Tis The Season To Be Jolly.

Well that's Christmas all about wrapped up for another year. Did you all have a good one? I'm currently weighing up the pros and cons of changing out of my pyjamas (I've been debating this for approximately four hours though!) I sort of disappeared about a week before Christmas; my days merged into one long session of darkness, trains and cookie decorating (notice how there is no evidence of said cookies- how bloody hard is it to use royal icing!?) In a whirlwind of working and Christmas prep, there's only a few people that I didn't manage to squeeze in. Is it just me or once Christmas day comes, all the stresses building up to it just seem to melt away. We had a wonderful day; starting in the morning with my parents and Bimble (I got him fake tattoos and a moustache to make him into a strong man and as you can see, am far more excited about it then he is!) The afternoon was spent in the kitchen with Harps's grandparents and early evening we feasted before coming home and sitting with Batman to open gifts. The last few days since have been a slower, much needed rest. Hands up if you're ready to go back to work? No, me neither.

Over & Out

Sophie 

Batman Diaries #11 Batman At Christmas.

Batman has grown to love Christmas. This being his third one, he revels in the papers to chew, tree to play with and attention he gets. It's the only time of year he stays a little bit more still to be able to take photos. It's almost as if he's in awe of the tree; glittering and glowing in an evening. He has his own little stocking that hangs on his hammock but really he's more interested in pine cones (I keep a few at the bottom of the tree for him to play with) and opening his presents (and everyone else's) before the big day. 

Merry Christmas 

Love Batman Xx

Christmas Tree Oh Christmas Tree.

It's really and properly almost, very nearly Christmas now! To the extent that I'm not embarrassed to show you my tree which has actually been decorated and spreading festive cheer for just over a week.  So snuggle down with a warm or tipsy beverage of sorts and grab a biccie; it's tree time!!

I'm always in charge of the tree. Harps and I always decorate it together but I'm definitely more bothered about him; this is actually the first year he hasn't lay on the floor, throwing the decorations at it, shouting "Christmas!" just to annoy me! (I think it was because he had the camera to keep him distracted.) Our little tree is on it's last legs. This will be the last year that we use it. Bought five years ago, we fell into the whole 'black Christmas tree' thing? Why was that a thing?! It was cheap and did the job with our minimum wage jobs. Next year we'll be going big and going real! Also check out my lovely festive reindeer made by the guys and gals at People & Gardens! That cheeky little fox below is one of the only non-handmade decorations we own but he's just so damn snazzy!

Slowly, over the years we've gathered little homemade Christmas decorations from friends and family. Every year it's my favourite part of decorating the tree. It's become a little tradition that Stacie makes me decorations for Christmas and I can't wait to see what's this years! Most of the above are hers but last year my brother and sister-in-law gave us their little handmade melted snowman bauble which is such a great idea don't you think?! This year our collection has already grown with some friends who are expecting their first baby next year (HUZZAH!) making us a mini Christmas Batman which is so cute and thoughtful and a great use of recycling their tree from last year by gifting it on this year! What a plan for next year ey?! 

So after a day of blanket, film watching and paper chain making. Christmas is slowly arriving in the Harps household. 

Now show me all your trees dammit!

Over & Out

Sophie X

15 Strange Things I Wonder Falling Asleep.

I've always struggled with my sleep. Insomniac, night bird, whatever you call it; I've just never been able to shut down ol' brainy when it comes to getting some decent shut eye and if I've got an actual reason to fall asleep quickly, you betcha it'll be nearly impossible until the wee hours of the morning. Birds are singing by the time I sleep sometimes. A couple of nights ago I started thinking about a strange series of things (as usual) and thought maybe you'd like to hear some rambling thoughts of a tired lady. Psychologists eat your heart out with this lot.

• Does the wind make a sound or is it the effect of wind making a sound?
• If Slipknot sang childrens' songs what would they be like?
• Who was it that I once knew that poooped on a strangers trampoline?
• Why did that happen?
• Could you survive living in a whale's stomach if you were protected from the acid?
• If Batman really did fall into the ocean what would I do?
• Do I need to walk like I've wet myself up the aisle on my wedding day or am I allowed to walk normally?
• What is actually happening when my throat makes those weird loud sounds when I'm settling down to sleep? And where are those sounds coming from?!
• How great would my life be if I was best friends with Bill Murray? 
• Does Putin cry himself to sleep at night?
• What is my next door neighbour doing when she runs her taps so much after 12pm?
• If that creaking sound I just heard WAS in-fact a murderer, what would my weapon be?
• Can a pot of vix count as a weapon?....If I opened it first it could choke someone surely?
• Do polar bears get sunstroke?
• Could I make my life dream of going into business selling goat flapjacks called 'oaty goats' and still pay the bills?

Of course more often than not I actually lay there and worry about 'important' *read anxious* thoughts. But let's be honest, that's a bit heavy for sharing online and don't we all think about the crazy things at the worst times anyway? 

Over & Out.

Sophie 

*Oh and cheers deep dream for the creepy edited image! 

A Week With My First DSLR.

Black Friday got me. It's the first year I've ever succumbed to the insistent advertising and made the brave purchase of our first proper adult camera. Harps and I have been talking about upgrading a Kodak digital camera that we've had for about six years now for a while. With lots of exciting times coming up next year; our wedding and honeymoons, friends weddings, friend's babies and so much more, it just seems like the right time. Harps needs a better camera for his bike riding and I need a faster one for catching photos of that little ball of black fur that scurries around my house. 

Having a few days off gave us a chance to get a few festive jobs done; a visit to the barbers for a beard trim, pottering around Harps's grandparents garden, movie nights on cushions on our front room floor with Batman, baking all sorts of cookies, biscuits, gingerbread people and mince pies, foraging for goodies and this cute little spaniel who's my parents rescue dog. She's a daft one.

So here's to learning to use my new camera - A Nikon D3300 with 18-55mm lens and 50-200mm zoom lens incase you wondered. Any tips for new starting photo taking people would be muchos appreciated!

Over & Out,

Sophie.