In no apparent order, some of the highlights of the last week have been:
Carolling around a log fire with a Yankee Swap, cookies, coffee and new friends
Last Friday evening we set off for somewhere near Norwich for our Adult Bible Fellowship (ABF) Christmas party. As visitors to the church, there's already an element of insecurity...now to be heading into someone's home, as Dear Husband would say, "socially awkward levels were at an all time high" - Was the gifts we brought to swap suitable? What was a Yankee Swap anyways? Could you bring something besides sugar cookies to share? Do you have to take off your shoes at the front door? Are you allowed to park people in when the alternative is further up an un-lit, ice covered hill? There were so many unknowns! But once I saw the wood burning in the fireplace I relaxed a lot.
Yankee swap was fun! DH was no. 2 to pick a gift, and landed a torch umm...flashlight, as the locals call it, and it looked as though he would be 'stuck' with it. That is until someone needed to read the words on their weird gift and we shone the torch ...WOW. The wattage on that light was something else - and so it was promptly swapped out cold-heartedly stolen in the next round! Poor PJ had to pick a new gift - this time, a book and cookie mix and he came home with it - for better or worse.
Since we've already established how much I love the Festive Season, we won't re-hash it here. I just kept looking around the room, listening to the chatter, looking at the tree, watching people model their Christmas socks and scarves...we didn't sing Chestnut's Roasting, but I did think about it, and finally, it all fitted so well.
Receiving the Jesse Tree ornaments at a proper posh Ladies Tea
The wait was finally over! That day long workshop spent crafting last month culminated in a beautiful Ladies Tea, with cucumber sandwiches, 3-tier cake stands, candles, conversation and 3 types of tea. Initially I was a little overwhelmed by the fact that I was there alone (the price you pay for a babysitter) but two dear Granny friends found me a saved me... and besides wishing that I'd at least found a dress to wear for the occasion, I had a lovely afternoon in their company, lapping up some more of the festive cheer. The anticipation of seeing all of the ornaments completed was almost too much excitement to bear and when I returned home, the family had fun doing the first 8 in one night to get us up to speed with the calendar. I have no idea how I'll be travelling home with these dainty pieces but I'm not thinking about that just yet!
Watching the story of "Clara's Tea" with J at Lebanon Opera House
The minute I heard about it, I marked it on the calendar. It's probably, mostly me living vicariously through Miss J - since she hasn't worn her ballet slippers in over a year - but she didn't protest. In fact, she was so looking forward to some girls-only time, that the two of us were giddy with excitement all weekend! After a quick lunch it was time to get ready for our visit to the theatre - and we'd convinced DD and Ma to join us. The ballet, performed by City Center Ballet and guest artists, was such a treat. I even caught a few glimpses of J (uncontrollably? admiringly?) gawking at the dancers up on pointe. Afterwards she commented that these balcony seats were much better than the ones we had the last time we visited the ballet... Score! We haven't had too many opportunities to be alone - her and me - so this was a such a special time for me to share with her. And even though she may deny it some day, I know that she enjoyed it too...because she was holding my hand on the drive home!
Carolling around a log fire with a Yankee Swap, cookies, coffee and new friends
Last Friday evening we set off for somewhere near Norwich for our Adult Bible Fellowship (ABF) Christmas party. As visitors to the church, there's already an element of insecurity...now to be heading into someone's home, as Dear Husband would say, "socially awkward levels were at an all time high" - Was the gifts we brought to swap suitable? What was a Yankee Swap anyways? Could you bring something besides sugar cookies to share? Do you have to take off your shoes at the front door? Are you allowed to park people in when the alternative is further up an un-lit, ice covered hill? There were so many unknowns! But once I saw the wood burning in the fireplace I relaxed a lot.
Since we've already established how much I love the Festive Season, we won't re-hash it here. I just kept looking around the room, listening to the chatter, looking at the tree, watching people model their Christmas socks and scarves...we didn't sing Chestnut's Roasting, but I did think about it, and finally, it all fitted so well.
Receiving the Jesse Tree ornaments at a proper posh Ladies Tea
The wait was finally over! That day long workshop spent crafting last month culminated in a beautiful Ladies Tea, with cucumber sandwiches, 3-tier cake stands, candles, conversation and 3 types of tea. Initially I was a little overwhelmed by the fact that I was there alone (the price you pay for a babysitter) but two dear Granny friends found me a saved me... and besides wishing that I'd at least found a dress to wear for the occasion, I had a lovely afternoon in their company, lapping up some more of the festive cheer. The anticipation of seeing all of the ornaments completed was almost too much excitement to bear and when I returned home, the family had fun doing the first 8 in one night to get us up to speed with the calendar. I have no idea how I'll be travelling home with these dainty pieces but I'm not thinking about that just yet!
Watching the story of "Clara's Tea" with J at Lebanon Opera House
The minute I heard about it, I marked it on the calendar. It's probably, mostly me living vicariously through Miss J - since she hasn't worn her ballet slippers in over a year - but she didn't protest. In fact, she was so looking forward to some girls-only time, that the two of us were giddy with excitement all weekend! After a quick lunch it was time to get ready for our visit to the theatre - and we'd convinced DD and Ma to join us. The ballet, performed by City Center Ballet and guest artists, was such a treat. I even caught a few glimpses of J (uncontrollably? admiringly?) gawking at the dancers up on pointe. Afterwards she commented that these balcony seats were much better than the ones we had the last time we visited the ballet... Score! We haven't had too many opportunities to be alone - her and me - so this was a such a special time for me to share with her. And even though she may deny it some day, I know that she enjoyed it too...because she was holding my hand on the drive home!
The stuff dreams and memories are made of!
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