Blogmas, day 16

Morning, all, and welcome to Blogmas, day 16.  

I was a Bad Girl yesterday. 
After having to cancel two Christmas treats and, possibly, having to cancel two more this week, I thought 'I am NOT going to miss the Infant show so I dosed up, wrapped up, was careful not to breathe over anyone, had a reserved seat at the front, managed to only cough once and really enjoyed a delightful performance of the First Christmas, 'A Big Little Nativity' from the wonderful Out of the Ark company, which has been providing schools with the best shows, assembly songs, etc, complete with backing tracks, books, licences, overheads, etc, for a very long time.   Their Infant shows are perfect for very young children with simple words, catchy and easily learnt melodies with supportive backing tracks and a script for multiple performers.
(no sponsoring, I just have good cause to bless them over many years when I was music coordinator, took hymn practise and when I produced Infant shows).
The show was funny, lively and the nativity scene brought tears to my eyes and, I suspect, to most of the parents watching, judging by the atmosphere.

I feel as guilty as sin for going but, at the same time, I am glad I did. 
Bad me!!

I also popped over the road to an almost empty Morrisons for a few essentials.  I need to make fudge today (tell you why another time) and don't keep things like white chocolate and condensed milk in the cupboard.  While I was there, I  got things for Friday too when (hopefully) Alex is over for Festive food prep.

Earlier in the day, I finished Lindsey's loaf and, at her request, sliced it and froze it and will take it over for personal training tomorrow (assuming I go, but that's a decision for tomorrow).  I finished the washing and the ironing and I did a bit of housework but not enough.  lol

Let's move on to Adventy stuff.

Today's Advent of Change focuses on Big Change.  It's mission statement is a bit wordy so I've copied it direct from the site.

We find, support, and connect an intergenerational community of changemakers rethinking and reshaping the systems around young people. We nurture them as people, and as a collective, showing a new way is possible. Together we spark lasting change.

The bumph makes it clearer.

Today, you have helped a young, undiscovered leader gain new skills they can use to make a difference in their community in the calendar.

It sounds good.  I don't like the way young people seem to be defined by their exam results/academic performance so much.  This charity seeks to change that perception.

https://www.big-change.org/

The bag held quite a haul today.  The puzzle (although, to be honest, I am ahead of the numbers and am looking forward to starting my second one in a few days), the candle in a tin, a 'Revive me' tea bag, a bath bomb AND some Christmas earrings.

I did all the extra rounds on all the squares done so far on the blanket.  Today I think I will have a go at the reindeer one which looks as if it will be a more tricky one.  
With the cross stitch, there's a few little pictures I don't like very much so I might try to make up a few alternatives.  A candle should be easy enough, for a start!

Today, the diary is empty.  I have a List though, of course I do.

make fudge (a really easy Thermomix recipe)

tidy up (much needed)

dust and sweep

make cranberry sauce - that's on and doing as I type but I think I have added too much sugar so I need to get some more cranberries, if there's none in the freezer, cook them without sugar and add them to the first lot.  

It freezes, I use it all year round, it won't go to waste.

For anyone interested, I use cranberries, demerara sugar, orange juice, orange zest and mixed spice.   It's really nice with port but I don't have any.

I watched one saved episode of The War Between the Land and the Sea yesterday evening - wow, what an ending . . .   I am so looking forward to the next one this evening now, also saved.

(for those who don't know, it is a Doctor Who spinoff, more for teens/adults than children)

And the music advent calendar

I've got to the point in this calendar when I'm just cramming in my favourites.  I'm sure you don't mind though.

So today's link is two versions of Carol of the Bells, one from Libera . . .

. . . and the other from Pentatonix.

Both are just lovely!