Why did I think I would get time to myself yesterday? I wrote some of this post, but no chance of finishing it!
@Bimblesalong the jumper is superb, and the hat lovely. Second chances at life are definitely to be lived to the full as best as can be done, even when it's all rather different
@piscofrisco Burgh island sounds really nice. Hope Dh is recovering and you've avoided sharing. Little girl dog has understood life and nature perfectly. The mistletoe hook is a plumbers rod adaptation as my tree climbing days are well and truly done, and I've produced Dc's that fall out of trees better than they stay in them! If you see what appears to be a disabled female plumber at the side of a back road, eyeing up and talking to a tree, do come and join the fun and games.
@SheherazadesSeasonalNonsense the snogging men are still there, just younger!
@dazzlingdeborahrose It can be hard not to focus on the negative if that's what life keeps handing you. Remembering and acknowledging the positive that continues to be there during it, seems to be the trick, though it took me time to truly seek it.
@LillianGish The whole of the rest of the year is there to not have the joy of the tree, relish it, it's beautiful. Hope you have a lovely lunch and at least a range of greys in your skies.
@drspouse Thanks for the Christmas pudding ice cream and yes to 'quincemeat' being better in pastry than as a jam.
@AgathaMystery I know it's very scary to face, but living on less can bring it's own rewards. If Pilates is the thing that holds you together, then it isn't foolish to spend on it. I saved all of last year hard to be able to afford to go to Bruges for three days and be able to buy things at the Christmas market. It was actually all the sweeter for being something I can't just do at will and ensured I used every minute of it well. Tbh I alternate surviving and thriving, as we say here, some days you're the statue, some days the pigeon.
@Midlifeshenanigans It is horribly easy to stop looking after ourselves when everyone around us has clamoring needs. The cup empties faster when pouring from it for others, so nurturing yourself is essential.
@BobBobBobbing Loved the story of Dd's arrival, belated best wishes to her and @lucysmam's Dd. (surely no such thing as too much cheese?)
Very well done your DD! That spread's brilliant. Also loving that your hound has learnt how to turn on the electric blanket!
@IngenTing I have so enjoyed hearing about your cabin and hearing about the ever present snow and cold has taken me back a long way (to a different place) that I tend towards nostalgic yearnings for at this time of year.
But, you have now also reminded me of the realities of returning when no longer a child (when the best memories are from) of lying under trucks lighting fires to defrost fuel lines while trying not to set them on fire, hauling batteries indoors at night, living in fear of hearing ice cracking under you, carrying flares as standard, battling snow chains with frozen fingers... et al. Even with all the modern advances, going home now even sans CC, sounds eminently sensible!
@GlomOfNit Your celebrations sound lovely! I can attest to the fact that worrying about rickety dwellings here never made them any less rickety. Every storm and strong winds brings more things to do here, but yet it stands. Hope Ds1 is ok.
@imp2007 How lovely to have the river bank to yourselves. I wonder if the lack of berries is an indication of very plump robins, pigeons and thrushes or that your more sheltered. Wish both you and @GettingFestiveNow continuous calm, and candles.
@RainbowZebraWarrior I'm hoping I don't know where your missing 25lb's are! Very impressive.
Sorry Dd is poorly, and the school situation sounds hard going. As she is heading away from eating meat and you're clearly a cooks, cook, I'm selfishly rather hoping that by next Christmas between you, we might just see some well practiced vegetarian alternatives to some of Nigel's more meat based recipes, to go alongside them..?
Beautiful photo, and very well found on the miniature plants. Glad you got to see the Aurora, lovely start.
I know I've missed all sorts of folk I meant to comment on at the time and then another thing happened, but hope everyone is doing well. About to do lunch, and fix the wreath that lost a chunk to enthusiastic young mistletoe hunters the other night!