After an unusually quiet beginning to Advent, life in the Transit household has speeded up considerably this week. This is partly, of course, because I have more to do as Christmas approaches and it all takes a long time to accomplish and partly because we’ve had several enjoyable days of visitors and visiting.
On Tuesday and Wednesday I had the pleasure of long and chatty visits from two good friends, who came bearing very welcome gifts of home-made mince pies and stollen, exactly the kind of Christmas goodies I can’t make for myself this year.
Then on Thursday DH and I went to lunch with a former colleague of his who is a truly excellent cook. After a meal that would have put a West End restaurant to shame and a great deal of light-hearted conversation, all we could manage to eat at supper time were a few crackers with cheese.
Friday brought a kind visit from the vicar, who brought with her a lovely bottle of wine as a thank-you for my help while she’s been waiting for her new colleague to be appointed (we are a united parish consisting of a small market town and six surrounding villages). I still feel bad that I can’t help her at this very busy time, but some things really are beyond me at the moment.
Today I’ve realised that it’s only two days until we leave for our round of Christmas visits and I still have presents to wrap, cards to hang and the packing to do. Help! At least I don’t have a tree to decorate and a cat eager to explore it…
Image via Google
Hari OM
ReplyDeletethat's all a good kinda busy-ness! Oh that cat... my dear old Jasper went against the grain a bit; don't think he ever batted a paw at anything like that. Jade Dog on the other hand understood prickly trees meant potential for things to open... Blessings for happy visits this festive week, YAM xx
Thanks, Yam. It's been a lovely kind of busyness and we've thoroughly enjoyed it. We used to have as many as three cats and a Christmas tree and learned from experience to make sure that the breakable ornaments were place up beyond paw reach. Thank goodness it never occurred to them to climb it. :-)
DeleteChristmas seems to have arrived in a sudden rush, I can't believe the time has gone so quickly. We are off to youngest son's house in three days time. I too am getting off very lightly this year - have a lovely festive holiday with your family Perpetua.
ReplyDeleteI plan to, thanks, rosemary and hope you have the same. Advent seems to have sped by this year and suddenly Christmas is just around the corner and I feel ready to celebrate.
DeleteFortunately dogs don't climb in the same way that cats do, so my little tree is out of reach of little paws.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a difficult and frustrating time for you recently, not being able to do all the things you would normally do at this time of year. However, let everyone else take the strain and you have a lovely Christmas xxx
You're lucky your tree is safely out of reach, Ayak, though to be fair our cats never actually climbed our tree (to my knowledge).
DeleteIt's certainly been frustrating, but I've managed to do far more than I first imagined, but I'm looking forward to DS and then DD working their seasonal magic, though I'll feel guilty about not doing my usual share. Old habits die hard....
Don't overdo the wrapping and packing you need to heal properly. This is a golden opportunity to allow all those excellent cooks in your community to display their prowess, and for you to reap the benefit :)
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Christmas.
X
Thanks, Ray. I won't overdo things, I promise. I don't actually have many parcels to wrap, as our son and daughter deal with the presents for the grandsons nowadays and no-one expects gift-wrapping perfection in any case. I've missed doing my own baking, but am being thoroughly spoiled by the generosity of others.
DeleteHi Perpetua! Sounds like you're having a good Christmas... despite the obvious challenges. Sometimes we have to give ourselves permission to just relax and enjoy what is... even if it isn't what we'd planned (Someone had other plans).
ReplyDeleteAnd regarding Simon's Cat... it's very much like that at our house with 5 cats. They do like to bat the lower ornaments around and sometimes take a string or two of lights down, but generally they prefer to sleep or play under tree. Our house is pretty practical... not much for show... so if they enjoy playing with the tree, we're fine with it.
Yes, Rian, I'm really starting to get into a Christmassy mood now and am looking forward to seeing the family next week and the week after.I've just resigned myself to the fact I can't do everything as usual.
DeleteI'm trying to imagine the combination of a Christmas tree and five cats and have realised you take the only possible approach to things. I like the fact that you're happy for your cats to have fun with the tree. :-)
I'm glad to hear that various of your friends are looking after you so well Perpetua, as I trust your children and grandchildren will do over Christmas & New Year. It's important to let that broken wrist completely heal.
ReplyDeleteThe Simon's Cat video illustrates perfectly why Sybille & I don't have a Christmas tree. Šárek would do exactly the same :-)
I have some very kind and generous friends, Ricky, and DH and I have been enjoying a taste of the goodies they made. We can certainly rely on the children and grandchildren to look after us well, though I do find it frustrating not to be able to help as usual.
DeleteI can imagine a lively young Sarek playing havoc with a tree, but I'm sure the chaplaincy flat looks suitably festive without one. :-)
Take it easy on the wrapping of presents...amazing how flexible you have to be on that particular task.
ReplyDeleteYou'll be well looked after on your round of visits...so just allow enjoy accepting.
I've discovered hidden depths of ingenuity since I broke my wrist, Helen. It's amazing how useful a couple of heavy kitchen scale weights can be when a spare hand isn't available. Presents done I'm looking forward to handing over responsibility for the rest to the children...
DeleteThat was very thoughtful for your friends to bring you Christmas goodies you weren't able to bake yourself this year. Have a very Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kristie, and the same to you. I have some lovely friends and am very touched by their kindness.
DeleteThe traditions of the season. Aren't they lovely? Including good friends who stop by with just what you most would like.
ReplyDeleteThey are indeed, Linda. I'm very touched and grateful for the thoughtfulness of my friends.
DeleteYou have very thoughtful friends.
ReplyDeleteI have a cat who loves to chew paper. I have put a scrunched up piece of paper by the tree in the hope she will chew that, which she does, but she also has a go at the presents and cards (being left for my birthday after Christmas). Both of them like to knock balls off the tree to play with but, luckily, they don't climb the tree.
Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy and HEALTHY 2015 and don't overdo it.
I certainly do, Susan, and really appreciate them. I think it's asking a lot of a cat not to play with something as tempting as Christmas tree ornaments or an intriguing pile of parcels, but providing an alternative is a good idea. I hope your presents survive. :-)
DeleteThanks for the good wishes and the same to you.
It sounds like you've been having some nice visits with friends lately. I'm so glad you're able to have friends come up to visit. I've never had a cat, but I had a dog who liked to snuffle around in the presents under the tree and rearrange the piles for me! He also liked to curl up under the tree and go to sleep. I think maybe he thought he was in the woods. :)
ReplyDeleteI've had a really enjoyable week, Jennifer, and the new house is of course much more convenient for visitors to call in. I love the thought of your dog rearranging the presents and sleeping under the tree, dreaming of being in the woods....
DeleteOh, that Simon's cat will have me chuckling all day, so funny and realistic. Thank goodness our old cat never tried to climb the tree! Your parcel wrapping idea is very attractive, Perpetua, an idea I would be tempted to copy, but my parcels are, thankfully, now done and under the tree. What nice friends to kindly drop by with Christmas treats, while your wrist is healing. Enjoy the rounds of the family, and a very blessed and wonderful Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patricia. Simon's Cat is always wonderfully well-observed, which is why I love it so much. I'm afraid the parcel isn't mine, as I can't use my camera with one hand. I had to find an image via Google and could never produce anything so pretty in any case. My friends' visits and their lovely goodies were very welcome and now we're getting ready to head off to see the family.
DeleteI wrapped the bulk of my parcels this morning - mad in the light of the fact that I'd to stand and sing all afternoon - but none of them was as beautifully neat as the one in your photo!
ReplyDeleteNeither are mine, Christine - indeed far from it. It's an image from Google as I can't manipulate my own camera with one hand. I would never win prizes for wrapping parcels, even with two hands!
DeleteOh dear, that cat!! A few years ago we went south to my son for Christmas, taking a wrapped parcel for Cassie the little dog. On Christmas morning we were up early; all the parcels were still under the tree, except for the wrapping paper of one ... Cassie's parcel. I asked Peta if she had opened Cassie's parcel ... no! No-one else had either, so the only conclusion we could jump to was that Cassie found her parcel and opened it. She had a rather complacent expression on her little face!!
ReplyDeleteI am pleased you are on the way to recovery and enjoying the company of friends ... an important part of Christmas.
Have a blessed Christmas Perpetua:)
Thanks, Shirley, and the same to you. What a super story about clever little Cassie. I can just imagine the smug expression on her face after that achievement. :)
DeleteAfter such a quiet time, I've really enjoyed our busy social life this week and am looking forward very much to heading off tomorrow on our round of Christmas visits,.
I wish I was nearby to help you, Perpetua. Instead, I wish you safe travel as you go about your Christmas visits. I'm sure the gifts will be fine in gift bags or not wrapped, but, understand how frustrating that must be for you right now.
ReplyDeleteDid I tell you that I introduced Kezzie and Ezra to Simon's Cat when I was last with them. They love him. This one is special - and so like a cat and a Christmas tree.
Thank you for your kind thought, Penny - much appreciated. I'm pleased to be able to tell you that with the exception of one heavy gift which ended up in a gift bag, I slowly but successfully wrapped all the others and am now feeling very pleased with myself. :)
DeleteNo, you didn't merntion it, but I can well imagine young children really enjoying the simple fun of Simon's Cat.
I know that you're looking forward to time with family over the next week or two. (I'm glad to say that members of my family are a lot better and stable, healthwise). Have a blessed Christmas, Perpetua.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear that your family members are doing better now, Linda. That will make for a much happier Christmas for you. Yes, we're off tomorrow to collect my MiL and then we'll head to DS's for Christmas. It's all go....
DeleteThat naughty cat :) Have a wonderful Christmas.
ReplyDeleteMischief incarnate, Molly! Thanks for the good wishes and the same to you.
DeleteSafe journeys, P. I'm glad you will not be trying to man-handle a Turkey into your oven one handed and others will be taking the strain.
ReplyDeleteThanks, BtoB. No, manhandling anything is off the agenda for the time being, but our two and their respective spouses are all good cooks so we shall be very well-fed.
DeleteIt's so delightful to hear of your visits with good friends. I have tried to relax and prioritize some of the same kind of "festivity" this season, and as a result, I, too, am so behind in some other areas. I don't have an injured arm to quite honestly justify my "behindedness." :-) You did answer a question. I thought of you in church this morning, my friend, realizing your Sunday services were behind you for the 4th Sunday of Advent. I wondered if you'd been sharing in the duties. I am sure you'll soon be back to your full self, and in the meantime, I hope you have a truly delightful and family-filled Christmas. You do so much for others, it's nice to hear that others are thinking of you at this time. ox Debra (http://www.breathelighter.wordpress.com)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you're obviously still having commenting problems, Debra. To be honest, I blame Google and its constant updates to Blogger and the rest of its empire. Thank you for persevering.
DeleteYes, I'm off the rota for church services until I can use this arm again. They would just be too complicated to do with one hand, even with DH ferrying me around. I'm now looking forward to being rather spoiled over the festive season and Dh too will be glad not to have to worry about meals for a while. I hope you can relax and enjoy your festivities too.
My dh and I are retired and are looking forward to Christmas at our house tomorrow. Our adult sons will join us for fun and feasting on lamb, wild rice, fruit tart and more. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Terra. That sounds like a deliciously different Christmas menu and I hope you and your family thoroughly enjoyed it.
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