A New Year.

No resolutions.

No wise words.

Just a hope and a prayer that 2014 will bring all that is good to us.

To my friends far and near, with thanks for your encouragement throughout this last year.

A New Year's Prayer 

May God make your year a happy one!
Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain,
But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes;
Not by making your path easy,
But by making you sturdy to travel any path;
Not by taking hardships from you,
But by taking fear from your heart;
Not by granting you unbroken sunshine,
But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows;
Not by making your life always pleasant,
But by showing you when people and their causes need you most,
and by making you anxious to be there to help.
God's love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead. 

Anon.

New beginnings.

It's a beautiful sunny day here in Cornwall.

I think it is a day for removing cards and decorations, all looking a little worn now.
But, slowly, as I can#t bear to whisk everything away in one fell swoop. As children, we used to wait till Twelfth Night, and not one moment before that!

We have so enjoyed our Christmas, times with family, with friends, a wonderful meal cooked by my son and grandson, talking to far away family members...so much to be thankful for.

The new freezer is full and going well.

Bulbs are beginning to appear in the garden.

It's a new season, a new year almost upon us.

No one knows what it will bring, but we hope and pray for good health, for peace, for the joy in 'starting again' with a new year.

Downs and ups.

Sung to the tune of The Twelve days of Christmas'.....

On the second day before Christmas

my Freezer broke down

and water covered the floor......

True. However, with the help of two local neighbours, I managed to store my frozen food in their freezers , and rushed off to our local electrical store to see if I could possibly get a new one delivered on Christmas Eve. There was no point even thinking about repairs, as the freezer was an old one that had been in the house when we moved in.

I didn't have much hope....but...... there were two available, and yes, they could deliver on the next day!

So by 9.30 am on Christmas Eve, I had a new freezer. 

As I filled it full I reflected on how very fortunate I was.

And as I watched the plight of the people in Devon and the South West who had missed their Christmas altogether due to flooding, I realised that there are a lot worse things than a broken freezer.

And here's my Austrian Christmas angel.

Short break.

I'm closing down for a few days now.

May I wish all my friends, far and near, a peaceful and most blessed Christmas.

A pause in Advent.

Wintershall Live Nativity play.

The link is here

On the last Sunday of Advent, this for me, epitomises all that we have been waiting for.

A little bit of National Trust Christmas.

As you walk into the entry of Trelissick gardens,

this is what you see..

Isn't it lovely?

Each tree was designed by a group, such a Floral Association  or a School, and decorated by them.

We are hoping to go over tomorrow to see the house, which is now open at weekends to the public.

Memories

Stricken with a streaming cold, I haven't done a Pause in Advent post.

But maybe you'd like some Christmas and Advent memories?

It was just after the end of the war when we moved to Cornwall, and as  child everything seemed magical to me. My grandparents, with whom we lived following the early death of my father, had bought a big house on the edge of the ocean...a small ocean that we know in England as a creek .

Christmas was such a family time.

We would go and cut a tree...it had to be a big one! Grandpa would fix it in the big sitting room near the piano. Our decorations were usually home made, but there were always real candles clipped on to the branches. Yes, they were lit, but only when there was an adult in the room.

We children would spend hours making paper chains, little walnut boats for the tree, hanging tiny crackers and vintage baubles. We gathered holly and ivy to decorate the rooms.

My aunt, who was a wonderful pianist, would play Carols which we all joined in with.

The smells of Christmas preparations drifted through the house, tangerines, baking, and even the one small glass of sherry that Grandpa allowed himself at Christmas!

Waiting was the hardest part.

More memories later.

In answer to.....

Very briefly, and in answer to a couple of questions about the last post on 'Open the Book'....

Yes, the donkey's mask was originally made for a production of Midsummer Night's Dream,

so he is moonlighting in our school performance!

Yes, I am there, holding the Book.

My job is to be the Organiser, emailer, costume provider, narrator and anything else that comes along!

Last school performance.

Our last Open the Book production was held this morning.

I think you can see what the story was!

We have Mary, Joseph, an Angel and an innkeeper, all surrounded by the shepherds with their sheep.

And a cow too!

Can you see the little Donkey?!

It has been such fun doing this in our school.

Next year there is to be a new Head teacher, so we hope that we will be able to continue, as the children are so excited by these performances.

Pause in Advent 2.

The theme of our talk in church this morning was, 'Have we become over-familiar with the whole story of Christmas?'

For me, one of the joys of Christmas is its familiarity.

The traditions that families have are repeated, passed down. 

The Carols we sing have been with us since childhood, and were once sung gathered round neighbours' doors in our village. 

The decorating brings out the old, sometimes worn, treasures.

The story, ancient, much loved, telling of Hope in the world.

I like familiarity.

Photo taken in Kea church this morning, after the second candle was lit.

The start of decorating.

Inspired by so many of your lovely decorations , especially Lorrie's wreath, I thought I had better spend some time making ours.

It's very simple, and owes a lot to my neighbour's fir tree and a hot-glue gun!

I have a small tree in a pot, but we don't put that up for a little while yet.

We like to wait till a bit nearer to Christmas.

Swaps

Just a brief 'thank you' for your kind enquiries about my husband. He is much better now. The bronchial virus that he had is sweeping the South West, and is most unpleasant. Stay warm!

Recently I participated in two swaps. One was organised by Betty the Wood Fairy, and was to send a handmade Angel or Fairy to a partner.

The second was arranged by Vicky of Life on Willie-Mae Lane, and was to send a Christmas ornament to a partner.

Did I remember to take photos of my two gifts? No. Maybe the two ladies who received them will put photos up!

This exciting box arrived from Willie Mae Lane.

 In it were some very generous gifts, in addition to the lovely tree ornaments.

One of the ornaments was made from Vicky's grape vine, and is so pretty. Together with a pretty teatowel, notepad, pen , sweets......how very kind.

Thank you Vicky.

Then came a frothy angel, beautifully knitted by NanaGoGo in Scotland. She looks as though she is ready to dance! Also some delicious Scottish biscuits.

Thank you Anne!

 I did enjoy making my gifts and maybe one day I will have photos to show you!

A bit of cutting and sticking.

Sunday afternoon. Quiet day with my husband not too well.

So I spent the afternoon doing a bit of creative decorating.

I found these plain white gift bags in Hobby craft, and thought it would be fun to make them more attractive.

So I gathered up my box of fabric bits, sequins, laces etc and set to work.

Once I had started, I couldn't stop!

And here they are...just offcuts of fabric, ribbon, and bows.

I want to go and get some more!

I shall use them to put small presents in. I think they will make the recipient feel they have something a bit special.

PS. The bags cost 40 pence each, but I think they look more expensive now!

Pause in Advent.1.

I'm a last minute entry to Floss's lovely Pause in Advent mainly because I wasn't sure if I could find a moment to 'pause'.

There is no doubt about it...even the most organised of us find December a pretty hectic time, especially those with young families.

But then I thought, everything we do, whether it be stringing lights, making Christmas food, choosing presents...all is done with love, with care, for others. 

And even if we are rushed and hurried, at the centre of all we do is our love for our families, our friends and the One we are waiting for, our Saviour.

So maybe we are always going to have that 'last minute' feeling.

But maybe within it we can find the core of peace in Advent.

Generosity

The generosity of bloggers amazes me, and I am so thankful for the many friends I have made, some whom I will never meet, but with whom I have such a link.

During the last week I have had the blessing of two lovely gifts, a beautiful Decal from

Rhondi, and some exquisite handmade soap from Sarah in Missouri. I have followed Sarah's blog for a long time, and love to read about their family farm and about their animals and produce. Their soap is handmade and is too lovely to use! It scents my bathroom beautifully right now.

But not only that.... I have also won three giveaways!

The first one was from Brenda whose inspiring posts I have been reading for some years. It is this book, Surprised by Oxford, which I am looking forward to reading.

Then Terri offered a giveaway. Terri is one of my most read people, and I have bought her beautifully sewn articles previously. She writes about her joys , her family, being a pastor's wife, and of course, her sewing.

She is a published writer and her two books were part of the giveaway, together with some Autumny sewn gifts, so pretty.

 I enter giveaways never expecting to win.

But to my surprise I heard that I had also won Sharon's giveaway!

Sharon, again, is someone whose posts I have been reading for a long time.

I worry about the postage costs for those kind people who send gifts.

I do ask them to re-gift to someone in USA if the mail cost is too high.

Thank you for all my lovely giveaways and gifts.

I am very privileged.

To all my American friends

Although Thanksgiving is not something that we have in the UK, I do believe that it is very special, and wonder if we should have something similar?

There is so much to be thankful for.

I would love to be invited to a real American Thanksgiving meal.

I can imagine how traditional it would be, and yet so unlike anything we do here.

So... I wish all my friends in America

A very Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Friends to supper.

Today we say good bye to two dear friends who are moving from Cornwall back to their home county of Herefordshire. We have known these friends for over thirty years, a friendship that has stretched over two countries, has seen joys and sorrows together.

So, a 'last supper' together.

The house smells deliciously of slow cooked lamb, which has been in the oven for four hours, covered in rosemary and thyme.

Mince pies to follow.

It's not a smart dinner, it's a 'come as you are', it's friends enjoying each others company.

It won't be the last time, as we hope to take a train next year to visit them.

We know that they are happy to be going nearer their families now. We know that real friendships never die. 

But, how we will miss them, their cheery phone calls to say 'Anything you need?'

The knowledge that if we needed help, they were first to come.

We have been blessed to have friends like that.

Christmas shopping

All of a sudden, and it is still November, I've discovered that the only time to go into town is before 9am. Christmas shopping is under way with a vengeance.

If I get to the supermarket by 8am, I can be out again by 9am, and back home.

The shops are full of decorations, gifts, cards, and even live Christmas trees.

Isn't it a bit early to buy a tree?

Although I love being back in England, I do think wistfully of the complete lack of pre Christmas rush in France. Shops were decorated, but not till well into December.

I have taken some short cuts this year.

Quite a few things are being bought on line and delivered here.

Our local National Trust shop at Trelissick is only a mile away, is full of little bits and pieces, and is so much easier than wading through crowds.

And of course, I am making various presents.

One favourite place to visit in town is our lovely Cathedral, which also has its own shop.
It's just delightful to sit quietly, gaze at the beautiful all white Christmas tree, and allow the real meaning of Christmas to sink in.

Do you enjoy the rush and bustle of the Christmas shop?

Weather!

Just after I had put a load of washing in the machine, on what started as a sunny blowy day......the hail came down!

It was sudden, brutal and harsh.

I'm hoping the sun will return (but not banking on it).

Charities.

It's the time of year when almost every post contains letters from charities, asking for donations.

There are charities for children, for elderly, for animals, for sufferers from so many illnesses .....I could go on and on. Sometimes they send little gifts, cards or stick on name tags. Then I am unable to use them unless I send even a small donation.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to give and give?

We support only two charities throughout the year, one for Blind Veterans and one for Cancer sufferers. We buy carefully chosen Christmas cards from a Charity.

I wish we could do more.

If only some of those millions from the Lottery could be diverted as gifts, but where would one start, and finish?

We do what we can.

Acts 20:35

New International Version (NIV)

35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said:‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Little hats.

You might remember that a little while ago I wrote a post about knitting little hats for bottles?

I know it sounds crazy, but it was for a good cause.

Innocent smoothies promote this every year and the hats are worn in November .

Today in Sainsburys supermarket the bottles were dressed.

I had to buy a couple, in the knowledge that for every one sold, 25 pence is given to a Charity called Age UK.

The astonishing thing was....I saw one of the bottles wearing a hat that I had made!

I didn't buy it. I chose these two instead.

Over the last ten years, Innocent have raised more than a million pounds.

Just with bottles wearing little hats!

Remembrance.

I can't let November 11th go by without a picture of poppies.

Reminding us of the men and boys who fell on the fields of Flanders in the first World War, these will always be a symbol of selfless bravery.

Sadly, wars have continued and we now have so many young men who have not returned from their tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

They must never be forgotten.

The Queen laid a wreath today on the steps of the Cenotaph in Whitehall, and after the ceremony came a March past.

10,000 people were in that March, many of them veterans.

Poignancy in so many little things.

A young girl pushing  wheelchair for an elderly man, his eyes blazing with fervour, his hand tapping to the beat of the military band.

Blind veterans, marching with companions.

Disabled men in wheelchairs, sitting proudly.

Commanders being interviewed, saying 'We only did our job'.

And the most lovely moment during the televised ceremony in the Albert hall.

A small group of young girls called 'The Poppy Girls' sang a haunting song in front of the huge audience.

At the end of it the announcer said that sadly the father of one of the girls (Megan aged 10, on the left.) was on duty in the Indian ocean so would not have been able to see his daughter perform. 'But, Megan' he went on, 'we have a surprise for you'.

Her face as she saw her Daddy come down the steps towards her was unbelievable.

I think we all shed a tear.

Going out, a bit more added.

It's raining...but the sun is shining.

We are going to go out, visit the mobile Library,

and then take a walk in Trelissick Gardens.

We may get very wet, but it's more fun than staying in!.

Edited later;
And so we did.
The rain held off, the sun came out.
We borrowed a wheelchair from the entry, just in case of tiredness.
We wandered along the flat paths, looked over the view to Tregothnan , framed in Autumn colours.

We paused to sit and admire the view through the trees.
There were very few people around , which made it easy.

Then, the wheelchair largely unused, we returned it and wandered into the Courtyard Cafe for a reviving bowl of soup.

Here people were sitting outside,enjoying the rare November sun.

We are so fortunate to have this lovely place less than a mile away from our home.

I remember our happy meeting with another blogger, Bayou, earlier this year.

What a pity you weren't here to enjoy it with us, Anke!

5th November/Bonfire soup.

In England November 5th is traditionally Bonfire/Firework Night, when the sins of one Guy Fawkes are remembered, and fireworks are lit.

In actual fact, most of the big celebrations were held last Saturday, being a weekend.

I remember with nostalgia the Firework nights long before Health and Safety's Public displays were invented. It was a family night, when we all piled off down the lane to the folk with the very big garden. We carried our trays of Treacle toffee, jacket potatoes and of course, the sparklers.

It was fun. We were watched carefully by parents and friends, and there were no accidents.

Probably the most exciting thing would have been a Catherine wheel zooming off the stake, to shrieks of delight from the children.

This is the Firework Soup that I made for years for my children.

Recipe;
3 rashers bacon
2 sticks celery, 3 carrots, 2 potatoes, clove garlic, 1 onion, 1 leek.
(To add later; Quarter of a small cabbage, 1 oz quick cook pasta, 4 oz peas.)
Butter, tomato puree, stock cubes, herbs,
3 pints boiling water.
Chop bacon, celery, dice carrots, cut potatoes into dice, Slice onion, trim leek and cut into slices.
Crush garlic.
Melt butter in a very large saucepan, add bacon, celery, carrots potatoes, garlic, onion and leek. Fry slowly for 5 mins without browning.
Add tomato puree (1 tsp)
Add stock cubes dissolved in 1 pint water, together with mixed herbs and seasoning and the rest of the water.
Simmer for 20 mins.
Wash cabbage and cut off any tough leaves, shred finely. Add pasta, peas and cabbage to soup.
Bring to boil, simmer for another 20 mins.
Thicken if needed with beurre manie (or cornflour)
Serve with grated Parmesan and crusty bread.

Decorating, again.

Our decorator (second one) has just finished the sitting room.

A few weeks ago the first decorator started the room and made such a frightful mess of the papering that we asked him to leave.

In came Les, also known as 'Slightly scary Les', due to his tattoos, earring and gold tooth.

Les has been wonderful.

He is quiet, doesn't bring a radio, doesn't smoke, just gets on.

He ripped off the bad paper, sized and filled the walls and papered them with a much better quality paper.

Not one bubble was there.

Les is an artist.

So now we can put the furniture back and enjoy our new room.

There may be photos later.

Halloween.

Do you know what a 'guiser' was?

The tradition of Halloween goes back to the Middle Ages, when on All souls night, it was believed that the souls of the departed returned. Poor folk would wear costumes or masks (disguises) to 'copy' the evil spirits, or placate them, and would go from door to door offering prayers for the dead.

With them went a turnip lantern...long before pumpkins had come into England.

In return they were given food and treats.

Even Shakespeare mentions the day, in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, referring to 'a beggar at Hallowmas'.

Apparently it was not until 1911 that guising was recorded in America.

Sadly the tradition seems to have become aggressive in England, and people do not generally answer their doors to a knock. There have been so many unpleasant incidents of threats, of demands and of older folk being terrorised.

If this is the sort of costume then I would be terrified too!

Our church puts on a Light party for all the local children in the neighborhood, whether or not they are church goers. It is a much safer option than dressing up as a ghost and wandering around the streets.

Etsy shop.

One of my favourite hobbies when we lived in France was to collect lovely vintage linens.

I hoarded them, used them, had no real motive for keeping them. They were just things...treasures, to enjoy.

Now, with so much less space, I am having to let them go. I can't do with any more bags and suitcases in places where I need space.

So I decided to open a small Etsy shop.

It's a bit of a 'pop-up' shop as it won't be there forever. I'm not a 'professional' seller.

Prices are low for that reason.

Look at this dear little French cotton baby smock! With its lace inserts and cuffs it would grace any baby (or dolly!)

Below is one of the many lovely square pillowcases that I found, lace trimmed and embroidered.

Many of these items would have been made for trousseaux and tucked away in a drawer.

In rural France it was the tradition to make everything for a future wedding.

Not being a very experienced shopkeeper, I am still stocking my 'emporium, but it will soon be full of pretty French vintage linens.

I have no idea how to add the link (see my inexperience, help, help)

But the shop is called 'Mostly white'
.https://www.etsy.com/shop/mostlywhite

Because that is what it is.

Storm.

We were warned that the storm would be a bad one.

I don't think anyone realised the damage, the horrors that would ensue.

People have died. Trees have crushed cars, homes and buildings.

Houses have flooded.

A boy was swept out to sea .

We in the far West have not had the devastation, although strong winds have blown through our gardens.

We can only pray for those who have suffered.

Beautiful soup.

When Autumn arrives, so our thoughts turn to Soups. Thick, steaming soups that seem to give heat and energy to the body. I love making soup, and even with few ingredients to hand you can still make a heart- warming soup with the addition of a few red lentils, some croutons, a handful of frozen peas.....

 Unlike some of our younger family, I don't have all the smart gear for soup making.

I don't use a blender like this one. I just chop my vegetables, which is quite satisfying.

Neither do I own a soup maker. 

I'm afraid I prefer the old traditional way!

 But I do have my trusty stick blender, bought in a French supermarket many years ago, which I use when everything is cooked, to make a smooth soup. Sometimes we just leave it chunky.

I like to look for new soup recipes, but I think my husband's favourite will always be what my children used to call 'Bonfire soup', as we simply had to have it on Nov 5th, our firework night, held in chilly hands around the bonfire. Actually, it is a simple minestrone, full of vegetables and goodness.

What soups do you like?

Cats at Large

There is a report in the newspaper to day of a village in Gloucestershire that is under siege.

A fierce and aggressive gang is storming into houses, eating food, stealing.

The Cat Gang have come to town.

Apparently up to thirty or so cats have banded together to find food. Some are feral animals.

Can you imagine their planning meetings?

Are they armed?

Terrifying!