Christmas

Here is our daughter on Christmas Day with some of her presents - Enzo and Richard, the creations of Danielle from Pussman and Co. Aren't they wonderful.

They kept our daughter company throughout the day and if they could talk they would tell you that they watched Shrek 3 and Doctor Who. They also sat by and watched as we played Cluedo and Top Trumps - presents from Father Christmas!

We told our daughter that the cat would stand on its hind legs for some turkey.

"She's not doing it, mum!"

"I don't believe it - the cat just stood on its hind legs and swiped the turkey with its front paws!"

Archie did his usual and guarded the stairs - all day!

The cat having discovered the turkey decided to try some ribbon!

I prefer the turkey - If I make myself look beautiful will you give me some more!

"It worked for Puss in Boots in Shrek!"

Boxing Day saw a visit from Grandma and her husband - which meant more presents!

Whilst all Millie needed to keep him content was some water from the tap!

Well, there we are. Another Christmas and Boxing Day consigned to history.

We all ate too much, of course - it's compulsory isn't it, eating too much at Christmas!!!

We had turkey, mash and roast potatoes with five veg - sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower cheese, carrots and roasted parsnips. Makes my mouth water just thinking of it all!

The turkey came from the local butchers and was very tasty indeed.

We watched a lot of television in between playing games and drinking wine!

Last night we watched Upstairs Dpwnstairs which I remember from the first time round (makes me feel old). I don't know about you but it wasn't the same without Hudson, Mrs. Bridges and Ruby!

There is a new run of Just William starting tomorrow - I remember this on TV on Sunday afternoons when I was a bit younger than our daughter. She loves William Brown and his gang, The Outlaws and  had a William book for Christmas.

Well, that seems to be it for another year - Christmas done and dusted!

Until next time.

June.

Anticipation ...

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

Mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a minature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name.

"Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

Then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof,

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon he gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

He filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.

Then, laying his finger aside his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

Then I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

Well, we're almost there aren't we - the anticipation is almost over.

Have a Wonderful Christmas!

Don't eat or drink too much - oh, what the hell, the diet can always start in the New Year.

Take care now!

Until next time.

June.

The Nativity Play

I love childrens books at Christmas time. This one is called "The Nativity Play" and is by Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen.

It tells the story of a school Nativity Play and captures a school Christmas Play very accurately indeed.

Here is a scene depicting "No room at the Inn."

The baby, Jesus is born in a stable and the children sing - what else but -

"Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head ... "

The book even has one of the shepherds waving at his dad in the audience - it really does capture the essence of the school Christmas Play! Here we have the Three Wise Men with their gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

From the book to a real Christmas Play. Our daughters Christmas Play was held last Monday. She is wearing the red shawl and played the part of the Innkeeper's Wife.

The Play was about the Fourth Wise Man, Artaban. Here he is with his false beard!

The children played their parts beautifully. A lot of work goes into these school productions and the children really seem to enjoy them!

Here we are towards the end with Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus. There seem to be a few more babies there too!

Well there we have it the school Christmas Play over for another year!

Last night we braved the freezing temperatures and headed to Guildford to see the Pantomine "Sleeping Beauty" which was very good. On the way back the roads were quite treacherous and the cars' temperature gauge showed that it was -6.5.

Today, I haven't been feeling very well - a nasty cough and runny nose!

It had been snowing overnight and we have about 3 inches of snow. The dog has just been out in the garden and has come back in covered in snow and is now fast asleep on his blanket by the fire - It's a hard life being a dog!

 The turkey has been ordered from the butchers for collection on Christmas Eve but I still need to get some presents! How I wish that I was more organized!

Until next time.

June.

Rudolph!

I found this book about six months ago in a second hand book-shop in Honiton, Devon and thought that I would share it with you!

It has the story by Robert May of "Rudolph" with pop-up pictures - everything it says on the cover!

It starts off like this :-

'Twas the day before Christmas, and all through the hills

The reindeer were playing .. enjoying the spills

Of skating and coasting, and climbing the willows ...

And hop scotch and leap-frog (protected by pillows!)

While every so often they'd stop to call names

At one little deer not allowed in their games:-

"Ha ha! Look at Rudolph! His nose is a sight!"

"It's red as a beet!" "Twice as big!" "Twice as bright!"

While Rudolph just cried. What else could he do?

He knew that the things they were saying were true!

Of course, Santa needs assistance as it is too dark to see and who better than Rudolph with his nose so bright!

Love the "Home Deer Home" sign above his bed!

And they're off! Watch out .. there's a jet plane!

Heading towards London! Will Christmas look like this - snow everywhere?

Hello Santa!!! Thanks for dropping by!

The more familiar lyrics that we learnt as children :-

Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer

had a very shiny nose.

And if you ever saw him,

you would even say it glows.

All of the other reindeer

used to laugh and call him names,

They never let poor Rudolph

join in any reindeer games.

Then one foggy Christmas Eve

Santa came to say:

"Rudolph with your nose so bright,

Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"

Then all the reindeer loved him

as they shouted out with glee,

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer,

you'll go down in history!

Ah, isn't he cute!

Well the cards have been written and a few more bits have been done.

Still need to sort out some presents and time is running out!

School has finished for Christmas.

Is it going to snow?

I'd better put my skates on ...

Until next time.

June.

Christmas Festival

The town's Christmas Festival was going full-swing when we arrived at 1.30 p.m. ready for our daughter to take part in her school's contribution to it - Carol singing.

Here they are - you might recognize the red hat!

The town's clock.

A jolly street singer!

This was one of those piped musical instruments - are they called a hurdy-gurdy?

A closer look at the musical machine!

Even the fairy from on top of the Christmas tree was there!

As of course, was Rudolph who apparantly was very naughty as he kept eating the tinsel!

I don't know about you but I still don't feel it's Christmas yet - I'm like this every year and then next week it will be a flurry of activity trying to sort everything out. I haven't even bought the cards yet!

Until next time.

June.