soop's kindly kitcheners and pampered pets...

Wonderful, daphne. Thank you for sharing such happiness.

DaphneBroone What a lovely photo.

Lovely boys, DB. Most embarrassing memory of nativity play: DS1 was a shepherd in the playgroup nativity in a local church. We were in the balcony with DS2 (almost 3). Both were great aficionados of Basil Brush, so it shouldn't have come as a surprise when DS2 shouted - loud and clear - "Shut your cake hole, H". Much mirth among other parents! I wasn't at GD2's nativity when she played the innkeeper's wife and spent her time stroking his arm! They don't seem to get starring roles in my family, DG2, in consecutive years, was a sheep and a camel.

Interesting conversation on Woman's Hour earlier in the week (maybe We'd) about what part you got in your school Nativity play -apparently it can affect your whole life!!
Best comment I heard was"well of course I couldn't be Mary as I was Jewish" !!
I wonder if they will repeat it today on Weekend WH?

PS we didn't have a Nativity play at my primary school -too dour Calvinistic Scots! I did get to play second angel in our Secondary school play though and yes, the head girl was Gabriel and a stunningly pretty girl was Mary.

My junior school in Fife did not celebrate Christmas- I have no knowledge of nativity plays etc.

anno I laughed out loud when I read what your darling had said at the top of his voice!

Daphne although expensive and busy at least you got there and home again in time. Pleased that you enjoyed it all and the photo is great. Memories to treasure.

What a lovely photo daphne these occasions do tend to bring a tear to the eye don't they. Enjoy those special moments, all these littlies grow up all too quickly

I never tire of the Christmas story - yesterday I had a hospital appointment and had to give a "sample, to make sure you aren't pregnant"! I said "I know it's the season of unexplained conceptions, but are you serious?" My GS's year didn't do a production this year, but last year they did a Roald Dahl panto. He usually gets a good part but he asked his teacher if he could have something where he didn't have to dress up! He hates it. They had a day at a living history Victorian classroom recently and had to dress the part. DD took this photo and you can see the enthusiasm brimming over.....

Lost the photo!

A very peaceful Saturday morning greeting to our Granspals.

MacS has motored into Tarbert to pick up a sack of bird seed. He's also been told that he won a bottle of Spring Bank whisky in the Christmas draw.
I'm feeling a whole lot better. Thank you. Good vibes - beginning to feel creative. On with the arty farty hat...

baubles

dusty Could it be a trapped nerve? Sounds very likely. Rest is called for. I had a cortisone injection in my shoulder. Fantastic result and no probs since.

DaphneB Your message has injected a huge dollop of joy into the kitchen. Those boys...adorable. I can feel your happiness.

This is not a Nativity play story but it is funny just the same...when Matt was about 12, he and his friend played the role of cleaning ladies. Wrinkled stockings, apron, slippers, turban, fag hanging from the corner of the mouth. At one point, towards the close of the first act, Matt's pal forgot his lines and looked blank. Matt shuffled the broom along the floor and said...I know...let's go off for a gin and tonic. Priceless.

anno Your nativity play memory is hilarious. Made me laugh. Thank you.

I echo moomin's wise comment.

Greyduster The photo pose is PERFECT. Self-assured and laid-back with bells on.

My son's teacher at primary school was a Mrs Saviour. My son told me that she was married to Jesus.

The cap is his grandad's and DD thought she was going to have to nail it to his head to make him wear it - hence the sulky face!

Greyduster I think he looks a cool dude- the face does not look too sulky to me- I have seen worse!!!!!

soop so pleased to hear that you have turned the corner medically and you are now beginning to feel better.

MacSporran must be pleased with himself, winning a bottle of whisky or indeed anything. I never win a thing.

Charleyg MacSporran has a certain spring in his step. Like you, we hardly ever win a prize. In fact, it was as long ago as the 1970s when I won a large, fabulous, handmade clown doll. I gave it to niece.

Greyduster Sulky face? Nah!

I've decided to tidy away the painting clutter until tomorrow. The reason is that I'm quietly confident of the progress thus far. I could go on tiddling and faffing. I could make yet a fourth pig's ear of things.

It is a quiet, peaceful day in Kintyre. I like quiet and peaceful. We have done our family gift shopping in one privately owned shop in Campbeltown. Every item has been made in Kintyre. The lady who owns the shop, is very artistic. Stepping across the threshold is like entering Aladdin's cave. There is so much variety and all items are very well priced and beautifully presented.

Until tomorrow...goodnight and enjoy your Saturday evening.

Received a shoe box sized parcel from Amazon today -- what can it be I wondered, not having ordered anything that big. With excitement I opened the box, within was loads of packing protecting the contents, removed the packaging - and -- the box contained - nothing !. Not to be beaten I searched the packaging --- nothing !. Then under the flap of the box I spotted a tiny packet and lo and behold it was the pair of silver studs that I ordered for Mrs P.

We also received a big box from Amazon with lots of air filled pockets in and two very slim volumes of music books.
My son made me laugh. He was working in his uni library in London and a rat ran over his foot!! He told the security guard on duty who said yes we know we have rats, we have tried to get rid of them but have failed so passed problem on to management!!

I'd say that expression was resignation, greyduster. He did look good, even if he didn't think so. No plays of any kind for us this year, two are too old apparently, the third is too young. We've missed seeing the children and their various expressions. Can't recall ever being in a nativity myself, only seemed to happen in Sunday School which I didn't attend, wonder about the impact of that on my adult self daphne? Be nice to have something to blame my daftness on!

Well, I've decided to live, the cold is in retreat. Still the odd skirmish to fight but I think I am winning. Mr C on the other hand remains uncertain about his future .

Pleased you are in the mend, soop, onwards, eh? Be careful, dusty, don't overdo things, says the pot calling the kettle. Be more sensible than I am!

Had a similar packaging incident this week, tiny package in a huge box with those bags of air. A need to hunt the package. Frustrating and just a bit daft. A rat. mumofmadboys? That would have had me on a table yelling, . can't bear them. Hope management is made of sterner stuff.

Tara used to leave rats (dead) on my doorstep because thankfully she could not fit through the cat flap with one in her mouth. I was not happy to see them dead and would not be ecstatic to see one running in front of me. I would be screaming I think.

cornergran I can't recall being in a school nativity play either but I was at a Church school. It was High Church of England and the vicar would come in each morning to lead assembly. We had all sorts of saints days off, after a service in the church, and our playtimes would be changed if a funeral was taking place at that time (the school was next to the churchyard). I think the Nativity was probably too 'sacrosanct' to be handled by young children in Rev Carter's eyes.

After we moved house I went to an 'ordinary' secondary school where we performed in carol concerts, accompanied by the school orchestra. They were dire!

Lovely photos DaphneB and Greyduster.
Soop, I`m delighted to read that you are much better, and resisting making any more of those ears for deaf pigs.
This afternoon I went, with daughter 3, to Boston Stump, for the Light up a Life service organised by the Butterfly Hospice. In return for a donation, we received a star on which to write the name of who you were there to remember, then we hung them on the tree. We also received a candle, and towards the end of the service all lights were turned out, there was just candlelight. There were readings, poems, and songs and carols sung by the hospice nurses. Music was provided by a local brass band, David played with them many years ago. It was a lovely little service, glad we went.

callgirl .

I agree callgirl

I cannot believe that although it is a tad cold here, we have sunshine- the first for a few days.

I must finish writing the cards so that I can post them all tomorrow and that will be that for another year.