Milk And Cookies For Santa
By “Santa”, I mean – me!
How’s everyone going with Christmas preparation?
We’ll be having a quiet day (again) – not even doing stockings this year 😦
The tree is up, the pressies are wrapped, and there are choccies in the fridge!
I like to have things clean and tidy, so that’s pretty much sorted.
Time to rest a bit.
Have a cuppa, and a nice little treat.
The “milk and cookies” (I would say “biscuits”, but it doesn’t sound right…) were on a doughnut I had a little while back. I’d seen them in the cabinet a few times, and thought they looked good.
A fairly ordinary doughnut with icing, a squidge of cream, milk bottles, and a couple of tiny choc chip biscuits.
A cup of tea to go with it…
What could be sweeter?
❤
Having A Laugh
I’ve managed to free up a bit of space in my media library – not sure how many photos I can add, though.
We went out to see the lights last night.
It was a bit early – not yet dark – but still fun!
In fact – joy(ful)!
The entertainment for that part of the evening was…
Elve-is?
😀
We didn’t stay very long.
Just a walk up the street to the big tree.
I enjoyed being in the lights and sounds…
having a laugh, with the trees!
Peace On Earth
It was a hard weekend.
Being reminded of the darkness (again)…
The hatred bubbling over into terrible action.
Choices – actions – that are hard to understand –
and some reactions that inflamed rather than soothed.
I don’t know what to say, really.
This is a season that heralds peace. Joy. Hope.
But it has always been in the context of a darkened world.
And so, I will pray.
Because I believe that to be a powerful place to start.
But I will also pay attention to the marginalised, and oppressed. The ones who don’t live in the same level of ease and safety as I do.
I will question the tendency to blame a whole community for the actions of one.
Look for what is true, and challenge unthinking reaction – whether mine, or others’.
And remember the words of One who came as a baby, to bring reconciliation.
This is what Jesus said (quoting Isaiah) –
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me,
because He has anointed Me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
****
There is still light.
Hope.
And peace for us.
Storage Problems!
Not so much the house (although we’d have to think where we would put more “stuff”).
I went to put together the previous post and found, when I tried to upload photos, that I’ve run out of media storage space!
Just before Christmas – there will be photos to share!!
It’s been 18 years of free space, so I suppose I can’t grumble.
I’ll be looking at a paid plan to upgrade, although I might have to wait till the new year. Possibly delete some of the older media? Not sure yet…
I’ve been a bit off colour the last couple of days – not The Virus (or flu), but enough to feel a bit wonky – not being sure what day it actually is, and randomly falling asleep. Even while reading!
We’ve still been able to get the necessary things done.
I just don’t want to tackle taming my media library just yet.
Thankfully, I can still add some music 🙂
This is for those who have had too much Mariah Carey, but still sort of like the song.
😀
And this is those who are leaning in to quiet joy.
❤
Feet Up!
It was a lounge chair, feet up kind of day.
We had nowhere to be today, so I caught up with some work at home.
Feeling a bit weary, although not entirely sure why. The days have not had quite the same shape as they usually do, so I may have been doing more than I normally would.
Today, I slept in. Read a bit. And finally finished off some mending that’s been sitting waiting for me 😀
I’ve done most of the time sensitive things – at least for this week!
We went to our favourite cafe yesterday.
Haven’t been for a few weeks.
There was Christmas in the air…
A tree of lights, a few poinsettias in pots,
and a “sugar plum” flavoured cappuccino
Vaguely fruity/sweet?
It was quite nice.
Tomorrow there will be more errands to run.
Today was a time to recharge.
❤
Under The Big Sparkly Tree
We finally made it to the Carols Under The Big Tree last night!
It’s something I’ve been wanting to get back to for a while – the last time we went was 12 years ago.
Apparently the service has been run for 50 years now, and the family who owns the land (and tree 🙂 ) has been putting lights on it for 60 years.
There had been forecasts for storms in the evening, but when we got there about 6.40ish it was still fine.
This tree was lit up in my favourite colours ❤
A bit blurry.
Still very pink/purple.
We stayed, and sang (at least, I did!), even though the rain did start slowly, just before the end.
This was our view for the last few songs.
And, of course, the big tree itself…
😀
We left just as the rain was picking up, and got home before the storm.
I rarely go out at night these days.
Glad I was able to get to this!
Tree’s Up! (2025 Edition)
The smoke alarms seem to be fixed,
so no more overnight vigils for us!
I slept very well Thursday night, but it’s been a bit patchy since then… I’ll keep trying 😀
I’ve finally got the tree decorated,
and the other bits and pieces in the lounge.
It’s snuggled up next to the wifi modem (router?)
My lovely Renaissance angel is back in place.
This is her 32nd year at the top of our tree.
❤
Snowmen hang around the big TV cabinet.
…and gnomes check out some classic mysteries.
Bits
and bobs!
And the centrepiece –
including a tiny nativity scene that fits into a matchbox.
A miniature snapshot of the Christmas story.
Because that’s what it’s all about, after all!
It’s been a busy, and satisfying, day.
Time to slow down…
1000 Fields of Roses 