The Swedish Chef, The Green Paperclip And The Kitchen Sink

On Saturday I got the Christmas Decorations down from the loft. I had a massive cull in 2019, and passed a lot of stuff to Ferndown Charity shops last autumn. I wasn't altogether sure what I'd kept. I knew the smaller tree we've had here at Cornerstones for some years had gone to UCF for the Tree Festival, and my Ferndown staircase garland had gone [this is a bungalow] and I also knew that I'd kept my main tree and the decorations - some of which date back to 1978. 

I also realised that the nest of coffee tables had gone- so where would I stand the larger tree here? Fortunately my Mum's octagonal table was just right - I spent a happy couple of hours decorating the tree, and putting out a few other pieces [many of which will go away before George arrives - toddlers and Willow Tree figures do not mix happily]

Every piece has a story, and there are so many memories - hanging Gill's London bus was a bit emotional, but other things made me giggle.

Under the tree are a few red santa hats, felt reindeer antlers, and a basket of small toys [McDonalds did Muppet characters in the Happy Meals and we collected quite a few]

Rosie has never seen this tree, she was fascinated and wanted to know the stories. 

I have a few nativity sets, including a wooden one, and a matryoshka [the largest doll represents the Magi, and the smallest is baby Jesus]

Rosie's been studying Christianity at school she says- and performed a wonderful retelling of the story for us.

Anyway, if you don't know the tale, there were two couples, both called Mary and Joseph, and the kind inn keeper in Bethlehem let them all stay in the stable. One baby went in the box for the animal food, the other went in the kitchen sink in the corner [a random piece of doll's house furniture] The fairy told the Kings where to look and they all went. They gave the baby two small wooden sticks and a green paperclip.

Lots of other visitors arrived to see the baby Jesuses, including Miss Piggy and a small wooden elephant. And they were very hungry so the Swedish Chef cooked them all some nice food, and they lived happily ever after. The End. Now we will listen to music from Grandma's Musical Bell.

The village is looking very pretty with lights down on the village green and another tree on the grass verge nearer Cornerstones - lots of the houses are lit up too.

Saturday evening, Bob and I enjoyed the Village Carols in the Parish Church, music by the Dereham Town Band. Refreshments were provided [free] by the local shop/PO and the butchers, tea, coffee, mince pies for adults,  squash and hotdogs for youngsters.

And at the back of the church, an intriguing item with a For Sale sign. It reminded me of an old joke about the curate's bicycle, which I cannot possibly share here.

There was a huge display of Toys&Tins at Foulsham yesterday - and the chapel had been decorated beautifully. I've had a slow start, but I am beginning to feel Christmassy at last.

What I have not worked out yet is how to display cards- in both Leicester and Ferndown, there were glass double doors between the dining room and lounge, and I blu-tacked cards on them. Cornerstones is too small for that - and I have no picture rails, or mantelpiece. But I reckon we will get far fewer cards this year anyway for all sorts of reasons.

I so love this time of year...