{"id":1523,"date":"2010-10-20T20:07:18","date_gmt":"2010-10-20T19:07:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/miriamrogers.co.uk\/"},"modified":"2011-01-04T23:51:29","modified_gmt":"2011-01-04T23:51:29","slug":"advent-2010","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/miriamrogers.co.uk\/?page_id=1523","title":{"rendered":"Advent 2010"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Today, 10th November, I put the dates on the pages. I bought some gorgeous Christmassy green felt Thickers, a 6×6 paper pad and some rub on’s from Basic Grey called Jovial.<\/p>\n

1st December 2010
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I made Ben’s Advent calendar in 1990 and after a few years of toys and sweets I decided to do something different. The cards I am using this year are from 1996 when\u00a0Ben was 7 years old. I cut some shapes from old Christmas cards and wrote out some Christmas prep that Ben could help each day with. I put the little cards into \u00a0the calendar so that he could see them all poking out of their pockets.<\/p>\n

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\nThe calendar looks a bit worse for wear now but we still love to see it each year.<\/p>\n

Todays tag reads;
\n<\/span> Good Morning Ben. At last we can start our Advent, a time of preparation.<\/span><\/em>
\n<\/span> You really enjoyed helping with the Christmas preparation last year so we will do it again. I have added a few new ideas, just for fun this year.<\/span><\/em>
\n<\/span> Shall we start with the Advent Candle? You will need to find it and find a dish to stand it on. Would you like to light it each day for us?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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This is the first page in my Advent 2010 book, not finished because I love to finish all the pages at the end. I feel more glittery the nearer I am to Christmas day!<\/p>\n

December 1st<\/h2>\n

Today dawned clear and dry but so very cold. The little snow that we had earlier in the week has cleared but there is still some ice around. We lit the advent candle this evening! Ben had to blow it out because I completely forgot! It doesn\u2019t bode well.
\nWhen I got in from work Paul had just learned that the contract he has been working on has been terminated and the company have given him 10 days notice; a worrying start to the month.
\nI put the advent calendar up in the kitchen with the cards I made for Ben in 1996. Ben and I talked about our Christmas plans today. We have decided what to give Paul and Ben has been out today to get it organised.<\/p>\n

I have won my first prize from a blog! Jennifer at Jennifer\u2019s Jumbles ran a give away on a blog hop recently and I entered and won! What a lovely end to my 1st day of Advent. Thank you Jennifer.<\/em><\/p>\n

December 2nd<\/h2>\n

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Absolutely ffffreezing cold here today with a strong wind that makes it feel even worse. No snow here in Weston although a few miles along the road in Taunton they have 18cm of the white stuff.
\nOur 1st Christmas card arrived today.
\nMy 1st social occasion tonight at work. At my carers evening we were very informal, There was lots f laughing and lots to eat on our buffet table! Among the many things that I bought I found these mini Echlefechan\u2019s
\nI am wearing festive earrings and badge, Ho Ho Ho!
\nI was thinking how grateful I am that Ben is home in the UK, not travelling abroad (most of the UK airports are closed) and working inside in the warm, not travelling around in a van delivering food for Tesco\u2019s and he is happy!
\nBens calendar
\nShall we get the Christmas music going today? Can you find the CD\u201ds?
\nThere are six of them.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

December 3rd<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nI ordered a photo of Ben for Lotta today. I found an ad in a photographic mag for www.semaphore.co.uk. They print photos onto clear acrylic and look beautiful in the ad.
\nI have ordered some DVD\u2019s for Christmas and the first one arrived came today. I have decided not to open them until Christma day by which time I will have forgotten what I ordered.
\nI was at the hairdresser today and have had my colours done . I think they look stunning. Hopefully there will be a picture here \u263a
\nTodays calendar;
\nToday, when you come home from school, could you help get the Christmas boxes down from the loft? This is the day to start using the Christmas cups and plates.<\/span><\/em>
\nBen won\u2019t be home until midnight tonight so this one will have to go over until another day.<\/p>\n

December 4th<\/h2>\n

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I am doing some craft with the memory cafe on Thursday next week so shopping for the bits was on today\u2019s list.
\nYou wouldn\u2019t think it was so difficult to get a few small terracotta pots! I eventually found these pretty long tom pots in town for 69p each so I am thrilled. I also got to go to a florist (for oasis). It is such a treat to go at Christmas to see and breathe in all the wonderful scents of Christmas flora.
\nIn Ben\u2019s calendar today;
\nPinch Punch 4th of the month, Collect a kiss from Mum x<\/span>
\nBen was out at work until late this evening but he got a kiss from his mum x<\/em><\/p>\n

December 5th<\/h2>\n

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The day for posting a story on my blog to fit in with Sian\u2019s Christmas Club.
\nOne of my blog pals has invited us to share a Christmas story in the few weeks before Christmas, here is mine for this week.
\nLast week one particular story reminded me of one of my earliest memories. A few years ago I played along with a blog challenge and this was my ATC. (artist trading card)
\nWhen you think back to your childhood, what moment first comes to mind? Because it\u2019s so close to Christmas I think straight back to Christmas morning 1955. I was two years old. I saw my new dolly Linda lying in a beautiful blue cot in the middle of the sitting room. She had lovely black hair; I don\u2019t remember what she was wearing but the covers in the cot were blue and lacy. The picture is still so clear in my mind.
\nThis is a quote from another blog pal; I am so very grateful for a mom who taught me, through her own example, the selfless joy of creating gifts for others made from heart and soul and hands. This is just how I feel when ever I make something for some one!
\nOver the years, at family gatherings there is much hilarity among us about what happened to Linda\u2026but that\u2019s for another day.
\nMerry Christmas Gerard! (again) Miriam x
\nOh dear, I have forgotten to light the last few days of the candle so we lit it at breakfast, again at lunch and tonight at dinner time!
\nBen\u2019s calendar;
\nCould you find the cloths for the table today? They might need ironing, could you do that for us?<\/span><\/em>
\nPaul & I got the Christmas things down from the loft today. Every year I feel embarrassed by the amount of stuff we have, but every year everyone thinks the house looks wonderful!<\/p>\n

December 6th<\/h2>\n

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\nI have forgotten to light the candle again Tonight we lit it and watched it burn down past the 7th!
\nI visited a client today that has nearly as many nativity scenes as me. We had such a good laugh about our cribs, where they came from and where they are put every year.
\nI don\u2019t seem to have much time for anything other than work or sleep at the moment.
\nThe note in Bens calendar reads;
\nHappy Christmas Ben, If I was home I would give you a kiss, ask mum to do it for me? I would like mum to have a kiss today would you do that for me? Now put this in tomorrows pocket. Love from Dad x<\/span>
\n This made Ben laugh so much when he realized what would happen when he moved the tag!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

December 7th<\/h2>\n

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\nLast night there was a very beautiful hore frost. Today our world looks just wonderful.
\nThe trees look magnificent with every detail of them picked out in frost. I have loved driving around today.
\nA perfect December day.
\nNo Christmas stuff today. I am too tired
\nBen\u2019s calendar note;
\nCould you find your box of Christmas cards? Today we should make a start on the writing. Could you do ten today?<\/span><\/em>
\nI just can\u2019t find mine! I will have to look in the stuff I have packed away in the garage.<\/p>\n

December 8th<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nNo, the cards are not in the garage although there is a box of ones I made years ago!
\nI am so tired when I get in from work that nothing is getting done in preparation for Christmas. Even the advent candle is not being lit.
\nHey Ho!
\nBen\u2019s Calendar today;
\nCould you find your box of Christmas cards? Today we should make a start on the writing. Could you do ten today?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

I was thinking about traditions today as I looked into the boxes of Christmas stuff.
\nI think that the whole of our Christmas is built on tradition, some things go back to childhood at home, some things Paul & I started and then over the years they too become traditional. Ben likes everything to be \u2018just as it always is\u2019
\nHere are a few. I\u2019ll add more as the days go by.
\nMy cocktail glass filled with sugared almonds
\nThe Fortnum\u2019s basket is the storage box for our nativity figures and then becomes our chocolate box
\nI like to have mums little crib on my kitchen windowsill
\nWarm and spicy mulled wine whilst decorating our Christmas tree.
\nThe purchase of the Christmas tree is a hilarious tradition in itself.<\/p>\n

December 9th<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nNo Christmas prep again today. I did e-mail the brothers and ask them if they have any Christmas photos of us as children and for some of their Christmas memories for a blog post I want to do.
\nIn the advent calendar today there was a little puzzle for Ben to do. Ben\u2019s least favourite thing to do was writing! He had to write the answers to the puzzle!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

December 10th<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nI am listening to Christmas carols today. I have imported some CD\u2019s into my i tunes, much to Ben\u2019s amusement. He thinks I only have 5 tunes in it, compared to his 13,871!!! (It would take 38 \u00bd days to listen to this amount of songs)
\nA day off work Hooray! I spent the day looking in different places for the Christmas cards and have failed miserably. I have decided to give up and buy some.
\nIn the calendar today, Could you write ten more Christmas cards today? I feel like I\u2019m nagging myself!
\nWe have caught up with the advent candle while we were watching the TV his evening.
\nIt has become a bit of a Christmas tradition for Paul & I over the last few years to watch Strictly Come Dancing on the TV on a Saturday & Sunday evening.
\nIn the calendar today;
\nCould you write ten more Christmas cards today?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

December 11th<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nI have had three replies from my brothers! Two I expected and one I certainly did not.
\nI miss Tim x
\nI haven\u2019t wanted to go to the shops this year. If I don\u2019t see lovely things I won\u2019t wish I could have them.
\nI ordered the cold meats from Waitrose today. I plan to have a cold buffet on Christmas, Ben is working and it will be nice for him when he comes in.
\nToday I ordered Ben\u2019s Christmas present. He had sent me a list of things he would like, Paul & I spent ages looking on the internet for \u2018just the right thing\u2019 I sent him the customary e-mail telling him that now that he had published a list he wasn\u2019t to buy himself anything on it! This is a challenge every year. I have lovely flowers in the house in Christmas colours and the festive table linen is out. It\u2019s officially Christmas in the Kitchen!
\nIn Ben’s calendar today;
\nCould you get the fairy lights out today? They will need to be tested as well. Don\u2019t forget the Victorian lady, she holds a light in her hand.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

December 12th<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nThe day for another story for the Christmas club. This time it is my story about the year Mum, Tim & James came to stay. Christmas 1995.
\nDo reindeer eat carrots?
\nChristmas 1995
\nI especially loved Christmas this year. My mother, brother and his young son stayed with us. My son was six years old. My brother\u2019s boy, James was eight and was wavering in his belief in the man in red. We had such a lovely and exciting Christmas eve talking about Father Christmas, when would he come, what would he bring, would he know that James was in a different place to last year. James was worried about our fireplace \u201cWe shouldn\u2019t light the fire Aunty Miriam because he would get burnt!\u201d This year I had found some little packets of reindeer food at one of the garden centre\u2019s I thought it would help set the scene. Before bedtime the boys had been outside on the drive to sprinkle the treat for Santa\u2019s reindeer and they had also left out a huge carrot for them; \u201cDo reindeers eat carrots aunty Miriam?\u201d wondered James?\u2028\u201cWell, I\u2019m not really sure, but we will leave it just in case James\u201d was the best I could offer.\u2028\u201cI think they do\u201d said Ben enthusiastically! (Anything to make sure he came!)\u2028The boys hung their stockings and left a mince pie and a glass of milk by the fire for Father Christmas, with nothing more to do the boys had to go to bed! As every child knows \u201cHe won\u2019t come while you are awake\u201d The usual Christmas Eve followed; restless excited chatty boys sharing a bedroom, laughing and keeping each other awake. Excited adults, whispering, laughing, drinking, keeping each other awake as we made the room ready for Christmas morning. There was the usual getting up & down to the boys or calling out\u2028\u201cNo he hasn\u2019t been yet\u201d and \u201cHe won\u2019t come while you are awake\u201d No presents go under the tree in our house until Ben has gone to bed!\u2028(Even now I don\u2019t put his gifts under the tree until Christmas morning when he is still asleep!)\u2028Lots of creeping around followed, bringing the gifts carefully stashed away all over the house into the sitting room to be arranged under the tree. Some presents we leave in the fire grate; a little soot and ash is sprinkled on ones near by. Streamers are everywhere! A paper cover goes onto the sitting room door with the number 25 on it. (Now one of Ben\u2019s favourite memories)\u2028Some time in the early hours we got to our beds and just a few hours later boys shouting with joy wake us!\u2028\u201cHe\u2019s been, he\u2019s been\u201d when the stockings are found.
\nLater that morning Nanny was looking out of Ben\u2019s bedroom window\u2028\u201cThere is something on the drive boys, come and see, whatever is it?\u201d Two little boys ran outside to look. James and Ben returned, with eyes as big as saucers, holding two pieces of carrot with strange teeth marks in, a little piece of mince pie and the certain knowledge that reindeer do indeed eat carrots!
\nIn the calendar today;
\nToday you need to make your list ready to go to the shops tomorrow. You need to buy a gift for mum, a gift for dad and a little gift for my cracker.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

December 13th<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nAt my singing group today we sang Christmas Carols, it was so festive!
\nAt my visit this afternoon the conservatory where we sat, was full to the brim of Christmas presents. Some were wrapped some waiting to be wrapped. The little Christmas tree was laden down with decorations and the whole house was lit with fairy lights. In contrast to that my house looks very bare with its solitary vase of Christmas colours!!
\nChristmas music then;
\nJohn Lennon So this is Christmas\u2026
\nBand Aid Do they know its Christmas\u2026
\nQueen Thank God it\u2019s Christmas\u2026
\nJona Lewie Stop the Cavalry\u2026
\nJethru Tull Ring Out Solstice Bells
\nFairy Tale of New York of course, here\u2019s the fly, I love the Christie Moore version!<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s the classical music I love the most
\nHandel Messiah, I play this at full volume in my car.<\/p>\n

And the classic carols that we sang today, well I love them all but my favourite, always, is Silent Night. I love the story of this carol and I especially love it sung in German.
\nIn the calendar today;
\nThink about other people today. When you go to your bank maybe you could get a little extra money for a charity that helps children. Think about getting a little gift for your dog & cat. There are also charities that help animals, you might prefer to give a little to one of them.<\/span>
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

December 14th<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nI had a lovely day in the office with the girls today. There was much laughing and bemoaning the fact that it is only 2 weeks to go and we have \u2018done nothing\u2019
\nHave come to write this and find that
\nI have had e-mail to say that Ben\u2019s gift is in the post,
\nPaul\u2019s gift is organized,
\nLotta\u2019s gift is under Pepsi\u2019s bed
\n2 meat orders have been placed
\nAnd I will get the Christmas lights out in a minute and check them!
\nActually I have done loads!
\nOh and there are fresh cranberries in the fridge and Amaretto in the cupboard! I think I\u2019ll have a lie down
\n I<\/span>n Ben\u2019s calendar today;
\nCould you get the artificial tree ready to go on the front door step? Put the special outdoor lights on the tree before you hang your decorations on it.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

December 15th<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nMore traditions
\nWe always have something special for Christmas morning breakfast.
\nEither Kedgeree or Scrambled egg with smoked salmon on Brioch or Eggs Benedict. Scrummy!
\nWe have a small parcel, something that will fit on the table, at breakfast time, usually chosen by Ben, the rest have to wait until after we have cleared away and Alan arrives.
\nIn Ben\u2019s calendar today;
\nWould you like to put your Christmas tree in your room today?<\/span>
\nBen has had a tiny tree in his room since he was a little boy!
\n<\/em>
\nI put the santa’s on the stairs and thought of this song
\nGuess who just got back today?
\nThem wild-eyed boys that had been away
\nHaven’t changed, have much to say<\/p>\n

The boys are back in town
\nThe boys are back in town
\nThin Lizzie 1976
\n…and the crib before the figures went in made me think of this…
\nAre you waiting for the family to arrive?\u2028 Are you sure you got the room to spare inside? \u2028Does your granny always tell ya, \u2028that the old are far the best?
\nSlade Merry Christmas Everybody 1973<\/p>\n

December 16th<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nMy last working day for this week, hooray !I feel so tired and can hardly believe that it is Christmas in one week!
\nI did get some decorating done today. Paul put the nativity figures out and I hung the glass teardrops on the twiggy tree.
\nAll the fairy lights are working! The windowsill and the mantle shelf are looking very festive.
\nBen has four days off work. He and Lotta had to cancel their planned time together in Glasgow because of the weather. Scotland has had some dreadful weather for a few weeks; our forecast snow will be here tomorrow. Ben can\u2019t risk being stuck in Glasgow & not getting to work for Monday & Lotta needs to be in Helsinki in time for her vaccinations for the Christmas trip to Goa. We will see her on 2nd January all being well.
\nIn the calendar today;
\nCould you set the crib up today. I have bought a new bale of hay but I can\u2019t remember where I put it! Could you help me find it?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

December 17th<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nThe snow came in the night! Our world looks very beautiful. Pepsi is not at all impressed at having to go out in it!
\nI made the shopping list today.
\nWe have a very traditional roast turkey lunch on Christmas day. We buy our turkey crown from Marks and Spencer\u2019s. This year I have bought a trifle and a cheese board as well. The cooked meats for Christmas Eve are coming from Waitrose this year.
\nI make our gravy, cranberry sauce and bread sauce and prepare the veg but the rest of the food I buy in now.
\nMore snow and freezing conditions today. I am so pleased that Lotta is safe in her home, Ben is safe in his and Paul is not travelling this week.
\nIn Ben’s calendar today;
\nWe seem to have done a lot towards Christmas already. It is the Cub\u2019s Christmas Party tonight. Shall we have a chat about what is left to do?<\/span>
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

December 18th<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nI made some very simple Christmas cards today using chocolate santas and chocolate coins.
\nBen took a beautiful photo of Pepsi so I made some cards with her face on them.
\nSara came in to do my nails; they are looking very festive!
\nPaul & Ben did the supermarket shop for me, they came home laden with stuff.
\nThe main roads are clear but the side roads and paths are sheet ice.
\nIn the Calendar today;
\nWould you like to make us a fruit punch for this evening? We have some friends coming \u2018round.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

December 19th<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nWe bought the Christmas tree today; it is a Nobel fir this year. It has a kind of blue tinge to it and it smells wonderful.
\nWe also bought a new pot to put the tree in. Last year the boys had so much hassle trying to pack the tree into a bucket with bricks and pieces of wood!
\nThe house is looking very festive with the lovely bowl of nuts, the wire cake stand is full of Satsuma\u2019s, lemons and limes, the white hyacinths perfume is glorious, Christmas lights are twinkling on the twiggy tree, The new cushions look fab! and the Christmas quilt is on the back of the chair, Christmas is happening in our house!
\nIn Ben\u2019s calendar today; <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Could you get some things ready to take to Nanny\u2019s? The presents, things for Floss (the dog) and things for you.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

December 20th<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nThe roads are treacherous here today; even the main road is covered in snow. It is our singing group and Christmas lunch today but after spending 20 minutes in the car on the drive I called in to say I couldn\u2019t make it. I also felt it was foolish to be gathering a group of vulnerable old folks together on a day like today.
\nIt snowed all day; lots of people rang in to say they wouldn\u2019t venture out. The world looks wonderful but the fresh snow has fallen on to ice making the pathways very dangerous. Daytime temperature was -4 today.
\nIn the calendar today;<\/span><\/em>We won\u2019t have any time at home today so I thought you might like the other thing in the pocket!<\/span><\/em> (I wonder what it was? probably edible!)<\/p>\n

December 21st<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nThe main roads have been gritted so Paul drove me into the hospital where I was working today. We only had a few patients turn up and most of the staff managed to get in. The busses and taxis are running and the temperatures are down to -4 again but no snow is forecast.
\nWhile I was waiting for Paul to pick me up I watched a blackbird foraging in the snow and then watched a beautiful Mistle thrush just sitting on a branch taking in the mid day sunshine. I hope to have a picture of the blackbird but the thrush was too far away for my little camera.
\nPaul put the fairy lights around while I was at work, they look so festive.
\nAlan is snowed in at his home in Barry. He lives on a very steep hill and the local authorities have closed his road! He is planning to spend Christmas day with us providing he can get here.
\nIn the Calendar today; We will be late home today but there should be enough time to put some presents under the Christmas tree.<\/span>
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

December 22nd<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nIt is the first time I have driven in days. I went to the office. The road that the office is on has not been cleared so I felt very nervous driving on it but all was well. The temperature has risen slightly; the shed roof has beautiful icicles hanging from it.
\nIt gets dark so early these days, there seems to be hardly any day at all. I completely forgot about the winter solstice 20th\/21st! so the days will at least be getting lighter from now on!<\/p>\n

The Christmas cards keep falling through the letterbox, I haven\u2019t done many of mine! I am so tired by the time I have finished work.
\nI am really looking forward to a few days off work.
\nIn Ben\u2019s calendar today; What a funny day this was. What we need is more time! Here is some for you.<\/span><\/em>
\nI can\u2019t remember what on earth it was. Could he stay up later, maybe I gave him a watch?<\/p>\n

December 23rd<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nPaul & I got lots of prep done today.
\nAll the veggies ready & bagged,
\nTiny Brussel Sprouts, bases cut; done
\nCarrots cut into battons; done
\nParsnips blanched; done,
\nRed cabbage & apple; done
\nCarrot & swede cooked & mashed: done
\nGravy: done
\nBeautiful fat dates filled with white marzipan; done
\nCake, decorated; done
\nChampagne in the fridge; done
\nI\u2019ve been watching too much Gordon Ramsey!
\nIn the calendar today; Lots to do today. We need to get the fish tanks done and delivered, that\u2019s the most urgent thing.<\/span><\/em> <\/em>
\nWe made some gifts for Bens friends that involved some glass jars and glass fishes but I just can\u2019t remember what they were like now.<\/p>\n

December 24th<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nI was at the VW garage at 9.00am this morning getting the docking station fitted in Paul\u2019s car for his Christmas present. Paul had gone into town to M&S to collect our turkey and then later we both went to Waitrose to collect the cooked meat. Ben was working, I really missed him in the kitchen with me. It was a different Christmas Eve this year, very relaxed, which made for a lovely evening. We had cold meats and salad, for tea, a few drinks and a reasonably early night.
\nThe last pocket; We have all been so busy for the last few days I think we will have a lovely rest today, What do you think?<\/span><\/em>
\nWe always put something very special in the pocket for Christmas Eve, but of course I can’t remember what it was this year!!<\/p>\n

December 25th<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nPaul & I were early in bed last night and awake at 5.00am this morning! Paul called me downstairs and by the tree was the most amazing sight! Ben had made a reindeer from a shoe box! a cardboard head, branches for antlers and tied in the middle with a tartan ribbon! We just stood and stared, and looked and stared some more and then began to laugh! This was THE most a-may-zing thing. We did eventually get back to bed and went off to sleep, still laughing until 8.00am.
\nWe had a lovely morning, just the tree of us, Paul cooked breakfast, and we got the potatoes peeled and the turkey in the oven and then opened our presents before Alan arrived at 12.30.
\nThe rest of the day was just great, relaxed and happy. Our champagne cocktail was gorgeous this year. A little Cointreau in the bottom of the champagne flute and topped up with gorgeous Prosecco, really lovely.
\nI was determined to enjoy my lunch this year so had nothing else to eat or drink until we sat down to lunch at 3.00pm
\nLotta called Ben at 4.00pm so he was happy.
\nI received a beautiful purple mohair waterfall cardigan from Ben. Paul bought me a cross-stitch project. He had bought a computer programme into which you load a photo (of Pepsi!) it works out the stitches and the colours to use. He had bought the fabric, hoop and silks. My project for the New Year!
\nBen also gave me i life 11 for my computer, which will arrive in the post very soon.
\nPaul and I bought Ben a lens for his camera.
\nAlan & I agreed not to exchange gifts this year. He bought ephemeral treats, champagne and the wonderful Christmas day sausage rolls, now a tradition!
\nThe rest of the day passed talking, drinking, laughing, a little TV, some music, some sleeping until around 8.00pm when we cooked Alan\u2019s Christmas Sausage Rolls.<\/p>\n

We all wanted to watch The Royal Family Christmas Special, which made us scream with laughter. I thought Alan would be sick, I certainly laughed so much that I had a little laughter incontinence! We all just laughed and laughed and laughed. I am sure we are all now a few years younger.<\/p>\n

Having calmed down from that we had a game of horse racing which was great fun.
\nI won!
\nWe called it a day at 1.00am. “Thank you all for a wonderful day” ringing in our ears as we climbed the stairs x<\/p>\n

December 26th<\/h2>\n

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Boxing Day is such a lovely day almost a Christmas day part two. The house is full of lovely things to eat and drink, there is time to play with the Christmas gifts, time to have a lie in and a non-cooking day. We have a beautiful fish platter (a Christmas treat) and a wonderful sherry trifle in the fridge for today.
\nI have loved putting this advent book together again although this year I found it tough going.
\nI was busy at work, Paul wasn\u2019t<\/em> busy with work but Ben was<\/em> working which was really strange. I also tried to keep up with my blog posts.
\nI have a few days off work now so the plan is to finish this, my Simple Things book and In My Garden book.
\nI would like them all ‘done & dusted’ before 12th night.
\nOn Boxing day, in the evening, Paul & l always talk about ‘Christmas day’ & how it was for both of us.
\nChristmas is always a difficult time for me, I am never really happy and I am always pleased when the day is over. I really hate feeling like this and try so hard to fight it, so in the late evening, when we are alone, I like to talk about all the good things. So for the first time ever I have put some of my thoughts into words. But, as its a first here is a list (my name is Miriam and I make lists) of all the best bits, with no great long explanations or explanations of any sort.
\nThis year we decided to exchange just one gift each. This plan completely failed when it came to my gift\/s.
\nI stuck to the plan with Ben, we bought a gift for Paul
\nI stuck to the plan with Paul, we bought a gift for Ben.
\nThey didn’t stick to the plan and each bought me a gift
\nWe all loved what had been so carefully chosen for each other
\nMy brother Alan came over again & as agreed, only ephemeral gifts were exchanged this year, it was just perfect
\nMy lunch was beautiful
\nAlan’s champagne was chilled and sparkling
\nI talked to all my brothers
\nWe laughed loads
\nIt was perfect
\nI know I am loved.
\nThis has been cathartic. I will write more about it, but not here.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Today, 10th November, I put the dates on the pages. I bought some gorgeous Christmassy green felt Thickers, a 6×6 paper pad and some rub on’s from Basic Grey called Jovial. 1st December 2010 I made Ben’s Advent calendar in … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1523","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/miriamrogers.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1523","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/miriamrogers.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/miriamrogers.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miriamrogers.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miriamrogers.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1523"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/miriamrogers.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1523\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2474,"href":"https:\/\/miriamrogers.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1523\/revisions\/2474"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/miriamrogers.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1523"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}