Christmas

Oh, Christmas tree!
Oh, Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches!

Oh, Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches!

I tend to be an early riser, even on these dark days before Christmas.  I love to watch the morning sky flush with colour at daybreak.  But sometimes I pull the cover up and think I’ll just snuggle a little while longer.

Until my Christmas tree goes up!  Then it doesn’t matter if I’m still half asleep. The second I plug my tree lights in, the magic of Christmas is there.  The warm scent of pine needles tickles my nose.  I make my morning coffee, and settle down beside the Christmas tree, to start my day.

Like the hearts? My daughter’s crafty contribution.
Twas the night before Christmas…
And everything’s dark!
Small cherubs sit up high
Little Miss Wishful!

Beneath the tree, the Nativity Scene; above, the angel smiles fondly down.

Unto us a child is born, king of all creation.

Unto us a child is born, king of all creation.

More of Lisa's handicrafts.

More of Lisa’s handiwork!

I had no intention to write this post today, but when an old friend comes calling, what can you do but respond?  As if by magic, Jake’s Sunday Post appeared in my Reader, bearing a beautiful Christmas Tree.  I’ll supply the carols.  Coming round for mince pies, anybody?

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Six word Saturday

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Santa Claus is coming to town!

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Are you ready yet?

Ready or not, it’s time for Six word Saturday.  Don’t forget to stop by at Show My Face to say Merry Christmas to Cate.  Have a good week everybody.

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Christmas in “Narnia”
Russet leaves for a russet lady!

Russet leaves for a russet lady!

My first surprise of the day.  Lisa swept towards me- “Mum, I’m here!”  The flowing locks were a dazzling tangerine orange.  “It was just time for a change. I was tired of the red!”  And it suited her.  She looked radiant and happy- a look I love to see.

The venue?  Chatsworth House in the beautiful Peak District.  Every year this glorious home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire is themed for Christmas. This year it’s “Narnia”and totally irresistible.  My daughter has been a lifelong fan of the book by C.S. Lewis and the numerous films, so I planned a Christmas treat, for both of us. It’s quite a distance from home and I’ve never been inside the house before.  For Lisa it was about an hour’s drive from Nottingham.  Me- I hopped on the coach!  After the hugs and kisses it was off to see the spectacular grounds.

There are more statues than you can shake a stick at!
And pieces of modern art too.
Bit big for my garden, Mum? But I love it!
A hot house exotic?

Sumptuous afternoon tea next, then the best bit!  Come with me to “Narnia”.

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There were dressing-up clothes for children in some areas, and of course, Lisa couldn’t resist!  A Christmas Trail, finding cuddly Aslans and clues along the way, was also meant to keep the children happy.  Guess who else enjoyed it?

This cape’s nearly big enough, Mum!
Sherry for you, “dear”?
She looks so like my Mum here!

Are you ready to be scared yet?  It’s time for the witch!

I was joking- she's much too pretty to be scarey!

I was joking- she’s much too pretty to be scarey!

Note the small Aslan, keeping her company.  Another clue for the Christmas Trail.  But now for the really sad part!

He's still breathing! It's going to be ok.

He’s still breathing!  It’s going to be ok.

Time for a feast!

Time for a celebratory feast!

All's well that ends well!

All’s well that ends well!

I hope you enjoyed my little trip to Narnia.  It was the best Christmas present I could ever have asked for.  And now, I really must get on with my Christmas preparations.  I haven’t even bought the tree yet!  But I’ve made a list.

Chatsworth House is the most delightful setting and I will be posting more about the house and gardens.  If you are anywhere in the vicinity, “Narnia” will be available till 23rd December.  The link will give you directions.  I can absolutely recommend it.

Six word Saturday

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Christmas joy to each and All

 
Reflecting on Christmas!

Reflecting on Christmas!

So many lovely decorations in the shops

So many beautiful decorations in the shops

And on my tree.

And a few on my tree.

It's a time for going large!

It’s a time for going “large”

And sparkling for all you're worth!

And for sparkling for all you’re worth!

Wherever you spend it, and whoever you spend it with, I hope that you have a wonderful and peaceful Christmas.  I will be cooking, but only for me, Michael, Dad and James, so nothing too hectic.  I’m looking forward to relaxing afterwards.

I’ve been in festive mode lately, with my Ice Sculptures and Christmas Trees.  I hope you’ve enjoyed spending the time with me as much as I’ve enjoyed the sharing.

Let the New Year be kind to all of us.  God bless!

Merry Christmas to Cate at Show My Face, and humble apologies for my 60+ words.  As usual, follow the link or click on the header to join in.

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Ice-mare!

I have a valuable lesson to share.  Ice is “see through”!  I expect you thought that was “transparently” obvious, didn’t you?  I simply found it quite difficult to obtain effective photographs of ice sculptures, out in the street.  Excuses over, I did thoroughly enjoy myself trying, at York’s Festival of Angels.

An innocent bystander peeps through the angel wings

An innocent bystander peeps through the angel wings

The city of York was as festive as anywhere I’ve ever been at Christmas time, and the Festival of Angels added its own charming dimension.  Local businesses sponsor the ice sculptures, most of which are traditional Christmas images of angels and snowflakes.  The large handsome slug produced an exclamation or two, however.  The sponsor?  A certain restaurant chain that accompanies its food with “green stuff”.

A slippery slug!

A slippery slug!

Mr. Slug illustrates the fact that I should have waited a while to let the frosting on the ice sculptures melt a little.  I’ll know better next time but I was keen to see them all before too big a crowd gathered.

A rather frosty angel

A rather frosty angel

Rudolph was almost defrosted

Rudolph was almost defrosted

And the penguin was halfway there!

And the penguin was halfway there!

The angel won hands down

But the angel won, hands down, quite rightly

The crowd were mostly in good spirits as they wove in and out of the narrow streets.  The presence of an “Ice Bar”, selling delectables such as Baileys in a frozen chocolate cup, undoubtedly helped.  Mulled wine flowed sweetly too.  And there was always Earl Grey in the tea shop.

It speaks for itself

It speaks for itself

Naturally Santa was there

Naturally Santa was there

And an Ice King, who must have had chilly nether regions

And an Ice King, who must have had chilly nether regions

Even the barrel organ was feeling festive

Even the barrel organ was feeling festive

Never tell me the British don't have a sense of humour

Never tell me the British don’t have a sense of humour

York’s a good looking city, and there’s always something to see.  I was also checking out Vintage shops, and in passing couldn’t resist a few more shots.

A former cinema

A former cinema, turned furniture store!

The Merchants Hall is quite special

The Merchants Hall is quite special

St. Martin's Church hovers in the background

St. Martin’s Church makes a lovely backdrop

I would have liked a few more ice sculpture photographs, but they do say “life is for learning”, don’t they?

Ice Christmas trees?

Ice Christmas trees?

An ice Charter of York

An ice Charter of York

An ice polar bear

An ice polar bear

And finally, a snowflake

And finally, a snowflake

My apologies for not doing full justice to the amount of work that must have gone into these incredible pieces of artwork.  I hope you managed to gain just a flavour of the event, and my thanks to York for being gracious hostess to the Festival of Angels.

Sunday Post : Concept

2012-dragon-logo-small1My weekend was a bit of a wreck, so my Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post simply didn’t happen.  But I had given some thought to the theme, Concept, and am feeling seasonal and a little nostalgic.

“So this is Christmas, and what have you done?”  So tragic, Lennon’s death.  Can you believe that it was 32 years ago?

I wonder what Christmas means to you?  My conception is the traditional one, the important factor, the boy child who was conceived.  “Unto us a boy is born, King of all Creation”.  Every Christmas my little wooden stable comes down from the loft, complete with nativity scene.

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Nativity scenes come in many forms.  The original is credited to St. Francis of Assisi in 1223.  He wanted the emphasis to remain with the religious significance of Christmas rather than materialism and gift giving.  These days, Christmas markets and all, I rather think materialsim has won.

I have heard of, though not yet seen, the szopka nativity scenes traditionally exhibited at Christmas time in Kraków.  They date from the 13th century, and include elements of architecture.  A yearly competition is held in Rynek Główny to determine the best.  That must be exciting!

Image of a szopka from Wikipedia

Image of a szopka from Wikipedia

Religion doesn’t play a huge part in my life, but I do love the carols at Christmas time.  “Peace on earth, goodwill to all men” seems like a good maxim to me.

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The wreath is in it’s traditional place on my fireplace, and the cards beginning to arrive.  My Polish family always send cards which celebrate the birth of our Lord.

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Why the Christmas tree?  The evergreen tree, which does not lose its leaves in winter, is regarded as the symbol of eternal life.  I have lots of “old friends” on my tree.

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And some beautiful hand made ornaments, proudly given to me by my Polish family on my first visit to Poland, though I’ve never been there at Christmas.

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And, of course, topped by the angel made for me by my daughter Lisa.

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I wonder if Jake’s going to use Christmas for his theme next week?  If so, I’m ahead of the game, and that’s a first!

Do you have a concept you feel like sharing?  You’ll always be made welcome at Jakesprinters Sunday Post.  Click on the flying dragon logo to be transported there.

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