Sunday 5 December 2021

Sunday: Advent day five

 Good morning, everyone.  We had some beautiful weather yesterday.  This morning, however, it seems to be chucking it down pretty hard at the moment.  Oh, well, there's absolutely no need to go out so that's OK.

Yesterday was a really lovely day.

I spent the morning pottering, getting buffet food organised and doing a little 'top up' shop at Morrisons where I managed to get a couple of frozen things I've been looking for for weeks - a bag each of chunked sweet potato and butternut squash.  Living solo, I rarely need a whole unit of either so being able to grab a single portion is just so convenient and, I dare say, less wasteful in the longer term.
Actually, I really must look in Lathcoats - they have loads of frozen vegetables loose in big freezers and you can bring your own bags and scoop in what you want which is then weighted at the till.  Such a good way to do it, I think.

Anyway - Beth and Alex arrived and Alex kindly lifted the Christmas Tree bag into the house - it was just a bit heavy for me.
After coffee, we set to and worked at it.  It took a few hours and the latter half was accompanied by a bit of alcohol which went down a treat!
Then we had the buffet which all went down a treat - not many leftovers at all - followed by DVDs.  The Snowman and Father Christmas first as our tradition demands, then Miracle on 34th Street (the Mara Wilson version which we love) and finally Paddington 1.

By that time, I had crashed so I went up to bed.  Alex had already gone home and Beth followed me up at some point.  So that was Christmas Tree Day.

Here's a photo - I find that my camera doesn't really like the lighting but here's the best snap I was able to take of the whole tree thing plus a photo of the Guardians (the three teddies) and friends.
The gap in the middle is for my presents which are still upstairs.  I'll bring them down later today.



Beth is still fast asleep, I hope.  She is still not 100%.  When she emerges, she will have breakfast and then set off home in her own time.

The decoration things for today are to start using Christmas tablecloths (already on the table) and to put together the snow village.  This is a new thing using some snow blanket and some of the mini cottages, etc, I have inherited from Mum and Dad, plus some of my own, put together to make a little 'scene'.  It night work, it might not, we will see.  I'm hoping it will brighten up a darkish corner.

I have Strictly to catch up on before the results show as I didn't watch it yesterday and I'll probably strip Beth's bed and wash the sheets so it's nice and fresh for her at Christmas.

Have a lovely day, everyone.  Do you have your Christmas tree up or are you waiting until nearer Christmas day?


Today's Advent music is a bit different.  It's 'When children rule the world' from the Lloyd-Webber musical, Whistle Down the Wind.
I was asked to fill in as accompanist for the school choir for one of their choir practices, a few years before I retired and this is one of the things they were doing for the Barnardo's Christmas Concert at Westminster Cathedral or the Royal Albert Hall (I can't remember which) that our school always took part in.
Not being a brilliant pianist by any means, I found this extremely challenging, but loved the song.  So here it is  (not the one our choir sang, obviously).

I love how beautifully the children sing, how enthusiastic they are and how expressive their faces.

24 comments:

  1. Your tree looks so beautiful. So many gorgeous decorations, I'm not surprised you needed to set aside a day on which to decorate it. X

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    1. It does take a few hours but it is so nice to turn it into a sort of social occasions as well. We always have a pleasant time. It started when Alex was a very little chap and just carried on from there.

      xx

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  2. Thats a piece of music I know nothing about and have never heard before so thank you for the introduction.
    (Just looked at the strictly spoiler............but I won't spoil it for you by saying anything else!)

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    1. < grin > Thank you. I'm looking forward to watching the show - I gather one of the couples came a cropper at one point in their dance which is a shame. Whether that would affect the rersult5s, I have no idea.
      Whistle Down The Wind is one of his earlier shows, I think, and not a great hit at the time. I vaguely remember Evita came soon afterwards and totally eclipsed it anyway (but could be wrong, I haven't checked this)
      xx

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  3. Your tree looks beautiful, and I love the teddies ❤️. You HAVE to show us the village scene when you've built it.

    It seems we are having opposite weather to you, yesterday here it was wild and wet and today is very silent in comparison, and dry.

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    1. If your today is like out yesterday, it will be a very pleasant day.
      I will take a photo but can't guarantee good results - the lighting isn't great.
      Thanks - those teds are cute, aren't they. Very old.
      xx

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  4. What a lovely tree,its so nice to see a tree with all the different decorations on instead of a showhome tree. Poppy and I decorated ours yesterday, well I did and she sat in the box which had the most trimmings in it , patted a few hanging things and slept on her fleece which is red for Christmas. It's still cold and wet so today I am making a wreath to put on my parents grave so we will be in the warm and have a slow cooker cola chicken dinner Happy Sunday. Val

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    1. I don't have a show home so no point having a posh tree really. This one just makes me happy, there are so many memories hung on it as well as the decorations.
      xx

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  5. Wow, that's a really well dressed tree! Makes mine look naked in comparison, lol. It's beautiful, Joy, so colourful. xx

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    1. It's certainly colourful!!! :-)
      Thanks.
      xx

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  6. Lovely tree Joy no wonder it takes you so long. Do show us the village when you arrange it. x

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  7. Tony and I LOVE your tree and soft toy collection. We have that tree topper too.

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    1. It' a very pretty one, isn't it? Is your tree up yet?
      xx

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  8. The tree and all the guardians look fantastic. You've all done a great job of the decorating and I'm not surprised it tired you out. Looking forward to seeing the snow village.

    I don't know Whistle Down The Wind that well but did enjoy this song, thanks xx

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    1. Thank you, Eileen. It's beginning to look very Christmassy around here! :-)
      xx

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  9. Your tree is so pretty, and I love the three Guardians.

    God bless.

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  10. The tree looks wonderful! How lovely it looks with the Guardians beside it. Sounds like a wonderful time was had by all!

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    1. It has been a very pleasant weekend all round really (apart for the healthy eating!) Thanks, Sharon.
      xx

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  11. I'm so glad you shared your tree, it is absolutely lovely! All of your decorations look great!

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    1. Thank you, Debbie. It's all very - er - festive!!! And bright! A bit of cheerfulness is just what's needed at the moment.
      xx

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  12. Beautiful and beautiful is what first goes through my mind popping here to admire your tree. It all looks so pretty and reminds me I have to start putting up my Christmas decorations too. There will be no tree for us this year but I shall enjoy the splendid display of wonderfully decorated Christmas trees images all my blog friends are posting throughout December. keep well Amanda x. PS: still in envy of that lovely nativity scene sculptures :-)

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    1. Thanks, Amanda. I'm absolutely sure your decorations will look wonderful too, tree or no tree.
      xx

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