Last post of #Blogmas2023 and I’m here to wish you all a Merry Christmas and hope you have a wonderful New Year.
Remember it’s only a Sunday Roast, don’t get overwhelmed, it’s only 2 days the shops are shut, and in a week’s time routine starts again. Don’t get stressed, enjoy the food, laugh a lot, play some board games, watch the film’s old and new, and relax.
See you in January 💖💖💖💖💖
#ADGIFTED All thoughts and opinions are my own, I give a review on books I enjoy reading, I choose mostly murder mystery themes.
THE BRITTANY MURDERS by Anne Penketh
Discover your new favourite cozy mystery series set in Brittany.
Jennifer and her family are starting their new life in a small village in Brittany. The views are stunning, the locals are mostly friendly, and the bread is amazing. But life in France still has its perils . . .
It’s their first family Christmas in the village of Louennec and Jennifer decides to throw a Christmas party for some of the other expats. The wine is flowing and her new friend Pippa’s homemade biscuits are going down a treat. But before they can get started organising this year’s Christmas panto, they realise estate agent Adam is missing . . .
They are horrified to find him sprawled face down in the fish pond.
Adam’s death shakes the whole community. All the Brits in the area bought their houses from him. Who would want to hurt him?
The French police are making slow progress. So Jennifer and Pippa start doing some digging. But can they solve the mystery before the killer strikes again?
From bestselling author Anne Penketh, this is a warm and witty murder mystery full of twists.
Perfect for fans of Martin Walker, Peter Boland, Fiona Leitch, Rachel Ward, Emylia Hall, Katie Marsh, and L.J. Ross’s atmospheric mysteries.
MEET OUR AMATEUR SLEUTHS
Jennifer and her family moved to France when she’d finally had enough of the rat race. With her husband, Jonathan, she took on a smallholding in the idyllic Brittany countryside — complete with chickens and rabbits and sheep. But the fresh start and change of scenery hasn’t fixed the problems in their marriage.
Pippa is reinventing herself as a baker after leaving her old life as a City banker behind. She was delighted to meet fellow Brit Jennifer on the stalls at the weekly market. She lives next door to a friendly gendarme who inadvertently provides helpful tidbits for Pippa and Jennifer’s investigations.
THE SETTING
The remote village of Louannec lies in the far west of Brittany, where Atlantic storms sweep across the sheep-dotted hills and valleys. The countryside is beautiful, but earning a living as a farmer in this wild terrain can be tough, and the locals are not always so welcoming towards newcomers, or the British fondness for le curry . . .
ALSO BY ANNE PENKETH
BRITTANY MURDER MYSTERIES
Book 1: THE BRITTANY MURDERS
DI SAM CLAYTON SERIES
Book 1: MURDER ON THE MARSH
Book 2: THE BAD SISTER
Book 3: PLAY DEAD
Book 4: MURDER AT THE MANOR
ANNE PENKETH– Author Bio
Anne Penketh is originally from Lancashire, but her work as a foreign correspondent took her all over the world before she turned to writing fiction. Anne’s series of murder mysteries featuring DI Sam Clayton allowed her to return to Norfolk where her relatives live.
Anne is currently based in London, but she’s such an inveterate wanderer that she has no idea how long she’ll stay.
BOOKS BY ANNE PENKETH
DI SAM CLAYTON SERIES:
· MURDER ON THE MARSH
· THE BAD SISTER
· PLAY DEAD
· MURDER AT THE MANOR
FOLLOW ANNE ON
AUTHOR WEBSITE
TWITTER
INSTAGRAM
GOODREADS
My Review Set around Christmas it’s a cosy murder mystery, that pitches Brits against the French, class against class, social injustice and real world problems. Though having real world issues it doesn’t drag you down, more pips your interest and keeps you reading. Fabulous light hearted murder mystery, rather than gripping and graphic, exactly what’s needed at times. The dynamic relationships and characters are wonderful, though I would love to learn more about them, some were barely described, so a wealth of knowledge to uncover I hope in future books. Interesting to read a perspective of what happened after Brexit from their view point. Because it’s light and cosy, some murders are comical and don’t pack an impact when you have a big reveal. But as I said sometimes you need them to be light-hearted, rather than grim and dark. I think my mum would really enjoy this one, the pace, the plot and the characters.
Are you ready for the big day? This year we haven’t got the tree up, but it doesn’t matter, as I’m a magpie with sticks, feathers and various other woodland treasures, so our home has the outside in already.
We recently did our Christmas food shopping. Made me think about what was essential and what could we ditch as we were buying out of habit, rather than whether we really like it.
Do you have set foods you just have to buy? A traditional set menu, or do you evolve over time like we have?
We love the traditional Turkey, Roast Potatoes, Roast Parsnips, Roast Carrots and Roasted Garlic along with Pigs in Blankets, Broccoli and Stuffing. Topped off with thick gravy!!
We don’t have a starter or even a pudding usually, as it’s far too much food. But we will pick on a Cheese Board (literally buy the crackers we like and the couple of cheeses rather than buying a cheese board) and After Eight Mints.
Over the next few days we will eat extra bits like mince pies, or Christmas cake if I buy a small one (I’m the only one who eats it)
I think this year we will go out for a walk too, take in the woodlands and go and watch the Deer out in the hills, what could be more Christmassy than that!?
A Christmas TV Book is my Number One essential, somehow it feels Christmassy to have one and circle or star all the top films and shows you don’t want to miss!! Mine is World’s Strongest Man, I avoid all the results in the summer, to ensure we watch all Christmas and find out the winner then. And my TV book starts today, so now we are finally feeling festive.
It’s my last Witch Casket box for a while, and what better time to stop at, but the Winter Solstice. This month is the much requested Lunar Magick theme.
Each full moon, it’s good practice to capture some moon water, these can be added to drinks, spell work, bathing water, or water your plants with this magickal water, harness the power of the moon it this beautiful Moon Water Glass Bottle with a Crescent Moon and Stars on it.
A Beautiful Wooden Crescent Moon tray with Crystals etched inside, a perfect offering tray, or place your crystals in for safe charging under the full moon. I’m using mine for my Yule Offering, see previous post.
Magickal Moon Wooden Plaque to hang, show your love for the moon with this decorative plaque.
Out foraging, or taking much needed magickal supplies from place to place. This Moon Phase Tote bag is just what you need. Strong to hold a multitude of books and all important pine cones, feathers and rocks, all the treasures I find on my walks.
Rainbow Moonstone Pendulum, a simple divination tool, but a beautiful one too. Stunning gemstone Rainbow moonstone is thought to bring balance, harmony and hope while enhancing creativity, compassion, endurance and inner confidence. Rainbow moonstone is believed to help strengthen intuition and psychic perception, especially offering us visions of things that aren’t immediately obvious.
Our Incense this moon is Moon Magical Rose and Myrrh, as you light it say ” I call upon the power of the moon to surround me as I work my magick”
Our Ritual Kit of the month is a Manifestation Charm bag. The kit contains Bay leaves, Rosehips, Mini Parchment Scroll, White Drawing Bag, and instructions. Write down what your manifestations are on the Bay Leaves, set your intentions with the Rosehips, close the charm bag.
Enamel pin of the month, is a Cute Cat sleeping on a Crescent moon. Super adorable and magickal.
Magickal Phases of the Moon Parchment Scroll of the month, learn how each phase of the moon has a different type of magical attached to it, this helps you work with the rhythm and flow of nature rather than against.
Our Art Print of the Moon is of course a Moon, Luna Lamination shows a Witch and her familiar enjoying the rays of the moonlight while on their nighttime stroll.
It’s the last one for me, it gives me a change to have a different monthly box, save some money and more importantly, use up the supplies I have, and truly enjoy them. It’s a wonderful box to get and I highly recommend it.
It’s the shortest day and longest night and a pivotal point of the year, signalling the days will get longer and the sun is returning, but first we have 3 still days. Though in real life terms it doesn’t feel like that until Imbolc in February. Somehow January feels long and dark and cold, way darker and colder than December.
If you don’t have a specific altar, but you have a fireplace, you can add red or green candles to burn, or burn wax melts that smell of gingerbread, cinnamon, bring some Holly leaves indoors to decorate the mantel. Bells are a fabulous way to cleanse energies and bring some Christmas cheer.
I have a fabulous jar, from Tiger. That has a candle holder on the lid, this makes it even easier to have elements and herbs inside and burn the candle on the top.
Health definitely dipped off a cliff and being creative just hasn’t been an option this year. So instead I’ve had to settle for festive films, and blogging over getting stuck into crafts.
Some plants to look out for while out and about, bring little cuttings inside. I often find a pine cone or two on our walks and bring them home.
Starting to feel real now the pre op for the Right dominant hand is booked in for 15th Jan. Though it could be up to another 12 weeks, I’m sure time will fly by so fast regardless. Especially as Jan is packed full of hospital appointments, as the hip is having its own issues too.
Wonder how different the recoveries between the 2 hands will be? Especially as they are completely different surgeries too.
My friend on tiktok, has just had her dominant hand done same joint replacement I’m due to have too, and she said she wished she had practiced doing things solely with her left hand first, as even scrolling on the phone was difficult. So that is an excellent tip, so this week I’m going to start trying to use the left solely, to give myself a heads start and practice in.
My main things are typing messages, and blog posts. Brushing teeth, brushing my hair (that’s going to really hard) and phone scrolling. I think my phone actually has a one hand setting which will help too.
The CMC joint bone is sticking out and it often bruises now, I’ve took to wearing a brace often again. I forgot to ask about the dislocation rates in thumbs, something I am frightened of.
Back once again on our festive film binge watching, not a fan of the overly sickly sweet ones that channel 5 churn out, so trying to watch more unusual ones.
Set in idyllic Angel Falls. A year after saving her town from a psychotic killer on Christmas Eve, Winnie Carruthers’ life is less than wonderful – but when she wishes she’d never been born, she finds herself in a nightmare parallel universe and discovers that without her, things could be much, much worse. Now the killer is back, and she must team up with the town misfit to identify the killer and get back to her own reality. Well that was different, I loved it, best storyline and so unique too. Mixing up my love of horror and yuletide. Epic.
An American family fulfills their dream of moving back after inheriting a remote cabin in the mountains of Norway. I love Norway and their folklore, so this was the perfect creepy folklore and Christmas blend. Silly and graphic in places. Wish it dived more into Scandi folklore, but at least they tried.
An elite team of mercenaries breaks into a family compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone hostage inside. However, they aren’t prepared for a surprise combatant: Santa Claus is on the grounds, and he’s about to show why this Nick is no saint. I personally Love this film, it is quite graphic and gruesome. Love the concept of it. I think they said they are doing a sequel and I’m here for that!
After seeing his parents murdered in front of him a young boy spends most of his life in an orphanage where he is abused by the mother superior. When he becomes a teenager, he gets a job as a toy store Santa. When seeing two people having sex in the store brings on flashbacks of his parents, his turmoil leads him to become a Santa serial killer. Cringey but so 80s so not bad really.
A murdering sociopath escapes prison and returns to his childhood home. However, he finds out that his house has been converted into a sorority house and begins killing the students living there. There is a few remakes, watching a few versions to compare them.
We’ve finally got a date for the steroid, the hydro is rearranged and things feel like they are falling into place, after what seems like months of uncertainty. I must say it’s a weight off my shoulders and not too long to wait now either.
Ultrasound-guided steroid injection
Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection is an effective treatment option for persistent pain associated with iliopsoas tendinopathy/bursitis (Garala et al., 2014 and Nunlet et al., 2009). During this guided technique a small amount of corticosteroid (powerful anti-inflammatory medication routinely used within injection therapy) is combined with a short-acting local anaesthetic. The consensus within the research states on average 10 to 12 weeks for a significant reduction in pain after receiving an ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection. This window of opportunity will enable you to maximise your rehabilitation.
I’m booked in for 2nd Jan 2024 and then on the 8th Jan I have my physio appointment which is talking first, then plans for intense hydro. Then pre op for hand 15th Jan and dental appointment 25th Jan. It seems to be shaping into a very busy month indeed.
For now, it’s move as I can and make plans for exercises to do once the injection is done, I’ve also signed up for the 30 days of yoga with Adriene programme that starts 1st Jan on YouTube, so this will help greatly too.
* I do not benefit in anyway by sharing and promoting these businesses*
For my last Small Business Gift Guide this Blogmas 2023, I have another wonderful selection of master craftsman and I’m sure you will love them too.
Cosima’s Is a small family run business based in the heart of Essex. They loved sewing since a young age, as a child and teenager you could often find Sue sewing clothes and children’s soft toys.
When her daughter was young Sue discovered laminated cotton, And as she wanted acooking apron for her daugher that was waterproof and wipeclean but could not find one small enough. And Cosimas was born! I love the make up bags and toiletries bags you can buy too, such beautiful fabric choices.
BettysMumKnits Is a mum of 5 and Nanna of 15 so she’s been knitting for little ones for many years. 👶
Her Mum & her Nan were knitters and she was taught to knit at an early age after choosing some pretty rainbow yarn in a wool shop.
They love knitting baby/toddler knits and mainly knit in self patterning yarn because they love to see little ones in bright knits, but you will also find some more traditional pastel colours available too. These are so cute, amazing colours available, it’s nice to see babies all cosy.
Clare’s Funk Ware. They recycle VHS into funky nightlights. Every film has a memory and what a better way to share this with your family or friends than with these reusable decorations. Custom orders are very welcome. I can see why these are so popular! I love them.
LizbetFelt makes the cutest little felt decorations, I myself have a penguin of theirs which adorns my Christmas tree each year. For a timeless and sentimental decoration, look no further. Beautiful animals, angels and more on offer.
SueCanSew and more! Crochet blankets, sewing organizers, patchwork quilts and just beautiful sewing and crafting. Forever pieces you can pass down the family tree. Snuggle under this blanket with a good book and a brew, pure heaven.
TalaClothingConpany makes some cute baby grows in tie dye, some funky socks and T shirts. Up your game by buying some tie dye to express your personality. This Sun Explosion one is perfect for the Winter Solstice when we celebrate the Sun is reborn and will get stronger again, colour will return to us.
Thank you for reading these gift guides, I hope they have shown you the crafts of others, different styles of gifts you can buy, and just show some support for small businesses who really need your support.
Each month I have a subscription box from Look Fantastic it starts from £13.00 a month if you do 13 months, or £15.00 a month on a month to month basis. This includes shipping in UK.
Now I am sure it used to be more full size products, but now we have 2 full size and the rest are deluxe sample.
BADgal BANG! 36 HOUR* FULL-BLAST we get 3ml Deluxe Sample Size £9.00 volumising mascara creates MASSIVE volume without weighing down lashes. The gravity-defying formula contains aero-particles, one of the lightest known materials, derived from space technology. This innovative intense pitch black mascara layers easily for bigger and BIGGER impact. Its custom big Slimpact! brush is streamlined to reach root-to-tip, corner-to-corner, upper and lower lashes for BIG VOLUME WITH 360° REACH!
I truly LOVE this mascara, so I was very happy to see this in the box. One thing I always need is mascara.
Brushworks Red Cloud Headband, £10.00 is a luxurious terry cloth headband, perfect for keeping your hair out of your face while providing a spa-like experience. Made from soft and absorbent terry cloth, keeping your hair safe and dry when cleansing your face. This headband is comfortable and stylish, the perfect addition to your beauty routine!
PETA Approved – Cruelty-Free & Vegan Friendly.
Soft, Absorbent, Comfortable,Lightweight.
Actually not my cup of tea, and this has been a viral product all over tiktok. However its surprisingly comfy, and useful, so although I would have never bought one, I’m happy it’s here. This is 1 of our full size products.
Color Wow One Minute Transformation Cream 30ml Deluxe Sample Size £10.00 Typical styling creams contain emulsifiers or waxes that don’t penetrate into your hair, creating a greasy heavy coat on the surface. One-Minute Transformation is rich in avocado oil and Omega 3 amino acids, which quickly absorb into your hair, replenishing and restoring hair’s natural moisture balance, which gets depleted by colour chemicals and heat styling. Immediately, your hair strands have renewed suppleness, elasticity and a tighter, smoother, glossy cuticle surface.
Instant on-the-spot frizz fix
Apply our frizz cream to bumps, bends and bed head then either brush or blow-dry the unruly sections for a super quick, smooth, polished refresh
No waxy, greasy build-up on hair. I definitely need this being a curly girl.
The Revolution Skincare 0.5% Retinol Super Serum is here, 30ml £10.00. An even stronger dose of Retinol goodness.We’re talking 0.5% of Retinol, the ingredient known for encouraging the natural cell turnover of your skin to reveal a smoother complexion and more even skin tone. And we’ve combined it with Rosehip Seed Oil, for it’s skin conditioning and hydrating properties.Key Benefits- Encourages even skin tone- Helps condition skin- Encourages a healthy complexionHow To Use: Massage a few drops into the skin in the evening as the last step to your skincare routine.Free From: Cruelty free and vegan.Caution: Avoid contact with eyes. Retinol may cause slight irritation. If irritation persists, discontinue use and consult a physician. Retinols may increase skin’s sensitivity to UV radiation. Use sun protection when using retinols. Do not use with any other retinoid and retinol treatment.Cruelty-Free and Vegan.
I’m super sensitive, so this might be too strong for me, so I’m going to try it out once a week, to get a tolerance up first. This is our 2nd full size product.
The Ritual of Ayurveda rich body oil 30ml Deluxe Sample Size £7.00 for your daily skincare routine for an ultra-nourishing treatment. The luxurious formula contains three Ayurvedic oils which are especially well-known for their intensely nourishing benefits, such as nourishing sweet almond oil, moringa oil for its anti-inflammatory properties and hydrating coconut oil. The rich body oil offers deep and instant hydration and keeps the skin soft and protected. It’s the ultimate remedy for everyone in need of a skin-nurturing treatment – if you’ve got very dry skin – and it’s especially lovely for those cold winter months when our bodies could use some extra love and moisturisation.
Is there ever a time we don’t need extra nourishing oils for the body? Smells divine and packs a beautiful sensual punch after a bath, feel super nourished and soft.
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser 15ml Deluxe Sample Size £4.50 hydrating face wash is proven effective on nearly 200 adults of all ages, genders, skin types, and tones. Featuring upcycled soy proteins, the makeup-removing, non-stripping formula deeply cleanses pores while maintaining skin’s pH and increasing hydration—even after you rinse.
Effectively cleanses all skin types & tones
Maintains skin’s pH & increases hydration
Deeply cleanses pores & removes makeup
I used this instantly and it’s beautiful, gently polishing and even removes waterproof mascara. Skin felt so nice afterwards and cared for.
All in worth £50.50 and I paid £13.00 really loving the choices, and being introduced to some new things I would never have bought, and yet I’m loving them!!
Hipster 