Soon after the start of the month, people start asking, jovially, “are you ready yet? Of course not, when they start asking is about when I start doing. My main achievement this year has been homemade produce for the family – 7 jars of different preserves for each family, plus some lovely toasted almonds from Crowdfarming and a jar each of Amalfi lemon marmalade and passion fruit jam from Single Variety co. Thinking about it, each box of goodies probably cost at least £50 though, as I was making most things myself, it felt as if it was free apart from my time, which is, of course, beyond price…
But now I am ready, apart from a little tidying and a spot of decorating. No tree this year and I’ve just got some evergreens to arrange elegantly on the mantelpiece. Which doesn’t really matter, if I don’t get around to it.
What all this cooking for my family has reminded me – not that I’d ever forgotten, but probably taken it for granted – is how very much I love them all. Three children, two in-laws (though I still love my ex-daughter-in-law too), seven grandchildren and my sister and they’ve all quite different and just as much loved. However much I grieve for those I’ve lost, I am as lucky as I can be, to have them all and that I’ll see them all in the next few days.
I’m also astonishingly lucky, to have made so many friends through blogging. Thanks, everyone. This may sound mawkish, but you know me better than that.
That all sounds very lovely. Hope you all have a cosy and relaxing time.
I wish you’d had a more relaxed and enjoyable Christmas, BW. Happy new year, anyway. I have a small and probably unlikely fantasy about driving up to Scotland next year (I want to see the reopened Burrell Collection) and, if I come your way, I’ll be in touch.
Enjoy your family Christmas x
Thank you, MOTB, you too x
Merry Christmas to you. I have enjoyed your blog for years. I hope you have a wonderful holiday.
Thank you Glenda- yes, we’ve been friends for a long time, even though I’m a sorry apology for a blogger nowadays. All the best for the festive season.
My friend Ann from primary school days sent us a box of clementines from Crowdfarming, all fresh, apparently the fruit hasn’t spent months in cold store. I had not heard of them before, will be considering gifts from them too.
Best wishes to you and your lovely family, perhaps we can meet when you come to London Town.
It’s good to feel that you’re helping individual farmers. I buy fairly regularly – you do get quite a lot in a box, so have to be sure you can use everything up. I’ve still got some frozen avocado in the depths of the freezer, which I must look out. I’d love to meet up, I’ll let you know when I’m coming up.
Z, I’ve made some fantastic friends through blogging. While my blog is almost dead, some of those friendships have thrived and I’ve ended up meeting them in real!
You seem to be doing well with your writing, apart from all the cooking, which is wonderful. I hope you had a good Christmas and I look forward to your posts for this new year.
PS: Mawkish is a new word, and I disagree. I’ve been reading a bit about the psychology of gratitude and trying to practice it too. It does wonders to me.
I’m going to try not to let my blog die. I seem to have run out of things to say, but I know that if I start again, I’ll find my voice. Yes, we always can find something to be grateful for – and someone too – and it’s good to say so.
The New Year is already a bit used, isn’t it, nevertheless I hope it feels good for you.
So, yeah, all the best, dear Z.
Nearly a fortnight in and, every day, I find myself not writing. All is okay, though, thank you, dear Mago.
Good. I was a bit concerned. Sorry now, must sleep.