Various ramblings by the small hobbit

Now, I know it's only the beginning of November, but I need time to organise myself, write cards and get them to the post office, and the last date for posting anywhere except with the UK is the first week in December.  So...

If you would like a card from me this year, please let me have your name and address - comments will be screened.  And if there are any particular preferences, e.g. non-religious, no robins (UK variety) etc, do let me know.  I will post to anywhere in the world, but cannot guarantee, even though cards will be posted very early in December, that they will arrive on time.

Alternatively, if you'd like an e-card, then please let me have your email address.

And if you'd rather not risk a screened comment, do drop me a DM.

Lastly, if you've had a card from me in the past and don't want to receive one this time, or you've moved and I don't have your new address, please let me know.

Wishing you all, whether your celebrate at this time of year or not, all the best!

Here are some of our Christmas celebrations:

   



   

Christmas plays a large part in many fandoms, and I certainly include it in many seasonal stories.  

Most of those who follow this blog will know that I'm a Christian, and will not be surprised to hear I celebrate Christmas.  Which doesn't mean that I expect everyone else to do so.  And today we had a 'scratch Nativity' (unrehearsed), which began with our vicar saying 'What am I going to say?' and me replying 'Well, you know the story'.  This was followed shortly afterwards with her cry of 'I've forgotten the baby'.  Fortunately the toy pram in the children's corner had an occupant, who was hastily pressed into service.  We were running Chill Out Christmas - an hour of crafts, hot chocolate and a chance to 'chill out' in the early afternoon.  Not all the children wanted to take part, so we managed without Mary and Joseph, but we did have a star, who doubled as the donkey, an angel, a shepherd, a wise man and a camel (because earlier in the year we had been donated a camel costume).  It was fun and everyone enjoyed themselves - that's my kind of Christmas celebration.

Yes, back in church again this month. Christingle services are very popular at this time of year, both in churches and in schools. For those who haven't come across them before, these are Christingles (photo taken from the church Facebook page):



We begin with an orange, which symbolises the world. The red ribbon (or sticky tape, which is easier to attach) stands for God's love around the world, the candle is the light of Christ (candles are very popular in churches) and the four cocktail sticks are the four seasons, which have small sweets and dried fruit attached, for the fruits of the earth.

We held our family Christingle on Saturday and had 15 children sitting in a semi-circle all carefully holding their Christingle with the candles lit and it was lovely. Technically the fifteen month old wasn't holding her Christingle, daddy had it for her - she'd also happily eaten all the sweets/dried fruit while the vicar talked about the Christingle.

Yesterday was our family carol service (carol services being another great tradition in England), although ours wasn't quite as traditional as some.  

Sending best wishes to all my flist at this time of year



For those who celebrate, a Very Happy Christmas



And to all, I wish you what for me are the major themes, Peace and Joy

If I'm honest Christmas this year feels rather like our current weather, a bit bleak:

( Happy Christmas )

The first of my 12 Days of Christmas ficlets is written for stonepicnicking_okapi who requested Bill/Tony from The Red House Mystery. The case of the Christmas pudding. And here is indeed The Case of the Christmas Pudding.

Ficlets will be revealed daily: A Further Twelve Days of Christmas.  I will also post links to all of them here, but I'm away for a couple of days so there won't be a daily posting.


I was delighted with my Yuletide gifts.  Firstly Featherlight which is a Matthew Bourne Swan Lake fic.  It's entirely in keeping with Bourne's interpretation of the ballet, sad but beautiful.  And then In Which Pooh Hunts for the Meaning of Christmas which was written as a treat and encompasses all that the Hundred Acre Wood is about.  And finally, I also received a gift ficlet from Yuletide Madness Snowpile in which Pooh's hunny is stuck beneath a snowdrift, which won't do!

In addition, I received a gift fic from vix_spes which is Spooks, Adam Carter finding the perfect Christmas Eve Eve night out for Lucas North Merry and Bright not only my favourite couple, but my favourite activity.

 If anyone would like a card from me, then please drop me a message by DM with your address, and I will send one.  I have some lovely cards with winter birds on them and would be very happy to send them to people.  Anywhere in the world, but not extra-terrestrially.

And don't forget, if you would like a ficlet (Twelve Days of Christmas) there are still days available.

As part of my 'go on try something different' challenge, about six months ago I signed up for a Dare to Dabble session at Nature in Art, which is a local art gallery, specialising in art with a natural theme - be it animal, vegetable or mineral.  They're quite well known in their sphere and have temporary exhibitions including 2018 British Wildlife Photographer, the exhibition which is currently on, together with The Wildlife Photographer of the Year, which comes directly after the Natural History Museum in London have had their exhibition.

( Christmas wreath )

In the run up to Christmas this year, I have been helping at the Christingle:

( Christmas pics )( Happy Christms )