A Christmas Card for Jonny and MingMing

I wish that you could be here for Christmas but, as that is not possible this year, I thought you may like to see this blog reinstated so that you can share in our festivities.

This is just quick snapshot of the sideboard in the kitchen window...my trusty old reindeer, pinecones, candles, and your lantern, MM!

Remember, I am rusty, so having to feel my way around blogger and my phone, again.   I will do my best. 

Mum xxx

Love in the China Cupboard

An old photograph of the kitchen table

I suppose I should have written this post before Christmas, still, better late than never. 

The two 1970's dressers which are in the photograph hold lots of china, so does the pantry which is through the door between them.      I often think that I should send the lot to charity, enjoy the empty space, the uncluttered shelves.

However, Christmas is the time of year when I am glad that I haven't given into that particular temptation.    Cooking a celebratory meal for the family is enjoyable-ish, but dressing the table is enormous fun, especially when I start looking in those china cupboards, for they are filled with lovely  memories of people I loved, meals we shared, the celebrations and gatherings.

I always dress the table with a vast piece of sumptuous dark red and old gold curtain fabric - a bargain find in 'Boyes',  many years ago.     I've tried a plain white cloth, but that looks too starchy and formal for my hotchpotch collection of china and bits and pieces...pieces which link my life as a child with my life as a mother and grandma, along with everything between.

Throw on some brass candlesticks, a few pieces of silver, my late mother's dark red and gold china - bought by her, sixty years ago, when we lived in Hong Kong), plus quirky, individual pieces which make me smile, special glassware, whip up a dollop of magic, then serve the delicious (naturally!!) food to the fabulous family and away we go!

How about you - do you go for immaculate presentation, everything perfectly aligned and matched, or are you a messy and sentimental person?   As ever, no right, no wrong. 

Oh, no photograph of the finished table, because I was far too busy to even think about using a camera, instead there is this photo - fairy lights right around the perimeter of the kitchen and homemade 'snowflakes' hung from the kitchen beam, there are fresh holly sprigs on many of the paintings and lots of holly and greenery on the mantelpiece at the other end of the room.   No tree, with a very waggily-tailed Toby, plus two cats who like to shimmy up trees...

Call My Bluff

On Thursday we had some torrential rainfall, but I hadn't realised quite how heavy, until yesterday morning, when I walked past the old watermill.   Duck Island has disappeared and the stream has swollen to become a river, the water trying to squeeze under the bridge where I took the photograph from.

It didn't prevent me from walking Toby.  We managed to fit in our usual walk of a little over three miles, although it was heavy going in some parts, but that was balanced by the joy of walking along riverbanks and through open farmland. 

I wouldn't swap any of it for pavement walks, that is for sure.

Because we live just across the garden from two of our grandchildren, our home is something of a sanctuary to them, it also works as a place for their mother to let off steam - as she did this morning.

Storm in a teacup, of course.   I think most parents have been there - the house was a tip, children's toys all over the place, husband's sports gear just dumped in the kitchen, school books scattered around (he is a teacher, too), etc.       One grandchild wailing because she doesn't like mummy any more, grandson muttering under his breath as he half-heartedly sorted his things, husband looking thunderous because he wanted to be outdoors.

I couldn't resist, I went over and did my best Mary Poppins impression.   We looked for the fun and the job was soon done.   

Easy for me, but how it brought back the memories of when I was a working mother with three children, husband working away, and everything fell on to my shoulders.   Molehills became mountains and I often felt as though I was trying to swim through treacle.

When I returned home I decided to do a little cupboard sorting - talk about easily influenced.

I came across a huge brown envelope.

It was filled with pieces of card which had been cut from cereal/tissue boxes.    I recognised the handwriting immediately.    The cogs went round and I was whizzed back over thirty years.

Remember Call My Bluff?  The panel game, where contestants are split into teams and have to decide which definition of an obscure word is correct?     My father used to love that game.    Back then we used to have big family gatherings over Christmas and he must have spent days, if not weeks, making this for us all to play.

Can you imagine anyone these days spending so much time on a thing?   Much more likely to check out Amazon.      I love that this bundle of card is so imbued with his energy and hard work - he died almost twenty years ago, but this made him feel very near.

Well that's our Christmas entertainment sorted out then. 
Thanks Dad.xxx

The Dark End of the Year

The cats let me have a lie-in today, which simply mean that they didn't wake me until 5am. 

I stumbled through into the kitchen - fed the cats, let the dog out, put the kettle on, emptied the dishwasher, let the dog in, let the cats out, fed the dog, made a mug of strong coffee...and so on.

I was on my way back to make a second cup of coffee when I became aware of just how messy and gloomy the kitchen was looking.   Admittedly, it was pitch black outside, the curtains were all closed, and I didn't have many lights on, but even so. 

I immediately felt the need to clear the decks, put away the Christmas cloths, the decorations.   I wanted to transform my kitchen back into the light and airy room that I love so much.   Not quite spring cleaning fever, but almost as bad!

These are old photographs, you can tell that because the Rayburn was still in place, plus the photograph was taken in the daylight, which helps! 

I set to work, it wasn't possible to remove all signs of the season, but quite a lot of things have been returned to the loft.   I have my three youngest grandchildren coming to stay tomorrow, three little boys who love to 'investigate' things. 

Today has been spent roasting flesh (pig and chicken) baking bread and cakes, cleaning the house and making it safe, ready for the little ones.

Their visit will nicely fill the gap as we transition between the end of the old year and into the start of a fresh new one.         A big family gathering and another big meal tomorrow, plus a few smaller meals, then I can put my pinny away until next year.     

Thank goodness.

I took Toby out for a reasonable walk this morning, my bruised tailbone still won't permit me to do my usual route march!  We walked out past the watermill, up through Butterbump Splash, then cut across a field, jumped (well, Toby jumped, I splashed through, a small stream, clambered over a few stiles, walked by the side of the chalk stream and arrived at this bridge.     

Parsonage Cottage is located about 150 yards to the left of this bridge, in order to reach it we have to walk through up through the field, all the way up to the houses which  you can see in the distance, out through the field gates, then turn to our left and walk down the lane towards home.

The first house we pass is where my dear friend Oscar used to live, with his old horse, Benedict.  They have both gone now, but they are not forgotten, for they are firmly lodged in my heart and remembered often in our conversations.

Long ago, there was a slaughterhouse to the side, and part of the house became a butcher's shop, later it became a doctor's surgery, before reverting to a smallholding, when Oscar took it over.

The old ramshackle barn still remains, it is where this dear and handsome old boy dozed away his days.    When I took this photograph, I was unaware that the barn owl was in the barn, too.   Just as the camera shutter clicked, he flew out of the door, too fast for me to react to get a photograph, but slowly enough for it to be firmly stamped into my memory.   They were friends.  The owl would perch just a couple of feet above Benedict's head.

On down the lane, past another cottage, then the length of Owl Wood, and home. 

Darkness has crept in around the cottage again.    It is time to prepare supper - is there no end to this cooking nonsense?    Luckily, I made a pot of vegetable soup earlier!   

I will need to take a torch out with me when I walk Toby around Owl Wood, then I can get into a warm pair of pyjamas, make some hot chocolate, and continue reading one of my library books.

I hope you are set to have a pleasant evening, too.
x

Charred Remains and A Pink Rubber Duck

My favourite decorations this year have been those bits and pieces of greenery which I bought in from Owl Wood and the gardens.    Candlesticks had ivy twirled around them, simple but beautiful.  Snippings from the Bay trees were used for wreaths and for tucking into bowls of satsumas, clove pomanders and the like, mantelpieces had boughs of fresh and fragrant greenery placed upon them.  The very simple beeswax candles which I made last year  with my grandchildren burned softly and beautifully.   

The deep red and gold damask tablecloth was a remnant which I bought many years ago for just a couple of pounds.   It has seen many years of festive service and has washed to a soft and silky drape.   The whole 'look' was easy to put together, I scattered a few bits of citrus fruit, a couple of baubles, and some very nice 50p each at a charity shop wine glasses, and I was happy.

Friends dropped by, greetings and gifts were exchanged.    It was all very simple.   Happy grandchildren, happy adults.   Puzzled pets, though they were all happy with the extra treats which were on offer later.

The meal went well - not my kind of meal - but one which made the meat-eaters happy, and that made me happy.     I settled for generous helpings of all the vegetables, along with a dollop of the homemade cranberry sauce (sharp and refreshing, just as I like it) and waited for the cheeseboard.




Nothing fancy this year, I kept it simple.  Only one cheese, oatcakes, grapes, figs and walnuts.   It looked attractive, tasted good and it means that we won't have to work our way through mountains of unwanted cheese.

Gifts were opened, fixed together, played with.  Crackers pulled, party hats worn and corny jokes read out and laughed at.

One of the most successful gifts was that of a pink rubber duck!    It turned out to be something which my lovely daughter-in-law, MM, had long desired!

I also managed to bring tears to the eyes of my daughter's mother-in-law.    My gift to her was a peg doll dressed in fabric from a baby dress which had belonged to our granddaughter, along with a peg soldier which I had painted in a special livery, as directed by our grandson.

As for the charred remains - no, not the Christmas Dinner:     If you are using wooden candlesticks, don't let the candles burn too low or you could find yourself with a problem!

I hope your day went well, too. 

Today is my favourite day, as far as catering is concerned.   Leftovers!
x

Happy Christmas!

HAPPY    CHRISTMAS!

Winding Up

I haven't put out as many decorations as normal.     Candles, pomanders, greenery and this little snow scene have made the cut, along with my large golden kitchen angel/cherub - she oversees my festive cooking endeavours, as she has for over twenty years.



The snow scene is special to me, only because of the little girl in blue, she was used to decorate the top of my mother's Christmas cakes, for many years.   We don't like sugary icing, so she had become redundant and was in danger of being lost.    Luckily I found a wooden board complete with a very tall glass dome, at a jumble sale (one pound) it seemed like the ideal way to display her.

I made some wreath bases from the pliable vines of my honeysuckle plants.    By the time I had finished, they were twice as thick as this and ready for action.    In the past I have paid a ridiculous amount of money for wreath bases, much better to use free garden clippings, plus a few minutes of effort.

I trawled the gardens for greenery.   Holly, of course, ivy from Owl Wood, lots of rosemary and the big bay tree provided the rest.  The wire is left over from when I made my Christmas angels, I used it to make their wings.

One of the nicest things about working with these simple things was the smell, especially the rosemary!

By the time I got to wreath number three, I must admit that I had had enough of it for one day!


I found some red hessian and made some rather inexpert bows, to finish them off - I love red and green at Christmas time, it makes me happy.

The main gates are huge, so I made this large one for there, the others went onto the house doors.  They are rustic, very inexpensive, they do the job.

Our grandchildren have spent the night with us, their parents have taken themselves off to Lincoln ,for a bit of peace and quiet (and last minute shopping) before Christmas.   

Yesterday afternoon grandchildren and I made some more 'natural' firelighters - this time we used dried orange peel, cinnamon, cloves and star anise, they smell really good.

I got the old wind-up gramophone out and the old pile of 78's which had belonged to my parents.    I treated us to some carols, as sung over 60 years ago by the St Martin's Choral Society.  The quality of the sound was impressive, considering the mistreatment those records have received over the years.

I had better head off and make some breakfast preparations, it won't be long before my little elves wake up for a morning of mischief.   We should be able to hand them back to their parents by early afternoon.    I may need a jolly good nap then!

Enjoy your weekend.

Madcap Ideas

At 8.45 am this morning, my daughter rang from school (she is a teacher) she was in full panic mode because there was to be a  meeting about the school's forthcoming Festive Fair, she needed a quick idea for a stall...just like that!

I was reluctant to suggest that she do crafts, because I knew who would have ended up making everything for the stall and I just don't have the spare time.   Instead, I suggested that she go for a game - how about Pin the Nose on Rudolph?

Then I was left in peace to make a cup of tea.   By 9 am my brain had kicked in and I was whizzing around, poking around in my cupboards, looking up on shelves, trying to see how I could make a quick version of the game to help pad out a corner of the village hall tomorrow.

This is what I ended up with.   I found a large unpainted canvas, quickly dashed off something approximating a friendly Rudolph, all the while wondering about how the game could be played.   Velcro, red felt, and dried peas came to my assistance.

I was quite pleased with the result and the good thing is that my daughter can then use it at her school fair in a week or two.

This afternoon a small handful of us gathered in the very cold village hall and set up tables, cloths, chairs, the Christmas tree, etc ready for tomorrow.       Everything is set and the hall is looking much jollier than it normally does on a dank November afternoon.

Everyone had a go with the Rudolph game, judging by the giggles and poor shots this afternoon,  I think it should go down well with any children who may come along.   Fingers crossed, anyway.

I will answer the comments from yesterday, probably the day after tomorrow, when things quieten down.   Meanwhile, thank you for reading and for all your comments.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, whatever you are doing.

In the Attic Today

My nose is still firmly to the grindstone, hence the lack of posts, visits, and comments.     Sorry!  Too few hours in a day, especially with running 'breakfast and teatime clubs' for two of my grandchildren, five days a week.

I am enjoying myself, but I will be glad when my self-allotted task has been completed, the dolls sold, and my free time becomes my own.

I had to go into our nearest market town today, for a free flu jab.   It was a production line all very efficient.   The clinic was held in the Corn Exchange.      To reach it, I had to drive down West Street and turn into the Market Place car park.   Not so many decades ago, cattle used to be walked along this road, on their way to the cattle market, now a Co-op supermarket.

Alford is a small town, a bit run down and shabby around the edges, but I like it.   It has small shops, family butchers, newsagents, craft shops, newsagents, bakeries, supermarkets - small, a few charity shops, hotels, pubs, takeaways, a fish and chip shop, fruit and vegetable shop, a pottery, the windmill for flour and grain, and an infrequently opened library, doctors surgeries, solicitors, a dentist, plus tea shops and cafes, of course.

Best of all, in my husband's opinion, is the Handyman DIY Shop. 

The red brick building to the right is the Corn Exchange, where the flu jab clinic was held.   Arrows directed victims to go round the building to the back, passing this

attractive cake shop.   I wonder how many people are seduced by the call of 'freshly' baked goods - delivered in a large van...

I entered the back door of the Corn Exchange and found myself faced by three receptionists each armed with a printout of names and a highlighter pen.   

"Name please."

"Elaine xxxx."

"Read this, then take off your coat and roll up your sleeve.  Catherine will see to you."

Immediately behind the receptionist, Catherine waited with her pile of vaccination syringes, plasters, etc.    No chair.   A quick hello, an even quicker jab, a slight pause because my arm bled a little, then slap on the plaster and move along.

I was in and out of the door in less than five minutes!

I did a (very) little housework, and then got back to work in the fairy factory.

There are glitzy ones, homely ones, and these pixie ones.    I have a few more to finish off, then they can go into the box, along with the assorted peg dollies, a range of Japanese dolls, the little nutcracker dolls, snowmen and a couple of reindeer.      Around eighty items.   That should be plenty, to raise funds for the hall and the church in the next village along.

I need to stop working on these soon because I have lots of crafts I want to make with my grandchildren before Christmas.

Then I plan to go into hibernation.

x   

Soldier Soldier Tutorial

Frugally Challenged, over at Trundlingthroughlife blog asked how I made these little soldiers, so I have cobbled together these instructions.    If anything is not clear, please do ask.   Thank you for all your comments on my previous post, I will be replying, as soon as I have a little time.

The little soldiers with the wooden hats (original version) are easy to make, but you will need two types of dowling, a drill, and a vice for holding things steady.

You need to cut a piece of the thicker dowling (I think mine was 18mm diameter) which will become the hat.       Drill out some wood, so that the hat will sit on top of the peg, like a hat.    Then drill a smaller hole, the thickness of the smaller dowling, right the way through the hat and also down into the top of the peg.


This will allow you to secure the hat to the peg.     You could simply use wood glue, though I am not sure how secure and long-lasting that would be.

Fix them together and then cut the thinner dowling level with the hat.  That is the tricky bit completed.

While I was out walking Toby, yesterday, planning how to present this, I came up with an alternative version, one which doesn't require dowling or drills.   You probably spotted the new boy in the line-up...

Why not make a Busby?   Dark brown wool made into a pom pom, then severely trimmed to make the shape of a hat.   Glue this in place.   Much easier, but maybe not quite so secure.   Equally charming.

That is the construction side, but let's not forget the painting.

I use acrylic paints because they give good coverage and are long-lasting.

I also neaten up the edges with permanent markers, very fine tips - these are particularly useful for finishing off the faces, but be careful not to smudge and be sure to leave them to dry - I speak from experience.

Work them in stages.

I draw the design on, then block fill them in, gradually adding more and more detail, neatening and refining.   

Final thing will be a tiny hoop which I will screw into the hat, then I will loop a golden thread through, ready for hanging as a decoration.

Have fun!

A Little Normality is Good

We enjoyed all the fun of Christmas but it is wonderful to get back to a little normality.   Now that the decorations are being packed away the house is being gradually restored to slightly less colourful order.  

The fridge and the pantry are looking more streamlined as our meals return to normal, too.   We didn't go mad and over indulge too much, but even so, I can feel the difference.      My body works better on less food and no alcohol.   Goodbye, Prosecco!   Hello tap water and smaller meals.

I am looking forward to getting my craft work cupboards opened again, there is a quilt which needs finishing and another one which has only just been started plus there are lot of other ideas for projects which are jostling for attention in my head.

This won't entail any expenditure, the fabrics and wadding are all there squished into my cupboards and shelves, just waiting for me to get cracking.

Outdoor jobs need to be done.    While the trees are bare, we need to cut down some which are crowding the hedge line.   Plenty of opportunity for fresh air and exercise as we work on those, with free firewood as a bonus.

The vegetable garden pathways will receive a good deep layer of mulch, as we shred all the tiny bits which are of no use for anything else.    Nothing will go to waste, unless we come across some blackthorn - we love harvesting the sloes, but it is nasty, spikey stuff to deal with otherwise, so any trimmings will be put on a bonfire.

Of course all this activity will provide much entertainment for the hens, they will be around watching the floorshow, watching out for grubs and insects and generally getting under our feet - but then, Owl Wood is their home and they love anything which is out of the normal.

Hello to my Shanghai Two xxx

Dear Poppy and Miles,

As promised, some photographs of our Christmas breakfast.    Two whirling dervish children came across the garden at 8.30am, their parents were just moments behind them.   They, and The Writer, joined us for gift opening and breakfast.   It was chaotic and fun.  Everyone got fed and everyone seemed happy with their gifts.

We had a simple, kitchen breakfast, but everyone got something they enjoyed.  Eggs in pots for Alice, while Hector and Richard opted for bacon rolls, one on granary, the other white, sauteed mushrooms and garlic on bruschetta for The Writer, while Merry opted for cereal.    Everything was washed down with orange juice, Prosecco, Bucks Fizz, or blackcurrant juice according to taste.  

Hector adored the Christmas crackers and took delight in reading out all the corny jokes, something he couldn't quite achieve last year.

The Writer took lots of photographs, so did Max.   I have hopes that most of The Writer's do not feature me because unfortunately, Max's do...sorry.

For a while everything was a blur of wrapping paper being whipped off and exclamations of delight or puzzlement.

Hector was thrilled with his Monopoly, Star Wars Edition.

While young Merry was thrilled with her dolls house furniture.  She played for a long time, ignoring everything else, lost in her own little world.

It has been a fun-filled morning.    Now everyone has gone home, the dishes have been done.  Order restored.  The rest of the day is our own.

Max and I plan to chill out, read our new books, walk the dog, have a little more Prosecco and relax.
We miss you both so much - but we'll do something fun in the summer!
Love to you,
Mum and Dad
xxx

Carols & Mince Pies at Dovecote Dell

The weather deteriorated during the day, becoming wildly windy and very wet.   Luckily, as darkness fell, the evening became dry and still.      The air changed from unseasonable warmth, to very cool, so our spirits were high as we parked the car along the quiet country lane.

A very bright three-quarter moon shone in a dark blue velvet sky, myriad stars glittered and twinkled as we made our way through the darkness.   Suddenly the bells began to ring out, welcoming us into the warmth and light of the little church at Dovecote Dell and I just knew it was going to be a wonderful evening.

Plain white walls, mellow honey-coloured stone, the windowsills were adorned with the simplest decorations of fresh-cut holly and flickering candles.   Truly beautiful.

There were a couple of dozen people inside, the atmosphere was warm and relaxed as friends, old and new, greeted one another and began to catch up on all their news.

A hot water urn bubbled quietly in the corner, muttering a promise of hot drinks and mince pies later.

When the bells stopped ringing and everyone was seated, our lovely bouncy vicar began the service.   Imagine a slimmer version of the Vicar of Dibley, just a little more serious.     The short service was punctuated by carols sung with more enthusiasm than skill (I speak of myself  the others were brilliant).    

Perhaps the best treat of all was when the soloist sang.    Her voice was exquisite, trained but authentically beautiful.   She pitched it at exactly the right level for the building so that we were uplifted and transformed.

During the final hymn the urn joined in with a descant and it wasn't long before teas and coffees were being handed around, along with Diana's home-made mince pies, shortbread and chocolate cake and generous helpings of laughter and conversation.

Mrs Read* was there, looking as cheery as a winter robin redbreast in her beautiful scarlet coat, despite the fact that her hip was giving her a lot of trouble and she had resorted to using a walking stick.     She had thoroughly enjoyed the evening and is anticipating a lovely Christmas with her son doing all the cooking!

It was a lovely evening, a perfectly beautiful way to get into the Christmas spirit.       Tonight we'll be heading to the local pub, a chance to catch up with another group of friends and much merrymaking.

Somehow I don't think it will quite match up to the simple beauty of last night, but I'll let you know.

Bouncing on Gran's Bed

I woke up feeling very jolly and Christmassy, in the mood for festive baking.

First on the list was a watermelon and lime marmalade.   I found the recipe on Jenny Eatwell's blog and was intrigued by it.   I thought it would make an unusual Christmas gift.    Now I love the sharpness of lime, but this marmalade is definitely too sharp for most people.

I'll enjoy eating this first batch - the rich food of Christmas will be nicely balanced by this exceptionally zingy, mouth-puckeringly sharp concotion, but the recipe for my next batch will definitely be tweaked a little.   I'll let you know how it goes, if it is successful then I'll post my version.

I also made a batch of cranberry and almond biscotti.   I've never made biscotti before - so I was thrilled at just how easy they are to make and how many you get from one batch of the mix.  

My vintage F&M cake tins, filled with biscotti, will make nice gifts for friends.

I made a couple of cherry cakes but forgot to photograph them.   By then my urge to bake and cook had completely dissipated, we just had a simple lunch of yogurt and fruit with walnuts.   Totally delicious.

Merry and Hector, two of our grandchildren, came over this afternoon.   They wanted to watch a Christmassy film, in our bedroom, with the Christmas tree lights on and the open fire lit... but it was far too mild for that.   They were quite happy when we put some very large candles in the fireplace and lit them, the candlelight twinkled nicely and gave them a similar effect.

At first the two children were very happy to sit on the sofa with a faux fur throw over their laps, but they soon decided there was more fun to be had elsewhere.

So much more fun to get into Gran and Grandpa's big bed to watch television!     Even more fun to bounce around.

Hector has decided that when he grows up he is going to have a bedroom just like ours.

Poppy, the dark pillow case is one of the silk ones which you gave to us - Merry absolutely loved the way they felt on her face.   She definitely likes luxury, just like her Gran.    

Poppy and Miles - you are missed!

Speak to you both in the week.

Love, Mum

xxx