One New Decoration, Two New Words

Each year I try and find one new decoration for my tree. This year I have been quite remiss, muttering that "I will stitch something about our Sapphire Anniversary" but I just haven't got round to it. Then on Wednesday, Voluntary Norfolk [who co-ordinate my hospital visiting] invited a group of us for morning coffee at the Station Bistro in Wymondham as a ThankYou for our support. Service excellent, cake portions huge, quirky railway carriage 'banquette' seating...it was great fun. It was here they had the fabric Xmas chains. We were all given a greetings card and a decoration

The words under VOLUNTARY NORFOLK are NCH&C volunteer service- Norfolk Community Health and Care Trust.

"It's a HoHoHat!" I declared. and my companions asked where that name came from. I said my granddaughter Jess called them that when she was two, and the name has stuck.

Other people starting contributing words that have been coined in their families. My two favourites which I may adopt are "WatcherMates" -  because whenever the bin men came, they'd call out Wotcha Mate! to one little boy [now in his teens] who then decided this was the correct name for any worker in a HiViz jacket [including road menders, staff at the Channel ferry, etc etc] "WatcherMate" has a lovely sense of safety and security and looking-out-for-you-ness

Our cake arrived, and somebody said "In our family, this is a napettie" pointing to the paper serviette*. We were all puzzled, was it some sort of confusion of napkin/serviette? No- it was because when Mum made an effort [eg at birthdays and Christmas] and they had napkins, she'd say Bon Appetit!

Aren't children wonderful?

*Im a little bit confused, I found this picture in various places on the internet, many describing the product as recyclable paper napkins. Surely they mean recycled? Surely you cannot wash and reuse paper napkins,can you?

I'm definitely adding Napettie and WatcherMate to my vocabulary. 

Can you add any inspired family names to my list of neologisms?

I Fell Into A Brown Study...

This is a wonderful archaic term, dating back to the 1500s. "A Brown Study" is defined as a state of deep thought, absorption or abstraction. I heard my parents use it a few times, [accompanied with laughter] I was totally wrong about Pantone choosing green for their COTY2025  [Color of the year] They have chosen a brown shade, called Mocha Mousse.

"A warming brown hue imbued with richness, it nurtures us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee answering our desire for comfort."

To be honest I'm totally underwhelmed by this choice! Having got married in the 70s, to decorate my home in shades of brown feels a rather retro step. And I'm still using the brown towels from 1979, and my big brown M&S oval tea tray.

Bob's IKEA Poang armchair is covered in chocolate brown leather.

When I had longer, glossy brown hair, I wore brown clothes... but apart from one plain teeshirt, and my new elegant pj's, I'm not sure I have any brown garments...

But I'm very happy to serve good brown food and drink

• Decent fresh coffee
• Drinking chocolate with added cocoa
• Chocolate mousse
• Boeuf bourguignon
• Steak and kidney pie filling

Also a quick mention for chocolate profiteroles, Costa's mocha cortado, marmite on toast [ I miss Chocobee] 

The Guardian has posted loads of lovely brown pictures - but I can't see myself changing my existing decor. I'll just drink more coffee, and hope for dark chocolates at Christmas...and think deeply in a brown study! 

Seasonal And Sustainable

Yesterday I was in Wymondham and noticed some attractive "paper" chains - made of fabric strips. Each loop was had a velcro closure. So after Christmas they can be undone and stored flat in a box till next year.

I have fabric bunting which I made about 15 years ago, and that's waiting to be hung up this weekend.

Last week on Fakenham Market, they were selling reusable fabric crackers. A clever design, in two parts, also attached with veIcro.  They rip rather than snap when pulled apart. And they have poppers down the back so they too can be stored flat for next year. But costing £10 or more each, I wasn't sure I'd want a set. After all, you still have to add the contents each year. They are not cheap! And if you have fancy crackers like this, finding just 3 chocolate coins would be a bit of a let down! 

In 1987 I made 4 fabric stockings - and gradually added a few more over the years. I used to hang them down the staircase in Leicester. This year I decided they should have proper labels. On Saturday, I asked Rosie to look at our anniversary photo and count how many people are in our immediate family. Eleven, Grandma! And I actually have eleven stockings. So I made some durable felt tags, and now they are hanging in a row on the Futility Room Hooks...

We cannot all be together on the same day, but I am glad to have this reminder of those who are very special to me [all year, not just Christmas] 

In the 80s/90s we always opened our four stockings in the morning before church, then had all the "main" gifts after. The stockings always contained the same things - a book, a satsuma, a few chocolates and a new toothbrush. All organised by me. As the girls got older,they would add in tiny gifts too.  I'm not sure yet if these stockings will just be decorations this year, or whether I will fill four with small gifts for the children.

To have kept these stockings and maintain the tradition is very satisfying!

I am sure you have some precious items which come out every year too...

In other news - Pantone will announce the 2025 Colour of the Year later today. I shall blog about it tomorrow. I think it will be a green shade. 

Christmas Creations

First of all, thanks for all your wonderful memories of retro foods. I have visions of CS up and down the land being overwhelmed by donations of your long forgotten fondue pots! I found a blogpost from 2017 with some retro recipes including prawn cocktail.
I have been busy with the littl'uns this week. After Ro and Jess went home on Sunday afternoon, I got busy preparing for Brownies [Monday] and Little Acorns Toddler Group [Tuesday]
With the Brownie I did two tried and tested crafts - 'baubles' and 'Napkin Santas' - with the Toddlers, we were using this year's Bible Society toddler materials - and they suggested the little party hats for the children.

If you want to make the baubles, my tutorial is here
I made the santa napkins half size using cocktail napkins, and fixed a hanging loop to the top so they could be hung on the tree. Full size ones can be used as part of your Christmas place setting. My tutorial for them is here
I recycled last year's Gardener's World Calendar to make the strips for the baubles, they were very colourful and these KS1 children made them with minimal help.

Bob and I are now turning our attention to ensuring we have enough stuff to sell at the Charity Craft Fair on Saturday.

Next Week, A Fondue?

On Sunday, before returning to London, the family came for lunch. It was strictly a 'leftovers' type meal, and I wondered what I had to add to the ham and coleslaw Liz would be bringing. I wanted to make it a bit more festive. I decided to go full on retro and make a party hedgehog. I prepared the body [one large potato wrapped in foil, with googly eyes from my craft box] whilst Bob cubed the cheese and cut two pineapple rings into chunks. I remembered I had half a jar of olives in the fridge [Ro likes olives]

It caused great amusement. Jon asked if we were in a production of Abigail's Party. I said these hedgehogs were everywhere back in the 70s, the height of sophistication. Bob quoted Homer Simpson [if it's on a cocktail stick it is free food] 

Rosie suggested we should give the hedgehog a name "Something interesting like Billy...or perhaps Hecuba?" [where does she get these ideas from?!]

Jess just plodded on enjoying her nutella sandwiches. As you see, I'm still in my best new pjs [Thank you Julian!] The wreath on the door is one made two years ago by Rosie, using a kit from Kirsten [thanks K]

They left and I tidied up, then sat and did some knitting. Only after the doorbell rang and I dashed to open it, did it occur to me that it was 4.30 pm, and I was in pjs and a HoHoHat. The delivery guy was totally unfazed, and asked politely if he could take a photo of my Nativity Tableau to show his little boy. He lives locally, so was then wondering about bringing him over one day next week to actually see it in person.

I've started thinking about other Retro Christmas Party Foods. Sue-in-Suffolk was remarking on those lovely little chocolate Neapolitans. I liked them! We always had a 'glove box' of dates, with those peculiar little plastic twigs for fishing them out. One aunt went in for metal trays of toffee with a little hammer [I was not allowed these, because of my teeth!] 

When I was a student in the 70s, people started serving quiche at parties [and at Church Teas] and black forest gateaux. And fondues. We have not used our fondue set since we retired [to be truthful, we didn't use it that much before] I think that may be going to a CS before too long. Fondues are not the sort of thing I would have around small children. 
Are there any retro foods you miss? 

    or still serve?

Magic And Sparkle

In contrast to my reflective, sombre November stitching all about remembering those we've loved and lost, Kirsten's piece is a riot of colour and joy.

 She has used a "Charm Square" with a Japanese print in gold, and added vivid Sarah Homfray threads exploding with colour. The dark blue represents the longer winter nights, and the colours reflect her growing excitement through the month as first her birthday, and then Advent arrive,leading up to the wonder of Christmas [with fireworks in there somewhere too]

The accompanying 'flat gifts' were fun too - a post-it notepad which makes a to do list a workable plan and a little book of Advent Reading.

The readings are from a really diverse range of contributors - historical and contemporary, Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, "high" church and evangelical, trad and post-modern. I think I am going to enjoy these daily Advent meditations.

Thank you Kirsten - you really understand what I will enjoy! 

Yesterday was a strange day as we both overslept. I woke up at 9am! We did go to church, sitting in bed in our pj's watching on Bob's laptop [no, the Congregation couldn't see us onscreen, just our names!]

We had two unexpected visitors on Saturday afternoon and I think they wore us out. After lunch Rosie and Jess helped us decorate the tree. 

Have you put up any decorations yet? 

It took forever, as they were commenting on every other ornament and asking questions!

But it was SO lovely to have their help, and brought back many happy memories of decorating trees in London and Leicester with Liz and Steph's help, singing along to the Christmas music, and wearing HoHoHats* and Holly Headbands [*Jessica's name for Santa's headgear] 

Advent 1 - Circles

Last Sunday Pastor Nick led us in this prayer. I thought how many circles are around us at Christmas - baubles, plates of food [cakes and puddings] our circles of friendship, and our family circle, and this spinning globe where we all live...may we be held in the circle of God's love

CIRCLE US LORD

Casting Off...

It is the end of the month and therefore the end of my knitting challenge. I was supposed to do 30 minutes every day. That would be 30 x 30 =900 minutes = 15 hours
There were two days when I only managed a brief 10 minute knit [looking after grandchildren was keeping me rather  busy] but in total I've knitted for over 60 hours not counting today, And my generous sponsors [thank you all] have helped me to raise over £450 for the Bone Cancer Research Trust. My JustGiving Page will be open for another two weeks, and I'm hoping to pass the £500 mark. 
What did I knit? One of my Christmas Projects, and a lot of little mini-jumpers. But the second project [a knitted nativity] has languished untouched. I realised that I didn't actually like it! Mary, Joseph and Jesus were knitted in Dorset, but not sewn up. I may just complete those three and make a little stable - without the collection of angels, animals, shepherd and magi outside... 
I have enjoyed the challenge, and the opportunity to promote a very worthwhile cause. And the weather has certainly proved an encouragement to stay inside.

Remembering...

November is a month for remembering, and I chose that for the theme of my CoverStory piece. Yes there is the acknowledgement of those who died in the service of their nation - we wear our poppies, on  the 11th [Armistice day/Poppy Day] and on Remembrance Sunday [the 2nd Sunday of the month]
But for me it also a month to remember two precious family members I have loved and lost. Cousin Gillian, who died on Remembrance Sunday 2021, just a few days after her 65th birthday. And Gill's Mum, my Auntie Peggy. She died in March 2023 - but her birthday was November 17th.
So I decided to stitch poppies. I used nets and voiles in shades of red and overlaid the whole piece with a pale scarlet voile.

There's a phrase "beyond the veil" - which comes to us from the Jewish tradition.

For them it referred to the Veil/Curtain in the Temple, which separated the ordinary people at worship from the very holy place, where the priest offered special prayers, in the presence of God. In William Tyndale's translation of the Bible 500 years ago, he brought this phrase into common English. It came to mean the place where God is - and where the saints join with Him after death. 

Therefore I chose the nets and voiles, translucent fabrics, to symbolise this. Lost, but not forever - one day I believe we will all be together again.

This is the sixth piece I've stitched - so we are halfway through the patchwork - after which there will be embellishments to work on.

I ought to confess that as a child, when I heard old people in church speak of "Those we love beyond the veil" I thought they meant young women who had gone away and got married!!

Sew Busy

On Saturday week we are having our first Christmas Craft Fair at the Chapel. We hope to raise funds for a village charity, FRIN. Foulsham Relief In Need supports individuals or families who have disabilities, or need other support. So I'm making some bits and pieces to sell. I'm going for inexpensive stocking fillers. Like pencil rolls and tissue holders

I spent all Wednesday at the machine, really enjoying myself, while the rain just kept on raining outside. I'm so glad it was fine and dry yesterday morning when Sam and James were working on the door!

I've decided to make some decorated hair clips too, they have sold well in the past

It was fun sorting out buttons to sew on to hair clips, I shall do that over the weekend. It's made a change from all the knitting. 

QUESTION does anyone else read the lovely Family Barwitzki blog, written by Viola in Norway? It continues to show up in my reading list, but the link seems to be broken and so I cannot read her posts. Is anyone else having this problem. Viola, do you know about it? 

Shut That Door!

At 8am yesterday, Sam and James turned up to replace our front door. The one we have always had at Cornerstones is getting on for twenty years old. It is not exactly good quality, and very poorly insulated. We decided we would replace it. I hadn't realised exactly how much a new door costs, but this is a 'buy once, buy well' purchase so we chose very carefully. Wre wanted glass to let in light, but not a large translucent panel. With the old one, and the light on, it might as well have been clear glass! A secure lock, a simple, waist height horizontal letterbox [none of this kneeling on the ground stuff, or struggling to open the flap whilst pushing letters sideways...] and a knocker. Yes, we do have an excellent doorbell, but I like the appearance!
The guys took out the old door [and took it away], got the new door from the van [and stood it on the gravel to check all was well] Then they fitted the new door and cleaned up beautifully

Here we are inside and out

So very bright and cheerful. I love the patterned glass - and the way the light coming through sparkles on the wall.

When we acquired this home in 2009, the path was narrow [not wide enough for a buggy] and there was quite a step over the door frame from the ground into the hall. That trip hazard has disappeared - and we have a path twice the width now. Improvements all round. And we are already noticing the warmth in the hallway.

I much prefer the 2024 red door to the one we first opened in 2009!

Have you ever changed the door of your house?

It's That Time Again...

We've fetched all the Christmas boxes down from the loft. There do seem to be a lot. I have told Bob that I will try to reduce the number that go back up again at Epiphany! The figures and costumes for the Nativity Tableau came down on Sunday [the frames were in the workshop and came down today] I stood the little shepherd boy on the other side of the kitchen door, beside the manger

All was ok till I went to the loo at midnight. The motion sensor triggered the nightlight. And I jumped, because I'd forgotten he was there, and thought a small child was hovering in wait!
Bob wants to strengthen some of the frames before I dress them - but I hope to have everything ready for Sunday and the beginning of Advent, so the Cornerstones Tableau is in place. 
I have moved him into a corner for the time being!

Oh Christmas Tree!

The Dereham Christmas Lights Switch On was cancelled [due to Storm Bert] but the Tree Festival was up and running in the Parish Church. We popped down after lunch to have a look. It is the first time they have done one of these. I am not sure if I saw every tree, they were arranged all over the church, and sadly there was no site plan, numbering or clear labelling. There were a few trees which gave very little clue as to who had made them, and others which seemed to have no clear theme identifying their origins. But a clear collaborative effort across the town.

There were trees from local charities, local businesses,and community groups. I liked the Dementia Golf Tree [decorated golf balls and tees] and the LitterPickers and Refill Shop [all made from recycled stuff]

 Quite a few trees [including two local undertakers] inviting you to write the name of a loved one and tie it on. I didn't photograph them all

But on the whole, many people had made a lot of effort. And the refreshments were good, if a little pricey [£2 for a cup of instant coffee seems a lot to me!] - maybe I am too used to Nonconformist catering...

I filled in the questionnaire, which a gentleman was handing out to those of us drinking our tea. That was mainly about the use of the building in general [Bob and I agreed that the plans for a kitchenette and toilets on site were good ones] and mentioned the labelling issue to the chap, who said that was a very good suggestion!

Here's the Hospital Tree. Ann and Carol had worked hard with pill-bottle lights, the patients' coloured baubles, and other card baubles with finger prints and names of all staff members

Finally the Mothers' Union Tree. Crosses for their Christian Heritage, my little books, mini duvets for their "bedding packs" and parcels for their "care packages" [both for newly housed people who were previously homeless]

Pauline, if you are reading this, I hope your Festival in Dorset is successful - can you send a couple of ladies up to Norfolk to give these folk some hints and tips?

Have you seen any innovative trees at festivals near you?

Empower Her!

 The Mothers' Union is running a new campaign

It looks brilliant. Our local MU decided to feature this, with a couple of other campaigns on their Festival Christmas Tree. I was asked to produce half a dozen mini books approx 3" x 2". Here they are

It was lovely to be asked to help. Women's Education is something I feel passionate about. And it is good to raise awareness [MU website HERE] 

The Things They Say...

We are home safely at last! We got to Norfolk late yesterday afternoon. 

Lots of post on the mat and in our parcel box. Including a beautiful surprise gift of felt squares from "a regular reader" in Hampshire who has been decluttering. You know who you are. Thank you for your generosity. This fabric be well used! Unlike you I didn't attend RCHS, as my parents moved from Romford while I was quite young. The green uniform was at my primary school in West Hartlepool. You are very kind - God bless you for your thoughtfulness. 

It has been such fun being with the four grandchildren this week, not least because they have all been chattering away to us. Some of their comments will be long remembered and cheer me up when I'm feeling low...

Jacob [2] like the older three, already adores books. Thank you TeaHive, Chorlton - as soon as we were settled in our seats last weekend, a member of staff came with some books [plus crayons, colouring sheets and a activity toy] J. was delighted. That evening I was getting him into his pj's and I said "Grandad will come upstairs in a minute" He beamed and said Grandad has the best stories

George [4] was talking about Star Wars and telling me he loved Yoda. "When you were a tiny baby, your Mum asked me to knit you a Yoda Hat" I showed him the pictures on my blog

"Can you knit a Yoda Hat for Baby Teddy Dinosaur, please Grandma?" 

BTD is a half size version of TD. "I'm not sure I'll have time to do this before we leave tomorrow, it's quite complicated" 

I said

And my cheeky chappie grinned at me and said It won't take forever Grandma, he's only got a small head!

I went downstairs and literally reduced the original pattern by 50%. When George came down for breakfast BTD was waiting in his new Yoda hat. 

Jess [3] chatters nonstop. She is also obsessed with a CBeebies character called Valerie the Vampire [From Nick Cope's Popcast]

In a loud voice on the bus, in a scary voice [vaguely reminiscent of Marlene Dietrich] she suddenly announced

I vant to suck your bluuud! 

And Rosie [8] has just been utterly delightful, so helpful and thoughtful. Her "chapter book" [ie the one where we read a chapter together at bedtime] is currently The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

I was her age when my parents first read it with me, and I'm thrilled she is loving it too. 

It has been 9 days of great moments to remember - I'm truly thankful to be part of this awesome, loving family

Girl Friday

The dictionary defines this as "a female office worker,who does different types of work" I'm a sort of Girl Friday in my role as a Hospital Volunteer. I visit the patients, I chat to them, and listen to their stories. I take their books and magazines back to the Day Room and fetch others [but no more People's Friend, dear, I've read all of them] I plug in phone chargers and refill water jugs as requested. Definitely a variety of tasks - and all done on a Friday morning.

Obviously I'm not there today because I'm in London, but I doubt they will notice. For many of them, it is hard to keep track of what day it is! My particular remit is to encourage craft activities, to keep their hands active so they don't lose motor skills, and also engage their brains in projects.

This weekend marks the start of the Dereham Christmas Tree Festival.

I was asked to get patients making tree decorations. Two staff are making "hospital themed" stuff, fashioning little amber shades for plain Christmas lights using old cylindrical plastic pill pots.

Bob prepared me some wooden "baubles" on his laser cutter. 

I took some felt pens to the bedsides along with small plastic chopping boards as a firm work surface. 

Patients enjoyed colouring them in. I look forward to visiting St Nicholas Church when I get back and seeing our Hospital Tree. 

Are you involved in any Tree or Wreath Festivals? 

Unexpected November Knitting Challenge

 A couple of years ago, I sent Steph some money and asked her to get George an Easter Egg on our behalf [no sense in posting a chocolate egg across the country] She got one with its own dinosaur. The egg was eaten and forgotten, but the toy became George's favourite, and named "Teddy Dinosaur"

The day before we left Cornerstones, Steph said George said TD would like a Christmas Outfit got TD, and she wondered if Grandma could make one.

I took red and white wool, needles and a tape measure. On Thursday after school, George helped me measure TDs chest and head. I showed him how to make a tiny pompom by winding woool found a kitchen fork.

He went to bed and I sat up late making a jumper, with Xmas 🎄 tree on the front, and a little pompom hat. Which was good, because he announced he'd like to take it in to Show&Tell on Friday.

His teacher said his S&T went well. And on Saturday we had a 4th birthday party for TD, playing musical statues, eating homemade cupcakes, and generally having a lot of fun. The boys made a birthday banner and a card.

We all slept very well Saturday, being completely exhausted!!

Being Consistent

I've always felt that it is important to be consistent when working with children. It is not fair to them if you are frequently changing the rules, or acting one way one day,and differently the next. We have tried to keep to the boys' regular routine in Manchester

Cuddles.and stories in the morning and at bedtime, teeth-cleaning, please&thankyous, etc etc. And they have responded well and been a delight to look after.Now we are in London with Rosie and Jess, and doing our best there. 

But I wish to have a rant about child safety equipment. Why do they apparently make no attempt whatsoever to be consistent?

Why do the manufacturers of buggies, carseats, and stair gates choose such a diverse range of mechanisms?

I just get used to unfolding the double buggy, when I have to operate the single one in Manchester, which is quite different from the one in London....

Then there are the car seats, front facing,rear facing, isofix, not isofix...

And stair gates that must be clicked or squeezed or lifted [possibly one handed as you are carrying a baby]

And we persevere, because we take our role as grandparents very seriously.

As Bob was reminded in IKEA on Monday, with great power comes great responsibility. 

We are gradually getting to grips with it all, as we stay in our daughters' homes - including learning to use a piece of kitchen equipment which many busy young Mums find indispensible nowadays...

It's challenging, abd tiring looking after children [more so as we get older] but it is truly a privilege to spend time with them.

Steph and Gaz are home safely now, after a brilliant 40th birthday celebration holiday.