Because we don’t ‘do’ Christmas as regards presents and rushing round to visit every single relative, this time of year is wonderfully relaxing and we get a bit of time just to be sociable.
a possible source of future milk
From the solstice to my birthday I do try to do some special cooking as I have a bit more time than usual and, as I mentioned in an earlier post, this year the plan was to have beef on the solstice. Events transpired against us, and we ended up going to the farm to collect the beef yesterday. However, it on the plus side this gave us plenty of opportunity to meet one of the dairy cows on the farm and have a long chat with Sam the farmer about their plans. There’s a possibility of some raw milk from them next year for cheese-making, but they don’t have spare capacity at the moment, but it was a good connection made and we’ve supported a local business.
a fruity thank-you
In the evening one of our neighbours called round, bearing a beautiful box of fruit. They order a lot of things online and we act as their drop-off point since they both work full time. By way of thanks, therefore, they gave us this lovely gift… I keep telling them it’s not necessary, but it’s good to receive graciously, which we did. I forecast Poire Belle Helene in the future, amongst other fruity things.
Today we went off to do some last minute shopping… two Danish pastries, a pot of cream, a newspaper, some T-pins for blocking Sophie and a pair of fair-trade rubber gloves (isn’t this the list everyone has just before Christmas?). Actually we mainly went out to wish various friends who have shops the joys of the season and to catch up on news of a very poorly friend (sadly no better). There was a great deal of chatting and little shopping… now that’s the spirit of the season for me.
The Snail of Happiness 
Ann Pole
/ December 23, 2017Sounds nice and relaxing. Much as I enjoy making decorations from things in the garden, the arrival of the kitchen units has interfered with our available timings somewhat. Still, getting there now. 🙂
LikeLike
The Snail of Happiness
/ December 23, 2017Oh, you can celebrate Christmas anytime, but the kitchen needs sorting!
LikeLike
San
/ December 23, 2017I love your Christmas list! Finally catching g up with you! Busy knitting last minute presents and hosted a crafting day for my now nine year old daughter and her best friend :-). We don’t do commercialism but in between home schooling, ferrying the boy to college and doing my online job I am really behind this year. I am sorry to read about the job application but London’s loss is the rest of the world’ gain! Your blog touches a far flung space and I am sure a book would be equally effective. Hope you have a lovely indoor picnic on the 25th. Big hugs back at you San xx. Who is Dandra Haynes on FB :/). Or face ache as it is known in our house!!
LikeLike
MrsCraft
/ December 23, 2017Have a wonderful Christmas!
LikeLike
katechiconi
/ December 24, 2017That cow looks happy and cosseted enough to make wonderful milk!
My last minute shopping list is very boring compared with yours, and is only necessary because someone has invited herself to Christmas breakfast and I don’t have quite enough to go round. ‘Tis the season to fill many faces, and I can’t sit her in a corner with a chunk of Christmas cake while the rest of us tuck into the Great Australian Blow-Out Breakie. On the upside, I get to have a large and peaceful nap between breakfast and dinner at the SIL’s, and my contribution for that is already done 🙂
LikeLike
eloquentparadise
/ December 24, 2017The holiday season in the best. Those fruits look so yum. Happy holiday, beautiful soul 🎈
LikeLike
davidprosser
/ December 24, 2017I wish two wonderful people Joy of the Season with a wonderful New Year to follow.
Hugs Galore Jan.
LikeLike
coppicelearner
/ December 24, 2017I recognise that cow! So glad you got your beef and I hope it is as good as I would expect. Between that and the fruit you should have some wonderful feasts! Enjoy!
LikeLike
The Snail of Happiness
/ December 24, 2017Yes, we were very close to you and I should have been organised and arranged to call in, but my brain hadn’t quite assimilated the proximity until it was too late and I couldn’t quite work out how to get from Mountain Hall to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
coppicelearner
/ December 25, 2017It would have been lovely to see you but I understood how it happened – maybe next time. Enjoy your beef.
LikeLiked by 1 person
nanacathy2
/ December 24, 2017I bet the beef was divine and the potential milk supplier is just the sort of present you would most want. My last minute shop included posting a letter, bird seed and a stuffed duck toy for my sons dog. I also popped into the local yarn shop to wish them Happy Christmas, wish is what I wish you too.
LikeLike
Nice Piece of Work
/ December 26, 2017Sounds spot-on to me 🙂
LikeLike
The Snail of Happiness
/ December 26, 2017We also managed to go out for coffee and cake on Christmas eve with some more friends… providing us with the opportunity also to see the lovely folks who own the café. What a pleasure it has been to see so many lovely people.
LikeLiked by 1 person