Yule Blessings

Brightly burns the Yule log tonight

Magic dances in firelight

Hold my hand and join the song

Raise the Sun King bright and strong

Dark is giving way to light

As brightly burns the Yule log tonight!

(Yule Chant Adapted by Akasha Ap Emrys)

Quantum chimney decent theory

Forget that - I think I need dynamite behind me right now *grin*. Having a blast. Partying, crafting, cake festing (or that's how it felt earlier today when I was introduced to parsnip cake).

Dashing to take the kids to see yet more twinkly lights before we join friends for dinner and I make the last minute preparation for our family Yule tomorrow. Busy, busy, busy....

Nana's cute crochet candles. You won't burn your fingers on these.

Popcorn and cranberry garlands.

Thank you to everyone for the healing thoughts for nana's brother. He is much more stable right now. The leukemia is still aggressive but the chest infection he is fighting on top of all else seems to be responding to medications. He's still in hospital and we know that all that can be done is being done.

Gingerbread houses, hens and stuff

Before I start on today, here is a picture of one of the fimo candy canes and the candy cane faerie we made yesterday. He is so tiny that he hasn't photographed particularly well and another which we made has come out even more blurred on camera.

Today started with a rather worrying call about nana's brother. We have spent much of the day fearing the worst and nana has been at the hospital a long while, but I'm pleased to say that by late afternoon the signs were a little brighter. Healing thoughts, energy and prayers gratefully received from anyone with any to spare.

I was very upset that nana had to visit alone today. She really could have done with some support, but I awoke rather sniffly today and we agreed that it was probably best not to take my sniffles into a hospital. I'm also supporting a silhouette which makes me look a good six months pregnant. Stress always gives me stomach problems, and goodness have I had stress and chaff to deal with this week! I'm now wondering how I will squeeze something resembling this

into my party frock over the weekend. I may have to resort to wearing a sack after all!

We read about the history of gingerbread houses today - the Brothers Grimm and Hansel and Gretel. We attempted to make our own gingerbread houses but after a wee while I wish we'd just iced gingerbread biscuits instead. We just couldn't get the blinking things to stay together. What's the secret? Super glue in the icing? I was getting rather exasperated and kept opening the back door for some air but whenever I did the pesky Henrietta hen darted in and had a bite out of my peace lily*sigh*. Here's the rascal caught in the act.

Feeling rather disillusioned with the ginger bread houses we decorated fir cones with snow sprinkles and chopped clementine slices for drying. I love the smell of the clementines as they dry.

Unfortunately I was so caught up in fir cones and clementines that I forgot about the hens and they roosted in the trees because they couldn't get into the eglu. Finding Henrietta was easy but we have been unable to find Omlet who is black. I hope she's ok where ever she is. Feeling every bit the irresponsible hen owner and will be horrified if foxy loxy finds her.

We are absolutely reveling in seasonal crafts and social gatherings but I'm starting to be quite mindful of the fact that January is looming and I have promised myself and Hermione that we will be doing a lot more formal stuff come the new year. She's ever so keen and I'm starting to worry in case I don't pull everything together and meet the mark. I never really thought I would be in this position. It's not quite what I envisaged but it's what Hermione wants and I think it's what I would like too - if only I can manage to provide her with all of the learning opportunities and stimulation she's looking for.

Candy Canes

I'm pleased to report the mood has certainly been more mellow here today.

We looked at the history of candy canes. I was quite surprised to learn that while many Christmas traditions have pagan origins, this tradition is steeped in Christian symbolism. According to legend, a candymaker wanted to make a confection to honor Christ's birth. It had to be hard candy to represent the church being built on solid rock. Because Jesus is known as the 'Good Shepherd', it was formed in the shape of a shepherd's staff (and turning it upside down, it was a "J" for Jesus). The three small red stripes represented the scourging Jesus suffered on his way to the cross. The one large red stripe represented the blood Jesus shed as payment for our sins. The white stripes represented the virgin birth and the sinless nature of Christ.

While Craig and Hermione had a jaunt out this morning Miles and I decorated the tree with candy canes while listening to Bob Marley tunes - not very festive I know but it fitted the bill perfectly.

We arranged beads and baubles in tea cups.

We went on to wrap some presents but I soon came to doubt my wisdom of putting a three year old in charge of the sellotape.

This afternoon Hermione and I met up with two other home ed families. We made fimo faeries, including a candy cane faerie from fimo. We also made some fimo candy canes. They are lovely and I'd like to show you them but they're in the oven baking. We chatted whilst sipping hot mulled wine (non alcoholic I hasten to add) and munching chocolates. Bliss - crafts, chocolates, friends and a steaming cup. Just what I needed.

This evening Hermione and I took a stroll around the village to admire the Christmas lights. We don't decorate the outside of our house but I'm pleased other folks do. There's something quite magical about a walk out on a crisp night to see twinkling lights.

George Orwell

What’s he got to do with anything? You might well ask!

Today, as I sipped tea between sobs, bemoaning the fact that some things really aren’t what they seem, a friend dispensed wise words. ‘Never forget Claire, all pigs were created equal but some are more equal than others.’ How true. How very true.

Thankfully that was just part of the day, part which I’d rather not dwell on – why talk about that when I can talk about all of the good things that have happened *grin*.

We have been doing lots of great things over the past couple of days. In addition to our usual activities Hermione has also played a part in a drama performance at nana’s church. She enjoyed it a lot and is more enthusiastic than ever about being actively involved in the drama group which is starting soon within our home ed community.

We have made the Christmas cake.

We made pomanders and seasonal words from air drying clay.

We read Jack Frost by C E Pike

Look out! Look out!
Jack Frost is about
He s after our fingers and toes;
And all through the night,
The gay little sprite
Is working where nobody knows.
He’ll climb each tree,
So nimble is he,
His silvery powder he’ll shake.
To windows he’ll creep
And while we re asleep
Such wonderful pictures he’ll make.
Across the grass
He’ll merrily pass,
And change all its greenness to white.
Then home he will go
And laugh ho, ho ho!
What fun I have had in the night.


Our order arrived from here. I’m ever so impressed with their range, prices and delivery. I ordered online on Saturday and my parcel arrived late yesterday. Lots of stocking fillers but also a big pack of exercise books. We’ve never done the exercise book thing before but Hermione has asked for them. Does this mean I’ve climbed a notch in the world of formal education? Seems ever so serious *grin*.

I have organized two gifts for close family without paying a penny and without stepping out of the door. What’s even better is that I think the gifts far surpass anything I could have bought if I tried. I’m very excited and look forward to telling you more about it after Christmas.

I now have a not so little black dress ready for the functions I’m attending with Craig this Christmas. I also have high strappy shoes and a matching handbag for the first time since I became a mummy. What do you think of the dress? That's not me modelling it by the way!

I’m worried about my arms – bingo wings and all that you know. A friend who is more stylish than I can ever hope to be came round today to give me some fashion tips and generously has offered to let me borrow a very flattering shawl come shrug come scarf garment.

We went to visit new friends in our village (big wave to Jenny and Peter if you’re reading this). We had a lovely time chatting and admiring their wonderful creative textiles and wildlife photography – all whilst munching on delicious home made shortbread. We are going back soon and Hermione is going to learn how to make the shortbread – which I’m delighted about because it tasted so much better than any I ever manage to produce!

I'm doing a bit of brisk trading with my crochet right now which is good. Two parcels to post tomorrow. Lots of education planning going on in my head. Also lots of organising in terms of doing things for the wider home ed community. Some really good stuff. I'm meeting with some people from a college in January to talk about funding and resources for home ed culture and music sessions. I used to try to be proactive in organising things before I had Miles but haven't done as much in a while. Time to start over I think and give what I can - or at least to the extent that time and energy permits!

All in all it’s not an easy time right now, but as I’m sure I have said before, it’s at times like this that I feel so blessed by the support of my friends. I’ve so much more to sing about than cry about and that is what I must remember. As another wise friend once told me it's only when you trip and stumble that you realise just how strong the arms that hold you are.

Getting there - slowly

Things could be better. Nana still isn't feeling her normal self - no doubt in part due to worry of her brother being in hospital in the very advanced stages of leukemia.

Onwards and upwards though. There is so much great stuff going on too - which hopefully I'll be back to blog about tomorrow - and the house is starting to look quite festive.

Even Craig on his sax and a friend on her accordion practising carols didn't raise a smile tonight. Feeling so sad.

Tomorrow's another day though - thankfully.

RIP Fanjio

Passed away during the night.