at the end of 2020
That's another Christmas done and dusted. To be honest, once Christmas is over I want it all to go away. Except the Christmas tree, I quite like it sitting in its corner. I feel ambivalent about Christmas and maybe I am not the only one? Jeannette Winterson in her "Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days" writes eloquently about how the holiday that we call Christmas came to be and where the traditions that we so love originated from. The short stories are fun, thought provoking, spooky and magical (not all at once). An enjoyable book for the Grinches and Christmas lovers alike. I enjoyed the audio version very much.
What I love about Christmas is the unstructured family time we are able to enjoy. Everyone goes about their own business for some part of the day, then we seem to converge in one space for a while, usually around the kitchen table laden with food. Our Christmas days are very predictable and comfortable and this year was no exception, but we missed having my Swiss family here. It was not quite the same without them. I sent some photos but this can't be a substitute for spending time together. I wonder if we should have zoomed on Christmas morning? It didn't cross my mind until later.
I have another Jack story for you. He continues to be naughty. He is very good with the usual dog commands when it suits him but sometimes the hunter in him overrules all sense. On a recent walk, he dashed off in the the shrubs the moment his was let off the lead. He made his way down a disused railway track and disappeared in a drain pipe. Jack was not seen for about 10 minutes. While I was busy worrying, Richard and Sam scrambled down into the ditch to tease him out with treats. Jack eventually backed out, bum first because the pipe was too narrow for him to turn. I was too far away to bear witness of this but Richard said he heard fighting in the pipe, a fox defending its den maybe? On that same walk, we had to gingerly step down a path beside the river, holding on the railing to avoid falling. It was really icy. The menfolk managed the 20 metres of ice with their dignity intact but I lost my footing and slid down the path on my bum.
There isn't really anything else to tell so I will end with wishing you the very best possible new year.
Thanks for visiting xx
Be careful! You could break something hiking on ice! Your Christmas sounds great and your treats look yummy!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for a happy, healthy New Year!
Thank you for sharing such lovely stories and making me laugh so much in a good way. Jack, oh what a naughty little treasure he is, but very much loved I am sure.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a bright New Year in 2021. Time to turn our backs on 2020. Take care xx
Gosh lucky that Jack didn't get totally stuck! I feel the same about the Christmas tree, I love it and would happily keep it up all year, but the rest of the stuff can go.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and all your family a very happy and peaceful New Year, Jillxx
We have been enjoying our tree since late November and plan to continue doing so until at least Jan 6. We enjoy seeing the bright multicolored lights and will miss it. But, all good things come to an end, not so this present year, and hopefully the New One will be better for all, in time. Your holiday treats looked wonderfully delicious, Christina. Jack continues to amuse with his pranks which are not so amusing at the time. Glad he made it out of the drain pipe OK. Also, glad that your slide didn't result in any physical injury.
ReplyDeleteOh that rascally dog.. he's so cute and always worthy of a story. We sure have enjoyed our Mocha dog during this period of social isolation. I'm stowing away my xmas decor, also. Time for a clean slate. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
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*H*A*P*P*Y* *N*E*W* *Y*E*A*R*!*
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I really like to pack Christmas away and get on with all the new clean fresh energy. Big dog drama here this morning too. Bertie managed to squeeze through a fence into someone's garden on our streamside walk. The homeowner came out in his slippers and started flapping around trying to send him back. What with me calling as well, Bertie totally panicked and tried to squeeze through the tiniest hole. His head was stuck and he was literally screaming, trying to get to me and freaking out about the person behind him. I had to run all the way around to the front of the house (discovered how unfit I am), by which time he had got free and gone back through the proper-sized hole. I was panicking as there was a road not far away and when he loses me he tends to guess where I am and set off at top speed. Anyway, I managed to find him not far from where it all happened. We had to have a sit down when we got home, I can tell you. I'm glad Jack is okay and managed to sort himself out. Such scrapes these beasts get into. I am wishing you and yours a very happy New Year. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteIt is odd how all of the Christmas decorations seem old and disinteresting (missing right words) right after the event. Sue will likely begin to dismantle shortly as I hlp by staying out of the way. Happy New Year or should I say Hogmanay?
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and your family, Christina!
ReplyDeleteI am always more than happy to pack the Christmas decorations away. We never wait until 12th Night - my youngest has a birthday in early Jan and I've never wanted it 'contaminated' by Christmas, so that's a good excuse to take them down! Poor Jack getting stuck in the pipe! Also, thank you for the book recommendation, I shall see if it's available on Audible this month. Wishing you and yours a very happy 2021. xx
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about Christmas... I’m longing to clear all the Christmas clutter away, especially as there was just two of us this year. Wishing you the happiest possible new year. I look forward to another year reading about you and your family x
ReplyDeleteWhat a rascal that little dog is, he is certainly good for an adventure. I have this image stuck in my mind now of you sliding down the bank on your bottom and am laughing loudly but only when I knew all was well. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteI shouldn’t be laughing at your misfortune but I am. It’s the sort of thing I do. Glad Jack was rescued. Wishing you a very happy new year. B x
ReplyDeleteI share your feelings with ditching all things Christmassy though this year the candles and a small string of lights might stay out just to be cheerful through dull grey January. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Christina! Wishes for as much family time as we can handle in 2021.
ReplyDeleteSliding down a path on your bum perfectly sums up 2020 don't you think? I have ditched Christmas, I am starting off the new year clean and fresh. Stay safe and no more bum sliding!
ReplyDeleteOur holidays have pretty much the same pattern - a bit of outside a bit of inside and family meals. Your cheese board is impressive! Jo xx
ReplyDeleteWith you on the Christmas decorations but ours always stay up until New Year's Day. Went into the loft to store them for the next 12 months and discovered we have a leaking roof. Great way to kick off 2021! Happy New Year to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year.
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable gingerbread house! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season :)
ReplyDeleteJenna ♥
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