Well, I wanted to try the gingerbread latte from Starbucks. I have read about these wonders here in the blogiverse, you see, and I am not going to be left out. Oh no. So Glynis had to return some library books to the Abbey where she goes on retreats, and I went along for the drive.
It has been a beautiful day - sunny and clear, and the skyline with leafless trees has been stunning. I look at them and wonder if Oliver Cromwell stopped to rest in the shade of one of them. They are old enough, you know, and the sense of history is sometimes overwhelming. Just beautiful. The Abbey is very old. It is about to undergo a major renovation. The Chapel there is all that remains of the original building, and that dates from 1119. Parts of the house are dated around the mid 1550s. See..... I said old.
And here is Glynis, outside the Abbey.
Anyway, we checked on the internet to find our nearest Starbucks, and I have to say we do not live in the centre of any metropolis. That is clear. The fact that our nearest ones are miles away says it all. And off we toddled. Bearing in mind the circuitous route through middle England to drop off the books, we actually drove for an hour and a half to reach the gingerbread lattes. And they were worth every mile. Wonderful!! 
I told you my embroidery machine was whizzing along, and here are a few of the bits I have been making. I bought some cream fleece blankets from Ikea, and then embroidered on the corners, and I am really pleased with the result. And while at Ikea, I bought some seriously cheap white cotton hand towels, and embroidered on them too. So for very little money, I have some lovely gifts.
9 comments:
Beautiful! Homemade gifts, just the ticket.
Tonight will begin the Saga of the Christmas Cookies at our house. There will be much moaning and groaning and gnashing of teeth as I take over the television for the annual watching of the Christmas movies as I bake.
But, I hasten to add, no complaints as the cookies are devoured! :>)
Those embroidered items are wonderful! What a brilliant machine.
The history is amazing. We are so young. The abbey is glorious - did you say it has a library in it?
The long drive to Starbucks - I guess you have to really love coffee to do that. I don't like coffee in any form and all of these flavors just blow my little mind to think of how adding all that stuff to coffee works. But I am so glad you loved it and it was such a pleasant day with your dear friend!
It's cold, bitterly cold, here this week with more snow. Very Christmasy!!
Mmm ... the perfect December coffee :). That embroidery machine is amazing! You just tell it what to do, and away it goes? It certainly makes lovely gifts.
Beautiful Linds. I am totally envious - what a wonder that machine is!
The Abbey looks just gorgeous and I am glad the lattes were worth the wonderful trip.
The towels look fabulous. Aren't those machines something else? What fun projects they do, but I know there is a lot involved in the hooping and computer programing before it begins. Nice job!
I love those towels and blankets!! How brilliant! Do you do custom work?!! I think you could get a little business going, you know. Starbucks - yes, the flavours are wonderful! I envy you no snow and green grass on the way to the beautiful Abbey - we are buried over here.
Linds, those Towels and Blanket are gorgeous! What a super gift idea. Thanks for sharing
Yes I too LOVE the Gingerbread lattes too. You know that you can purchase the syrup to re-create the drinks at home. My daughter was a "barista" at Starbucks for a year and we have a wonderful selection of syrups in the cupboard for lattes on cold winter nights
Have a wonderful day!
Beautiful and what lovely gifts they will make.
Once I would have driven a while for a Starbucks but not any more.I like Costa best these days.
Thanks for your best wishes etc Linds and I am glad that you get about so m uch even if you have to flop when you get home.
Blessings.
Oooooo, the towels are just wonderful! You do make the nicest things.
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