Friday

Good morning, one and all.  It's very cold out there; there's solid ice on dad's garage roof and in the bird bath!  The winter coat I bought a month or so ago proved its worth yesterday - my head and hands were freezing (really I should have worn my hat, scarf and gloves) but my body remained nice and warm.

I didn't do an awful lot yesterday but the ironing basket at home is temporarily empty and there's very little in the washing basket, a satistying state of affairs that won't really last very long at all!

I think today will be more of the same.  Here, with Mum and Dad, it is sheet changing day so there will be washing and drying, etc.  I have the meals planned  - fortunately they are happy with my Slimming World friendly meals - and between chores, Mum is going to help me decorate their Christmas tree.
I gather that the knitted nativity set has attracted great interest from visitors which is gratifying.

Today's Advent offering is a well known poem, The Oxen, by Thomas Hardy.  It was published during WW1 but has none of the doom and gloom of much poetry of that time.  To me, it speaks of the persistence and comfort of old faith, despite the loss of specifics, and looks both backward and forward, most appropriate for the time of year.  Hardy is not really a cheerful writer but I detect cheer and positivity in this poem as well as a yearning for a timepast when things were hopeful and sure and unshadowed.

The Oxen
by Thomas Hardy

Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock.
“Now they are all on their knees,”
An elder said as we sat in a flock
By the embers in hearthside ease.

We pictured the meek mild creatures where
They dwelt in their strawy pen,
Nor did it occur to one of us there
To doubt they were kneeling then.

So fair a fancy few would weave
In these years! Yet, I feel,
If someone said on Christmas Eve,
“Come; see the oxen kneel,

“In the lonely barton by yonder coomb
Our childhood used to know,”
I should go with him in the gloom,
Hoping it might be so.

Thursday

Good morning, everyone!  Brrr - it's very cold outside, there's a frost and I closed the front door again right speedily!  Inside, the heating is on and all is warm and cosy.  The only thing missing is the mandatory First Coffee so I'd better go and remedy that!

OK, now that's sorted, all's right with my world!

I had a great time with V yesterday.  It was no hassle as I had planned 'leftovers' (can they be called leftovers if they are planned?) from Tuesday's lunchtime feast so V and I ate well while chatting nineteen to the dozen about all sorts of stuff.  The food did just as well as a sit down meal as it did for a buffet.

Val went and students arrived, bearing gifts and cards which was really very kind indeed.  Then I dashed off to the Wednesday Slimming World group as I can't make tonight's and was most relieved to have maintained this week.  Phew.  I usually eat very light on weigh-day but, obviously, couldn't yesterday so maintaining was fine.  It was a pleasant group, quite small but very jolly, and I was mortified to be introduced as 'the famous Joy C.', a reference to the fact that I talk a lot on the group's Facebook group, much more than I do in Real Life.  It's awful when you can feel yourself going bright red and can do nothing about it, isn't it?  A good laugh settled things though and all was well.

On the way home I stopped off at Morrisons and treated myself to the classic Christmas two week edition of the Radio Times.  On glancing through, there seems to be quite a lot of good stuff on offer and now I have an up to date Virgin box and can program recordings with a couple of clicks, that's just what I will be doing.  It'll probably keep me going all through January and maybe into February too!

Today's Advent offering is a double gift of music.  My favourite Christmas song of all time, Pearsall's arrangement of In Dulci Jubilo.  When I was in the Chapel Choir at school, it was an annual staple and, as I was in the semi-chorus (they are supposed to be solos but Mr McCay made them semi-chorus sections), I sang alto through the whole thing and still do to this day, albeit not so musically nowadays!  If I can find it on Youtube, there's one clip that shows the score too - I love that.

Yes, found it!  Sung by the greatest choir of all time - Kings.

And in contrast, a much more dance based arrangement, the legendary version by Mike Oldfield.
Same tune, totally different styles.  I love them both!

Wednesday

Good morning.  It's ridiculously early and I can't sleep.  Unless I get back to sleep, it is going to be a long day!

Yesterday was a lovely day.  The morning was busy but once that was all done and the girls had arrived, we had a great time.  Lots of laughing and loads of chit chat and the food went down a treat with just enough left over for me and another friend who is coming for lunch today.  This week sure is busy but that saves me a bit of time!  It was worth getting the decorations up early - it all looked lovely and festive.

I remembered to take some photos of the buffet lunch.

After that, I went off to do a bit of tuition, made some more fudge (some for my friend coming today and the rest to take to Mum and Dad who are very fond of it) and then spent the rest of the evening finishing clearing up, knitting and watching telly.

Today I have an easy morning before V arrives as the house is fine apart from needing to sweep the floor and there's just a bit of ironing to mop up.  Lunch is more or less made and tuition is all planned and ready to be delivered.  It'll be nice to rest and relax.

I'm off to Mum and Dad's tomorrow, rather than Friday, this week which means that I miss my usual SW group meeting.  Fortunately, Jennifer, the leader, runs several groups in a nearby village and I can get to the one this evening instead.  Fingers crossed.

Here's today's Advent Offering.  A firm favourite - 'In the first light' sung by acapella group, Glad.  I do love acapella.

Tuesday

Good morning, everyone.  A lovely sunny morning today - hope it lasts!

It was, as expected, a very busy day yesterday but I got a lot done.  I finished the nativity set, took some photos (as you can see) and got it posted off.  The sheep took ages - they are so fiddly.
I cleared all the knitting stuff away so my corner in now neat and tidy.
Here's a few other photos to go with the new header and as today's Advent Offering.

I made a batch of fudge and cut it up.  It's now divided out and in bags for gifts for the girls when they come for lunch.  I was remarkably good.  One tatty bit to taste and a few crumbs might also have made their way into my mouth but it wasn't a catastrophe by any means.
I even managed to remember to take a photo . . .

It's very good.  A bit 'rustic' looking but so delicious.

I also made a spicy miced bean dip for lunch and got other things ready to put together soon.  I'ver gone a bit retro with Delia's vegetarian sausage rolls, pineapple, cheese and tomato on sticks and some spicy chicken as well as other bits and bobs.  I think it will be a tasty lunch.

Today this is late because I've been bustling around getting things ready.  It's almost done now and I'm having a breather before doing the last few thing on the list.  Yes, I have a list and it's been a life-saver! 
I've even remembered to get the wheelchair ramps out. 

Better go and do the last bits and bobs now, empty the dishwasher and finish getting the table ready.  Should be a lot of fun.

Have a good day.

Monday

Good morning, everyone.  I got my wish - some sunshine yesterday - and very cheering it was too.  It's turning colder though, I think, and there might be a bit of frost developing.  We will see.

Yesterday was sit and knit day.  I worked my way through mountains of saved programmes as I did so.  Not exactly brain challenging but it kept me going.  It's now almost finished which is great because this week seems to be turning out very busy one way or another.

Today I have loads to do in preparation for the Girls' Lunch here tomorrow.  I'm doing the savouries and, while I'm not providing loads, I want my offering to be deliciously Slimming World friendly so have dug out a number of recipes to make.  Should be good.
I need to make fudge too, and to go shopping, tidy and clean downstairs and plan for today's tuition - not that the last will take very long as I have loads of stuff in their folders.
I have two lambs to knit and a parcel to post.

It's all go around here.  Better go and get started - fudge firsh, I think.   :-)

Today's Advent offering.   Moving on to the annunciation - another favourite.  The Angel Gabriel.

Sunday

Good morning!  After quite pleasant weather yesterday, it appears to be raining again now; at least, there are droplets on the windows.  I'm not going out to check!

Well, the tree is up and decorated.   I had a very pleasant time with J, we chatted about all sorts of things as we baubled away and here's the result (with apologies for the light - and the bad taste - ho ho ho!)

(The mince pie was pretty good too)

I also took a photo of the wreath.
Its restraint contrasts nicely with the overkill of the tree.  :-)

When Christmas is over, I shall strip off all the decoration bits and keep the base ring.  You never know, maybe next year I shall have a go at making my own.  There must be tuitions things on the internet and I know places like Hobbycraft have all the embellishments a heart could wish for! 
You never know!

After J had gone, I did a bit of tidying and then sat down to knot.  I've nearly finished the nativity crib set I am making for a friend and am sewing it all up, a fiddly task that takes longer than one would think.  To my annoyance, I found I had made a mistake with the main part of the Joseph figure so have to make that again.  Never mind, it'll still all be ready for posting tomorrow.

Today, there's nothing in the diary (checking to make sure - no, there's nothing) so I have a free run with the knitting project.  Beth may pop round at some point bit that won't stop me knitting - or sewing up or stuffing or whatever.

I need to go shopping because I'm making some fudge in Thermione (my thermomix) and need the ingredients.  I have a splendid, trouble free recipe that really works and, of course, in Thermione I don't need to beat, mix, time, check, whatever as it does it all for me!  It's not for me, in case you are wondering, it's for gifts.  Honest!

My Advent offering today makes me laugh.  I wish I could find the original as you should be able to stop and start each character but all I can find is this, on Youtube.  It's still chuckly though.

Well, I'd better stop and make my second coffee of the day.  Have a good one, whatever you plan to do, and stay warm, dry and, as the great Dave Allen used to say, may your God go with you.

Saturday

Good morning, everyone.  I'm up really early this morning after a sleepy evening yesterday and a comparatively early night.  It's not a problem - I have plenty to do so the extra time is quite a blessing.

I started yesterday off by diving through the wind and rain to the garage to get the Christmas tree in.  On the way back the remaining handle on the bag broke and a slight split in the seam became a rather large slit so the first thing I did once back in the warm and dry was to get onto Amazon and order what is described as an 'extremely heavy duty bag for storing artificial Christmas trees'.  A snappy little name, don't you think.  Anyway, it's arriving on Monday and the old one is now in t'bin!

I assembled the tree and only one little branch fell off although there was a lot of 'shedding' and the carpet was well covered!

Then the lights.  I've had these lights for ages, it has to be nearly twenty years, and they've been great but when I turned them on - nothing.  I checked connections and they came on, then went back off again.  Darn it.  So it was off to B&Q to pick up some more - fortunately they had some just the same - garish, colourful and twinkly.

So it turned out to be a bit expensive but the tree and lights are now up awaiting the baubles.  It all looks merry, festive and lovely.

Beth turned up and we crafted together for a while before lunch, after which I popped off to school for my governor meeting with head and deputy to talk assessment.  Very interesting.

After that I went over the road from school to Morrisons and then home.

Then it was back to school at six for the school fair.  I did my duty, spent a bit of cash, met people who looked at me, did what used to be called a 'double take' and then made comments about 'not recognising' me.  That's happening a lot at the moment.  I know I'm slimmer but I didn't think I had changed all that much!   Obviously, I must have.
I got hugs from ex-pupils which was nice.
There was a lovely stall - two friends who have worked together to make 'real' wreaths.  They were really good so I splashed some cash there and one is now on the front door looking festive and welcoming.
(Thinking about it, yesterday really was very expensive.  I shall have to be very frugal this week to make up)

This morning it's mince pies and baubles with J and then the day's my own.  Ironing, sorting out some shelves in my bedroom and wrapping a few parcels are all on the list.

As it's Decoration Day, here's a Jacquie Lawson card - I wish it were that easy!
(I hope this works - click on the link)