Festive Favourites

If you’ve been following this blog for some time you’ll be aware I don’t do Christmas presents. This has resulted in the mistaken view that I’m related to the Grinch. This could not be further from the truth. It is a season I relish for several reasons which are about to become very clear to you.

In truth, one of my favourites relies on a turn in the weather. The minute I feel the merest ear tingling nip in the air it means I can begin to indulge in earnest. But indulge in what?

Hats of course.

I love wearing hats and find it as difficult to turn my back on a good hat as I do to shut my eyes when I pass a shoe shop. I’m not entirely sure where this love of hats comes from but I decided long ago not to fight it. I tend to favour hats which hark back to the 20s, 30s & 40s. And who can blame me? They just scream style as far as I’m concerned. You only have to watch an episode of The House of Eliott to see what I mean.

By now I’m sure you’re wondering what else tickles my festive fancy. I’m so glad you asked.

Most definitely next on the list has got to be the variety of festive drinks on offer. I’m particularly partial to a spot of mulled wine. I won’t refuse a spiced hot toddy either and have been known to frequent those coffee chains I otherwise eschew during the rest of the year to purchase such delicacies as Baileys, gingerbread and salted toffee lattes.

Naturally to accompany these drinks I need tasty treats and what better than a slice of Panettone or Pandoro. I have been known to stock up on mini chocolate panettone from Lidl so my unexpected guests can have a taste sensation with whichever drink is on offer. The fact my guests rarely get to sight this delicacy may have something to do with the fact I consume them as fast as I buy them.

Sadly I’ve never owned a Christmas jumper. A tragedy I hope to remedy soon. But what I do have are a selection of Christmas earrings. My favourites are a pair of vibrant blue sequined baubles bought for me by my wonderful fellow Ruskin Readers tutor Caroline. I take every opportunity to wear these sparkly babies even when they don’t compliment my outfit. Tis the season and has to be done.

But now for my final festive feel good must have. The Magic Radio Christmas channel is locked in from the 1^st of December on my kitchen radio. Anyone attempting to retune the dial will suffer serious injury. There are sharp knives in my kitchen. Next is the Freeview Christmas Channel. The films are saccharine sweet and the plots often ridiculous but I cannot resist it, especially when I have a mini panettone and festive drink in tow.

As is standard in my house, the Christmas tree goes up on the first Saturday of December and the downstairs areas get a festive make-over. A little party of sorts always accompanies the tangle of lights and gasps as ornaments are unveiled and their beauty re-examined. As it was my launch on the 2^nd I postponed the tree set up to the Sunday. The delay did not diminish the final effect or atmosphere.

Here's a little taster of the result

I would like to take this opportunity to remind friends and family that I really don’t need a gift. If you still feel the urge to gift me this festive season then please indulge me by donating to one of my favourite charities instead. The list with links to the donations pages are all below:

Centrepoint

SaveThe Children

World Wildlife Fund

WaterAid

Wishing you all a wonderful festive season

Faetaera: A Triumvirate

A Triumvirate Brairton’s minions slipped through a barely noticeable fissure. The tear would close shortly. Despite the increase in their regularity the breaches rarely stayed open very long. To the three insidious spies, the stink of the new world was almost unbearable. But in time the triumvirate would each become so used to it they would scarcely notice it at all. That it poisoned them they did not know. Brairton was not in the habit of informing his operatives of fatal consequences. Their programming precluded any thought beyond the mission they must complete. In this Brairton had been exact and had performed the necessary rituals himself. Each had their mission branded into their being. They would travel together for some time but then slip off to their secret destinations one by one, never to see each other again. The threesome latched on to their individual targets and began their particular brand of individual mis...

#Review: A Storm of Swords II

A Storm of Swords II by George R R Martin After starting on the set in September last year, I’m getting through the Game of Thrones series at quite a clip now. This is no doubt due to their intriguing nature and Martin’s writing style which makes reading this collection of books so easy. So far, my favourite character in every one of the books in this series is Tyrion Lannister. I find myself rooting for him at every step on his life journey. He works so hard to be a better man despite people’s preconceptions. When he was made The Hand in the previous book I was not at all surprised that he did a good job of it. Tyrion reminds me of some of the talented yet underrated children I’ve taught in the past. Once they were given a task which excited and involved them they relished the challenge and surpassed all expectations. Unlike my students though, Tyrion receives no praise for his efforts and achievements. Perhaps I like him so much because he almost always has his now...

Faetaera: Through The Rabbit Hole

Larell’s heart was full to the brim. His audience with Aurelia had been unexpected and full of wonder. He was not surprised she was aware of his plans to send a force through to the other side. Aurelia always knew everything going on in her world. At times he thought he saw the weight of it bearing down upon her. Then he wished to take her in his arms and carry her as well as the burdens she bore. But of course he would never do this, merely imagine it. It made him love her all the more. She thought he did not know how she came by her information and he planned on keeping it that way. It was the only way he knew to express his love for her without feeling foolish. In the crystal lined chamber he felt her load more palpably than usual. He knew it was simply his foolish love-sickness for his Queen but he let the feeling soak through him regardless. Aurelia's lips twitched briefly as though she was...

Rae of Light

Search This Blog