December Days

Finally catching up before when year closes and another one begins.  It has been an usually busy few weeks, what with Pip's birthday and various family gatherings.  It was lovely to welcome family into the new place and for them to have a sense now of where we live.  We are very grateful for this new home and are blessed to be here.

 Double Digits

 No 'x marks the spot' but it is still a dining room and the table is still with us from ten years ago, where it proved to be a stabilizing force, since I gave birth standing up!  So I guess it still counts :-)

A Christmas Eve House Blessing

Decorating The Tree

 

Christmas Reading

 Ollie Bear

It has been a good Christmas and a good end to a rather unusual year :-)  Hope that for those of you reading, that 2019 is a blessed year x 

 

December Photo Project: Friday To Monday

Cat Cuddles

 On Friday afternoon, I nodded off and when I awoke, look who I found!  It had been a long week and that sleep was much appreciated :-)

Saturday Date

 At eight o'clock on Saturday morning we were at the hair salon and Pip was treated to the works.  This was followed by the promise of a cooked breakfast and a browse around the charity shops.  Pip found a magazine on trains for her dad and one on model building for Ben.

Sunday Snapshot

 We visited long standing friends for the afternoon and shared a lovely tea together.

Monday Mania

  The image on the left formed part of the DPP during its second year and fast forward eight years and this gal still loves "helping" with the vacuuming!  She has however progressed to vacuum cleaner rock star status!!  As ever she keeps us on our toes, God Bless her :-)

Well that is me caught up!  Hoping to catch up with some long overdue reading of blog friend posts but as usual it is late again.  No matter how hard I try, December derails me every time, ah well.

See you soon x 

December Photo Project: St Nicholas

As usual the Tomten came to visit, but sadly not in their regular slot in front of a wood burning stove.  We all miss the burner and are saving the pennies to have another one installed at some point :-)

The St Nicholas treats were well received:

 Early bird Pip had hers made before Ben :-)

Pip should have been on a school visit to the zoo today but due to the bad weather it was cancelled.  Needless to say everyone was disappointed, but spirits were soon lifted when icon painting was the order of the day!  The usual maths and English lessons were given in the morning and then it was art in the afternoon.  The plan is to take a photo of the images and then convert them into cards to sell.  Pip has plans for her icon and that is to send it to Sr Emma in Spain.

Happy St Nicholas Day x

 

December Photo Project: St Nicholas Drawing And Gifts

Pip had fun drawing St Nicholas and writing a note for her best buddy Beth :-)  I am sure she will love to open her package on St Nicholas Day:

 

December Photo Project :: Chocolate Treats and A Yummy Breakfast

 Day Two:  Chocolate Treats

Debbie and Lewis visited yesterday.  The kids hung out and the mums enjoyed knitting and nattering!  We have a long standing tradition and the host family usually provide a simple sweet treat for afternoon snack.  For ease in working out the carbs the kids normally share a "twirl" bar but at Christmas and Easter we break with tradition and share a suitable alternative:

 These fairtrade goodies were bought from our newly opened Co-Op shop just down the road from us :-)  Insert a happy dance!  The shop is very impressive with a good selection of fresh produce as well as gluten free foods all at a very reasonable price and certainly comparable with the local Sainsbury in town.

 St Nicholas in front of the Advent wreath and waiting to be pressed into action!

Day Three:  Yummy Breakfast

Once the kids had been dropped off at their respective learning zones, Dave and I enjoyed a late and much appreciated cooked breakfast.  Once we had eaten, Dave spent some quiet time on the computer and I enjoyed some knitting time.  I have just finished the first Christmas sock for Benedict because let's face it, Christmas would not be the same without a pair of hand knit socks :-)

  A good day :-)

December Photot Project :: A Festival Of Angels

I am hoping that this yearly tradition will kick start a commitment to popping in here on a regular basis.  I must admit I am still trying to find a new routine since moving just over six weeks ago.

We have had a fair number of busy days these past few weeks what with college/school attendance and appointments we are usually in the car at least five days a week.  I could do with a few more days at home and thankfully there is a light at the end of the tunnel and over the next few weeks things should slow down, thank God! Our regular commitments are as follows:  Benedict attends college on a Monday and Friday and  Pip is currently in her third week at St Benedict's Academy.  She attends on a Monday and Thursday and a half day on a Friday, in between we continue with our home school studies.  In addition to the regular subjects of Maths, English, History and Catechesis, she is also studying Latin, Greek and French.  She enjoys her time there and already had a friendship base as we know another home school family that have been attending since the New Year.

On a cold and very damp morning, we dropped Benedict off at Heron Corn Mill for a volunteer day and we then made our way to Cartmel for a browse round, followed by lunch in Grange.  We had hoped to meet with Sara, Tom and Oliver, but sadly Sara was full of a cold and recovering from a horrendous migraine attack, despite this the three of us had a really lovely day.

 Acorn Montessori School, "Autumnal Angel."

Cartmel Art Society, "Art Angel CAS"

Cartmel CE Primary School, " Mighty Oaks From Little Acorns Grow."

Cartmel Surgery, " Up Hill and Down Dale," Cartmel Doctors go the extra mile!

 Newton and Field Broughton W.I " Suffragettes Inspiring Women Down The Ages."

Recipe for a Festival Of Angels:

In January 2018, take one bonkers idea,

Mention it to one receptive vicar,

Discuss with one enthusiastic social committee,

Find one incredibly generous joiner,

Talk to the Guild of Cartmel Traders AGM,

Contact lots of Community Groups,

Beg, borrow, but never steal, contributions and assistance,

Allow to marinate, develop and grow for 11 months.

Open the Priory doors on November 30th and be Amazed :-)  

If any blogging friends wish to join the fun, the sign up link is posted, here