Have finally caught up the thread and CC again.
@HannahDefoesChristmasHamper Self care - definitely. It's so easily overlooked.It's not my word but is an attempted resolution. (the bar is quite low!)
@dazzlingdeborahrose Thank you for Farm Kitchen. Will be watching that on iplayer when I can find the opportunity, and @RainbowZebraWarrior for Antarctic podcast, and of course all the work that goes into keeping this special thread. Sympathies with having to pace yourself so much. (similar situation here, but more boom and bust.)
@LillianGish Oh wow to the Galette! Interesting to hear of the disagreement about Epiphany. Our Magi (or whatever representing them) traditionally make it to the base of the tree at midnight on the 5th. On the 6th we cut our (heavy) Epiphany cake, and find and crowned our king of celebrations. But at around 1 to 2am we have another cake which is very light, sweet, and decorated with either a star or a baby Jesus on a bed of saffron, and the magi may be in attendance, even though we're handed down the story that only the shepherds were there. (the three kings allegedly turned up over a year later with huge retinues in tow!) Midnight of the 6th is considered a particularly liminal time.
(also @Cleverchops) Gratitude's an interesting one, it's surprisingly easy to take what we have for granted, perhaps because we have so much. I know in harder times gratitude for good things was more automatic.
I also love seeing others lives and it's particularly lovely to get glimpses of places we may never get to otherwise see.
@IngenTing Your wool and warmth knowledge is being listened to with interest, along with @Bimblesalong. Necessity and bigger wants have meant choosing to put up with a lot, but am reaching a stage where being better equipped sounds like enabling a future.
Gently envious of carveable snow, and sunrise, but most of all of living in a community that automatically takes on responsibility of re-uniting gloves with their owners!
@Bimblesalong Friends in Spain sent pictures of insanely enthusiastic three Kings parades, accompanied by the Pink Panther and what looks like baby Yoda, but apparently isn't! Thanks for the tip to check out Google. Also sent a recording of 100s of birds in the trees, very noisily announcing the day. Your chair is magnificent. I love the composition of woods, you have great taste as does@SheherazadesSeasonalNonsense with another gorgeous chair.
Loved "surfeit of teenage girls." But school return sounds unenviable for all. @piscofrisco Hope DD's exam went well, and so know what both you and @RainbowZebraWarrior mean about reality being a far cry from NS apparent carefree solitude. Teenage girls are not meant to bring peace, not even quiet ones.
@lucysmam the tree is in the center at one end, rather than the actual center, though I suspect your kittens would be impressed with one dead center, if not the girls.
@imp2007 Hopefully dog will take it in her stride, but nice to hear you're ensuring you're around for her recovery.
Happy Birthday @AgathaMystery! 🎂Hope it's going well.
You had a rotating Christmas tree stand? Do you mean one with a motor? If so I have questions, it's something I've thought nervously about making.
@Confusedmeanderings after you and others talking about Monoprix, I have to investigate now.
Some extra elves have made it in (courtesy of adult Dc falling in love with them) helpful hints on what they are appreciated. Can just about see the three camels (representing the Magi) behind the ornaments on Christmas/Epiphany eve, and lunch; caramelized shallot quiche with mushroom and pepper sauce, Brussels with pecans in maplesyrup, lemon, sage, and onion stuffing, parmentier potatoes, honeyglaze carrots, and cranberry and chipotle sauce. No porridge here, still eating like kings, for now.