Thoughts for Friday – 19th December 2014

Dear Santa,

I know it’s been ages since I’ve written you a note and I apologise for not being in contact, but I wanted you to know that I’ve thought about you a lot this year. I promise that I’ve been a good girl, well, mostly anyway…. Maybe it’s best not to mention those posts I wrote about balls and rods, or the fact that I insinuated that Ken has no genitals and that Barbie is a raging nymphomaniac…

Yes, it’s probably best to just brush over those incidents and stick to the good things that have happened this year. I moved out into my first home and so far have managed to not kill or maim myself while being solely responsible for my own safety for the first time in my life. Okay, so there was the time that I nearly sliced the top of my left thumb off with a bread knife, and that time when I tried to move my fridge freezer on my own and ended up getting a smack in the cheekbone for my troubles. Then there was that time when, at my mother’s, I got my legs caught in the seat belt, fell into my mother knocking us both to the ground and falling on my head.

That must sound like a lot of mishaps, Santa, but lets take into account that I haven’t yet given myself food poisoning, burned myself (burning my forehead with my hair straighteners doesn’t count) or flooded the kitchen or bathroom.

Despite a few stumbles, I’ve kept my head down and focused on moving forward with my life instead of looking back and grumbling about what’s gone before. There have been a few blips, but my trajectory has been on an upwards curve these past twelve months and things are looking better for a brighter future, so it’s with that in mind that I’d like to ask you for a few things:

• My family have been through some tough times this year and, more than anything, I’d like them to have a Christmas full of love and happiness. Baby K is on the way, so please, please make sure she has a safe arrival. We can’t wait to see her and welcome her to the family.
• My mother has had a tougher year than most, yet she’s kept on going through it all. Whether she realises it or not, she’s stronger than she looks, but if you could see to it that life cuts her a few breaks next year I’d be forever grateful to you.
• Molly said she would like to have all of the beautiful Disney dresses in their collection, but would happily settle for a pair of Louboutins.
• Connor would like Spiderman for Christmas. Not a doll, the REAL thing. Failing that he’d make do with Captain America, Thor, or The Hulk. He’s willing to give up half of his bedroom to accommodate his new companion if needs be.

As for me, I’m pretty happy as I am, Santa. Although presents and all that Christmas stuff is nice, I’d much rather have my friends and family be happy and healthy. More than that, I want everyone who has no family to feel a little Christmas joy this year, so please make sure that you visit all the old folks with no families, those homeless and living on the streets, and the children who won’t even get one present this Christmas. I promise I’ll leave extra brandy by the Christmas tree for you and some honey-glazed carrots for your reindeer if you promise that you’ll do this for me.

I’ll sign off here as I’ve taken up enough of your time and I’m sure you have millions of letters just like this to read.

Have fun and safe travels, Santa!

Lots of love,

Heather xx

P.S. I know I said I didn’t want anything, but a three-book deal with a big publishing company would be great if you could swing it…

For the love of good coffee

Ah, coffee…..no finer drink has ever been created than that of a steaming cup of java….

Anyone who knows me – even in the briefest of senses, knows that I adore my coffee and that I simply cannot live without at least two cups of this fine beverage each day. Sometimes I drink more, sometimes less (depending on how wild-eyed and hyperactive I need to be on any given day.) The fact remains that my body has become so used to the instant hit that caffeine gives that I find myself suffering withdrawal-like symptoms without it.

Like a drug addict denied their high, I get cranky, angry and downright intolerable if I cannot have at least one cup of coffee during the morning and afternoon. So much so in fact, that I have had to resort to creating my own barista station at home for when I cannot make it to my favorite local coffee shop  – Costa Coffee, before you ask. Approximately one whole kitchen worktop is covered in more high-tech equipment than a crime lab. I have more coffee-making gadgets than most cafes, there is literally no tool known to man that is not in my possession, including the following:

Espresso cups, Costa cups and saucers, chocolate shaker and stencils, Starbucks mugs, cafetiere, tamper, filters, milk frother, milk jug and thermometer, syrups, two-dozen different types of ground coffee…..ok, you get the picture don’t you?

I also have one of these little beauties which has pride of place in my kitchen:

Delia, the little machine that could.

Not only does this lady look fabulous in red, she makes a damn fine coffee too. Through many attempts with this elegant piece of kit, I believe that I am slowly teaching myself the art of making a bloody good coffee. My first few goes were definitely nothing to write home about, looking and tasting more like muddy water than coffee. Like writing, the art of creating a good cup of coffee is through sheer determination and practice alone. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again!

Not content with coffees, I have branched out into making family and friends all manner beverages, some more ghastly than others. Yet the fact remains that Delia and I will forever be united in our quest for making the perfect cup of java and long may our relationship continue. Until I get my hands on of these bad boys, that is…..

The man of my dreams…..

Then it’ll be time for you to pack your bags, little Delia. You better hope that this isn’t sat under the Christmas tree tomorrow morning….

Merry Christmas folks, thanks for reading and supporting my blog!

A Christmas poem

Ok, trying something completely different here. I thought I’d try my hand at a little poetry…..

It’s that time of year,

When Christmas is near.

When folks can come together,

Whatever the weather,

And indulge in some festive cheer.

A little too much wine,

And your spirits may decline,

Perhaps you should have gone for the beer!

Perhaps I should stick to novels, methinks. 😳

Keeping the Dream Alive

I wanted to share with you all a music video that is often considered a classic Christmas song here in the UK – even though it has no mention of Christmas in it. It’s a beautiful song and one which I find touching and poignant. I hope you’ll enjoy it, too.

A little something to get you in the Christmas spirit:

While this blog’s main purpose is to record my journey as an aspiring author, I could not resist the urge to share with you a video which never fails to get me in the festive mood:

I hope you enjoy!

Heather xxx