Things I Love Thursday

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Hello again reader, hope you’re having a happy Christmas Eve eve. Welcome to this tinsel coated edition of things I love Thursday.

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My brother and family having a safe journey up north for Christmas despite snow and blizzard threats. I hope that everyone who needs to travel to spend Christmas with family make it home safely.

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Early Christmas meals with darling friends and then the unexpected opportunity to spend an afternoon with some more of my favourite friends. I am so grateful for my friend’s seasonal hospitality this weekend. Also I am grateful to the nice men & women who cleared the motorways on Saturday morning so we were able to visit.

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On the last Wednesday before Christmas a group of us from my church hold a sort of mini carol service for the elderly who live in a couple of the local sheltered accommodations. We sing carols, there’s a reading, a short message and then afterward we drink sherry and eat mince pies. It’s lovely to see the smiles of the residents who attend. Those souls who’ve seen much more of life than I have and who haven't stopped living or rejoicing. At the first home one dear woman held my hand as we were leaving, I squeezed her hand back and wished her a merry Christmas and God bless.
‘Oh He does, sweetheart, everyday.’ she answered.
I left that home with a choked up throat and a smile from ear to ear.

Also: Finding someone the perfect gift, seeing sparkle everywhere, the cheap nail polish I bought from the chemist (it didn’t chip for two whole days!), singing along to christmas songs, hot chocolate, hot buttered rum with my dad,

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What’s making the last week before Christmas magical for you reader?

Thoughtful Tuesday

Don't be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of. ~Charles Richards

Thing I Love Thursday

I’ve been feeling a bit stressed out today but looking back, this was a good week. All the more reason to celebrate my list of things I love this thursday

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Christmas songs as the perfect soundtrack to getting anywhere in the jolliest of spirits, chocolate (keeping me sane), Living in/near a city-with Christmas fast approaching and the threat of more snow here in Blighty I’m really appreciating the convenience of being able to get supplies practically on my doorstep or without having to risk life and limb (well except for the hardcore Christmas shoppers…some people will do anything for that final packet of mince pies), damnyouautocorrect.com,

The digital story of Christmas:


Also I am perhaps a bit too amused by this …Harry Hill - Ken!
For those unfamiliar with British soaps Ken Barlow is a character, the only remaining original cast member, in Coronation Street. The soap has recently celebrated it’s 50th Anniversary and this song, described as “a Spaghetti Western-inspired paean to Ken Barlow”, was released this week to coincide with the occasion.


Also this:

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What about you reader? What has you happy and delighted this week?

Thoughtful Tuesday

The moment one gives close attention to any thing, even a blade of grass it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.
– Henry Miller

Things I Love Thursday

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Harry Potter
For reasons mostly too boring to blog about, but lets just say it was largely in the interests of peace-keeping, I saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow’s Part 1 twice yesterday. The film itself was beautifully done, of course there were little niggles if you choose to be pedantic but it captured the essence of Rowling’s novel particularly the themes of isolation and desperation in an increasingly Orwellian culture with its echoes of Nazism. The book is in no danger of being eclipsed by the film but on the whole I thought it was a great adaptation.


Finding the perfect home made Christmas present ideas- I’m making a hamper of treats for some family friends. I came across this recipe for Nigella’s chilli jam which sounded ideal, particularly for the husband of the couple. I gave it a trial run tonight. It’s a pretty simple recipe although I would advise making it in a well ventilated kitchen otherwise your house might smell like a chip shop for the next few hours. I felt a bit like a witch with her potion, too much Harry Potter, as I stood over the ruby brew watching it boil and waiting for it to cool/set. I’m pleased with how it’s turned out I’m just waiting for the taste test.

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Jon Schmidt’s piano/cello arrangement of ‘Love Story Meets Viva La Vida’ A beautiful arrangement dedicated to his little 7-year-old daughter:



Also: Dancing around the kitchen to Pulp, Lunch with darling friends, love, respect and support to all the peaceful protesters demonstrating today/night, sending off home-made cards, this Mastercard advert

This tilt is brought to you by the colour red and the smell of vinegar which is making my eyes sting a teensy bit but what’s making your eyes twinkle this week reader?

Thoughtful Tuesday

After the game,the king and the pawn go into the same box.
Italian Proverb

Things I love Thursday

It’s already December-I could hardly believe that it’s Thursday already again, and I should be writing my Thursday post, let alone that it’s December and there are less than 30 days to a new year.
Things I’m loving this week

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Advent –it’s always been one of my favourite times of year. The excitement of the countdown to Christmas and the chance for reflection. The 28th November was Advent Sunday when churches across the world lit the first candle in the advent wreath, the candle that symbolizes hope. I think the message of hope is a poignant one for many this year, I know it is for me reader.

On a related theme I love the video for ‘If today was your last day’by Nickleback.

Merlin- The first part of the two part finale was fantastic fun, cheered up a sad Saturday for me no end.
The BBC released a trailer for the two-parter so here’s a taster:

Or perhaps this would be a more tempting taster…

As a friend put it ‘Ladies, meet the knights your men could smell like

Also-sending off homemade post filled with messages from the heart, feeling fit, the book I'm reading (Unseen Academicals- very topical as today was the results of the 2018 world cup bid), these posters:

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What about you reader? What are you loving this week