My John Lewis Xmas mugs collection started about 15 years ago with the red reindeer one at the top. I kept adding mugs, till JL changed the shape, then I looked out for them in CS. I wanted to have a set of eight.I got up to 7, and then someone gave me a green one, almost identical [Was it cousin Gill?]
Thursday 30 November 2023
On My Christmas Shelf
My John Lewis Xmas mugs collection started about 15 years ago with the red reindeer one at the top. I kept adding mugs, till JL changed the shape, then I looked out for them in CS. I wanted to have a set of eight.I got up to 7, and then someone gave me a green one, almost identical [Was it cousin Gill?]
Wednesday 29 November 2023
Marvellous Mini Makes
Tuesday 28 November 2023
Laughter, The Best Medicine*
They wrap each tree in a nylon net to make it easy to carry home. For some reason Rosie and I thought the gadget was really funny
Monday 27 November 2023
My Little Chatterbox
She is obviously well up on this particular Disney offering. She looked at some snowflake lights hanging along a hedge, and declared "Let-It-Go-Flakes"
Sunday 26 November 2023
Old Tune, New Words
Last week we sung this hymn in church with different, modern words. I found them very challenging.
Show me how to stand for justice:
how to work for what is right,
how to challenge false assumptions,
how to walk within the light.
May I learn to share more freely
in a world so full of greed,
showing your immense compassion
by the life I choose to lead.Teach my heart to treasure mercy,
whether given or received –
for my need has not diminished
since the day I first believed:
let me seek no satisfaction
boasting of what I have done,
but rejoice that I am pardoned
and accepted in your Son.
Gladly I embrace a lifestyle
modelled on your living word,
in humility submitting
to the truth which I have heard.
Make me conscious of your presence
every day, in all I do:
by your Spirit’s gracious prompting
may I learn to walk with you.
Saturday 25 November 2023
A Place of Peace And Blessing
This week I went to the Hospice with Bob. He was doing his volunteer work with the chaplaincy, and I was visiting a friend there. There is a new plaque in the entrance.
Friday 24 November 2023
Pondering On Pastry [And Pies]
Thursday 23 November 2023
Shop Talk
It has been interesting to see that I have had orders for all the different items in store - and I couldn't say which is most popular.
I am glad I had a good amount of stock prepared before the launch. I have spent a few evenings stitching birds, but not had to do a lot of 'replenishing' of my supplies.
Publicity is something I am still working on.I put an ad in all the Facebook groups to which I belong, and I must thank Kezzie for her lovely blogpost.
I had a set of business cards from Vistaprint, with the logo, and once or twice recently when people have asked for my details in other contexts I've been able to pass these to them. I'm not sure if the Methodist Ladies who want me to go and speak at their church will end up buying juggling bags though...
On Sunday at church, my friend's niece was visiting. She too is a fanatical crafter and has a shop - we had a good chat - when she gets home she is sending me details of her online presence.
Despite saying "I'm not going to do any Christmas Craft Fairs" I have booked a table at the Residential Home next to the Surgery. It is just round the corner, and I can get there easily - and it will be warm and comfortable [not a draughty school hall] and my SumUp card reader should work with their WiFi. They asked what I was selling, and said that low priced items are always popular. That's on Saturday 9th.
Wednesday 22 November 2023
‘Salus Populi Suprema Est Lex’ **
I have listened, in amazement, to the news reports of the Covid Inquiry. I'm appalled that the people in power could have been so callous, and careless, about the health of the nation. I admire the skills of the Government appointed scientists and epidemiologists - but I am horrified that the "Eat Out To Help Out" scheme was launched without consulting them. And that contributed to the spread of the virus, but did very little to help the hospitality industry.
I do not expect everybody to understand the science - but if the man in Number 10 was "bamboozled" by it, why did he not admit that, and allow the ones who did know what they were talking about to make the decisions? All this rubbish about hairdryers up the nose killing the virus. Boasting about shaking hands with everybody And as for the rest of us social distancing, whilst others were partying, and canoodling in cupboards, words fail me.
In 1937, the Borough of Southwark opened a public clinic in Walworth. It is really to close to Rosie's home, so I see it whenever I make a London Trip. This was the first London Borough to have the whole of its health services in one, easily accessible building. The buses still stop right outside. And on the front is a plaque, bearing the English translation of **Cicero's Latin statement made 2000 years ago.
On the roof of the building is a fantastic art deco statue representing Public Health. [picture below, details here] In the first half of the twentieth century, following WW1, Parliament became more active in promoting Public Health. The good works of Victorian philanthropists were built upon, and things got much better, culminating in the Beveridge Report of 1942, and the founding of the NHS in 1948. Healthcare free for all at the point of need.And now look at us, seventy five years later. Crumbling hospitals, medical staff working impossibly long hours, a shortage of midwives, and ambulances queuing for hours in hospital carparks.Tuesday 21 November 2023
Wreathed In Smiles
Here's mine!
Monday 20 November 2023
Wet, Windy Weekend
Sunday 19 November 2023
Saturday 18 November 2023
Festive Foodies
Brontë's book has lots more recipes which I could see myself making. Scandinavian bread recipes, small cakes and biscuits. She also has an excellent section explaining popular Scandi ingredients [eg lingonberries, cardamom, buttermilk] and giving tips for substitutes