Peaceful start and happy endings

1. The world seemed so still and calm this morning as I left for work. Very tranquil.
2. We had breakfast together in the canteen to end the year. I finished this afternoon - no real work now until next year!
3. So nice to have a quiet evening in. I caught up with my mum and a friend by phone, and finished my book: I shall wear midnight by Terry Pratchett. I almost enjoyed it, just not as much as the earlier Tiffany Aching books: it took me a very long time to get into the story but I liked the way it ended (although I couldn't see the point of the time travel bit). This felt like the last in the sequence though with some neatly tied endings.
So... what to read next?

Christmas greetings and ready for bed

1. I took the biscuits around the office this morning - it was lovely to be able to offer something homemade and wish everyone a happy Christmas.  It's only a small thing, but I enjoyed it.
2. We had the lab clean-up in the afternoon, followed by the baking I'd brought and some fizzy pop from Susana.  She'd also bought a load of luxury crackers, so it was a very festive way to end the year together.
3. I've been fighting a migraine since yesterday evening, but not so bad that it's stopped me.  I'm looking forward to an early night tonight.

6 years...

We commemorated Grace's anniversary with a meal together.  Andrew bought some delicious steak, which he cooked with new potatoes, carrots and broccoli - delicious!

• It's slightly strange that I feel pretty ok at the moment... but I'm glad.  We try not to make too much of dates or anniversaries, but of course we know.
• and I do think keeping this blog is helpful.  It's too easy to forget the good things that happen each day and pass by so quickly.  But they still happened, and it's good to remember them.  I like having photos to look back at as well - proof I was here!

I'd planned to write down some of my memories from 6 years ago, but I think I'll leave that for another time... suffice to say, we knew God was with us, and I hope we'll never forget how well we were looked after.

Baking attempt no. 2

I've had another go at the biscuits and this time they seem ok...

I've also made some flapjack to take to work. Susana & I have arranged a lab clean-up session tomorrow with goodies afterwards so this is my contribution to the party. I may take in some choccies too, or perhaps something savoury to balance all the sugariness.

 

Different...

From Tuesday:
1. I arrived at work at the same time as a colleague with a trainee guide dog. Not something I've seen before!
2. I took a half day to try making some goodies to take into work. The vanilla ones had a strange aftertaste (I've decided the vanilla extract was past its best...) but the chocolate ones seem ok.
3. Fun this evening with my prayer triplet friends. We had a tasty meal cooked by Jenny then played on the Wii; it took me a while to remember what to do but we all did well in the end.

living it up

1. Yesterday's roast chicken became a chicken and mushroom risotto.  One of my favourite meals... and fab comfort food for a winter's evening
2. Christmas cards finished
3. electric blanket fitted at last

rock and roll!

Hooray for a good day

No church this morning (carol singing this evening instead) so our friends came for lunch with their boys.  We had some enthusiastic help in decorating our living room, so it all looks verybright & Christmassy now.
It felt so lovely to have a relaxed afternoon together.

We went to Andrew's parents' church for Carols by Candlelight this evening - an annual event, which helps us to remember the reason for the celebrations.  The sermon was quite short, and focussed on John 3:16 which is such a commonly-quoted verse that it's easy to forget how important it is.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

It struck me how much I depend on knowing this... I've been a bit up and down during the last year (and longer), and felt quite depressed earlier this year.  What gets me through is knowing that I have eternal life with God and that He loves me.  I can trust Him and know that He will work all things for my good, even if it doesn't feel like it at the time...

That feels good!