Christmas is Coming

Now we are into December and everyone is gearing up for Christmas. I did most of my Christmas shopping when I visited the kids at the end of November. Being in Leamington with shops on hand was a great opportunity to be able to browse and buy. Everything was wrapped and posted out to family in all corners of the UK at the beginning of December.

While visiting Mum and Dad we took a little drive out to Doddington Hall to see their Fairytale inspired Christmas decorations. They were absolutely beautiful, with rooms featuring Thumbelina, Rapunzel, Aladdin and my personal favourite: Little Red Riding Hood. One room was even given over to an entire enchanted forest with low lighting, fake snow and atmospheric music while we followed a path through pine and birch 'trees' and various references to fairytale characters along the way.

The annual Christmas panto was coming up fast and it seems so many people are involved in making it a success. So I ended up volunteering to paint some scenery, and had a great time doing it. I spent three mornings with big brushes, mixing paint and creating a sailors' bar scene. Really enjoyable doing things on such a huge scale and quietly listening to the two lighting and prop guys chatting away. I think it turned out alright too. I even got a mention in the program!

The panto - Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates - was absolutely hysterical! My neighbour, Dave, played the evil Captain Cutlass, the pirate who yelled at the audience to shut up. He gives it his all and kind of stole the show in parts. He switched his catchphrase of 'shiver me timbers' to 'shrivel me member' at the end and the audience were in stiches. There were a few more adult jokes about spotted dick and rumpy pumpy, but the other hilarity was provided throughout the show by Monya, who had lost her voice, and her voiceover Hazel. It was out of time, wrong lines were said, and there was a lot of hamming it up with 'where is that voice coming from' and 'why am I talking but no sound is coming out' sort of mimes. A truly brilliant evening and a real huge team effort to pull it all together so brilliantly.

I was pleased to see the Clachan has it's own Christmas tree despite only having about ten houses, thanks to a generous local. And I also decided to make some kind of effort this year. So, I went on the hunt for a decent tree in a secret location not too far from home, and found a lovely tree that I thought was just right. I cut down the tree and bundled it into the car without being spotted. I had taken gloves becuase Scotland officially grows the world's spikiest fir trees! By the time I got it home, trimmed it down to size and wedged it into the tree stand I was hot and flustered!

I took a break to clean the house, and then got the decorations out and set to work. I realized I'd been a bit ambitious with the size - about 7 foot, so I could only just get the star on the top, which was touching the ceiling once installed. I got almost to the end before I came to hang the baubles Amber chose each of us a few years ago. Mine were two little glittery birds, Charlotte's was a Christmas sprout and John's was a sparkly train. I had to take a moment and a few deep breaths. It's just not the same doing this on my own and just for myself. John should be here enjoying the holiday season with me. I have had four very different Christmases the last four years - our last in Leamington with the kids and Dasha, our first here just after John's diagnosis, my first alone and deep in grief but kindly invited to Dave and Heather's for dinner, and this year - on the mend but missing one of the most essential parts of my life. Luckily I shall be with the girls and their boys for Christmas day this year, and there will be joy and laughter and togetherness, which I can't wait for.

This week we were treated to a glorious red winter sunset - red sky at night, shepherd's delight!

And then I thought I would go to check out the Strachur lantern parade. It was drizzling but it didn't stop everyone from turning out and parading down the road, behind Santa in a tractor trailer, with the whole street having decorated their houses or gardens with lights. Everyone carried a torch or lantern and, of course, there were bagpipers to lead the procession. What I missed was that there was singing and drinks and nibbles in the village hall afterwards. I didn't realize it was happening and I had a tai chi class to get to. There's always next year!

I also had a stall at the Glen Christmas fair this year to sell some of my prints. It was quite an enjoyable afternoon, and I took £80. I spent the time carving a potentail gift for Adam and Emma so it was also time well spent. I also had a surprise potential commercial commission which is exciting - awaiting an email to find out more... It was lovely to see so many talented people selling their crafts and plenty of locals there to enjoy shopping, cake and coffee.