Friday, 20th December 2024 - Pomanders

I did a bit of present wrapping today. I love looking at the presents and writing the labels but I will no longer be doing it kneeling on the floor. My ageing back didn't half complain when I got up. 

Lindsey made me coffee in her beautifully decorated house. I was allowed to give Fritha an early Christmas present to amuse us as much as her. After a shop for sage and onion stuffing in a very very busy Tescos I came home. Tim and I brought in our Christmas tree. Going through the box of decorations brings back many memories. I was interrupted mid decorate by an invitation to the Ewe and Lamb for a couple of drinks with June and Barry. June has been a very good friend for nearly 40 years. I will miss them when they move. Such a lovely pub. Elsie was very jolly considering she is in a sling with a fractured arm. The tree is now resplendent with baubles, lights and bows.

Today's postcard is of the pomanders I made on Monday while I was modelling. They are smelling lovely hung above the woodburner.

Pomanders 

Pen and Watercolour

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Thursday, 19th December 2024 - A Barrow of Greenery

We had a horrid windy rainy night that took out our power. It left us with low voltage. The kettle, lights, and heating needed more than we were being given. A couple of hours into the morning and we were back to full function. After a session of yoga I could have a power shower. 

It was a sunny day that was deceptive in its chilliness. With a bobble hat and a ski jacket I took my wheelbarrow around the garden secateuring off greenery to add some festive delight to our house. It is looking gorgeous around the bannisters and over the fireplace with fairy lights running through it. I miss my granddaughter Hetty helping me. 

I have a plan for next years postings. Great idea inspired by Tom. Thinking about if it is possible and possible - I think it is and I feel a little bit excited. 

A Barrow of Greenery
Pen and Watercolour
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Wednesday, 18th December 2024 - Stephen Our Postman

I hadn't even got showered when Tom (he is staying at Little Holt) arrived with a cafetière of coffee. It is lovely to have him back with us. 

I took a windy trip into the garden to fill the bird feeders and collect the hens eggs. I am so pleased I was wandering around the shops in Canterbury yesterday when it was not blustery.

Tim and I walked into the village to post some Christmas cards. Back home Tom and I took a drive to Charity Farm for some tripe for Fable. There are tubs full of feet, horns, ears and unmentionable body parts. I bought Fable a turkey foot as a treat!!! 

I cooked a recipe from a Waitrose magazine for dinner. It was a whole white cabbage baked and topped with chestnuts, dates, shallots, garlic, brazil nuts, porcini mushrooms, rosemary and sage. It was surprisingly good. 

Today's postcard is of Stephen our postman. We met him on our walk back from the village delivering to our neighbours. He is always jolly. Great guy.

Stephen our Postman
Pen and Watercolour
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Tuesday, 17th December 2024 - Christmas in Canterbury

It was a mizzle drive I had to Canterbury this morning. I have had a lovely day with my beautiful daughter. We spent the day Christmas shopping. Waterstones was our first stop for a very hefty dose of caffeine. We now had a list and a plan. I loved visiting The Lilford Gallery. The owner spent ages chatting with us. He would like to represent Harriet when she is ready. A good way to spend the day.

I got home to find Tim cooking me one of my favourite dinners. Cauliflower cheese. It was just what I needed to revive me. 

As I type Tom and Fable are on their way to us for Christmas. I think I will harvest some greenery from the garden tomorrow to bring a bit of festivity into the house.

Christmas in Canterbury
Pen and Watercolour
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Monday, 16th December 2024 - Brussels Sprouts for Prosperity

We woke to a beautiful sunrise. I packed my painting bag ready for a day with The Viridians at Alisons's house. After coffee and a Lebkuchen biscuit we set up in Alison's studio. We had 45 minutes painting Alison then we reviewed each others work, followed by another 45 minute session. While I was being a model I studded orange with cloves. They are now hanging above the woodburner and the smell of Christmas is permeating the kitchen. A break of homemade celery soup - a Delia Smith's recipe that I will be making - it was delicious. Back to work for another hours painting session. A final debrief and we all agreed we had worked hard but found it very difficult to get a likeness.

Today's postcard was inspired by the sprouts I cooked for dinner. Mum always put a cross on the bottom. She said they cooked better that way. After some research I found this orignated from in Medieval times, it was believed that evil spirits and demons lived between the leaves and they would enter anyone who ate them, making them ill. A cross cut into the base of the sprouts was thought to drive the evil spirits away. If only Mum had known!

Brussel Sprouts for Prosperity
Watercolour
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Sunday, 15th December 2024 - Last Full Moon of 2024

Tim and I had a lovely lazy emergence into our Sunday. I had a long hot shower. There is something reviving about a deep clean followed by coffee.

The sun was shining tempting Tim and I outside to do some gardening. It was cleansing to be cutting down and tidying.

The best bit of the day was the arrival of The Evans. I have deep deep love for my family. The grandchildren had sausage and Grandma's chips fortifying them for an evening or Carol singing. The Weald of Kent Morris had their annual Christmas Carols at The Star and Eagle in Goudhurst. Lizzie and Karen are great hosts. It was packed. I was so proud of my grandchildren. They coped with the crowds amazingly. And sang along with their tuneless Grandma. Thank you for making my life beautiful.

As we were walking from the pub to the car the moon was full. The last one of 2024. It was today's postcard. 

Last Full Moon of 2024 3
Watercolour 3
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Saturday, 14th December 2024 - Logging

Our Christmas dinner last night at Si and Lesley's was amazing. We settled into Cox Cottage with a beer and got our party clothes on. Steve, Ivy, June and Barry joined us in their dinner jackets and party dresses. Dinner was many courses of deliciousness with soup, then pheasant, a main of fish, a double pudding of creme brulee plus Christmas pudding followed by cheese and cointreau to finish off. I slept really well!!! This morning Si cooked us a long leisurely breakfast of homegrown bacon and sausages.

Back home this afternoon the sun was out. Tim and I spent a couple of hours in the garden tidying and chopping logs. We have piles of logs and kindling ready to feed the woodburner. I am going to do a bit of knitting while watching a film. 

Logging
Pen and Watercolour
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