Wise Men FROM The East ...

 ...Crazy Woman TO The East

Last week I did a round trip to Cornerstones - leaving Thursday, returning Friday. As we will probably arrive late Christmas Night, I wanted to ensure the place was ready. I'd stripped the beds and washed the sheets at the end of our last visit, and nobody wants to have to make up a bed late at night. I had some items to deliver, and also wanted to take a chest of drawers and an armchair. I put my new Rend Christmas CD in the player, and set off. The journey was not too bad- it rained incessantly but I arrived early afternoon whilst it was still light. The CD is brilliant imho. Songs old and new, and great to sing along to.

Cornerstones was fine- but my poor neighbour's garden fence has been completely demolished by a reversing vehicle. In the evening I strung up a few twinkling lights [on timer switches] and decorated the Christmas Tree. I so missed having the family around to help! After I good night's sleep, I was up bright and early for the journey back. Norfolk was cold. In fact I wasn't far out of the village before I encountered snow. Lots of it. I was grateful to be in Bob's big car and not my little Toyota. 

I stopped along the A11, and purchased a coffee from a friendly guy with a roadside catering caravan [and made a mental note that on a future trip, we'd sample his bacon rolls]

This photograph is in colour - but the trees and snow and fence were monochrome. Perhaps I should have got out of the vehicle and included my blue car and the red  lorry parked next to me in the shot!I was home in good time to help Bob record the Communion Service for Sunday [alongside the still tacky Advent candles]

Then we sat and watched Kirstie's show together - and were thrilled to see Alison winning the papercrafter's trophy. She is the most gifted papercrafter I know - and her prize is well deserved. 

On Monday, Alison and I took masks and flasks down to the church and decorated a couple of Christmas trees in the front windows, for the benefit of passers by. And then in our socially-distanced coffee break, she told me more about the filming of the programme.  

I took this photo from my TV screen, so it is a a bit out of focus. You cannot see clearly the incredible detailing and delicate colouring of the Christmas baubles in her parchment picture.

I think that this year Kirstie [or maybe her production team] has worked hard to find a lot of different crafts. But judging must be so difficult -like comparing apples and oranges.

The winner of the Three-Million-Views-Draw is "Trundling Through Life" - a lovely blogger from Lincolnshire. Once I have finished stitching it, a special Christmas Tree Ornament will be on its way north to her. My crafting over the weekend involved finishing a baby jumper and embroidering a bib celebrating the birth of another great-niece. That's two babies in one month!!

New babies at Christmas time always seem extra special