made extra special by a couple of unexpected packages waiting for me at home.

The first was from the gorgeous and supremely talented Jennie, a lovely message, a gorgeous peg doll and some of her wonderful cards and pins.

And a tiny bear scupture by my aunt. It's isn't beautiful?

THank you so much Jennie, it really was lovely to arrive home and find the a gorgeous thought from a friend. SOmetimes coming home to an empty house can be a little daunting so having these waiting for me was just special.

Hope you having a great day.xo

PS My email is now back to normal, ie jessmc@bigpond.com

Happy Christmas!!!

Happy Merry Christmas to all my wonderful friends!

Hope you have the most special day.

Thanks for continuing to make me smile,laugh , making m day so often , for the gorgeous comments, conversations, emails , friendships , listening, and well just for being you.

xoxo

Jess

And...

No trip to London, and Paddington Station would be complete with a visit to the Paddington Statue ( some might say rather fittingly outside a donut shop) and a walk across the Thames.

Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood

Yesterday we went into London to do and see some things we wanted to do.

I went to the Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood. Which has a vast collection of old bears and toys.

I had a wonderful time. I think I took around 100 photos ( don't worry I won't post them all)

There were heaps of old bears, from Steiff, Merrythought, Chad Valley and other English makers.

As well other old soft toys animals too, and familiar faces like Noddy, Pooh bear and Pip and Squeak.

And never to mention Wilfred, whom is my latest obsession, I'm deeply in love with Wilfed.

A huge collection of wood toys, clockwork toys, tin toys and pedal cars



Noahs arks,

rocking horses
puppets
trainsets
farms sets ( I particulary loved this Nestle one which was tiny but so detailed

and an amazing collection of furnished Dollhouses , with one dating from the 1600s.

If you are ever in London , it's really worth a visit.

Sorry for the photo overload, it was just too amazing- and sorry for the dark pics- the lighting in the museum wasn't the best.

What to do with left over mashed potato

We are currently still building our proper snowman ( actually snowwoman) but in the meantime while warming my hands up I got a little creative in the Kitchen

Snow!!!

Much excitement here as I think I might be getting my dream of a white Christmas. It snowed!!

It's so beautiful. And it certainly is cold!

I'm afraid though I am yet to make a snowman, but managed to find the next best thing a snowman bottle opener for my budding Snowman collection.

Today we planned to go to Blenheim Palace just outside Oxford, but upon arriving there we found it was closed.
Luckily it was in the most charming village Woodstock, which was largely untouched and had kept all of it's heritage, and also home to the Bear Hotel.

Hello!

How are you? Great I hope.

Peter and I ( and ma and pa) arrived safely here at my sisters place in Wargrave a village outside

London.

I'm having a lovely time, hanging up with my sister and parents and her partner Mark, and of course my nephew Harry. I can't get over the streetscapes of the village that look right out of a BBC series. So old and so different to Australia ( and so cold too)

I could take photo after photo of the houses and the countryside

Today we went to Bath, which is just one of the most beautiful cities I've ever been too, with lots of Georgian Architecture, grander than the village scene and amazing unspoilt.

But the real apple of my eye is Harry, who I am completely besotted with. Happy to hold, sing too, and talk to at any point.

( Hannah says the feelings mutual)

Isn't he adorable?

Sorry this is so brief.

Very tired and jetlagged.

We're off

Today I ( or we, Peter and I- hurry up Peter!!!) are off to the Uk for two weeks to spend Christmas with my sister, her partner and my new little nephew, Harry. I'm very excited to meet Harry and see my sis, but it's also almost unreal and probably won't be til I arrive.

I am taking my comp and camera and plan to do a post or two but I won't be around as much.

I'll miss you all heaps, and will try to pop back and visit and see what you're up to.

I'll be back on squidgyandwonky@gmail.com if you need or want to get in contact. ( why do I always feel weird about how that sounds)

If I don't "see" you before then which I doubt, I hope you have the most wonderful Christmas ever

xo