The dates on my blog seem to be messed up. Let's try this one!

'Tis the Season to be Jolly .......

The "SEASON" has finally arrived! In my household today, the 4th of December, is the official opening of the Christmas Season. Today is Ed's birthday and the first of the celebrations for the Festive period. Although we will not be in our home for Christmas, we have decided that we will still put most of our decorations up this weekend. We wait 12 months to enjoy these objects that we collect so carefully and in so many places throughout the world and we have such a short time in which to look at them with pleasure. I know that I cannot skip this opportunity and wait ANOTHER 12 months before I see them! I wanted to work on my new little bear last night but I was so exhausted and all I could manage was to take out the Christmas Bear. He arrived in this country from the USA, some twenty years ago. Candy went to America to visit her dad and when I collected her from the airport on her return, she was carrying the Christmas bear and he was so large and she so small that it looked as he was floating along unaided. He was brought home as a gift for little sister Karen. Somehow he became my property and somehow he became the Christmas bear who only made his appearance at Christmas. He is huge and beautiful and huggable and every year he looks so delighted to see me! I took a picture of him last night, brought my camera with me to work but discovered that I have left the PC cable at home. So you can meet him tomorrow.

A letter to my daughters

To my lovely girls in faraway places -

Life goes on, differently, but it goes on and I miss my best friends, the two of you. I miss belonging to a family, I miss having coffee with you two, I miss shopping with you, I miss fighting with you, I miss sharing my life with you and sharing your lives. I miss watching you grow and achieve, I miss seeing you laugh and cry, I miss your husbands and I miss your children so much. I miss your advice and I miss giving you advice, I miss hearing about your work and your frustrations and your joys. I miss hearing your voices and I miss seeing your smiles. I pray for your success and happiness but there isn't a moment that I don't wish with all my heart tht you would decide to come back to me. I hope with all my heart that your decisions justify the loss, that you succeed and reach your goals and have happy, safe children so that all this can be worthwhile. I hope that you keep me fresh in their memories, that you make me a reality in their lives, otherwise why did I build a family?

The View from my sitting room

The top of this tree is eye-level on the sixth floor!


And a view of the lake.

.. the garden

Wrinkle, Bejamin
and Jasmine

Cleo

My friend's garden. A place filled with fairies and surprises and wonderful creatures called cats and dogs. These pictures speak for themselves ...

Teddies .... and a beautiful garden.

I completed this teddy over the weekend. Although not perfect, he is a huge improvement on the mini bear. His name is Alexander.

I also went to a teddy bear fair and it was absolutely delightful. This bear making is a world of magic and helps me to cope with all the ugly, harsh realities of this country.

Teddies. Toy Run and a beautiful garden ........

Toy Run 2008