Snow, sorted and relaxing

There's snow on the fell tops, which makes for spectacular views on the road to Keswick.

We blitzed the last of our Christmas shopping in an hour and a half. That feels good!

Oxfam in Keswick was particularly productive, as was the toy shop opposite.

Dinner tonight with friends. Their baby is growing so fast, and was lovely to see how relaxed they seem.

The homemade pizzas were delicious too.

Christmas begins...

Christmas starts here!

• We went carol singing today around the north part of Cockermouth.  I've not been round the streets singing carols for years!  It was good fun (although very cold!) and it was lovely how many local people seemed to enjoy joining in. 
• We served mulled wine and hot chocolate from the back of Dave's van, with mince pies galore, and had a great time.  The people I spoke to all want us to come back next year.
• One of the stops was outside the house of Andrew's former colleague, who we see from time to time.  I'm hoping we can keep some stronger links going now...

Eating lots and having fun:

• Yesterday was my department's Christmas meal at our guest house.  The food was delicious (as usual) and we played some silly games.  Lots of fun, and my voice was going by the end
• Today, our department and the Finance area went out for lunch.  I had the slow-cooked leg of lamb, and it was just as good as last time... the meat was so tender and just fell off the bone (yum!)

I've also heard from a close friend I've feared I was losing touch with - it felt good to start catching up again, and begin making plans for getting together soon.

Christmas lists...

• Presents bought / made?  family, yes; friends and godchildren, almost!
• My family visited?  yes
• Cards written and sent?  almost...
• Christmas parties planned?  looking forward to it!
• Carol singing planned?  yep!  outside on Friday in Cockermouth, Carols by Candlelight in Whitehaven on Sunday
• Lab tidy-up arranged, ready for New Year
• Remembering the reason for Christmas in the first place?
• God loves us!  He hasn't left us to muddle along by ourselves, but came to live on the earth with us.  He came to His own creation, to deal with our selfishness so that now we can be in His presence and live!

Christmas part 1

Friday: a Polish Christmas meal with family.

• Lots of laughter, and new experiences with food...
• I already knew I liked Barszcz but was surprised that the mackerel was quite nice too. I wasn't so sure about the herring though.
• Lovely to see my uncle & aunt again, and one of my cousins had flown in specially.
• The vodka was good too!

 

Saturday:

• Breakfast with both brothers - we couldn't think how long it is since the last time
• shopping then lunch with Mum
• coffee with Oma
• tea at Mum's while watching Strictly
• then back to Graeme's to finish presents with a glass of wine
• Oma's scarf is finished :-)

 

Sunday:

• Church with Grandma & co. (so frustrated with new liturgy though - too many complicated words making unnecessary barriers between us & God)
• Gave out Christmas presents
• an unexpected hello with my other uncle & aunt
• Lunch at Dad's

 

...then home!

Storms, ready for Christmas part 1.

Well, the house is still standing although the "summer" house is losing some of its roof at the moment... Hopefully not in any dangerous way! It's only a small section of plastic sheeting so not too heavy. We'll have a proper look in the morning.

Christmas presents for my family are mostly sorted and wrapped now. I'll be knitting on the way up to finish my gran's scarf tomorrow though.
- Chutney labels written
- Mitts finished
- Gift bags filled

Still to do:
- Finish chutney jars (covers & tags)
- Wrap last presents
- Christmas cards
- Oma's scarf
- pack

Sleep!

(fix summer house roof)

Winter's arriving

Driving to work yesterday morning, the sky was clear and there was snow on the Galloway hills.  The sun was lighting them up, and it was beautiful.

We're in the middle of a storm now - gales and rain woke me through the night (I thought the window might break!) and it was lashing it down this morning.  Now the sun's shining, but it's still very strong wind; the forecast is for at least another day...

Growing older and growing up

When did I become an old woman?
Not for the first time, I realised the young IT technician was patiently explaining to me how to do something that should be intuitive.

Last night was A's Christmas do: tasty food (the first time I've tried pheasant) and lots of laughter.

This afternoon we visited some friends. We played Guess Who? and very much enjoyed having fun with them. It's lovely to be welcomed in to the family and to see our godchildren growing up.