Christmas Eve......One Day to Go!!

It's Christmas Eve and that is Santa & Ruudy all wrapped up like a Christmas Present for this year.

Sadly, this will be the last Comicstrip as the numbers viewing the strip each day can't justify the amount of time and effort which goes into each cartoon. I have really enjoyed the past three/four years and would like to thank the guys that have followed the strip from the early years.

Santa & Ruudy will still be around but in animation form as I hope to get more time to work on these projects.

I hope everyone stays safe this festive time and enjoys all the food, drink and company that they keep.

I'm away off here now to finish the wrapping and to get to see the families over the next couple off days.

So, from Finley, Zoe and myself. We wish you all a Merry Christmas!!!!! 😚😚

Becoming Dad......

Christmas Eves Eve..... Or Two Days to Go!

With only two days to go till Christmas Day and Santa comes down your chimney and leaves you loads of gifts, please remember to be careful on your travels. Being late is better than not turning up at all.

Twitter- @becomingdadni

Becoming Dad......

3 Days to Go!

We are running towards the weekend and the begining of the Christmas period. Hopefully everyone is now getting down to the feel bits and pieces and enjoying this wonderful time of the year. There's always something we forget to pick up but hopefully it'll bot be too an important miss.

See you tomorrow for the Friday feeling and the start of the weekend.

Becoming Dad......

4 Days to go!!

With the windy weather picking up ouside, maybe Santa should be bringing his clothes in rather than hanging them out.

The wee man is working hard to start crawling and I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't start before 2016 ends. Just needs to take the crawl out of reverse.

Becoming Dad......

5 Days to Go!

Less than a week to go and Santa & Ruudy are trying to take a few moments away from the hussle and bussle of the last few days.

I hope everyone is enjoying their time before the big day......

Becoming Dad......

6 Days to go!

We are now down to the final week of Santa & Ruudys Countdown to Christmas comicstrip.
It's been great fun and it has been so nice to see where around the world people having been reading it.

As you may see there is a small typo on todays strip but I hope you all can see past it.

If you find it, tell me in the comments below.

Becoming Dad......

7 Days to Go!!

ONE week to Christmas!! Is the excitement growing where you are, I know it is here.

It will be Finley's first Christmas and we'll be more excited by it than he will be.

Becoming Dad......

8 Days to go!

There is now only eight days to go to the big day!

I'm back up to date with the strip and they are all ready to go each day for the final run down to Christmas Day!

Here we have Santa & Ruudy going for a walk and what do you do while going out for a walk, you have a little chat. We learn a little more about Ruudy today and his red nose.

Becoming Dad......

9 Days to go

And you go two days waiting on a strip and now two come in the same evdning.

If you haven't seen the strip yet, I hope this has whet your taste for the final countdown of this years strip.

Ruudy seems to have got a little bit confussed about what Santa has been hinting that he wanted for Christmas this year. I hope everyone has got the hints right that they have come across!

Becoming Dad......

10 Days to go!

Unfortunately due to not being able to get to a computer to add the finishing touches to the comicstrip I've been a bit late with the last two days strips. I'm sure you'll all not mind.

Becoming Dad.....

11 Days to go!

The days are going almost like a blink of the eye. We will soon be down to single digit days to go.

I hope everyone is enjoying this years strip. If you would like to leave a comment below that woild be great, even if its to say which country to are viewing it from, would be very interesting! 😊

Twitter- @becomingdadni

Becomingdad......

12 Days to go!

With 12 days to go Christmas is rolling in quickly. 

If only everyone was as relaxed about things as Ruudy is, how much better life would be.

My wife told me this story today about how Santa made a dying boys wish. It is the must touching story I've heard this year.

A US man who dresses up as Santa Claus fulfilled a dying boy's Christmas wish by visiting him at his bedside, before the youngster passed away in his arms.

Eric Schmitt-Matzen rushed to a local Tennessee hospital after receiving a call about a terminally ill five-year-old boy who wanted to see Santa Claus.

The 60-year-old impersonator said he gave the child a present and a big hug before holding him as he died.

The boy's family watched on from the hallway as they cried, he told the BBC.

Read the whole story here......

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/38293294
Stories like this touch me always but with having had our first child this year, it just seems to hit that little bit closer to home......

Becoming Dad......

Finley's First visit to see Santa

So.....today was the day that Finley had his first visit with Santa.

I'm not sure which one of us was the must excited about this moment in his life, ok, let's face it, it was me.

I was so happy that he went and set on Santa's lap and allow he didn't crack a smile, he didn't cry and was a little curious about this man in the red suit but also with the elf taking his picture and shaking bells to get him to look at the camera.

It's another special moment that Zoe and me have been able to share with him and now with all you guys.

Becoming Dad......

13 Days to go!

With 13 days left to go Ruudy is having a go at this baking malarky! I think he might have got a little mixed up with his ingredients. Poor Santa having being the first to be tested on!

Stay tuned for what Santa & Ruudy get upto tomorrow!

Becoming Dad......

14 Days to Go!

There is now only TWO Sunday's to Christmas, Santa is getting some baking done and Ruudy is getting into the festive spirit.

I hope everyone is starting to get the Christmas glow and loving the strip.

Great to see Anthony Joshua win his fight last night and setting up a fight against Vladimar Klitschko in the new year.

Finley's teeth are still coming through, it does look like he is going to have the same gap in his teeth like his dad. God love him.

We are getting into the "Spirit of Christmas"  today, so pictures of the day will hopefully follow at some stage.

Becoming Dad......

15 Days to go!

15 days to go!

A wee thought for this Saturday before we go into the last two weeks off the countdown.

Have a great day and see you tomorrow for the next strip.

Twitter- @becomingdadni

Becoming Dad.......

16 Days to go!

We are quickly closing in on the last two weeks before Christmas.

Here we have Santa & Ruudy kicking back and relaxing while the elves get the finishing touches completed to the sleigh and before the naughty and nice list gets checked by Santa a second time.

The weather is surprisingly warm on the run up to the Christmas season, what is the weather like where you are today?

Becoming Dad......

17 Days to go!

Santa and Ruudy have got themselves into a spot off bother with only 17 days to go on our Countdown. Here's hoping the page gets enough support to get the duo out off the cells before the next strip.

https://m.facebook.com/SantaRuudyTheBlog?ref=hl

Twitter- @becomingdadni

To follow me and to see what else I'm up too!

Becoming Dad......

18 Days to go!

Just keep everyone uptodate with the strip, here is day 18 to go!

19 Days to Go!!

Now we are into the teen days off the countdown and I can see more interest from people from around the world.

As the nights are getting cold just as Santa & Ruudy are doing, it's time to get the firewood chopped and some corn a popping.

Twitter- @becomingdadni

https://m.facebook.com/SantaRuudyTheBlog?ref=hl

20 Days to Go!

It was a rough night for the wee man with the new tooth now showing and what looks like yet another tooth cutting. 

He did go down about 11ish and didn't rise till after 5 so that was pretty good. I was up more often than he was trying to get comfy.

In today's strip Santa looks like he is having his yearly trouble with dogs that don't great the Christmas cheer.

I do love seeing where all my visiters are on the blogger app. with many coming from around USA, Canada, UK, Europe & Australia. I wonder if any new countries will appear today.

Becoming Dad......

21 Days to go!

Busy day today, the wee man is cutting his third tooth and has been in the form of it too. We finally got the tree finished last night and have been adding decorations to the room throughout the day.

Zoe has been ahead off the present wrapping and has us well on track to not be still wrapping gifrs on Christmas Eve and since Finley wasn't for going out anywhere today we cracked on with getting more wrapped today.

The Christmas cake has been left late this year, although this only means that the fruit has been soaking up more Brandy than normal this year and as I write this blog, the smells coming out of the kitchen are amazing.

The worst thing is that it has now been in the oven for two hours 15 minutes and Delia Smith says to keep it in four hours before opening the door and its only then that you know if it's on track or a disaster!

I would live if you added in the comments below any pictures you have taken of your Christmas decorations and activities so far.

It is now only Three weeks to Christmas......

See you all tomorrow!

22 Days to Go!

I hope everyone is enjoying this years Countdown to Christmas comic strip so far. The days are rolling along now and we aren't far away from only being 3 weeks away from the big day.

If you would like to see Santa & Ruudy return next year, please share this link with everyone you know, to make sure it gets seen all around the world.

23 Days to Christmas

The countdown has truly started and Santa is setting his course for this years big night.Don't forget if you are enjoy the strip to share it with everyone you know.

@becomingdadni

http://www.facebook/SantaRuudyTheBlog/

24 Days to Christmas......

This year's Countdown to Christmas has started.......

I hope you will enjoy this years Santa & Ruudy comic strips,  I have went back to the more traditional 24 days countdown as it's been a busy year since last Christmas, what with Finley making his long awaited appearance at the end of May. 

Coupled with the disappointing viewing figures the comicstrip managed to get last year via Santa & Ruudy's Facebook page. I realise that Facebook only allows a certain number off followers to see the page on theirs but it affected the views I received.

There is a lot off work which goes into each comic strip, from thinking of the idea, sketching and then getting it onto the computer and cleaned up, only for a handful off viewers getting the chance to see my work and how I love to bring the Christmas spirit to as many people as I can. I have worked on this project for more years than it has been on it's Facebook page and it has always been a labour of love because I love getting people into that Christmassy feeling.

It is with a heavy heart that I say that this may be the last year that the Santa & Ruudy comic strip gets made. I have many more ideas for future years but the fact is that without the strip getting shared or being made viral, I may be sharing the strip with a few followers that continue to support my work each year by coming back to the page to see if new work is being made. I am grateful for the guys that have asked about the strip and look forward to it coming back each year.

So......you know what to do, send the link to everyone you know, using all means of social media to see if we can keep the strip alive.

Twitter- @becomingdadni 

http://www.facebook.com/SantaRuudyTheBlog/

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who reads the blog.

We are now just a week away from my comicstrips first strip of the Countdown to Christmas.

Follow Santa & Ruudy's antics on the Countdown to Christmas 2016 here- 

https://www.facebook.com/SantaRuudyTheBlog/

And to keep uptodate with everything that is going on in my everyday thoughts on Twitter- @becomingdadni

Another blog post later about my little man hitting 6 months today!! 😊

Becoming Dad......

A day at the Pumpkinfest

We went down to Castleward today for the first day of the Pumpkinfest. The sun came out and the place was packed.

As it is Finley's first pumpkin season, we wanted it to be a special one rather than picking one from the supermarket as we usually do.

Finley modelling his first ever Pumpkin..

We went for the large pumpkin this year, so that I can make both pie and soup out of it. I'll be looking to bake the seeds in some seasoning to eat as well.

The building at Castleward is beautiful, steeped in history with the must amazing settings. The walk from the main building down to the farm stretches the legs.

Game of Thrones has filmed scenes down there as well.

Finley had a great day looking all around him and was beat by the time we got him back to the car and he had a good sleep.

We stopped in Strangford for Fish and Chips and to watch the ferry take cars and passengers over to Portaferry.

Me with my beautiful son.

He's wearing one of his many hats, that I can't stop buying him.

Currently working on the comicstrips for Santa & Ruudy's Countdown to Christmas, which will start on First of December. Also looking into Indiegogo to help with getting help with working more on the comicstrips and getting some short animations worked on. So watch this spot!!!

Keep up to date with my every day ramblings on Twitter - @becomingdadni

On Instagram - @becomingdadni

DisneyWorld gift for Finley

Family friends brought Finley this wonderful First Christmas decoration gift home from the Christmas shop in Disney World and it is absolutely wonderful. It will be a lovely keepsake to put on the tree each year.

Look at the wonderful box it came in.

Getting ready to look inside......

Just amazingly beautiful......

Cannot wait to put this on the tree this year.

Becoming Dad......

Three months to Christmas Eve......

The most special season of the year is getting closer and there are now only three months to Christmas Eve.

The weather here has started to turn colder and the nights are coming in quicker each day. 

Follow Santa & Ruudy's Countdown to Christmas and to keep uptodate on all there other projects, here and on their Facebook page. The link is at the bottom of the page. Don't forget to click the 'LIKE' botton when there.

I'm currently sketching out this years strips which will begin on the First of December.

Facebook-
https://www.facebook.com/SantaRuudyTheBlog/

Twitter- @becomingdadni

See you soon......

Becoming Dad......

100 Days to Christmas......a comicstrip

To celebrate 100 Days to Christmas, I've put up one of my old Santa & Ruudy comic strips from last years countdown.

Hope you like it enough to keep an eye out for this years countdown, starting 1st December.

You can see past ones on my Santa & Ruudy Facebook page. Click the 'LIKE' button when you're there. I've put a link at the bottom of the page and a link to my Twitter page for day to day updates.

Facebook-

https://www.facebook.com/SantaRuudyTheBlog/

Twitter-

@becomingdadni

Becoming Dad......

101 Days to Christmas

Anyone who knows me, knows I love the whole Christmas Period and it is rarely out off my thoughts the whole year round. Whether it is working on ideas for my Santa & Ruudy comic strips or working on the animations for the same characters, it is looking at recipes for festive treats and drinks to warm up those colder evenings.

This year of course has got a whole lot more exciting with the arrive off our little man, Finley. I want him to grow up loving the festive time of year and I've started early by getting these books to read to him. Sure, they are as much for me as they are for him but it's a great excuse to read to him and to get into that Christmas feeling.

There will be more books to keep an eye on that I will be looking to buy, further on into the season.

Currently reading this book......

This is one of my favourite stories and the illustrations in this version are amazing.

Another one I bought of Ebay. I have had them on my Amazon wish list for years and then just decided to check out Ebay and the prices were amazing. Well worth buying for some wonderful reading.

I have this book on its way to me from Ebay.

Becoming Dad......

Twitter - @becomingdadni

Facebook- 

https://www.facebook.com/SantaRuudyTheBlog/

Ethel & Ernest from Book to Animation

I am ubber excited about this animation, based on the classic novel by Raymond Briggs.

Picture taken from the Ethel & Ernest Facebook page.

Some of his most notable works also include:
-  The Snowman
-  Father Christmas
-  Fungus The Bogeyman
-  The Bear

To name but a few of this amazing mans works. I have watched his books come to life through animation and I'm very eager to see this adaption. I got to see the official trailer for the first time yesterday from Lupus Films based in London via the Skwigly Animation website. Definitely a movie that I would have loved to work on. A beautiful traditional animation feel.

Anyone who was read the book will know the story and it looks like they have stayed true to it, as I'm sure Raymond made sure they would.

I have linked the trailer at the bottom, also Skwigly web page and Lupus Films.

The movie is due for release in October 2016.

Trailer - https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=648975205279532&id=290442901132766

LupusFilm - http://lupusfilms.com/

Skwigly - http://www.skwigly.co.uk/

Becoming Dad......

Becoming Dad bakes......Pumpkin Pie

Well it was "Great British Bake Off" Day and I had wanted to bake something each week it was on. So, this week I went for Pumpkin Pie.

I have made this before from scratch, when it is closer to Halloween and the Pumpkins are in the shops but this time I had a can of Pumpkin Mix which needed to be used. I decided to add a meringue top to the pie and I have never made meringue before.

The mix was pretty easy to do, mixing condensed milk, eggs, with ginger, cinnamon and cloves. The mix was baked in the oven  for 20 minutes before piping the meringue onto the top and putting it back into the oven for another 30 minutes.

It was left to cool for awhile before being enjoyed while watching the "GBBO" on BBCOne.

Becoming Dad......

116 Days to Christmas......Finley's First Christmas

The excitement is starting to build, I have started to sketch out this years Santa & Ruudy Countdown to Christmas comicstrips. They will start this year on the First of December.

This will be the Fourth year I have done the comicstrips and I hope that more people from around the world will get involved in following their adventures on this Blog and on their very own Facebook Page -

https://www.facebook.com/SantaRuudyTheBlog/

Santa & Ruudy getting ready for Halloween......

I'll put up a few tasters over the next few months to get everyone ready for the new comicstrips. Please, if you like the strips, leave a comment and 'LIKE' the Facebook page, to show your love for them.

We start the 'BER' months tomorrow as we move into September and the nights are drawing in and more people are thinking of the Autumn and Winter months.

We have the added excitement of it being Finns First Christmas which adds to the Christmas feeling!

Becoming Dad......