This week I set up a quick poll to find out what "people's" all time favourite Christmas films are. Having spent my first 16 years without a TV and several more of them with limited technology, I wanted to see which ones I might have missed and get a good sofa-cosy collection ready for this Christmas.

I have built a spreadsheet to process the data (proper geek pleasure not a chore - Excel is a close friend) and these are the results:

Joint 3rd: The Holiday & The Snowman

2nd Place: It's a Wonderful Life

and in 1st place a clear winner is Elf


Off to stock up on DVDs and more soon.

xxx

Happy Easter!

Easter preparations are probably more exciting than Christmas for me. I love the arrival of spring and somehow the fact that it does not seem such a major festival to many, means that I can enjoy my preparations without experiencing mass hysteria and trying to avoid the smugness of the hyper-organised.

The childrens’ gifts are not over yet as they will be spread over the holidays….but once the final unveiling has taken place I will post a picture.

In the meantime the grown ups received a simple/practical and relatively economical gift with only an enjoyable bit of assembly. Quails Egg Nests! Arranged in square china pasta bowls with hay nests “borrowed” from our guinea pigs. Cellophane added for effect/transporting.

The best things in life are free

Last day of half term holiday and a window of just two hours led us to our local museum in High Wycombe. I had been tipped off that there is a touring mini exhibition celebrating Ladybird books and as I have a small and well-thumbed collection of these, at the very least, the children could find out that I am not the only fanatic.

Only small but with colouring and magic tricks to master, and great finishing touches like the furry ladybirds to cuddle and sit on....in HW until April - well worth a visit...and totally FREE

Le souris francais....loved this story

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8500246.stm

Liberté Frugalité Amitié

Those of you who love a bargain and coconut in equal measure..(surely not just me. Remember those holidays pre-children, the Hawaiian Tropic and the cocktails?)..
will love my frugal choice this week.


Coconut Milk Anti-Perspirant. A stunning product, excellent results (my fat cat choice would cost over £8/bottle)all available from M&S (including their Simply Food stores) for a wholesome £1.

Enjoy, mes amis.

Free Healthy Snacks from Graze.com

Try this for free - I got my first one today but had to share it with all of my lot and it has all gone! The children loved all the choices and it was healthy....

When you sign up you get to explain all the possible options you like, might like or must avoid so you should always get "good" surprises. Today's box had Born in the USA - US dried fruit and nuts, Milk Choc Coated Peanuts, Caribbean Dried Fruit Mix and truly gorgeous Honey Cashews. Graze is officially recognised by the NHS as a provider of our five a day.

Get a free box from www.graze.com with this code: GTLMMY1N - healthy snacks delivered to your desk or home - first one free and second half price with the code.

http://www.graze.com/p/GTLMMY1

Welcome to my world!

I grew up in drafty vicarages with lots of time & a bit less pocket money. At my first job my instinct to use things up, pass things on, recycle, share my shopping advice and make small budgets go miles was spotted & I was named "Church Mouse".

3 beautiful children later, I work freelance & rollercoast from feast to famine.

Feast times have given me a taste for a lifestyle I can’t really afford & so make it, mend it, share it & shop with care have become a way of life.

Three mice & a fat cat shares ideas with the themes: Church Mouse, Town Mouse, Country Mouse and on a good feasty sort of day; Fat Cat.