Christmas came and Christmas went in just 24 hours, doesn't it seem weird that we prepare for months to celebrate just one special day.  It's funny though because for just that very short window, time stands almost still, normal life exits stage left and you find yourself playing board games with your teenage children thinking "Blimey, it must be Christmas".

My Christmas this year was a quiet affair, on Christmas Eve, Harriet and Kelly came for Christmas dinner after Harriet and I had been to church for the usual crib service we enjoy so much, it's just an hour of joy and celebration as you sing carols as loud as your lungs will permit, that's quite loud if you are me!  Our Christmas dinner was a loud and raucous affair as we all descended into the kind of laughter which actually hurts and then just as they left my lovely friend Steve arrived wearing a knitted Santa bobble hat, so lovely to spend time with friends on Christmas Eve.

Just as the Christmas bells chimed and I was watching Midnight mass, my yearly tradition, a message pinged, Mr France telling me that he'd stayed awake just for me so that he would be the first person to wish me Happy Christmas, I can honestly say that this small gesture made my Christmas Day and I went to bed happy and smiling that someone would do something so lovely just for me.

Christmas Day arrived with the declaration from Looby that it was indeed Christmas and I bribed her with making me a cup of coffee if she wanted me to get up, Christmas comes in useful for so many things! 

My darling children really spoilt me rotten this Christmas, I have the most splendid teenagers who I adore and they clearly have a much bigger disposable income than me as they gifted me with a dress, 2 pairs of shoes, 1 being my most favourite Irregular Choice, Iain played a blinder with an Amazon firestick so I can watch The Grand Tour and the whole of Arrow which is the only DC series I've yet to watch, I also got some lovely London themed things from Harriet who anticipates that I might head southward just a few times next year!  Even Holly Bobbins was spoilt with a new collar from Barneys collars and some fabulous gifts from Best In Show

I also must give special mention to Peter and Cynthia, Harriets gorgeous parents who I've adopted, they bought me the most fabulous mini beagle and thanks to a brilliant suggestion by Mrs A on Twitter, I've named her "Martine De Beagle" She's sitting just in the corner of my sitting room watching Holly Bobbins quite closely, I'm not sure if Holly knows quite what to make of her but she's definitely aware that Martine is a beagle.

Yesterday was the best day with just my teens, we laughed until I had to go and sit on the floor in the hall to try and comfortably laugh without dying, my children are comedians and even if they are usually laughing at me rather than with me, it's hilarious all the same.

When the girls departed leaving just me, Holly and KT (my friend Laura's Tibetan Terrier) I felt that bittersweet tinge that I'm sure most single parents feel on Christmas Day but I sang along to Frozen, got teary eyed at a wonderfully romantic superhero episode of Doctor Who and soon Harriet arrived back from Yorkshire for just 1 more glass of Champagne and a festive cheeseboard.

Today, I am still in bed, I'm going out for lunch and then I shall be mooching until such a time as I put on my ball gown for it's annual outing to The Holly Ball, this year, though, I shall not be drinking so much tequila that I laugh myself to sleep because, between you and me, I can laugh myself to sleep these days without even so much as a breath of alcohol.

Best Hamper Company for Pets - Best In Show

Since Holly Bobbins came into my life it's fair to say that her loving paws have lead to me having a pretty smiley face every day and along with her best friend Petunia they keep me entertained on a daily basis.

Both Holly and Petunia are rescue dogs who now happily have amazing lives and they get to spend time together in a way that Beagles and Siberian Husky's don't usually in the wild.  I think often beagles aren't the biggest fans of Huskies but in Holly's case although she usually doesn't like bigger dogs she loves to meet other huskies if we're out for a walk, I guess it's because she thinks that they're all Petunia!!

Holly and Petunia running through the fields in Keswick

Last week we had a surprise arrival, if I'm honest I hadn't thought to do anything special for Holly on Valentines day on account of the fact that I just love her and give her everything she needs all of the time but then this amazing hamper turned up from a wonderful company called Best In Show and I wondered why I hadn't thought of that.  The truth be told there are so many occasions where I think I'd love to buy her a hamper (I love hampers, you know this by now) and Christmas, her birthday and even Easter is just around the corner, all great occasions to give the pets you love a treat! You don't have a dog, I hear you say, well would you believe they also do kitty hampers filled with delicious treats for your four pawed purring feline friends as well.  I just can't guarantee they'll show their excitement in the same way your dog will.  Holly got so excited at some of the treats she wagged her little tail off!

We were so overcome with excitement that we actually filmed our unboxing video straightaway!

This wonderful hamper would only cost £34.90 and it contained all manner of gourmet treats like some Venison treats, some delicious wheat free dental oaties, a pupbake and it even had a mug in for me which is just as well as I can tell you right now, no one has ever sent me a surprise valentine hamper and I think the chances of anyone sending me a surprise hamper at any time of the year are slim (I would graciously accept if anyone wants to do that).

We've had a lot of fun since then and I think with every day that passes Holly Bobbins thinks her celebrity status grows just that little bit further, if we're not careful she's going to think she's the dog equivalent of Mariah Carey and then we'll all be in trouble.

It's great to be a writer and photographer, to collaborate with lovely companies about products, travel destinations and fabulous events but when you get to share that with your beloved pet it's even better.

Holly loves the attention and the cuddles from children we meet when we're out, she does quite often get recognised locally and once it even happened in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, it's quite cool when you realise just how far a blog post can end up travelling.

To get your beloved pet the best hamper of goodies to make their tails wag  or to hear your beloved cat purring loudly as you present feline treats please pop across and speak to my lovely friends at Best In Show.