Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached this point in the festivities. My very own Elf has returned once more. I needed a good smile today.

I was meant to be heading to Blickling this morning but woke up to heavy frost, freezing fog and black ice. I also woke up to rat entrails, back leg and tail in my Office. I am very grateful that I locked the cats out of the bedroom last night…

I took a raincheck on taking Buddy out in the lorry and cleared what remained of the rat. Feeling slightly queasy after the latter that’s for sure.

Not quite the day I’d planned so I thought I’d take Buddy out for a hack round the local fields instead. And broke out his Buddy the Elf hat. You’re welcome!

Yesterday when I was at the garden centre, I saw this lovely garland. I wanted to get something for my front door. I couldn’t work out how to hang the wreath I made on it, so that came indoors.

Luckily this one is very lightweight so I was able to stick it to the inside of the door with a bit of string and a lot of tape. Fingers crossed it holds.

When I got back from the yard, it was sparkling in the lights. It’s so pretty!

I’m starting to feel a bit more Christmassy. I did my last peopling shift of 2025 today. I wore my new Christmas Jumper. It got lots of comments. People loved it as much as I do.

My out of office is now on. I’m taking next week off! It’s been another full on year, so I really need some time out. Here’s to a relaxing, festive week…

It was our yard Christmas meal tonight so I thought I’d wear my new Christmas Jumper. Finally I’ve found the perfect one for me!

It was a lush meal. In fact it’s been a lush food day as I had lunch out too!

I’m sure Buddy will appreciate my new jumper too. Maybe not the vat of trifle I had tonight though…

Bert and I headed over to Centre Paws for a puppy play date this morning. Honestly he has quite the social life! Luckily it meant I got to catch up with some friends after the dogs had played.

Afterwards, we headed to the garage as the Upgrade needed two new tyres. Bert was very well behaved while we waited. Well once he’d left muddy paw prints all over the seats and greeted everyone who came in. Honestly, you’d think he would be tired after all running about. He was far too nosy for sleeping!

Of course, he’s snoring now…

I met up with a good friend for a pre-christmas lunch. The place we went had their Christmas menu on, so I had a turkey, stuffing and cranberry panini. It was soooo good!!

She gave me this gorgeous card too. Of course I instantly felt bad that I hadn’t gotten one for her. But then you don’t give to receive. You give to give… Right?!

And she got the best gift there is – time with me of course (that’s a joke before you think being a published author has gone to my head). It was a lovely lunch with a lovely lady. A lovely way to start my week.

We had our yard Festive Pony games today. One of the liveries and her daughter made a festive frame so we could take photos in it. What a lovely idea!

Buddy was very willing to pose for the camera. Bert got in to the act too. He was a bit more wiggly. I’ll post that photo when I get it.

I’m not really feeling that festive this year. It feels very odd at the moment. This made me feel a little bit festive.

Today was the first time I’d taken Toby out for a late lesson. All was good when I headed into the lesson at 4pm, the sun was just going down. But when I can out, the car park was pitch black. Not to worry I thought, I have lights in the horse area…

Now, I remember being told where the lights were. But I couldn’t hold Buddy and find the switch. So I thought I’d load him first. He wasn’t keen. Neither was I as I couldn’t really see what I was doing. Still, we made it. And then I found the lights. Boy are they good!

Next time I will definitely have to put them on first.

After yesterday’s illuminating day, how funny that I needed more lights today. Just lorry lights this time.

I even found the light in my tack locker. Yes, I might have squealed with joy. I bloody love Toby. He’s an epic lorry! Such a great decision buying a bigger lorry.

You know who else was epic today?! Buddy and Simon Grieve. We had the best lesson! It’s been a long time since we had a lesson with Uncle Simey. It was February and it snowed! Thankfully no white stuff today, but lots of fun. Lots of positives to take away. My biggest flaw once more was not preparing early enough (why can’t I look where I’m going?!). My horse needs a medal some times. It got better as the lesson went on. Now I need to start my lessons with the same panache that we end them.

Today I am basking in the glow of a fab outing, my lorry lights and seeing the lights on my little house.

Lights have featured rather a lot today. First I felt rather inspired by the Christmas lights up in the close. I headed to the local camping shop and bought some for my little house.

Of course that meant I had to put them up. Which meant a ladder. Now we know my track record with things like that. So yes I was very careful. It didn’t actually take me that long and I have to say I’m rather impressed with my efforts. They’re blue and white and flash.

Then I decided I would bring the tree in for one more outing. Clearly I had missed my moment this year as the ‘display’ was a bit poor at the shop. They were selling off the display ones. Next year…

I swear it gets heavier every year. Not helped by nearly tripling over Bert who was very inquisitive about the box.

I decided to try a different approach and put the lights on as I built the tree. Not sure it was any better but there you go.

It was a game of two halves as I had to pause Christmas tree decorating to go to a winter lights walk at a local gardens. Bert was very excited about it all. Lots of good sniffs. There was an Oak tree there that’s over 900 years old! Isn’t nature amazing?!

Refuelled by hot chocolate and marshmallows, I finished the tree in no time. I wasn’t sure what Bert’s reaction would be to the tree. Pretty understated I’d go with. He was more interested in his toy. He sniffed a few baubles, that was it.

Let’s see how many baubles he sends flying with his tail though…

I thought I’d give my sofa a bit of a makeover and bought two new throws. I know how to live, right?! They looked much darker on the website. In reality they are more metallic looking than I was after. They’re like crushed velvet and a bit light for my tastes. I usually prefer darker colours.

I’m sure I’ll get used to them. And actually they have a bit of a Christmas vibe about them. They are very cozy though. Bert definitely approves of them. He keeps wrapping himself up in one. He does make me laugh…

Buddy was very helpful today when I went to poo pick. On entering his field with the wheelbarrow (and not faceplanting in the mud), Buddy came over to see me. I haven’t seen him for a few days so first things first he gave me a big kiss and started grooming me. I think he might have missed me.

Jokingly I asked him where the poos were, he walked straight over to a spot with about six nearby. He stayed with me while I cleared them. Then I asked again and he wandered over to another six. When the barrow was full, he tried to come with me so I told him he had to wait.

When I went back to get him, he was as far away from the gate as possible. Typical huh!?

Now if only I could train him to tow the wheelbarrow back to the yard. And maybe collect his own poo. I’d make a fortune.

Another Buddy book in the writing. I think so. Speaking of which, my first book is now on Waterstones’ website. How frigging cool is that?! Yes I shed a tear. It’s something I’ve dreamed of and now it’s here, I’m very, VERY proud of myself.