Just calling in to wish you all a very, very Happy New Year and to let you know I will be away from my blog for a while.  I’ve so enjoyed visiting all your blogs this year, and I thank you for visiting me here. Your comments always make me smile and sometimes laugh out loud. More often than not, they make me think and send me off to do more research! I’ve learnt so much from each of you, and I’m immensely grateful to be part of this great big blogging community. Most of all I thank you for your friendship which I value more than you can know.  I hope the new year brings you all much ..read more

(Card www.alexclarkart.co.uk) I offer you this little poem with humble apologies to Clement C Moore whose words I’ve abused. 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the hen-house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung on the rafters with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The sheep were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of silage danced in their heads; And cat in her basket (not on a lap), Had just settled down for a long winter's nap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, The chickens sprang from thei ..read more

I’ve always loved school nativities and never more so than when our son and later his sons were in them. I don’t think our little granddaughters in Australia have taken part yet, but I’m sure it can only be a matter of time. It’s a lovely tradition and one I hope will continue long into the future. Christmas 1996: Our grandson Kip is the little boy on the far left of the picture (third row from the front).   I'm linking with Julie over at Julie's Scrapbook.  More from my Advent Calendar tomorrow.  ..read more

This piece of sheet music brings back so many memories. I’m five years old the Christmas tree in the corner is twinkling with lights. More lights are strung along the beams. Sprigs of Holly are on top of all the pictures and in a big vase on the piano. The Christmas cake is iced, and the turkey is in the oven. The Beverly Sisters are on the radio singing about mummy kissing Santa Clause, and my own mum is joining in on the piano. As much as I loved the song, I always wondered why mummy would be kissing Santa Clause. It was some years later when I worked out Santa was actually daddy in a Sant ..read more

I wander in a valley full of mist today, In cloud so low I feel its breath. If you are a regular reader of my blog, you might well recognise the above photograph. I first shared it in January of this year, along with several other photographs taken by my husband.  If you would like to see more, please visit I'm linking with Julie over at Julie's Scrapbook.  More from my Advent Calendar tomorrow.  ..read more

Don’t you just love this image from the front cover of Our Darlings a children’s annual published in the 1920s?  It makes me smile because the presents are not so much wrapped as unwrapped. I wonder if Santa was in a hurry that year or just running out of time. I'm linking with Julie over at Julie's Scrapbook.  More from my Advent Calendar tomorrow.  ..read more

I had to smile at this; Image: Etsy The seller obviously has a sense of humour describing the sack thus;  A funny Christmas sack for everyone who has ever tried to recreate the elaborate gift-wrapping you see on Pinterest. Even if your efforts are a bit shoddy in comparison, this modern rustic sack should make up for it.  A really nice touch on Christmas morning, to spread some laughter as you unwrap your presents. I'm more a sheet of wrapping paper and some sticky tape kind of person...how about you?  Have you ever tried any of these ideas from Pinterest? Gift wra ..read more

Did you know it’s possible to 'grow your own' mistletoe? You need a suitable host tree such as an apple, hawthorn or poplar and some fresh mistletoe berries and a little luck. My dad grew some in an old apple tree, and I’ve done the same.   Mistle Thrush in an Apple Tree - photo Pexels  (Image licensed under the Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license). Gardeners will tell you to cut a little nick in the bark leaving a flap and then squidge a berry with its seed between the bark and wood. I simply rubbed some squashed berries along the branches just as a bird would do when it cleans ..read more

I love this 2006 photo of little Rosie knee-deep in wrapping paper. Rosie came to live with us when our son, daughter-in-law and grandsons moved to Denmark and subsequently Australia. It was either that or put her into quarantine for six months, and as she was already an old lady, it seemed kinder to leave her with us. I’m sure she missed her ‘real’ family, just as we did, but we smothered her with love and attention, and she gradually settled into her new life. This all happened more than ten years ago, since then our grandsons now in their twenties have moved back to England. Our so ..read more

Today I’m turning back the clock to 2012. We were in Australia for Christmas, and it was such a privilege to decorate the tree with our two little granddaughters. Zoe took tree decorating very seriously as you will see in this series of photos.  Lilly enjoyed it too but more than anything she liked scooting around in her little car scattering tinsel and baubles as she went. It was such a lovely Christmas and one we will never forget.  Hang on a minute wouldn’t these look better on me? OK perhaps not! Nearly done but I do need to straighten these baubles. Other photos from t ..read more