See that Annette has been too busy perhaps, to start a new week, so I'm doing the honours. Rather wet in this part of the world this morning, so doing lots of tidying & Christmas preparing stuff.
Alan: Thanks for new link, to Ecuadorian webcam. Lots of activity there just now. My favourites list is now enormous! Glad you & Lady P enjoyed your outing, on such a horrid day weatherwise.
Gary: Lovely pic of horse in the snow- glad tho that its not yet snowing here!
I feel a bit more Christmassy now, as we enjoyed our Concert on Friday evening. It was in a very very small village Hall, & we arrived late due to a misunderstanding, so had to squeeeeze ourselves in at the back, then someone beckoned to me to sit near the front as there was one seat left vacant there. In spite of limited funds & the tiny room they had made great efforts to decorate the hall with large red & gold garlands across, together with posters of Santa on the walls (made by the children?? not sure). When we arrived, a school choir was singing carols, and later they gave us several renditions of more modern Christmas songs: the children were between 7 & 8 years old, some clearly nervous, some not. The teacher had evidently taught them how to use the appropriate gestures to go with the words- however, some were too overcome to remember what to do, but I was laughing as some were so keen they almost overdid the acting! One small boy had his hands stuffed in his pockets most of the time, but then had to wrench them out quickly when they got to the bits he thought he should demonstrate. Another boy was sorely tempted to pick his nose, & his hand kept reaching up to his face, before he remembered at the last minute where he was....
Then the teacher produced some handbells, and we were treated to some very nice attempts at 'Silent Night' etc. by some of the children. Their parents & grandmas were looking on, proudly, sharing sweeties & drinking mulled wine. I was amused to see a very small baby indeed being passed from hand to hand, around a large group of friends & family, like a tiny pink parcel - she didn't seem to mind at all. Then the children sat cross legged whilst a Brass Band played carols, they were very good indeed, especially considering there were only 5 members! We were encouraged to get into the Christmas spirit by joining in with singing along, as some of the children were whisked away by their parents, as bedtime approached.
Afterwards we gathered in a relative's house for drinkies & chat, & a very welcome plate of warming shepherd's pie. Altogether a wonderful evening.
Gary - great picture of Nancy in the snow - enough for a good winter picture but not enough to be an inconvenience!! BTW, what kind of trees are they?
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Alan – I haven’t seen Coati yet, but just been watching the birds – interesting how some stay and get on with it while others dash in and out all the time (a bit like our coal-tits!). Just realised, I never thought to put the sound on – duhh!
Annette – ‘course they’re free-range – they’re mountain-range haggi (sorry!). Ensuite non-tiled walls look good painted. A new project starts tomorrow: new roof-trims – gutters, soffits, barge-boards etc. “Toucans in their nests” – I think we had a beer mat and a tray with that on when I was very young!!
We too suffer from one-of-each-itis – but often plants bring a memory with them, and if it was all artily designed, we wouldn’t have that aspect to it!
DjoanS – I hope the time away is a pleasure-trip and that you will have a good time.
Lindybird – sounds like a wonderful evening you went to – I always well up when we go to that kind of event, especially when amateurs are trying so hard and the atmosphere is more intimate than a “real” concert-hall.
Lindybird, what a lovely evening and a nice way to round it off.
OG, I'm afraid I am no good with trees. They are tall ones if that helps?? LOL (I think they may be oak but...)
Thanks for the comments about Nancy (yes Annette, she is our companion horse for Clover) Clover was in her own paddock wondering what was going on but where she was standing didn't make as nice a photo.
Hope everyone has had a lovely Sunday.
Oh Lindybird, what a wonderful evening that must have been. Just love the children entering into the spirit of what they are doing. Isn't it just Christmas? Once, long ago, had a little Sunday School boy read 'for we have saw his star in the east' and insist afterwards that that was what it said in his Bible! Don't you just love kids?
Here's another doggy pic. - this is Nell, who's now 14 (and a half!
what a sweetie Nell looks:))
Thanks Patriciat, lovely photo
OG - my time away next week is most definitely a pleasure-trip!! We are going to Dublin to do Christmas 'things' (my intention not his!) and meet up with our Irish friends - my parents were from Dublin so I have been going there for many, many years.
Lindybird - your evening entertainment sounds wonderful. Brought back many happy memories of this time of year, when I was teaching younger children - so many parents and grandparents in tears at the nativity scenes!! Of course there was usually the naughty angels pushing each other ... and the shepherds fighting each other ... and the wise men losing their crowns :)))
Joan - avid bird and nature watcher in Northumberland!
Index Thread
Patriciat - lovely picture, lovely dog. Thankyou. Such a friendly, warm look about her - and love her colouring.
DjoanS said: OG - my time away next week is most definitely a pleasure-trip!! We are going to Dublin to do Christmas 'things' (my intention not his!) and meet up with our Irish friends - my parents were from Dublin so I have been going there for many, many years.
How lovely for you - have a great time being Christmassy and seeing your friends. I believe Dublin is wonderful for shopping, too!
Patriciat : Smashing doggy picture.
Lady P s mum came from Wexford and her dad came from Kilkenny and she was born in Portlaoighis.