Thursday: Advent day two

 Good morning, everyone.  The week seems to be going so very quickly, doesn't it?  Yesterday started very pleasantly and ended with rain and it feels pretty cold outside right now.

The day started well with a visit from the lovely Jeff who spent an hour licking my back garden into shape.  The brown bin is now full and the garden looks much emptier and much, much neater.  He really is a blessing.

Then I popped off to M&S and Aldi, later than usual and couldn't you tell.  It was much busier than when I usually go (early morning) but I was pleased to see everyone wearing masks; I don't think I saw one person in either shop without a mask so that was good.
M&S had some very healthy looking poinsettias so, encouraged by the fact that the first one is still well and truly alive, I indulged.

Once home, I tidied up quickly, totally forgetting to take any photos for my other blog (sorry) and then had an hour of personal training with Lindsey online.  I have a nice little collection of equipment now so she was able to keep be busy and challenged.  I felt great afterwards.

The rest of the day was spent in the usual way - housework, knitting and reading.  I'm reading my way through some of the Miss Read books (yet again), working up to her Christmas stories just before The Day.  Also, I did some more wrapping of gifts and goodies!  I think I am nearly there now.

I goofed with the Advent candle.  I lit it and then forgot to check to where it had burned down, only remembering when it was at three - ooops.  So no candle today or tomorrow but I have the candle calendar so that's OK.

Today begins with Chris coming over for our weekly coffee and chat and in the afternoon I am popping quickly over to Julia to pick up some pressies.  Julia is one of our Girls Wot Lunch group, with Beth and Linda but we haven't met f2f for ages now, the last time was nearly two years ago.  Quite apart from the lockdown, we're all, for various reasons, been extremely careful and have stuck to online.
We always have a meet just before Christmas with a gift exchange (not a secret Santa) and I have offered to be Santa's Little Helper and get everything around to everyone.

Today's Christmas prep is to start using the Festive tea towels - I know, I know, but I have several collected over the year so it's a little tradition.  Also, if I can find it, I have a wreath to hang on the front door, just a little artificial one until I go the the wreath making course next weekend (not the one just coming) when, hopefully, I will have a naturel one to put up instead.

Right, well I will love you and leave you with the Advent music.  I'm going to open day two of the Jacquie Lawson calendar now.
Have a great day, be sensible and safe and, as it's so cold, stay warm.  xx

When he wrote The Messiah, good old Handel really got it right, didn't he.  At worst, it's such a rip roaring choral sing song and at best it is absolutely stunning.
I love how the first part focuses in on the Messianic prophecies and I'll probably link to another few in the next few days because they are just so fantastic but today here's one pretty much anyone who has sung in a choir knows, sung by Kings College

'For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.'
Isaiah 9:6