Charlie's Bird
living the dream with Charlie and Thandi and chirping all the way back to the nest.Archive for christmas cheer
Change
…so I spent a lot of the weekend trying to find some extra coins. I tried to get to bed early and have good sleep, I decorated the house with all the Christmas stuff, I went for a run, I made a new recipe for dinner. All good stuff. And yes, I do feel a bit better, but sitting at my desk doesn’t feel good this morning. I’m carrying a massive burden of (financial) responsibility to my staff and the practice in general, and I do feel like I am shouldering it alone. Anyway, you guys don’t need to hear about that, so let’s look at some of the pictures of the Christmas decorations!
(Excuse the trailer and detritus on the porch, we have finally sold my Dad’s beach house, and so had to bring a whole lot of stuff back into town, and have run out of storage space… Busy working on tidying up the garage and packing things away.)
The wooden crate stack is shamelessly stolen from a friend, she did it first, it looked amazing, and I thought a great way to display all my Christmas goodies I have accumulated over the years. It isn’t 100% completed yet, I want to get some more little lights and some more hooks to hang things in some of the boxes, but on the whole I am absolutely thrilled with it! Gosh, Christmas really does make me smile!
Nostalgia
…ah, as the sun sets on Christmas Day, I am left with melancholic nostalgia. My first Christmas as an orphan, and while my little family tried hard, I was brittle and am now regretful. And all I want to do is pick up the phone, dial the unforgettable number of my parents’ phone and have a good old natter with my Dawny. I want to tell her about the cute ceramic reindeer I found at the little shop in the corner of that centre, yes, the shop that always smells so nice. I’d gone in to look for a gift for my sister- in-law, you see, and they caught my eye, and I had to spoil myself, because I could see them posing so nicely on my Christmas table. And I want to tell her that I defrosted the Christmas cake that we never got to last year, and I forgot to slice it and serve it – again! But that I know I’ll have a piece tomorrow with a cup of tea, that it stayed so nice and moist, and I doctored it again with some brandy after it came out the freezer. I want to tell her that lunch was nice, but not as nice as when she made it, and that I wish I had a hostess trolley like she’d had, to keep things warm, and that not having a warming drawer with my oven is a definite negative. That I should have gotten one when I replaced the oven. I wish I could tell you that Thandi is just like me – head stuck in book, desperate to be grown up, but still wanting to be a little girl. That she got a new bike, and because I was called back to the hospital, I couldn’t have a ride with her, so I’m going to make some time to do that tomorrow. And that I wonder what I’ll do with the left overs? If it’ll just be gammon sandwiches or maybe I’ll make a pasta?
And I want to tell her that I miss her and Pops so much, and everything seems so flat with out them. And I wish I could have one more Christmas with them, and then another, and another. It’s damn hard without them. And tonight I am very sad, and yes, I promise I’ll count to 10, and take a deep breath and smile. And yes, I know, tomorrow is another day.
Merry Christmas, hope your memories have been sweet today…
Getting on
…with it! This month feels like it is both lingering and racing by. At least I think I am more or less on top of my Christmas planning. I still am not sure if we will do an Eve dinner or a day lunch, but, that’s a minor detail. 90% of the gifts are done, but the rest involve baking, some of which starts today, but the big ones are done.
The weekend was busy for Thandi – she swam a gala – and competed in 8 events. 5 silvers, 2 golds (in her team relay) and a 5th place – she was tired for that one. Once again, our silly municipality will not allow spectators at the gala, which is beyond frustrating – its an open air pool the grandstand is huge and it wouldn’t be hard to screen and only allow the vaccinated in; and actually, the government regulations allow it! Fortunately Charlie is an official – and even though he only time keeps one session, managed to talk his way into the other 3 sessions. Nice for me to get up to date reports, photos and videos at least. We should hear shortly if Thandi has made the selection for the provincial team for nationals. I’m not sure what the criteria are, but if she is, it’s off to Oudtshoorn in January.
I managed to get lots of admin done while they were at the pool and relished a bit of quiet time. I’ve finally gotten into Downton Abbey, so I was doing some embroidery with that on in the background. Ooh, I do love depictions of that time. I am convinced I was born at the wrong time. Love the pomp, love the clothes, love some of the simplicity. I know I would miss some things, but you can’t miss something you’ve never been exposed to, and I often think we have made our life so complicated with all the modern conveniences. Oh, well, I live vicariously for now.
Anyway, I know everyone is starting to slow down for Christmas, but I will be posting here periodically. Hope you are all relaxing into the season.
Merry Christmas
… to you and your families. I hope you are making some incredible memories.
I’m trying hard to emulate my Dawny this season, when everything had to be just so – from her special biscuits, to Christmas Cake, to a roast dinner. It’s been a tough season, but today I woke up with a song in my heart.
Miss you Mom, lend a hand with Dad if you can.
Christmas Cookie and Craft Beer Swop
…isn’t that alliteration impressive, my English teacher would be impressed!
Ok, so last night Charlie and I hosted a (soon-to-be-annual) Swop. The book club girls all brought 6 packets of biscuits, and then each of us went home with 6 assorted packets; and the boys each brought a 6 pack of craft beer, and again, each went home with 6 different beers to taste and enjoy!
It was great! Everybody went to so much trouble! The biscuits were beautiful! I made ginger bread hoses, filled with sweeties, and with a roof encrusted with chocolate coated popping candy, and candy floss smoke rising out a chimney. Check it out!
So we sat around the table, sharing some good food, memories and some wine. A great start to the Christmas season!
Charlie's Bird 