“A wonderful gift may not be wrapped as you expect.” ~ Jonathan Lockwood Huie Hello Lovelies, So here we are – another Christmas is upon us. It’s a joyful time for some, and a trying time for others, and I wanted to acknowledge that, and to remind you that there is always a place here at […]
Have you soaked the fruit for your Christmas Cake yet?
“It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.”~ W.T. Ellis Hello, Lovelies! Do you make your own Christmas fruitcake each year? If you do it’s time to soak your fruit, in preparation for a flavoursome and moist cake. If you don’t, why not join us and make your own. I promise […]
Some Ideas For A Christmas That Won’t Cost The Earth
“Because normal human activity is worse for nature than the greatest nuclear accident in history.” ~ Martin Cruz Smith Hello, Lovelies!I’m blogging this morning with fire in my heart. 2019’s energies are nearly here (they actually kick in on December 26) and among other things the energy of 2019 supports conscious engagement with the environment, so let’s […]
Navigating Christmas Without A Loved One
“You will lose someone you can’t live without, and your heart will be badly broken, and the bad news is that you never completely get over the loss of your beloved. But this is also the good news. They live forever in your broken heart that doesn’t seal back up. And you come through. It’s […]
Simple Christmas Baking and Treat Recipes
“Christmas is a tonic for our souls. It moves us to think of others rather than of ourselves. It directs our thoughts to giving.” ~ B.C. Forbes It’s less than a month until Christmas, but there is still plenty of time to whip up a tasty treat or two to share with friends, to gift, or […]
I have a Christmas Gift for You!
“They always gives me bath salts,” complained Nobby. “And bath soap and bubble bath and herbal bath lumps and tons of bath stuff and I can’t think why, ‘cos it’s not as if I hardly ever has a bath. You’d think they’d take the hint, wouldn’t you?” ~ Terry Pratchett* (*Apologies, because I’ve actually used […]
My Christmas Eve Gift to Myself
“Just imagine becoming the way you used to be as a very young child, before you understood the meaning of any word, before opinions took over your mind. The real you is loving, joyful, and free. The real you is just like a flower, just like the wind, just like the ocean, just like the […]
Quick Christmas Macadamia Shortbread Recipe
“For centuries men have kept an appointment with Christmas. Christmas means fellowship, feasting, giving and receiving, a time of good cheer, home.” ~ W.J. Ronald Tucker This is a super recipe. It’s rich and buttery, and the lovely crispness of the shortbread goes perfectly with a cup of tea. I like their rustic style […]
Waiting for Matooluff
“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.” ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder It’s about this time of year that I start waiting for Matooluff. When I was just a tiny little girl, maybe three […]
What to do if you’re on your own at Christmas
“The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.” ~ Mother Teresa Christmas isn’t always an easy time. In fact it can be one of the hardest holidays of the year. Not every family is close, you might be a long way from home, some families are small – there might be […]
Misty Morning Pre-Christmas Happiness
“Morning is an important time of day, because how you spend your morning can often tell you what kind of day you are going to have.” ~ Lemony Snicket, The Blank Book Saturday morning, 22 December, 2012. The world hasn’t ended. Instead Harry the pup woke me up, and after a cuddle the dogs and I went […]
Simple Homemade Christmas Gifts – Scrub and Soak Recipes
“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.” ~ Peg Bracken Christmas is too often a time of crass commercialism, stress and expense. (There’s a great article by George Monbiot on this very theme right here.) But I do love the idea of gift-giving to the people I […]
Gifts to Give Yourself this Christmas
“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if […]
Advice for struggling lovers and parents at Christmas…
Thinking of ending a relationship or giving someone a long-overdue piece of your mind? Want to throttle someone? Do you feel like a failure as a parent, or a partner? Thinking negative things about people you’re supposed to love? Breathe in. Count to ten. Exhale. Repeat until calm. Bad thoughts don’t make you a bad […]