"It was imprudent of us, in the first place, to become authors. We could have become something regular, but we managed not to.
We were lucky, but we were also determined." Roy Blount Jr

"I don’t change the facts to enhance the drama. I think of it the other way round, the drama has got to fit the facts,
and it’s your job as a writer to find the shape in real life."
Hilary Mantel

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Christmas & Boxing Day

We had church twice on Christmas Eve--Sunday service (Advent 4) in the morning, and our traditional Christmas Eve service with carol singing, music, and eucharist at night. After we all exchanged The Peace, the Chap rose to make a very exciting announcement: our congregation's Christmas gift is a new priest-in-charge. Check out the big red bow!



After many days of activity and socialising and churching, we spent a quiet Christmas at the Lodge. We slept late, opened our stockings, spoke with my family by phone, opened our presents under the tree. A large part of the fun was the presence of a young dog who finds joy in everything--including her first holiday as part of our family!

What Ruth found in her stocking.



Ruth examines the gift from the nice lady who kennels the girls.



Each dog got a nifty green chew. I clown around with Lola's before passing it over to her.



Ruth gives Lola a Christmas kiss, invading her personal space.



Cuddling with Ruth.



After presents, it was time for a light lunch. In the afternoon I delved into a book I received (the biography of my great-aunt, written by her daughter), and took a nap. Later we cooked a festive meal (salmon, shrimp, salad and rice) and spoke with more relatives. Then we settled in the downstairs sitting room to watch a portion of one of the DVDs I received. It's a complete season of Jeeves & Wooster, the adaptation of PG Wodehouse tales, starring Stephen Fry and a young-ish Hugh Laurie. Happy-go-lucky Bertie is a stark contract to Dr Gregory House!

Today all is quieter still. The snow we expected came in the form of rain, so it's rather gloomy. The Chap is nursing a head cold. I'm messing about.

My pressies are nearly all delightful, and fall into two categories: extremely useful or loads of fun. Or both! One, however, is the second worst Xmas gift I've ever received...given to me by the same individual who a decade ago was responsible for the very worst gift ever.

I hope each and every blog visitor is enjoying this festive season, and that the waning days of 2006 will be absolutely delightful. Thanks so much for stopping by--whether intentionally or by chance!


No comments: