Birthday thank you

As it's the final day of September I should post my birthday thank yous. It's been a different birthday this year, my birthday is the 10th and we were on holiday with our friends touring Scotland - catch up on our travels at Aimetu's - wine, food and travel (I've loads more to be blogged yet). 

I did take my cards away to open but left any gifts here until we came home. I was very lucky this year as DH gave me two cards .... we were half way to Scotland when he realised he'd left my card and gift safely hidden at home hee hee. I put my cards up in our guesthouse bedroom and when we arrived home after a day out the owner had left a bottle of bubbly for us. My friend's birthday is the day after mine so the chaps were on spoil duty our first few days away!

I have been enjoying our hot tub all summer, I think it helps with my MS but I know it helps me relax and lets the worries drift away. Hubby bought me this superb gift, it's just perfect, although no skinny dipping is allowed!

My sister-in-law gave me a lovely treat box from her, my nephew and mother-in-law. It's has mini bottles of bubbly, edible rose petals, edible glitter and sparkles for cocktail making, although I've been using them on my cakes, thanks Julie, Scott and Syb.

I love sloths, they could be me especially on a sofa day, slowly slowly moving round ... they are also so very very cute, like I said they could be me. Our friends bought these for me in Scotland, I love the expression on the sloth's face, thanks Rob & Kathy

My stitchy friend Christine sent me a gorgeous book by Durene Jones, I've only recently discovered this designer and have been stitching quite a few of her designs so this book was perfect, thank you Christine. 

Ed Balls was an MP and to be honest not one of my favourites; since leaving politics he's been on a few cooking shows and my opinion is changing. He is such a dedicated family man and his cooking is amazing. I'd mentioned I'd like his book as it's about his life as well as having recipes in ... my lovely son gave me this the night before we left for our holiday. I can't wait to try his souffle recipe, something I have never made before, thanks Michael.

My crafty friend in USA made me a beautiful wine table runner with coasters for a previous birthday, they are perfect for using under our gazebo. This year she made me a tea wallet, it holds six tea sachets which is perfect for taking on a mini break, thank you Deb.

My lovely friend Julie is always so thoughtful with her gift. The last few years have been quite difficult for her and although she only lives about half an hour away we have not been able to meet up for a long long time. I love the flower broach she has made and my friendship angel will be put on my project bag so with me all the time, thank you Julie.

Gill is a member of Needlecraft Haven (as are Christine, Deb and Julie) and does many crafts. Her art and card making is beautiful. This year she has stitched me a wine card, so so me. I'm thinking what I might use this for, I love covering box lids but I don't need a wine box so for now it will stand in our display unit with all my wine paraphernalia until inspiration hits, thank you Gill

My Mum's gift included a snifter set. It's not something I have seen before but it's a little bottle of gin liqueur and an empty mini jar to make a small cocktail in ... a new idea but looks fun, thanks Mum.

To accompany my hot tub sign Hubby also gave me two signs for the wall under our gazebo, our entertaining area. I do know a little about cocktails as our son has worked in the hospitality trade for over 10 years and is well known for his super cocktail making. The shots are new to me ... it will be fun making a few, maybe they will be a more warming as the winter approaches than a long cocktail, huge thank Nick

I had a lovely day when we were away, a super meal with Hubby and our son when we came home, and later today our daughter Philippa and partner Michael are here for another celebration so as I said it's been a different birthday this year .... I'm just so grateful to still be here to celebrate one!