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