Flower Power

In my student days, "flower power" was a popular theme. The American beat poet Alan Ginsberg coined the phrase, to re[resent a way of transforming anti-war protests [esp. re Vietnam] into peaceful affirmative spectacles. Later on it became a generalised term - for hippies, and the counter-culture of psychedelic drugs, and social permissiveness. 

This was the time when Kaffe Fassett was growing up in California and this is reflected in his bright, colourful artwork. [which reminds me, I have yet to sort my photos and post about my trip to his exhibition last week] I certainly did not do the drugs, or permissive hippie lifestyle. But I was definitely anti-war and keen on flowers! I wore floaty floral frocks, and pinned flowers in my hair as I swanned around campus. Blu-tac was new on the market, and we stuck posters on our walls [often bought from Athena] One popular poster was a version of this 

But is this a wise proverb? and is it still relevant today?

I always had my doubts about it. I understood the principle....however... We should not 'live by bread alone' - life has a spiritual dimension too[ see Matthew 4;4]

 And it is important to appreciate the beauty around us, to stop and smell the roses etc.

But for many people there are other questions to be answered

• if I have two pennies today, should I spend one on bread, and keep the other in case I cannot buy bread tomorrow?
• if I have two pennies should I spend one on food for my family, and the other on fuel? and will 1p buy enough bread, anyway. Heating or eating?
• if I have the luxury of two pennies, should I be sharing my blessings with those who do not even have one?
• and whilst the loaf will give me energy and health, and keep me alive, how long will the flowers last? 

January is traditionally the month of New Year Resolutions, New Habits, Losing Weight, Getting Fit, Saving Money... aiming to be a better person than one was last year.

Lots of bloggers are talking about the changes they are implementing. I am not knocking them at all - and I admire their honesty in sharing their endeavours. I think Carolyn is utterly brilliant in the way she has taken on a huge challenge this year - do check her blog sometime.

But I haven't felt any desire personally to take on any NYR just yet.

• I would like to lose weight - but I am going to eat up the Christmas Hamper goodies first
• I would like like to up my fitness levels- the arrival of the new boots should help with that [but I am being careful about frozen, slippery paths]
• I would like to do some volunteering in the community - but the application which went in weeks ago is still being processed [exceedingly slowly]
• I would like to redecorate the dining area and the hallway - but that is waiting for a week when Bob is less busy [with his Parish Councillor responsibilities etc] so we can work on it together.

And when the decorating is done, I am considering adding a new piece of artwork. Which brings me full circle to the Chinese proverb - and to Gill's comment on yesterday's post . "Love the bird, don't love the price though!" How much are we prepared to pay for art, for luxury, for the things which ultimately are non-essentials? 

I've watched the recent programme about the redevelopment of Claridges Hotel in London. Mainly because I am interested in the actual construction techniques [mining five new subterranean levels underneath and adding yet more storeys on the roof]  but I find the wealth of the clients utterly obscene. Who pays £100K for a night in the new penthouse suite? It would cost the pair of us £1400+ to stay just for tonight in an 'ordinary' room!

I do not have a consistent or coherent answer to the 'can I buy some art?' question. Yes the bird is 'just' 5 pieces of recycled cutlery - but on the other hand, it represents hours of skilled craftwork, and if it is how the creator makes their living, then maybe £65 is not an excessive cost. 

Somebody, back in 1953, paid a lot of money for that Wedgwood Coronation Mug. Did it bring them 70 years of joy? Or was it just put in a china cabinet with other 'treasures'? I am determined that this year I will be more mindful of my possessions, and continue to pass on the items which I do not need, and no longer have a space where they can be appreciated. The mug only cost me £3 and I will use it. 

And after last year's foray into learning to grow vegetables, I shall try and grow more flowers this year. Thank you to those kind people who gave me seeds & Garden Tokens for Christmas [I can spend both my pennies on bread therefore!]

Any Old Iron?

I think this video is a bit weird- Kermit and friends singing the old Cockney song. I cannot believe that the children watching the Muppet Show made much sense of this. How could they understand that napper = head, tile = hat, and Darby Kell = belly?

However, the folk of Diss certainly know how to make good use of old iron and other metals. I did not take many photos on Wednesday [too cold to remove my gloves!] but here are three I did snap.

At the front of Gilling's Yard, robots and rockets created from scrap metal. 

This one with the weapon was tall and fearsome. 

Further round was Del Boy Trotter's Yellow Robin Reliant on top of a ten foot pole, also the tail fin of a small light aircraft!

Bob spent £20 on a piece of heavy metal to use as an anvil

If you go into the centre of Diss, you will find some lovely galleries - one of which specialises in artworks made from recycled materials. 

I thought this bird fashioned from old cutlery was quite charming [sadly that gallery was closed, so I could not go inside and see what else they had on display]

It is amazing what can be created with four spoons, a knife and two forks!

Have you come across any good examples of recycled metals?

God Save The Queen!

It's OK, I know we have a King now...but yesterday Bob and I had a day out in Diss and visited an establishment which sells old tools/militaria/army surplus/catering supplies/ etc etc etc. Gillings of Diss brands itself as "East Anglia's biggest Aladdin's Cave" and it certainly is. Bob had two items on his 'wishlist' - and the retail price of the cheaper item [Maun parallel pliers] was £28. We came away with those [new and unused], and three other items - for a total cost of £30. Result! I found a Coronation Mug from 1953. Well - more  of a tankard really, it is way bigger than your average mug. 

It measures 4½" high - and holds well over a pint, and was designed by Robert Guyatt. As you see, the design incorporates the Lion and the Unicorn, the Crown, and" 1953“- inside the gold rimmed mug are the words "God Save the Queen" 

According to the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, [who own a mug just like this] "Richard Gerald Talbot Guyatt CBE (1914-2007) began his career as a freelance graphic designer with posters for Shell-Mex and BP and book illustrations. At the Royal College of Art, where he was a professor from 1948 and later rector, he led the introduction of education in graphic design and influenced subsequent expansion into typography, illustration, printmaking, photography, film and television design.

From 1952-55 and 1967-70 Guyatt was consultant designer to Wedgwood and this commemorative mug for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 was the first of his Wedgwood designs to be put into large scale production. The company had revived the use of engraved designs in the mid 1930s – a mode of decoration which allowed the artist’s own work and ‘hand-writing’ to be reproduced in a factory setting, and well suited to Guyatt’s style. He also designed Wedgwood commemorative mugs for the Prince of Wales's Investiture in 1969 and several royal weddings. Guyatt’s other commissions included stamps, the WH Smith logo and packaging for Anchor butter.

I found the mug at the rear of a dingy shed, at the back of a shelf of plain white china. It was exceedingly grubby, and I took it to the bloke and asked how much. He looked at me and said "Three Quid?" "OK that's fine" I said [I'd been prepared for anything up to £10 for a mug this size!] It is very mid-century in design, reminiscent of the artwork of the 1951 Festival of Britain. I like it. 

Checking online, I see that optimists are advertising them for sale at prices between £30 and £300, and one recently sold at auction for £360. I shall keep mine and put a pot plant in it.

Following the incident with the Sylvanian Meerkats last month, I spotted some in a CS in Diss - but now priced at £15 for a box [previously £3:50] They had six sets on the shelf. But I wonder if they will sell at that price in the CS, where all the other toys are £5 or less?

All Roads Lead To...

... well, it isn't Rome anyway. Among those leading out of this village, a number go to the nearby tiny village of Hoe [it's mentioned in the Domesday Book] In case you ever need to go there from Swanton Morley, try one of these roads

Over Christmas, we loved Jess continually saying HoHo! But this is definitely a case of Hoe, Hoe, Hoe! 

I go to Hoe once a fortnight for my craft group. It's called "Something Snappy". I thought that it might have once been some sort of Camera Club. But no, when it started, they couldn't think of a name. Apparently somebody suggested that Hoe Craft Club was dull, and the should call it something snappy. So they did. 

The group meets in the Parish Hall, set in the corner of the churchyard, next to Hoe Hall. This is the largest property in the village, some parts dating back to the 17thC. I took this photo on Monday after my group. The wall of the churchyard goes round the corner. The church on the right just out of shot, the little Parish Hall is on the left - and behind you can see Hoe Hall.

I was standing in the middle of the T junction to take the photo. But by the time you get to the junction, you're not on Hoe Road any more. This was the sign behind me. Yes, whichever of the three routes you take, you will be on Hall Road! 

Normal for Norfolk, as they say...

HoHo as Jess says... 

How Do You Solve A Problem? Ask Maria!

Well, this is pretty impressive customer service. On Saturday I blogged about my leaking boots, and the fact that on Friday I had emailed the company. Yesterday - within 72 hours of my email [and it was the weekend too] Maria from Customer Issues at Mountain Warehouse was in touch. They don't have any of the boots in navy at present, but will replace them with a pair in the grey colour if I'm OK with that. Yes, I'm happy! 

Thank you again for all the advice, especially about National Trust discounts. I'm considering getting a second pair to "alternate" wearings, as suggested. But Very happy with MWs response. 

Thank you Maria and Co

Update Tuesday 1:45pm. Excellent!!

On A Roll

 

We are still enjoying Christmas food here - some "just in case" stuff from the freezer [because with all the family here, I didn't know how much we would eat, and I didn't want to interrupt family time popping to the shops] and also we were given two lovely hampers of food. Edible Christmas gifts are always appreciated!

I don't really go in for buying "Christmas themed" foodstuffs [turkey'n'stuffing crisps etc] although a stollen, and a panettone are seasonal treats. But post Christmas, there are often festive items in the yellow sticker section. Bob was pleased to find a pot of Waitrose brandy butter reduced to 35p - we served it with a hot fruit pie.  [I don't really like BB - I prefer cream or custard with a Christmas pud] But the best bargain was in Lidl. 

In Lidl I found part-baked rolls, 70% off - just 29p for a pack. I bought two. I'm really not fussed that they are arranged in a Christmas tree shape, and they are best before mid-Feb, so well in date. 

They will be great to accompany all the home made soup I plan to make with my frozen turkey [and ham] stock.

Last Saturday I did my first proper gardening of the year. The raised bed is properly weeded, topped up with compost and covered with card.

I unearthed some previously undiscovered crops - just a few small leeks, potatoes and carrots, plus a handful of spinach leaves. 

Nothing gets wasted. I made two bowls of soup and served them with amazing rainbow bagels I'd brought back from Borough Market.

But the next time we have soup, there will be Xmas tree rolls on the side.

THANK YOU to everyone who made such useful comments and gave helpful advice about the Boots. I will keep you posted on my progress, when something is afoot.
 

Gold, Frankincense And Myrrh

Yes, I know Epiphany Sunday was last week, but since then I have been thinking a lot about the Wise Men - their names and their gifts

.Matthew chapter 2 tells us about the Magi but gives no names, and does not specify the number – just that there were three gifts. There are various traditions about their names The common Western tradition has identified them as Caspar, Melchior & Balthazar. One popular legend has portrayed Caspar as a king of India, Melchior as a king of Persia, and Balthazar as a king of Arabia.

In the East, however, other names appear. Many Syrian Christians call them Larvandad, Gushnasaph, & Hormisdas. Ethiopians name them Hor, Karsudan, & Basanater, Armenians call them Kagpha, Badadakharida, & Badalilma.

The Western tradition of their names seems to have derived from a Greek manuscript most likely composed about the year 500 in Alexandria, Egypt, and translated into Latin. A second Greek document [also translated into Latin but presumed to be of Irish origin - which is bizarre!] from the eighth century, continues that tradition.

Kirsten's December stitching for the Postcard project was this lovely curvy Christmas tree. She cleverly adapted it from this pattern. And below it added 
20+C+M+B+23

Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar in 2023.

but also a prayer

Christus

Mansionem

Benedicat

that is "May Christ bless this house"

And their gifts - well, I read this really sad story on the BBC website. It appears that there is currently a gold rush in Somalia - in the very place with the frankincense and myrrh trees grow. The gold rush which began around five years ago has led to the uprooting of frankincense and myrrh trees, some centuries old. "Gold-miners have swarmed into the mountains," says Hassan Ali Dirie who works for the Candlelight environmental organisation. "They cut down all the plants when they clear areas for mining. They damage the roots of the trees when they dig for gold. They block crucial waterways with their plastic bottles and other rubbish," he said. "Day by day, they are ensuring the slow death of these ancient trees. The first to go are the myrrh trees, which are uprooted when the diggers clear the land for surface mining, frankincense trees grow on rocks and last a little longer. Communities are being ruined by greed. Read it for yourself, and see how western greed has destroyed an ancient way of life. So very, very sad. Whatever their names were, I am sure those 'wise men' in Bethlehem would not have wanted this destruction. And neither would the Baby they came to worship.

Am I In Danger Of Getting Trench Foot?

What a fun week - some time ago, Liz sent me a link to the Kaffe Fassett exhibition at the Fashion & Textile Museum in Bermondsey. Then on Sunday afternoon, messaged and said "Are you free on Wednesday?" So I hopped on a train on Tuesday afternoon, and spent a day and a half enjoying time with family and art appreciation - then came back Thursday. Fabulous!

Once I have all my photos sorted, I shall do a proper post. I only had one problem- as I walked up from Borough Market to Liverpool Street Station, I was aware of a squelching noise from by left foot. It had been raining, the pavements were damp. When I got home, I discovered that my walking boot had holes in the heels and a split across the sole. And my left foot was cold and damp inside my sock.

I have not owned walking boots before. How long should one expect boots like this to last? I bought them in October 2021. I certainly do not wear them every day, and although my average number of paces per day is around 11K, I reckon these boots have done way less than 500 miles.

I really like my boots, they fit comfortably, and they are lovely to walk in [even with my painful verucca]  I want to keep walking for the good of my health!

Am I being unreasonable in expecting them to last longer than 15 months?  I thought I was buying reasonable quality footwear. [orig price £75, reduced to £45 in sale]
Perhaps, if you are a walker, please can you advise me here!

When Life Gives You Lemons...

 ...Make Marmalade While The Sun Shines*

Following yesterday's post, this is my Malaphor for the Day. I had a lemon in the fruit bowl, so I combined it with a can of pre-prepared Seville oranges to make my marmalade for the year. I like to add some lemon peel and juice to each batch as I prefer the flavour.

I couldn't find my usual Ma-Made in any shops locally so bought this in Lakeland [it cost quite a bit more] and produced 7 jars of amber joy. There does seem to be less 'shred' in this brand. I will see how it tastes. 

I subsequently found Ma-Made in Morrisons, so bought a can to keep in reserve for the autumn.

*this malaphor particularly appropriate for those with solar panels who put off high-energy tasks till it is bright and sunny, and they are generating power.

Do you make your own marmalade? 

If so, do you work from scratch, or use these tins? 

And do you add any extras, or use a different sort of sugar?

It's Not Rocket Surgery

Last weekend, my friend Chris Duffett taught me a new word 

Malaphor

A malaphor is an informal term for a mixture of two aphorisms, idioms or clichés .eg It's not rocket science plus it's not brain surgery becomes

It's Not Rocket Surgery

The term malaphor—a blend of malapropism and metaphor—was coined by Lawrence Harrison in a 1976 Washington Post article.  Some examples below- see if you can split them into their component parts

• She really stuck her neck out on a limb
• A bird in the hand is worth two killed with one stone
• We could stand and talk until the cows turn blue
• 
  It sticks out like a bear with a sore head
• She's not the sharpest needle in the haystack
• It's as easy as falling off a piece of cake
• He's between a rock and the deep blue sea
• Don't bite the hand that rocks the cradle
• 
  
• 
• Those who live in glass houses should count their eggs before they hatch
• They are as thick as two thieves in a pod
• He's burning the midnight oil from both ends

Have you come across malaphors? Can you share any good ones here?

The Tea Post

Not a post about tea, but a post about The Tea Post

Last week Bob had a very early appointment at the surgery for an eye test. The instructions said that he would have drops put in his eyes and be unable to drive afterwards. So I said I'd act as chauffeur if we could then have breakfast afterwards, in the place across the road.

The Tea Post is the tearoom attached to the village post office in North Elmham. They open at 9 most days - serving breakfasts, morning coffees, lunches and afternoon tea and cakes. 

When we went in [Jan 3rd] they still had their decorations up. It was so pretty! The ceiling support pillars had been entwined with greenery and there were lots of pretty baubles, straw decorations and fabric 'pinecones' all in the trad green/red/white/gold colour theme. 

And particularly attractive double sided fabric bunting. It was all very festive. Helen and Heather, the staff that day, were very attentive. The food was excellent. There was a good variety of tea, all from the Brew Tea Co, with individual glass teapots.

It was good to have fere newspapers to read while we waited for our food to be prepared too

Look at that gorgeous blue dresser behind Bob, with all the teas, plus cake domes and fancy jams...

Bob loved his Eggs Royale. My bacon roll was delicious, but less photogenic. I'd like to visit again sometime, later in the day.

I admire the initiative of the people who run village Post Offices, in diversifying like this, in order to keep their businesses financially available and the services available to the locals.[The one in nearby Guist is very good too] 

I am honestly impressed that folk continue to operate the POs in their community following the appalling treatment of so many staff over the past twenty years following the Horizon Scandal.

We really enjoyed our visit to The Tea Post. The atmosphere, service and food were all 5* [and they have a good sized car park outside too, with a bicycle rack. So bonus points there!] Thank you Helen and Heather!

 

Polished Off!

Did you pick up this piece of news last week? S C Johnson ['a family company'] is no longer producing Kiwi Shoe Polish to be sold by British retailers. The Forces are up in arms about their feet! 

Since 1906 when Australian William Ramsay founded his company [named Kiwi as a tribute to his New Zealand born wife]  the British Armed Forces have used this as their shoe polish of choice. A decade ago, the Army issued brown leather combat boots to the troops 

- but black remains the colour for boots worn with regimental dress uniforms. We all saw that in sparkling glory as the soldiers paid their respects at Her Majesty's funeral last year.

It won't affect this household - my family has always used Cherry Blossom [another company founded in 1906] SCJ blame "people working from home, and the wearing of trainers" for causing the drop in demand. They say they will still be selling online to British customers. Cherry Blossom say the exit of Kiwi from the market should be a huge boost for their sales.

Do you ever polish leather shoes/boots?
If so, what products do you use?

[I'd love to hear what happens to those of you who are non UK readers]

Christmas Trimmings

The Christmas Cake was all eaten up - and the manger, the angel, the candle and the greeting were left forlornly on the glass cake stand with a few crumbs of cake and odd lumps of icing. Bob, being helpful, decided to wash everything up. He has been brilliant over the holidays - especially with all the visitors, and done sterling work in the kitchen. And I acknowledge that what happened was entirely my fault. Last year, when we had a lot of figures on the cake, I washed the icing off their bases, and discovered that Pauline's angel was made of sugar, not resin. But I had forgotten to do anything about it.

So yet again, my URC Angel had a Baptist Total Immersion experience! even more of her silver washed away and her crisp wing edges were slightly more curvy.

I have sorted her out now. I redrew her eyelashes and lips with fine gel pens, and touched up the gold line on her sleeves. And I repainted the the silver 'surplice' and her halo with glittery nail varnish. Then covered the lots with glossy 'top coat' nail varnish.I hope this keeps her in better condition for next year.

The other major task 'before we pack everything away' was fixing Mary's shoulders. Last year, she was sitting at a slight angle. This year she faced straight out - and I really wasn't happy with her rather broad shoulders. So Bob has trimmed each side, so next year she will have a softer frame.

I have kept back a Christmas Bag for life, and over the past week have found a number of Christmas items which didn't get put away after the clear up last weekend [two hand towels, a Snowman plate, 2 hanging decorations etc]. I think I've found everything now so all is bagged and packed!

Bob has yet to go outside and get down the icicle lights festooning the Lath Palace- although we've switched off the timer, so they are not coming on in the evenings any more.

ps SueJay, I have not heard from you re the Giveaway Prize, please can you email me with your address ? [Apologies if you have already done so and it's got lost in the ether]

The Artist, The Chaplain, And The Chair

I blogged about Charlie Mackesy - the artist who produced the book [and film] “The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse". Someone has shared this YouTube clip with me. Charlie telling a sdtory about his friend, the chaplain. It's less than 4 minutes long, about what it means to pray . So I'm sharing it with you

Mum, I Have To Warn You...

 ...It's Not A Dinosaur!

What??!!  THe ominous dark crack in the egg widened on Thursday [Day 4] and all was revelaed on Friday. It is a penguin

 

Steph says the instructions recommend leaving the penguin in water for a while longer as it may increase in size. 

[That is Bob's hand, by the way]

The bird has a weird texture and lumpy feet, so he won't stand up by himself.[Maybe this is a female, with an emergent egg...]

We will send George pictures - but I am not sure if we can keep Pingu in good condition until we visit in mid February

Meanwhile, enjoy an old ad for a popular chocolate bar

They Think It's All Over...

...It Is Now!

Today is the Feast of The Epiphany, although some people will mark Sunday [January 8th] as Epiphany Sunday. 

As we walked back from the Post Office on Tuesday afternoon, we discussed the different 'rules' people have for celebrating.

I know some who always decorate the tree on the first Sunday of December [I did that when the children were younger - it fitted in with the pattern of Xmas events at Church]

Others have a particular 'start' date which enables them to get family birthdays out of the way first [you know who you are!!] Very sensible - you need the opportunity to enjoy cards and gifts for your special day.

Another friend refuses to allow any decorations to go up before Christmas Eve - whilst others start taking them down straight after Boxing Day. People with 'real' trees try and manage a careful window around 25th to allow for a reasonable display before the needles start to fall on the carpet. 

This year I planned decorations to be up just before the family arrived - and down just as they left. Jess has definitely got the hang of the festivities. She pulled a hat out of the basket, plonked it on her head and cried "Ho!Ho!" -  and wore it for most of the week. Rosie added a beautiful Scandi-style wreath to the decorations - made from a kit kindly sent by Kirsten.

George spent ages lining up the figures from the wooden nativity set, alongside my other Bible character models. Then he discovered that you could stack the three Kings on top of each other and balance the manger on top. "Look Daddy, a Tower!" He is really into building lines, towers and bridges. We think he may become an architect or construction engineer when he is older!

I love the different approaches to decorations. Some folk go over the top and have an eclectic collection where every ornament has a story [me] others are very Trad, with fresh greenery around their pictures, and tartan bows on finials and newel posts, others Arty with twisted willow branches, stacked driftwood and iridescent glass baubles, some all minimalist, pale and Scandi.

What is your Christmas Style? 

and when do get your dex down?

Or are you like my late friend Ray - who kept one little red bauble always hanging on the end of the pelmet over his lounge window? So, like the redeemed Ebenezer Scrooge, he could "keep Christmas in his heart,. and honour it all year" 

An Egg Has Been Laid In The Bath

Grandson George is busy learning new words, discovering all sorts of exciting things and generally being a delight.It was December 30th before he finally realised that his 'treasure' - gold** foil coins - could be unwrapped to reveal chocolate pennies! He has learned too that eggs can hatch. So whilst at the SeaLife Centre Hunstanton last Saturday, with his cousins, he spent some of his Christmas Money on an egg. I think it is meant to hatch into a baby dinosaur.

He put it in water when he got back to Cornerstones. Unfortunately it got left behind when the family returned to Manchester on Sunday. So now it is in the bath inside my large lock'n'lock [It's OK, Bob and I prefer to use the shower] 

Day 1 - you can see two small holes at the base of the egg. The egg is about the size of my clenched fist/a small grapefruit 

They take weeks to hatch, Bob assured me [we will be visiting Manchester in about 6 weeks time]

Day 2 - absolutely no change

But on Day 3...

There is a definite crack, like a grinning mouth, appearing across the egg.

And the water appears cloudier

I am not sure I like having this thing in my bath - especially when I make a nocturnal visit to the loo [I mean, I've seen Jurassic Park, and look what happened to that guy when he went to 'spend a penny'!] If there is no blog for two days, you will know what has happened to me!

If you have not met these things before, check out this little clip

** George doesn't trust the foil coins which are shiny pink or blue, he was happy for Rosie to have them! He only wants the gold ones.

And the Winners Are...

There were so many kind words on the 4,000,000 post, and even after removing the friends who sent comments, but put 'don't include me in the draw' I had dozens of comments. I decided on adding in a smaller 2nd gift. So I wrote the names down, and randomly allocated numbers. Bob chose a 1st and 2nd winner

Nicky, and SueJay, please can you email me your addresses? Thank you. Thanks again to all of you blog-followers for your friendship

#Word365

In 2020 I chose inspire, in 2021 it was adventure, and in 2022 it was look again.

So I thought long and hard about my Word of The Year for 2023. Was there anything in 2022 which had gone well, which might be a starting point for my theme? It was pretty obvious really...

Since January, I have been exchanging a parcel of stitching each month with Kirsten. It has become my standard answer when anyone asks me what craft work I am currently working on "Oh, I'm doing a collaborative needlework project with another blogger from Sussex" I say [It sounds much more classy than 'me and my mate send bits of linen through the post to each other"] K&I barely knew each other before this began, but over the year have become good friends [yet to meet in person]

But the whole sharing and working together has made the project brilliant. I know we have picked up techniques, and exchanged ideas. The dictionary defines collaboration as "the action of working with someone to produce something"

I found this 

Seven Keys to Creative Collaboration

• It's voluntary. [Forced collaboration isn't collaboration]
• People are dependable
• There's trust and vulnerability
• The structure is loose  - but there is a structure
• We share a vision
• The ability to not always take things seriously
• We embrace candour and conflict.

Our "Postcard Project" has certainly revealed many of these things [fortunately no conflict]

Like cogs working together, there must be planning, support, help, trust, teamwork and togetherness if a collaboration is to achieve success. And like the cogs in a well-oiled machine, there are times when one will carry a bigger load, another will spin faster, and yet another may feel they are going in the opposite direction - but if all mess smoothly as they should , things will work.

Already this year I have found situations where I am needing to collaborate with others

• with friends at church as we plan for another Holiday Club [even in retirement, this is on the calendar for Bob and myself] We will collaborate to make it the best we can,
• as we seek to help an elderly neighbour, we are collaborating with friends and family members to support her through a difficult patch
• obviously we collaborate with our daughters as they are seeking to be good parents to our four darling grandchildren. Not to tell them what to do, judge their parenting styles, or burden them with unworkable advice- but to be there to help when needed. Hilary Clinton's book "It takes a Village" [to raise a child] made the point that it is hard work bringing up little ones, and we all have a responsibility.

There will be other timers, other opportunities for collaboration I am sure.

Bob and the girls will tell you that I am an independent, often obstinate woman - reluctant at times to accept the help I'm offered "No I can do it myself!" I need to learn to collaborate more, to share the load. "Teamwork makes the dream work, Grandma" says Rosie.

Let's see where this one takes us...

There's still time to comment on the 4000000 Giveaway post!

The Car Is Back Where It Should Be...

On Saturday, I dismantled the tableau in the Cornerstones Carriage House. The costumes all need to be washed, the polystyrene heads and the manger returned to the loft-space over the Futility Room, the backdrop and T-shaped 'skeletons' [all part of a dead gazebo] are stored away and the lights carefully packed and labelled. And the signs out by the main road have been uprooted and brought home. And the car is parked in inside once more.

But the most delightful thing happened one evening last week. We were in the kitchen preparing food together and the doorbell rang. A gentleman stood there and said "Please excuse me for ringing your bell. I've been in the Close visiting family this week. I just wanted to say thank you for the manger scene. It has quite made my Christmas. I hope you didn't mind me disturbing you and telling you"

I was so touched. Other people have commented on the extra figures added for this year. The sheep and the owl were clearly popular. People have been so positive. I've already started thinking about 2023 - should I perhaps add an angel? And should we have some sort of charity collection tin?

Please don't forget the 4Million Giveaway [here] Add your comment on last Thursday's post and on Tuesday evening I will draw the winner's name.

New Year Greetings

One carol which seems to have been ubiquitous this Christmas is "The Carol Of The Bells" - but Liz had sent me a link showing it was originally a Ukrainian Folk Song for the New Year, called Shchedryk which means bountiful evening.  It is often called "the swallow"

The Ukrainian National Chorus sung it at Carnegie Hall in 1922, and Peter Wilhousky [an American of Ukrainian descent] wrote English lyrics based on the euphonius bell-like ostinato pattern of the tune.

Here is the beautiful version Liz sent me - with one young Ukrainian woman singing all four parts a capella

Another Ukrainian musician, Stepan Pasicznyk, has translated the words slightly differently. At this time, they seem especially poignant

Sing swallow sing, fortune you bring
Into the homes letting you in
Happy are those hearing your song
Life will be kind, life will be long.
Sing swallow sing, bounty you bring
Days longer now, leading to spring
Chaff of the wheat, ear of the corn
Nestling ewes, lambkin are born.
Sing swallow sing, praying you bring
News that a new time will begin
Peace in our land, hoping this year
Good will prevail, nothing to fear.
We lived off the land of milk and honey
Envy of the world, no need for money
Sing swallow sing, praying you bring
News that a new time will begin.
Sing swallow sing

Wherever you are, may God grant you a new year which brings love, joy, hope, and especially peace.