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.