tired after a lovely day

We had a few friends around today; one of those "Sunday lunchtime after the choir's Christmas concert" traditions.

It's always fun, doesn't involve too much effort beyond providing something tasty to eat and drink for everyone and we really enjoy the occasion.  The trouble is, we invariably find that there was simply not enough time to talk to everyone, to enjoy the company of every friend who comes along.

Of course, there's always time to admire gorgeous shoes.

Though some are too young to appreciate much more than chocolate.  Give them time..

Now, everyone's gone home, Mark and Edward have driven to London and I'm home alone.  but look what I just found in the sitting room...

8.19am, Thursday morning

The light in the garden this morning was so magical, I had to take some photographs before I went off to the hairdressers.

Quite unlike the kind of big-city shopping I did on Monday, pootling about Cirencester this morning was a delight.  New and interesting independent shops are opening and it's becoming quite a smart place to be, though I thought this well-established flower shop was looking particularly lovely in the sunshine.

Plus and as well, it's fun to bump into friends, have a chat over a coffee in a great place too.

Always there

Monday.  Wash Day.  Well, that's how it goes isn't it?

Hopefully our kind of comforting routine isn't quite as rigid as that and judging from the crowds out shopping today, there can't have been many left at home doing the washing, that's for sure.  Armed with my lists, I set out this morning aiming to get the presents sorted, thinking as I did that I seem to have fewer to buy each year, sadly.

This time of the year provokes all kinds of mood swings - merry and bright one minute and then maudlin and downright miserable the next, and I know I'm not alone in that.  Fortunately the merry and bright usually wins through most of the time!

I could hear my Mum's voice this morning, though, as the button on my trousers popped off just as I was about to leave the house.  There she was, somewhere, saying "Don't sew sorrow to your back" - meaning, take off the trousers because you can't repair something properly whilst still wearing it.

Of course, I followed her advice.  You would have done too, wouldn't you?

Nikolaus

Today being the 6 December, the bears are dressed for the season

and there are one or two more Santas around the house.  Sadly though, with no boy home, the Nikolaus Haus will have to wait a little while longer.

Same procedure every year

We are such creatures of habit.  Perhaps I wouldn't realise quite how much of a pattern our lives fall into at this time of the year, but keeping a "December Daily" journal makes it perfectly clear.

Returning from our (usual) Thanksgiving weekend trip to the USA on Wednesday, we did a quick turn around and made our way to Cheltenham Town Hall for the event which happens on the first Wednesday in December every year: The GFWI Christmas Concert.  This year it was extra special with not only the WI choir, great organist and a terrific brass ensemble, but also soloist Aled Jones - quite a catch!  Of course, every photo I took which included him is flawed in some way - he barely stood still, so you'll simply have to imagine you're there.

Believe me, it was spine-tingling stuff.

Next, if it's the Friday before the busiest shopping day, then it must be time to go and choose a Christmas tree.  Yesterday, we had quite a heavy frost and we thought these trees looked a bit odd, bundled together leaning on the fence.

These three monster trees (destined for churches or village greens, perhaps) were laid out like three beached whales.

 

Then, today, the first Saturday in December, is time to make mince pies for the choir rehearsal tomorrow.  Taking my photo of the day today, I was conscious that it could well be the same as last year (and probably the year before) - but as soon as I spotted this image, I knew I had this year's variation!  Mince pies don't hang around long in this household...

Three and a half dozen, made using the same recipe in the same tins, with the same stars on the top.

I find that quite comforting.