Christmas Craftiness

What makes something 'hand crafted'? It sure has to be something which requires thought and the 'personal touch'. I have no problem with use of machines - lathes, sewing machines, food mixers etc - because they require a degree of skill to be operated well. But I am uncomfortable with items which are just an 'assemblage'. 

To go online and buy little red trucks, mini Xmas trees and a ball of silver thread, then sticking them together to make a hanging decoration is not craft imho. Neither is polishing a load of pennies with Brasso, sticking them individually on cardboard tags, and selling each for £5 as a 'lucky penny'

I am not selling at any craft fairs this year. For one thing, the only craft I have done recently has been churning out shed aprons. Thanks to Nancy's good marketing efforts, we have just about raised enough to cover the Shed Insurance premium for the coming year! 
Last week I made a dozen aprons, and the striped fabric is almost all used up. Bob will try to sell the remaining aprons at the Shed AGM later this month. I recently borrowed some crafting books from the Library

Margaret Bloom's book was brilliant! A section for each season, and appropriate dolls - covering folklore, fairytales, seasonal and religious celebrations. Good illustrations, clear instructions, well drawn templates...*****  WEBSITE HERE Check out the little video [even more fun at 2x speed!]

Supercraft Christmas is by two German women. Lots of interesting ideas, ranging from simple [put sprigs of greenery in an assortment of wine bottles] to crazily complex [embroider white snowflakes all over a white tablecloth "depending on the size of cloth and your level of diligence, this will take between 5 hours and 50 years"]
I think this one gives you the starting point and you can develop the ideas to suit. Sewing, painting, cooking, many skills - for decorating, wrapping, and giving. There's even a pattern for an apron! ****

55 Christmas balls by Arne and Carlos I know many of you follow these two crazy Scandi guys
The book is such fun, and there are indeed 55 balls, with variations, to try out. The patterns are clear, with only 2 colours per row and short 'floats'. But they are all using the same basic 41 row pattern worked on dpns. [if you didn't know that means double pointed needles, 

then abandon plans to make all fifty five any before Christmas!] But I am still awarding this one **** because it is so joyful, with little quotes, and bits of folklore, and a whole section on 'religious' motifs. Jesus is the Reason for the Season, after all

We called in briefly at the Festive Fair in Dereham on Saturday. I bought myself a pair of ear-rings from Bitzy, in support of the Norfolk Blood Bikes,. She works in the blood unit at the hospital in Norwich. Her stall was all eco friendly, zerowaste and the diverse range of stock was created by her work colleagues. Bob got a collecting box from Abbie, whose organisation recycles ink cartridges He is hoping to raise some more funds for the Shed. We were not tempted to buy anything else! 

A Word Of Appreciation

Covid prevented many important social gatherings - weddings, funerals, birthdays - and retirement events. I was sad that after 40 years in the same job, serving so many churches and communities as pastor and friend [councillor, school governor etc etc] Bob felt his ministry had sort of fizzled out unnoticed. He didn't get the big send off that most ministers do. I was determined to do something to rectify that. So in June I sent out about 30 emails, to the people and places where we'd been since 1981 when he first became a student pastor, up to the present day. I asked for letters, just acknowledging something about the friendships he had made over the years. I asked people to pass on the request to others. The letters were all to be sent to my friend Wendy [so he would not suspect anything] He had no idea!
I was delighted to receive 50 letters, representing over 80 people. Some I had completely lost touch with, and wondered how they had heard about the secret project. The letters were so appreciative, from pastors he had mentored, people whose marriages he'd conducted, or families who appreciated his input when they were bereaved, college staff, those in the community who had benefitted from his contribution to the well being of the area...

I collected the letters and took them secretly to a friends, where I printed off Bible verses and favourite hymns too. And on the evening before his birthday, after our special meal together, I presented it. We were both really moved by the kind words we read together. I am not posting any of those here - they are his letters and very personal. Just a few photos

But the day after his birthday, a letter came from Rosie. This is going to be added at the back of the book, after these final photographs.

Bob, your ministry certainly has not fizzled out unnoticed. In retirement, you are still doing amazing things here in Norfolk, and with your family. We love you so much - cooking pancakes and bbqs, craftsman, doing silly voices and telling great stories, the best grandad, dad, husband...

That's definitely the end of the 70th birthday celebrations!

Shopping At The Showground

Last Friday [7th] Julian arrived at lunchtime, as Bob got back from the Hospice. We had a quick snack then drove off to the Royal Norfolk Showground arriving at 2pm. The tickets were reduced after 1.30, which was a pleasant surprise.

We had much fun walking around the many stalls - some outside, some inside the exhibition building, and a few in a large marquee.

What can I say about the event? It was much as you would expect, a real mixture of stuff, ranging from overpriced tat which you might find at half the price on Romford Market, to handcrafted artisanal products made with care from quality materials, also costly, but perhaps better value for money!

And in between some middle range stuff, and lots of foodie gifts, with enthusiastic stall holders plying visitors with samples.

Bob and Julian were channelling Homer Simpson...

Chutneys, oils, chocolates, almonds [almonds are the best nuts] fudge, cheeses...a veritable banquet. And tiny sips of whiskys, fruit gins, and other drinks for those who like that. We sat outside with large cups of flavoured hot chocolate.

I did not feel the need to purchase vintage cutlery stamped with twee messages "Grandad's porridge spoon" "lovely grub" etc. So many of the items had spelling mistakes! Nor did I splash the cash for a pair of waving Santa legs 

We chatted to some interesting stallholders, and some who may have been related to Del and Rodney Trotter. There was a woman selling Primark pyjamas [with just ½ the label cut out] and another 'Norfolk Crafter'with "handmade ornaments" with the 'made in China' labels still on the bottom!  Lots of food stalls, with wide choice of menus [burgers, fries, pizza, donuts, curries, cookies, etc] And at the end of the row, 3 open fronted tents set up for selfies - Enchanted Forest with sleigh, Fairyland, and Royal Palace. A kind passerby took our family picture

Altogether a fun afternoon out. A much drier Friday than yesterday. All three of us bought a present ir two. But I can't reveal what!

News Splash!

 

I've joined an exercise class! Every Thursday evening, I'm going to an Aquafit session. It is held at the pool attached to our Village School. There are about twenty of us in the group and Hannah is our instructor.

She's bright and enthusiastic, and spots if anyone is struggling with the moves. We range in age from teens [Faith, my friend's daughter] to OAPs [me] and at least two of the class have knee problems.

I've been doing it since September, its good fun, and I think its helping me feel better - less stiff, more supple. But some weeks I am so tired and have to really push myself.

I think I may have been trying a bit too hard though. During one session, Faith's mum was a little concerned about me.

She whispered to her daughter "You've got life saving training. If Ang keels over, you've got to rescue her, she's one of the oldest here"

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Norfolk County Council is preparing the gritters in readiness for winter. They have 55 lorries, and this year held a competition to name each one. Asking the public for names is always dodgy [BoatyMcBoatface] BBC Radio Norfolk, and the Eastern Daily Press helped. Over 600 entries, mostly from children and local schools. They have just published the list of the winning names. You can tell the majority of entrants were children! I am impressed by a four year old suggesting Control Salt Delete [I suspect parental influence there]
Many refer to famous people or films, some [in red] are folk with Norfolk connections, others relate to the Canaries [Norwich FC] Some I found a little confusing [Doris? Gracie?] In Norfolk dialect, great is pronounced grit. One in six have ice in the name somewhere. One in 3 include ice. One in 8 have salt.
My own Norfolk favourites are Edith Gravel [Miss Cavell's name often mispronounced, but her family insist the emphasis is on the first syllable, so this one works well] and On the ball, Gritty [the Canaries song is the world's oldest football chant] And I think it is lovely to have Kitt The Grit. Terry Kitt was Assistant Norfolk County Surveyor for many years, and responsible for winter maintenance. That was his nickname at work. He died last year. and this is a fine tribute.

A Fine Gritty - Elaine  Albert Icestein - Albert, 7  Alfie Hew-Grit - Anonymous   Attlebrrrr - Timothy  Banham Blizzard - Florence, 5  Big Mean Ice Machine - Zane, 5  Billie Ice-Lish - Hope, Year 5  Blizzard Of Oz - Mia, Year 3  Boud-Ice-A - Dennis, 8  Captain Grit - Kye, 7  Chris Thawham - Gail  Control Salt Delete - Melodie, 4   Dan Gritter - David   Doris - Jake, Year 5  Edith Gravel - Lisa, Matt  Elsa - Darcey, 4  Frostilicity - Felicity,     Gracie - Bawdeswell School  Grant Salt - Nick Grit Astley - Bruno The Grit Gatsby - Ellie, 9  Grit Expectations - Riely,   Grit Yarmouth - Stanley, 9 Gritosaurus - Florence, 4  Gritty Gritty Bang Bang - Frankie, Gus The Gritter - Erin, 6  Harry Gritter and The Chamber Of Salts - Tudor, 10

Ice Warrior - Horsford School  Kitt The Grit - Andrew  K-Popsicle - Clara,    Lando Norice - Chloe, 7, Nyle   8  Let's Be Gritting You – [3 votes] Luke Grittler - Bill Maleficent - Sorina, 6  Margrit- Stanley,    Norwich Gritty FC - David On The Ball Gritty – [5 votes] Paddington Brrrrrr - Dougie, 5  Polar Patroller - Joseph,    Salt and Gritter - Bonnie  Saltimus Prime - Mabel, 4  Sandy Snowgo - Martha, 9  Sleet Caroline - Ralph, 8  Slippy Slayer - Kye, 7  Snow Stopper - Archie, 6  Snowball 3000 – Alexis 9  Snowbi-Gone Kenobi - Mia, 9  Sprinkle Sprinkle Little Star - William, 11 Taylor Drift - Millie, Thawa Hird - Richard The Ice Tamer - Lexi, 5 True Grit – [14 votes] Usain Salt - Lily-May, 7 Wall-Ice And Gromit - William, 9 Walter The Salter - Sydney, 9

Thank you Liz for sending me this news story.

Does your county council name its gritters?
Which is your favourite name in this list?
And what would you call a gritter?

NOT Feeling Jaded

The word jade  has three different definitions - A verb, jade,  meaning to wear out, leading to the adjective jaded -  exhausted, lacking enthusiasm, often through being satiated. From the Middle English jade/chade for a worn out horse [and later, disreputable woman

A noun jade from the Spanish piedra de ijada  which means flank-stone. Centuries ago, people believed this lovely green semiprecious stone would cure ailments of the flank or kidney.

The jade plant, crassula ovata. Also known as the money plant or friendship tree. Liz has a very large plant, in summer 21, just before Jess was born, she gave me a small cutting, I put it in a coronation mug . Look at it now, three times the size. I am quite excited by this growth.

Later that year, Liz gave me a small Christmas cactus, to replace a much larger one which I had for years, and which died when we lived in Kirby Muxloe. I know it survived to 2023, as I blogged about it just two years ago. But I think it must have died. I cannot find it anywhere! I may treat myself to a new one.

How are your Christmas Cacti plants coming along?

Do you do the darkness thing, to encourage blooms on cacti and poinsettia?

Do you have any jade jewellery or ornaments?

This Gets Right Up My Nose!

In the middle of all the celebrations, I developed a health issue- I couldn't seem to breathe easily through my nose. It was noticeably worse at night, and Bob said my snoring was irregular and worse than usual. I rang 111, and a very helpful woman did her checklist [mucus? no, nosebleeds? pain? no....] She directed me to a nearby pharmacy, and explained she thought it was sinusitus and the pharmacist would be able to help and advise. So I went off and waited less than 10 minutes. 

The pharmacist diagnosed blocked sinuses - I came away with a little plastic bottle to enable me to rinse out my sinuses. "This is free, we were given a load of samples" said the guy. You can get more sachets from us or online. I have been diligently squirting morning and evening for a week or so. It is making a difference. 

But its an undignified process and I hate doing it. One of the reasons I took forever to learn to swim was that I hate water up my nose! The guy said many people do not seek help until they have a painful infection. By acting promptly, these rinses should prevent that. 

Since May 2023, the NHS has been working to help patients access primary care, and ease that early morning rush to book GP appointments. This includes encouraging people to Think Pharmacy First - there are seven conditions which pharmacists are now able to treat, and offer prescription medicines if needed.

I went to a pharmacy in Dereham - open 8am-9pm Monday to Saturday, 8am - 6pm Sundays. 
This is such a useful service. 
The expression 'gets right up my nose' seems to date back to the beginning of the twentieth century. Certainly it was used by English troops to describe something annoying.
This medical provision is anything but annoying, I am very grateful for it.