Bob Thinks He Is Banksy!

Look what he did to that knitting Nana on my Shreddies Box!

Last year I made up a knitting pattern to knit my own Shreddies [large enough to be a Pencil Case] I even sent details to Nestlés, but sadly they were not interested

I’d give you the pattern – but I seem to have mislaid it!

Having added a moustache to Nana, we felt she looked rather like Gio Compario – whose Christmas single is in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Oh go on – it’s only 89p from Amazon, and 25p goes to charity! I have just downloaded it – even though I loathe the song, and Bob cannot stand the GoCompare ads!

 

[in real life, Gio Compario is Wynne Jones, an accomplished Welsh Opera singer from an exceedingly musical family- and he does lots for charity]

Deck The Halls…

I have just clambered up into the loft and fetched down all the Christmas Decorations, in order to ready [reddy?] the house for the festive season.

I am beginning to think I have rather too many bits and pieces – this somewhat unstable heap is actually taller than I am! The blue cloak is not part of the decor – that is going up the ladder, having been in use at GITP on Friday.

The long green thing is the over-mantel that Bob made to save our mantelpiece from being damaged by wax drips – and give me a surface I could pin things to. The red carrier holds my gorgeous Willow Tree Nativity Figures

I did love Floss’ recent comment about getting out ‘the greenery and reddery’ – Green, red, gold and silver are my favourite Christmas colours.

Now I must vaccuum the lounge before the Gadget Show starts, then I can start putting things up in there! I am not sure what I shall do in the Dining Room – we have not replaced any hooks since we redecorated. I guess that room may be a bit minimalist this year [hurrah! cheers Bob – who is always so patient when I go OTT each December]

Joseph’s Song

How could it be?

This baby in my arms sleeping now so peacefully

The Son of God, the angel said,

How could it be?

Lord, I know he's not my son

Not of my flesh, not of my bones

Still Father, let this baby be

The son of my love.

Father, show me where I fit into this plan of yours

How can a man be father to the Son of God?

Lord for all my life I've been a simple carpenter

How can I raise a king?

He looks so small, his face and hands so fair

And when he cries the sun seems to disappear

But when he laughs, it shines again

How could it be?

Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours

How can a man be father to the Son of God?

Lord for all my life I've been a simple carpenter

How can I raise a king?

How could it be?

This baby in my arms, sleeping now so peacefully

The Son of God, the angel said

How could it be?

(c) Michael Card 1982

A Pause In Advent #2

For this second Advent Sunday, we are taking the theme of Love

I was thinking about the fact that Christmas is when we remember the birth of Jesus – the Son of God – coming as a vulnerable baby, to grow up as a man, and die on the cross to be our Saviour. And I remembered a story I heard over twenty years ago. We were on holiday in Kettlewell in Yorkshire, staying in a cottage owned by a couple who worked for Scargill House [A nearby Christian Conference Centre] There was a conference ‘in residence’ but John invited us to go up to the Chapel there for the evening service as his guests. Christine was on holiday with us, and she kindly offered to babysit the girls, so that Bob and I could go and worship together.

The Chapel is a beautiful building, about 50 years old now. Here’s a picture of it in the snow last winter

I remember very little of the service. It was a warm August evening, and we were both quite tired, having come away after a week working hard at a hectic Holiday Club. That night, we both found the quiet songs and liturgy …a little soporific at times …

But one thing has stayed with me – the preacher began his sermon by telling a story from ‘Tell my People I love them’, a book by Clifford Hill, an Anglican evangelist

Hill tells the story of a walk on a mountainside in Abelboden, Switzerland. He had been watching the World Cup Men’s Downhill Ski Event and, along with thousands of others, was making his way down the mountain. The pathway turned a sharp bend around the mountain and beyond a low wooden guardrail was a steep slope for about 100 feet to the edge of a precipice and a sheer drop onto rocks. As he turned the corner he heard the piercing scream of a child who had fallen under the rail and was sliding to her death. As he watched, a man leapt over the rail and ran down the slope, just managed to stop before he went over the edge, and then he caught the little girl and carried her back to safety.

As Clifford watched this scene God spoke to him, ‘You saw how her father responded immediately, not hesitating to assess the danger to himself,  but flung himself down the mountainside to rescue his child? That is how I love my children….Tell my people I love them.’ The love of Jesus is the most staggering example of the Father’s commitment to us. 

Last week, my colleague was showing me the little book that the children were going to be making in their French Lesson – it was a lovely, simple retelling of the Christmas Story [in French, naturally]

It spoke of Marie et Joseph, les anges et les bergers.

She and I were translating it together. On the last page, it said “FIN” - “The End!” cried my friend triumphantly.

“No” I said quietly “I think Bethlehem was just the beginning…”

 

Love came down at Christmas

Get In The Picture –Saturday Highlights

Today was warmer – and wetter! There were not as many people out in the village – and surprisingly few children. But we still had a reasonable number of customers. Some pregnant Marys, some real live babies to be Jesus, two dogs…

We were due to start the pictures at 10 – but at 9.45, Will Johnston, the photographer for Leicester Mercury turned up. There were only four of us on site at that point. So we hurriedly dressed as the magi plus Mary and he took some shots for the paper. Then Peter took this one

Here is Nell the Irish waterhound being an angel

Mel and Shane called in yesterday and decided to get a crowd of mates along today.

They are expecting their first baby soon, so this was a great shot

Mel’s great aunt Joy [on the right] posed with good friend Margaret

The girls from Kool 4 Kuts, the village hairdressers came along [check out those amazing bright pink fingernails!]

And the staff of the Royal Oak, who had kindly allowed us to use their car park for the whole venture, popped out of the back door during a lull in trade, for a quick photo session.

Lesley worked very hard yesterday, and today had a family birthday party[her FIL was 90]

She brought the family down at 3pm for a group picture.

But despite recharging her glory cells on Friday, this angel was rather exhausted today I think!

Bob’s picture catches her beautifully in mid-yawn!

Tom the Rector had his family In The Picture too

The Village Pharmacy is already sporting their picture on the shop door, with the message “Merry Christmas To All Our Customers”

We were intending to pack up an hour early because the weather was so wet – but we had a sudden rush of people. But a good crowd of people were there to help dismantle the gazebo and load the cars – and we packed up quite quickly around 3.45pm.

One or two people came and looked, but would not be photographed. One couple drove down the hill and saw the signs “Get In The Picture” and thought it was an art show. Having just decorated their lounge, they said they were ‘looking for a nice picture to buy’. They didn’t think my suggestion of posing for a free one, in costume together, was quite what they had in mind!

I am really glad we did it. It was incredibly tiring, but the atmosphere was lovely. It was good to be able to make positive contact with members of the community, and I hope that some of them will come along to the Carol Services. We have been able to post around 100 pictures on the GITP site.

Special thanks to Sue who was there all day, both days, from set-up to clear-up, and to everyone else involved. Also to Peter who did the morning photography stint gave Bob time for other tasks.

Now to get ready for Sunday…

Get In The Picture – Friday Highlights

Remind me Bob, why are we doing this?

[If he is a Wise Man, then I am the BVM!]

The Playgroup staff make a wonderful tableau

I’m sorry, Rev, I am going to have to arrest this sheep

A cold angel recharging her Glory Cells

Three Wise Men [aka the local clergy]

Not shepherds, just council road menders

The staff from our village pharmacy

Thank you again to Chris Duffett for coming up with this idea. More info here on the GITP website.

Jan has just sent me this [unofficial] picture of Bob and me eating lunch. I can recommend the Royal Oak’s lunchtime menu!! I was so cold by midday. Will wear even more clothes next time [I have two sets of motorbike thermals on underneath the robes!]

Freeze Frame Photography!

We left home at 8.25am and went to the pub car park. It was FREEZING [actually, probably below freezing]

We set up the gazebos and costumes etc, all ready for the punters.

Fortunately a good number of helpers came to assist [I am too short to help with gazebo erection!]

Yes the car park was incredibly slippery. Yes I did fall over – hard – but apart from a bruised hand, and general aches, seem to be OK now.

The figures I bought at the Christian Resources Exhibition back in May suddenly found a purpose in life…

Paul, Bob and others dressed up and went out to attract customers

Bob wore various outfits throughout the day – I’m not altogether sure why he is sporting his regular hat here! Paul was a very Wise Man – he had a flask of hot coffee with him!

All the ‘official’ pictures were on other cameras [mine had flat batteries and I had no spare with me] so I cannot show any of them yet. I just got one shot of Gwen being Mary

We had over twenty groups of people come in throughout the day – and others dropped by to say they were returning tomorrow with family members. Despite my utter panic at 7am [this was a mad idea, Bob, why did I suggest it? I don’t want to do this after all!] I think we have had a lovely day and I am so pleased with the results.

Tomorrow should be just as good if not better.

Now tea and a hot bath, I think.

Isn’t It Good, Norwegian Wood?

Just as the lights on the Trafalgar Square Tree from Norway go on, at 6pm tonight, Steph prepares to fly to Oslo for the weekend.

Hoping that despite the closure of Gatwick, her alternative flight from Stansted will happen!

A Norwegian spruce tree, between 50 and 60 years old, in the forest near Ullevalseter in Nordmarka, just outside the city of Oslo has been selected to become one of the most famous trees in the world.

On 23rd November 2010,  people  gathered around the tree. Two Mayors, Fabian Stang, the Mayor of Oslo, and the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Judith Warner.

After speeches, cake and coffee, and Christmas carols sung by children from Maridalen Skole and the International School of Oslo, the cutting of the tree began.

The Mayor of Oslo and the Lord Mayor of Westminster made the initial ceremonial cuts into the tree, after which forestry workers completed the felling of the tree.

The tree was loaded onto a ship for its journey to the United Kingdom.  Once it reached England, it continued to London by lorry. Now in Trafalgar Square, the tree was carefully erected and decorated with strings of lights [with energy efficient light bulbs!] The British Ambassador to Norway, Jane Owen said "The annual gift of the Christmas Tree demonstrates the close historical and current relations that have existed between Norway and the UK since World War 2.  This year, as well as turning on the lights in Trafalgar Square, the Mayor of Oslo will take advantage of his visit to host a Norway / UK renewable energy seminar for industry and officials in London.  60% of the UK's imported gas now comes from Norway and over 70% of our imported oil."

A plaque at the foot of the tree reads:

‘This tree is given by the city of Oslo as a token of Norwegian gratitude to the people of London for their assistance during the years 1940-1945. A tree has been given annually since 1947’

The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree forms the focal point for the traditional singing of Christmas carols in the Square. This year, different groups will be singing to raise money every evening between 7th and 22nd December. Here is last year’s tree

 

So thank you to the Norwegians – both for the tree, and for the gas and oil which is keeping us warm!

And bon voyage, Steph – looking forward to hearing all about your trip when you return.[Watch out for the Vikings!]

Blog-Post

Trudging the streets in the snow at the weekend, to deliver the Churches Together Christmas Cards has again made me more appreciative of the work of Royal Mail.

Particularly the fact that there is no standard letterbox so every front door has to be treated differently.

Furthermore, in these energy-conscious, well-insulated days, virtually all boxes have either a strong spring on the flap, or a brush arrangement just inside. This means that when posting one thinnish card or leaflet, you need to use two hands – one to open flap, one to push card through. And you are wearing gloves, and holding all remaining cards in one hand – and this feat of manual dexterity often results in three dozen uncontrollable cards flying out of your grasp and fluttering over the pavement!

But the main issue for me is location and orientation…

There are ones at reasonable distance from the ground[between knee and chest height]

Manageable

Then there are the ones which require genuflection, because they are at floor level.

Uncomfortable

Then there are vertical ones – usually with very strong springs.

Finger-nipping bad.

And the houses where there is no slot in the door, and you have to hunt around to find a separate box.

Challenging

Other houses have a menacing presence just inside, waiting to leap up and snap at your fingers.

Terrifying!

When I used to deliver church leaflets in our previous patch, there was one road where I am afraid Number 61 never got properly evangelised. I tried to put the card through and cut my fingers! Bending down and looking in, I saw they had nails hammered round the slot, to shred anything pushed through.

Frightening!

I try hard to remember to push leaflets right though, shut the flap firmly and close the garden gate if appropriate. The sort of delivery which leaves the card on display is altogether inappropriate [and not a good witness]

Here’s my favourite Postman

 

[Apologies to Elizabeth in India if you cannot see this clip – it seems that when I post any YouTube stuff, it shows up at your end as obscene. I can assure you it isn’t]

My cousin was working in a playgroup and asked the 3 year olds why Postman Pat was such a happy man – a little voice at the back called out “Cos he’s got a job!” Such sad cynicism in one so young.

Joyeux Noël

My first Christmas present arrived yesterday – all the way from France– along with permission to open it straightaway ‘as you might need it before’. Before what? I wondered – and then discovered what…

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am by this gift. I adore Marie Claire Ideés – and this beautiful diary/appointments book is quite fabulous. The photography is stunning, the crafts and recipes look wonderful… I didn’t even know that MCI produced an ‘agenda’ like this. A whole year’s worth of delights, from a dear friend.

The French theme continued today at school. Over lunch, whilst discussing the extra costumes needed for the little ones’ Nativity Play [ten blue waistcoats] another colleague said “Ah! I had forgotten about you!”

Angela [not me, another one] teaches French at school. Like Barnaby Bear, who assists with English literacy, the French classes have two teddies, Annick and Albert.

Angela wondered if I could make some ‘Christmassy outfits’ for their photograph.

I put Annick in my bag [Albert is the same size, but has a blue sweatshirt] and brought her home

I rooted around and found an old red shirt, and some fur fabric.

 

Sewing Club was cancelled due to snow.

Bob was soldering on bravely at the church [connecting plugs on the PA – that ‘soldering’ isn’t a misprint!] so I just sewed all evening.

Ten waistcoats done and dusted, and two French outfits…

 

 

I was especially pleased that my embroidery machine offers the option of ö for Nöel! Here’s Albert's set

Bob has finally come home, so we will have a cuppa and watch the Nigel Slater recorded earlier. Then a well earned rest, I think.

Bonne Nuit!

Easy Peasy Leeky Soup

Just the thing for a cold winter’s day, when you discover some leeks in the fridge!

 

• 4 trimmed leeks, roughly chopped
• 1 oz butter
• 1 tbsp oil [olive/sunflower/whatever]
• 2 onions, roughly chopped
• 1 litre of stock
• 3 medium potatoes, roughly chopped
• Salt and ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp crème fraiche
• Handful chopped parsley

Melt butter with oil in a big heavy-based pan; add onions and leeks. Cook, stirring, for 10min. Add potatoes. Add stock, bring to boil, cover and simmer for 45 minutes until vegetables are tender.
Cool slightly, then process/ liquidise in batches until smooth. Season well. Stir in 2 tbsp crème fraiche and sprinkle with parsley, just before serving.

[6 generous portions]

Bob says the great thing about this soup is that you can taste the leeks and taste the potatoes – and the flavour of one does not overwhelm the flavour of the other. I think the great thing is that is is so easy! My GH cookbook actually says ‘cream’ – but that is because was printed in the 1970’s. I don’t think they sold crème fraiche in British supermarkets back then. I use it a lot these days – it keeps well, and is useful in savoury and sweet dishes.