Goodbye November,
Welcome December
Come in for a cuppa
I invite you to get a cuppa, make yourself comfortable and settle in for a chat! Let’s take a break and look back over the month of November. I’ll even share my cream tea with you 🙂
And what a month it was!! I started the month in beautiful warm Spring weather and ended the month in late Autumn in England. We are over here for two months spending time with my daughter and her little family. Christmas takes on a completely different feel when it’s dark and cold rather than being warm and sunny!
TIME – MY WOTY
As you may already know, TIME has been my word of the year (WOTY) for 2019 – and I really don’t know where the year has gone! Do you feel the same way?
This Dr Seuss quote was in my original post when I outlined my Word of the Year back in January and it is the best quote about how fast time is going don’t you think?
How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. December is here before it’s June. My goodness how the time has flown. How did it get so late so soon?
Dr. Seuss
My monthly wrap-up posts for 2019 have all had a similar flavour, taking into account the theme of TIME, depending on how the month has gone. I now have to get my thinking cap on for my Word of the Year for the New Year and the start of a new decade.
My last monthly post, in case you missed it, can be found here.
BLOGGING – TIME
It’s been a fun month of blogging, with steady engagement and some great comments from you all! Thanks so much to each and everyone of you who interacts in any way, shape or form.
My most popular post for the month was the one I wrote about an unusual re-connection that was nearly 60 years in the making. It’s a fantastic story and more so because it’s all true!! If you missed it you can find it here – What has been the most unusual, unexpected or just plain weird connection you’ve made as a blogger?
I’ve joined in with Terri for her Sunday Stills challenges again this month with the prompts of Favourite Photos and December Chills (technically is was still in November).
But my favourite post was the one I wrote about involving Grandma in your pregnancy! This was all about my youngest daughter who is due for her first baby in March 2020 and how she has involved me in this special time.
Since I’ve started my Friday Feature of 3 questions and an F word, I’ve enjoyed highlighting what has made me happy and sad and what has made a difference each week. I also choose an F word or two to sum up the week! Here’s a selection of responses to the what made me happy for the week.
I will add that I am not known for my use of the classic F word so this always makes me laugh when I write about using F words 🙂
3 Questions on Friday #3 – 7/11: The heavy rain over the weekend was very welcome and the garden was very happy with it too. I loved this photo I captured of the stormy sky over next door’s vineyard. Three Questions on Friday
3 Questions on Friday #4 – 14/11: Yay!! We have left our home and are now on the first leg of our trip to visit my daughter, son-in-law and baby granddaughter Dottie in England. I managed to pack my bags in between all the other things I had happening like farewells, lunches, catch-ups and getting the house ready. The Mathematician had his bags packed weeks ago (of course he did!!). The house-sitter is in and all is well!
3 Questions on Friday #5 – 21/11: Need you ask? Spending time with my daughter, son-in-law and baby Dottie. I still can’t cuddle Dottie but I can touch her and talk to her. And the book I made for her, Dottie and the Wombat, has arrived – more news on this soon!
3 questions on Friday #6 – 28/11: A lot of things made me happy but the main one was having Melanie, Craig and Dottie all together in their own home as a family unit. For many weeks they have been separated but now they’re all home with Ozzy dog and Bruce the rabbit.
READING – TIME
I have now read a staggering 102 books so far this year! I set my target as 55 books for the year and have almost doubled that! You can take a look at my page where I keep track of what I’ve read so far in the year by clicking this link – 2019 Reading Challenge.
This month’s favourite has been a Jane Corry book called I Looked Away, which I rated as 5* on Goodreads.
Here’s the blurb for I Looked Away from Goodreads:
Every Monday, 49-year-old Ellie looks after her grandson Josh. She loves him more than anyone else in the world. The only thing that can mar her happiness is her husband’s affair. But he swears it’s over now, and Ellie has decided to be thankful for what she’s got.
Then one day, while she’s looking after Josh, her husband gets a call from that woman. And just for a moment, Ellie takes her eyes off her grandson. What happens next will change her life forever.
Because Ellie is hiding something in her past.
And what looks like an accident could start to look like murder…
It was a great read and I really enjoy Jane Corry’s writing. Did you know that we share the experience of working in a gaol/prison system, so I feel I understand her writing that little bit more. I know it sounds a bit geeky but it’s true 🙂
Another great read was Mary Smith’s No More Mulberries.
It is a story of commitment and divided loyalties, of love and loss, set against a country struggling through transition.
British-born Miriam’s marriage to her Afghan doctor husband is heading towards crisis. Despite his opposition, she goes to work as a translator at a medical teaching camp in a remote area of rural Afghanistan hoping time apart will help are see where their problems lie. She comes to realise how unresolved issues from when her first husband was killed by a mujahideen group are damaging her relationship with her husband and her son – but is it already too late to save her marriage?
FAMILY – TIME
November was a great month for time with family. I saw my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter in Canberra just before we left Australia for England. I even managed to have my annual Santa photo taken with Emilia (and her mummy, due to Emilia’s fear of Santa this year) and then we have spent time with my daughter in England and the Mathematician got to meet Dottie for the first time.
We have FaceTimed with my youngest daughter who is due to have her first baby in March 2020 and kept up to date with how her pregnancy is progressing through daily messages. I’ve also Facetimed my mother and messaged with my sister, mother-in-law and sister-in-law. It is a wonderful way of staying in touch when you can’t be with them in person.
GLOBETROTTING GRANNY – TIME
We have now been away from home (in Australia) for over two weeks. We have swapped daily high temperatures and dire bushfire warnings for cool, wet, and incredibly green vistas and autumn colour in Somerset UK.
We were lucky to arrange superb accommodation though a friend of a friend. The Sett, is a relatively new cottage set at the bottom of the owners grounds and is surrounded by 360 degree views overlooking the beautiful Mendips and Quantock Hills. It sleeps 4 and is exceptionally comfortable and well equipped. We feel very lucky to have secured this cottage for most of our stay, as our home away from home. It’s got everything we need and is so warm and cosy!
An added bonus has been the amazing sunrises we have witnessed. We are getting used to driving the narrow lanes and the early darkness that descends at about 4pm every day! When we lived here back in 1992 I remember walking the girls to school in the dark and picking them up in the dark! I don’t know why I’m so surprised now that I’m back here at this time of year.
THAT’S A WRAP – THE YEAR AND ANOTHER DECADE ARE ALMOST OVER!
If this is your first time reading my monthly wrap-up posts or even the first time you’ve read my blog – a huge welcome to you. To my regular readers I can’t thank you enough, it’s an amazing community to belong to and I value each and everyone of you!
It’s been a huge few months in so many ways and although we’re all tired, I think we’re coping OK.
Thanks for the chat over the cream tea, I’ve enjoyed your company as always and I hope you have too 🙂
Wishing you all the best for December and the holiday season. What have you got planned for the silly season? My birthday is coming up so it’s always an extra happy month for me.
Stay happy and well. I’ll leave you with this quote I saw during the month.
Deb xx
Linking up with others for a Sentence a Day posts – click here to check some of the others out!
You can also find Deb’s World in lots of other places – stay in touch by clicking any of the buttons below.
Deb's World 
I love that last bit about the sunflowers. That’s amazing. #MLSTL
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That quote really appealed to me too Lydia, glad you like it! They are amazing flowers in so many ways.
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Yet another busy month for you! It’s good to know that you feel so settled here, despite the shortage of daylight. When I was still working I used to hate arriving at work when it was still dark and leaving in the dark too, so I can relate to your comment! We’re used to it, though, and Christmas on the beach would seem unnatural to us. Looking forward to more stories of your time here 😊
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Thanks Clive, it’s certainly a different world in lots of ways. I always enjoy a change of scenery and new experiences.
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I really enjoyed No More Mulberries, I love reading about lives so different.
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Yes I do too and it was such an interesting read!
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Another busy month for you Deb. I’ve been enjoying your autumn photos while we head into summer. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog over the past year and looking forward to more in 2020
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Thanks so much for your kind words Jennifer, that means a lot to me to know you’ve enjoyed my blog this year!
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I’m glad to see you’re a jam and cream rather than cream and jam girl… Your accommodation looks fabulous & I’ve been enjoying your daily walks on Insta. Here’s wishing us both a white Christmas!
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So much to love over here at this time of year Jo, you’ll have a ball! I’m not actually a huge fan of clotted cream but I gave it a go and did OK 🙂 . It’s getting cold that’s for sure!
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Where has the time gone? Soon we will be thinking of a new decade new things to do new things to see. Living each second so that when we look back we can say “ah there is where the time went” wow so many books you have read! Well done. I have joined a book club however some of the books I question as to why they are even on the list. I have one right now that I try to read, yet I read the same page again and again. Then pick up another book and almost…finish in one day. I hope your day finds you well and little dottie grows in leaps and bounds
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I honestly don’t know where the year has gone either! Book clubs can be good but I often struggle with the choice of books too. I sometimes have to give up and admit defeat if they don’t keep me interested as there’s too many other things to read. Our book club is run through library and we don’t have a lot of say over the books we get. Dottie is growing every day and is settling into life at home. She is just adorable and I’m loving all my special cuddles. Thanks 🙂
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Oh my goodness, with such a busy life, how do you have time to read so much? I’m so envious!
Sounds like a fabulous 2019 & fabulous month. Always enjoy reading your posts!
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I don’t know how I manage to fit reading in sometimes but I am a quick reader and often just lose myself in a book. It’s been a big year that’s for sure! Thanks so much for reading and leaving me comments, I always love hearing from you too 🙂
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Great to catch up for another virtual cuppa Deb – and I’ll have one of those scones please! Loved all your interesting news and that place you’re staying in looks fantastic (and good to have a bit of space from the family if you’re going to be there for 2 months). Glad you got your Santa photo done and God bless Facetime for when so much distance is involved. Enjoy your lead up to Christmas and all that cold weather xx
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂
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Hi Leanne, I’m so glad you could stop by for a cuppa and a chat! Thanks for sharing for #mlstl ,it’s great to look back over the month this way. It was great to get things done before we left Aus and now we’re enjoying our time over here, albeit it mostly in the dark!! Our cottage is fabulous and today we entertained my daughter and Dottie for a few hours. They both had a doze on the couch while I cuddled Dottie 🙂 Enjoy your time on Rottnest and the next few weeks xx
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Your home away from home looks very fabulous, Deb, and it’s great to have your own space to unwind and rejuvenate before revisiting family and friends. Those vistas with stone walls, old buildings and sunrises, what’s not to love.
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Yes our home away from home is just delightful Suz and not far from Axbridge! It’s been so important to have our own space and to give the new family time to themselves. We entertained Melanie and Dottie for a few hours today and they both enjoyed dozing on the couch. You’d love the vistas 🙂
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I can imagine Melanie and hubby feeling tired adjusting to a new baby in the house. Not to mention the older brother adjusting to his new sibling 🙂 I am sure I would love the vistas 🙂
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All is well Suz and we’re enjoying our time! Sorry to hear of the volcano eruption in NZ!
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It’s so lovely you’ve got a couple of months over there with your daughter and little Dottie. Also fab you managed a visit with your other daughter and got that Santa photo in! I envy the lovely cool weather over there. It’s become very hot here and I don’t like the heat/humidity at all. I’m loving the photos you’re taking over there! xo
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Yes Min, it’s always good to visit and we’re lucky we have the lifestyle that allows us to stay so long! I’m getting used to the cold and love the experience of a different season in December. Glad you’re enjoying my pics, I don’t want to be a painful sharer!! xx
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Hi, Deb – ‘Time’ truly did turn out to be the perfect WOTY for you. A very wise choice!! Wishing you a great holiday with your family, and especially Little Dottie.
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Hi Donna, yes I’m very happy with my WOTY Time, it’s been a great way of taking stock each month. We’re loving our time with family and Dottie is going well 🙂
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What a wonderful wrap up and year you’ve had. I loved this post and have to say I’m so impressed at the amount of books you’ve read. Enjoy your gorgeous family Deb and the rest of December. Hugs and love xx
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Hi Miriam, it’s been a big year and I’m surprised even myself that I’ve read so many books! We’re having a good time and loving being around for my daughter and her new little family! Love to you xx
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I loved reading your catch-up post, Deb. You have been one busy lady in November. Does it always amaze you when you see all the activities condensed down into a page–how much there was? I hope you are enjoying your stay in England? I’m sure you are. Happy holidays to you and your expanding family!
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Hi Christie, you are always a welcome visitor! Yes it often amazes me at what I manage to fit into the month once I sit down and go back over what’s happened! We are enjoying our stay immensely and even the cold weather can’t dampen my spirits! Thanks for stopping by for a cuppa 🙂
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Another great catch-up! It was so heart-warming to hear about when your granddaughter came home! I Iove the cottage you’re in. Yes, the early darkness this time of year shocks me…. every year! And I’m definitely going to track my books read next year… you’ve inspired me. I’ll need to think of a goal number of course. Have a wonderful visit in England!
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Hi Pat, I’m so used to long sunny days and evenings at home in December, so I am still taken aback at the early close to each day over here! I enjoy tracking my books each year and then looking back at what I’ve read – I use GoodReads. I’m glad to hear I’ve inspired you on this. All the best and thanks for your visit and comment xx
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Hi Deb, I know the last few months have been difficult for you all with Dottie’s early arrival but you look like you are feeling on top again and life is good. I love the term Globetrotting Granny and also your Friday posts. Your blogging has gone from strength to strength over the last few months and I wish you and your family every happiness for 2020. Enjoy your precious time with Dottie and her first Christmas. xx
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Hi Sue, I am really enjoying this special time with my daughter and cuddles with Dottie. I really appreciate your lovely comments about my blog, it means a lot to me. I am enjoying it all and think the Globetrotting Granny lifestyle suits me! Hope you are feeling well and I look forward to continuing our friendship in 2020. xx
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Back again to say thanks for linking up at #MLSTL and being part of our online midlife community. xx
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Thank you my lovely friend xx
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Hi Deb,
So glad that you got to the UK safely and have a lovely little abode for your stay. Having Dottie home (finally) is so wonderful. She’s a little miracle, isn’t she? You have so much to look forward to…the holidays, a birthday, and another grandbaby in the spring.
And you read sooo many books! Wow! I am lucky if I get in 1 a month…
Thanks for the catch-up.
#MLSTL
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Hi Nancy, Dottie is indeed a little miracle and is doing really well. She seems to be changing each day and is filling out and showing more of her little character. I do love to read and a quick reader which helps. I devour books in some ways!! Great to have you join me for our cream tea 🙂
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Wow Deb, your grandmother and mother heart is stretched tight right now. How wonderful thought that you can support (as they want!) your family here. I love where you are staying. Comfy as. So horrid here in NSW right now. Waiting for the news that the fires from the Hawkesbury will likely cross the M1. I don’t need to go anywhere (unlike the last week where I drove down to Sydney 3 times) but it makes travel such a gamble. I loved reading this update. Your “geekiness” about prison life is like mine about being a principal. We never quite leave it behind. Denyse #MLSTL
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Yes I am stretched many ways at the moment Denyse and i wouldn’t have it any other way! Our cottage is just brilliant and we entertained my daughter and Dottie for a few hours today, they loved it too! It’s been awful following what’s happening at home and it couldn’t be any different here to what we have weather wise! Yes our ‘geekiness’ is still quite strong isn’t it? It’s understandable given the number of years we both spent in our respective careers 🙂 . Thanks for your visit and lovely comment xx
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It is…teachers forever…and add grandmothering to the list. Writing this comment on your birthday and hope its been fab. Thanks for linking up for the almost last Life This Week in 2019…not even the penultimate though…Here’s next week’s optional prompt 50/51 Share Your Snaps #10 16/12/19 Hope to see you there. Denyse.
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So lovely that you’ve had the chance to catch up with family. And having them living elsewhere is a good excuse to travel.
I feel like getting away somewhere at the moment but it’s not really justifiable given I only work part-time (in terms of money and the fact I shouldn’t need down-time!).
I would so love to be away for summer though. If I could head to the northern hemisphere and miss it completely it’d be wonderfu!
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Hi Deb, it’s such a lovely place to visit at this time in spite of , or maybe because of, the weather and short days! I’m
Loving finding the Christmas spirit over here. Hope you can get away somewhere!! Thanks for popping by 😊
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I loved your story of reconnection – it warmed the cockles of my heart. Have loved following your adventures on “the gram,” as much as I love living down under I miss cold and dark Christmases! Enjoy your UK time!
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Thanks Sammie, it was such a weird time reconnecting after all those years and I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’m finding the Christmas spirit is alive and well over here and the shorter days and cold really helps. I’m loving it!
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I loved seeing your granny photo with Santa. What a beautiful family! Thank you for the good book recommndations. I am looking to replenish my stock of books. I am down to about 2 or 3 unread ones on my dresser, which makes me a little panciky! 🙂
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Thanks Laurie, we had a fun time with the photo, despite Emilia not being a fan of Santa. I’m always happy to share book recommendations and I love hearing of new ones to read too. I understand the getting panicky feeling!!
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Debbie
Thank you. thank you for sharing about ‘I Looked Away’. I will add to my summer reading list.
I agree – where has this year gone!!
Thanks for sharing your adventures this year on your blog.
SSG xxx
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It’s been a big year in so many ways hasn’t it? I’m so happy having you along for the ride with my blog, it’s much appreciated. I love hearing and reading a variety of blogs and meeting bloggers like yourself! xx
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So very behind on my blog reading. Really enjoyed this post. Your photos from England was just stunning. What a lovely place you have found to stay in. I am thrilled to see Dottie growing and thriving. The photo of you 3 gals with Santa is one for scrapbooking or framing. I am anxious to see how my grands manage with the ole fellow this year.
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Thanks Leslie, you have so much going on in your life I wonder how you fit it all in!! Hope your grands enjoy 🎅
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102 books!!! Holy crap! That’s amazing! And you’ve given me one to add to my ever growing list! Hope you have a wonderful 2020 ahead! I can’t believe how quickly 2019 has gone by!
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Thanks Sanch! I’ve had a good reading year and a few favourites have emerged. All the best to you for 2020 😊
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