Saturday 30 November 2019

Photo diary: week 48, project 365

Good bye, November, good bye, autumn! Tomorrow we greet December, and a season of advent competitions. Though I've won zilch last year, I'm not giving up, and will try to do at least some of the daily advents. I'm also running my own 12 days of chocolate giveaway which will start just after midnight. Don't miss it if you fancy winning over 1,2kg of chocolate.

Last Sunday, when Eddie was at the church with his Dad, I watched the last episode of The Crown season 3. I'm not a Royalist, but I find this series rather fascinating.
I think Claire Foy did a better job, playing the Queen in the previous two seasons. Olivia Coleman might be considered a good actress, but this was not a part for her. And Helena Bonham-Carter was completely miscast as Princess Margaret. She's too quirky, a female version of Johnny Depp and Jim Carrey.

Eddie took part in the children's service, called the Messy Mass. He had to do a reading, and did very well. The photo was taken by my husband.


I saw a leaf covered in droplets, and thought how beautiful it was.

Chez Maximka, autumn weather

My self-imposed ban on buying books until Christmas didn't last long. I was looking at The Book People to get a Percy Jackson series for Eddie (£6.99 for a set of five books), and as always, got more books both for him (Head Kid and Percy Jackson) and myself (Baking with Kim-Joy and A little princess)

Chez Maximka, Percy Jackson

On Wednesday we had a big meeting at Sasha's school, to discuss the options for when he turns 19. A lot of things to ponder about.
It was a rainy day. I took this photo on the bus to the Oxford city centre.
It looks like a watercolour.

Chez Maximka, Oxford sights

It was Sasha's respite night, so after school Eddie and I went to see Frozen 2 in the cinema. It's not as good as the original film, but we enjoyed it anyway. There are a couple of catchy songs too. And I might have cried a little, when Olaf evaporated (don't worry, he'll be fine).
We left the cinema in the dark, and they were putting up Christmas lights, including this huge bauble, which was still deconstructed and on the ground.
Later we had a dinner at Pizza Express, and then had an early night.

Chez Maximka, Christmas street decorations

A busy morning on Friday, and a quick cup of coffee at the Blue Boar, which is already decorated for Christmas, including this animal (a sheep? calf? baby reindeer?).

Chez Maximka

I didn't buy much yesterday, as the only thing I wanted to get for Eddie - a Nintendo Switch - was not on offer. I did buy a set of Holland & Barrett natural cosmetics at half price without looking properly what's inside. I will use all of the products, except I'm not sure about the snail cream.
Maybe I should offer it as a giveaway prize on my blog in January?! Would anyone want it?
I read the info on the box, there are no actual snails in the cream, just their slime. I know these creams are rather trendy, but for some reason I just feel squeamish.

We also got a new hat and scarf for Eddie at White Stuff today (3 for 2 offer), with a cute woollen Christmas tree decoration.

Did you get any good Black Friday bargain?



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17 comments:

  1. I am looking forward to the advent comps too but I'm thinking they won't really start properly until Monday. I'll be back to try and win the chocolates from you though. hehehe
    I keep meaning to start watching The Crown. I had it all set to play earlier on in the week then I got caught up on the phone. Eesh!
    Fab photos. The leaf is just beautiful!
    Those books look fab!
    I hope things go OK with Sasha when he turns 19.

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    1. Thank you, Kim, the advents should start on the 1st, I presume, though some do not run at the weekends. Do come and enter the chocolate giveaway.
      Sash will be 18 next year, so will still have school for another year and a half, but we need to start looking at the options for after he graduates from school, and it's not easy to find a suitable place.

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  2. I didn't get any Black Friday bargains myself, but I think my husband picked up a couple - one for me and one for my eldest. Lovely photos of Eddie this week. I hope the plan for Sasha works, it must be a worrying time for you.

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    1. Thank you, Sarah, there is not much of a plan for Sash yet, more of a list of possible options, which we'll need to check out before applying anywhere.

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  3. The picture from Oxford is gorgeous. I got some more The Body Shop items on Black Friday, despite the fact that I have their biggest advent calendar. I just love their products.

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    1. Thank you, Anca, I've seen some glimpses of your Body Shop calendar on Insta, it looks gorgeous.

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  4. I keep debating whether to start watching the crown. Might sit and watch it over the holidays. And hoping to go watch Frozen 2 aswell.

    Love the leaf photo...stunning.

    My youngest wants a Nintendo Switch too but will hold off until it is our Eid celebrations...looking out for offers though.

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    1. Thank you, Fozia! Fingers crossed, for us both to find a good bargain for the much coveted Nintendo Switch. :)

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  5. didn't know snails needed cream......lol
    your leaf photo is stunning.
    your photo looks like a Constable painting
    Hope you get something sorted for sasha, must worry you now that there is nowhere for him to go

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    1. Thank you, Elaine, it is a big worry to decide what's best for Sasha, and also what's available might not be necessarily the best for him.

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  6. I fully agree with everything you said about The Crown. Respite night with Eddie sounds a lovely evening. If you need any support with Sasha's transition to adult services please message me, not only have we done this with our daughter, I used to be involved with families in my job with this process

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    1. Thank you, Suzanne, we'll need to do the power of attorney soon for his PiP and medical decisions. I might ask your advice after Christmas.

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  7. Let me know how you get on with Percy Jackson, I need some ideas to try to inspire my son! I hope that a plan is coming together for you for Sasha. Love the photo from the bus in the rain. #365

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    1. We enjoyed the first book, Mary, but it took us three weeks of reading in the evenings, and now we want a short break from the series, and read another author, then resume with book two of Percy. I think to appreciate it, you need to know the Greek myths relatively well.

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  8. I've thought of watching the Crown but I'm a bit confused now. Eddie looks cute in his costume. The leaf does look beautiful. I love Percy Jackson series!! The bauble looks kool. Nooooo not Olaf!

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  9. It's impossible to resist a book bargain! I haven't even started watching The Crown series 3 yet as we are finishing another series (can't wait though!) #project365

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  10. That is one good bargain. I've not watched The Crown. We love the Percy jackson series too x

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