General Chat

Good morning :-)

Christmas facts and fun...............

The humble mince pie.

The Victorian mince-pie recipe (1861) from Mrs Beeton calls for minced beef to be added to the mincemeat, which was a common ingredient in Mince Pies before the 1900s. During the Medieval and Tudor period the favourite meat used in mince pies was lamb and veal; by the 1700’s it became tongue, or sometimes tripe, while in the nineteenth century minced beef became the norm; it was only towards the end of the Victorian period, and into the 20th Century, that mincemeat for mince pies became meat free and an all fruit filling, (with only the suet remaining).

According to tradition, it is good luck to eat a mince pie on each of the 12 days of Christmas. However, it is still technically illegal in England to eat mince pies on Christmas Day. In the 17th century, Oliver Cromwell banned Christmas pudding, mince pies and anything to do with gluttony. The law has never been officially rescinded. :-D

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Oh my word Tabitha, that's quite a tale you have told. I thought it was hard enough having a decorator in just before Christmas - but I think it was easier than what you have been through. At least you have settled down again and have a happy hubby and less stressed cat! Enjoy the warmth. :-D :-D


A miscellany of Christmas facts and fun......

Whilst we can trace the origins of Santa Claus back to St. Nicholas, we usually picture him as a round, jolly, bearded man dressed in a big red suit, but he hasn’t always looked like this. The original Santa Claus was thin and spooky, dressed in Norse huntsman’s animal skin. In 1881, an illustration by the Civil War cartoonist Thomas Nast, helped to create the modern image which he continued to alter over 30 years.
It wasn’t until the 1920s when the Coca-Cola Company began Christmas advertising and featured the iconic image of the Santa Claus we know and love today.

Cx :-)

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and is keeping safe and well..

Sorry I've been missing out on all the Advent fun, the house has been upside down, our 29 year old back boiler decided it was time to meet its maker and gave in and died. Luckily we were blessed with warmer weather for the time of year and didn't miss the heating, but the lack of hot water was a bit of a shock when washing hair. The assessor came on Friday 17th decided our only large walk in cupboard in the house was the best/only place to put it and said he would book us in for the first week in January and then told us it would cost 5 thousand pounds and left. Two hours later we had a call from British Gas could they come and fit it on Tuesday 21st as there was a cancellation. So we spent the weekend clearing the cupboard and filling up the shed. We also went on Amazon as needed a fire for the lounge as the gas fire went with the back boiler. That was due to arrive on Thursday..

They arrived at 7am on Tuesday morning, decided the cupboard was fine but needed the bathroom and kitchen cleared out and all the small cupboards to run the pipes that way instead.

I stayed upstairs all day with the old cat as he was very stressed with all the noise and people up and down the stairs and in the attic. It was the only warm room in the house as all the downstairs doors were open all day. Hubby and i spent the evening huddled round a convector heater with the cat on our lap. 8pm knock on the door and our new fire and surround arrived in two very large boxes. We couldn't sleep so at 2am we got up and put some of the cupboards back in order .and then decided to assemble the fire surround and attach the fire. By the time they arrived at 7am on Wednesday we had the lounge and kitchen straight again and a new fire place, mantle piece and fire all set up.

Cat decided he couldn't stand another day shut in a room and went behind the sofa and hid inside it. We didn't see him again till 3pm, we kept the lounge door shut as we didn't want him to try and get out as his eyesight is very bad and if he took fright he would get hurt and lost.

The workmen started to pack up at 11am and by noon they were off after explaining how the new system worked - we had been dragged into the 21st century with computer controlled heating and water. After 30 years of just switching on a plug to get hot water and heating when we wanted it and no timers or thermostats its a bit of a shock to the system.

We now have an eco combi boiler all computer controlled by a hive and a mantelpiece and electric log effect fire run by remote control (hubby loves it).
I have lost a large cupboard and have spent the last few days trying to find somewhere to put everything - so far its all in the shed and i need to find alternative places for things. Last night was the first night i had a full sleep in over 2 weeks.

I feel very blessed the weather stayed mild and we had the redundancy money to pay for the boiler when we needed it. I really believe next year i will find the path i should be taking and a new door will open for us and i will find a job or what I'm suppose to do or where I'm suppose to be. Its all still a bit of a mystery but I'm sure it will become clearer.

Well its been a very strange old year and i hope 2022 will be a lot better.

I wish everyone a wonderful New Year and a happy and healthy 2022 and hope everyone has a better year. ;-) <3 <3 <3 <3

Take care everyone keep safe and well and enjoy yourselves with your family and friends.

Good morning :-)

A miscellany of Christmas facts and fun.

A relaxing miscellany of Christmas facts and fun

The story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer began in 1939 with a Jewish Chicago copywriter named Robert May. May worked in the ad department of a large department store chain. Every year, they purchased and gave away free Christmas colouring books, but they decided that year to create their own. They gave the task of writing it to May with the instructions: make it about an animal.

However, Robert May’s story would take a tragic turn.

The same year, May’s wife contracted cancer, and when she died a few months later, he was left to raise their young daughter Barbara alone. Remembering his daughter’s love for the deer at the Lincoln Park Zoo, May invented for the subject of his book a little reindeer with a shiny nose. He thought this creature might become a symbol for himself and Barbara that happier times lay ahead.

He was right.

When Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer came out at Christmas 1939, it was an instant hit and the rest is history..


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



Hopefully, many of us have had a happy Christmas free from major anxiety. However, there will be those who are troubled by doubts and uncertainties of various kinds.

God of joy
Remind me to rejoice
Wrapped up in my Christmas gifts
Tied down in my debts
I have forgotten.

God of peace,
Remind me of your calm
In my anxiety
And in my haste
I have forgotten.

God of all
Remind me
Of the true light of Christmas
Of your gift shared
In my own wants
And in my own needs
I have forgotten.

Wrapped up in my little world
Remind me of your world
God of joy, remind me
To rejoice
Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

I hope everyone found some happiness in yesterday's celebrations - Christmas can be a difficult time of year for many people. <3


Today is Boxing Day and also St. Stephen's Day.

Gracious Father
who gave the first martyr, Stephen
grace to pray for those who took up stones against him:
grant that in all our sufferings for the truth
we may learn to love even our enemies
and to seek forgiveness for those who desire our hurt,
looking up to heaven to him who was crucified for us,
Jesus Christ our mediator and advocate. Amen

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



Luke 2. 11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Wishing you all a very Happy and Blessed Christmas. <3


Cx :-)

Have a lovely time with your family kandj. We are going to our daughter early in the morning and coming back Sunday evening. I too feel very blessed in my lovely family.

As I am unlikely to come on in the morning, can I now wish all who look in on this thread a happy, peaceful and healthy Christmas.

Good morning :-)

Oh dear - you're right Vera - I'm ahead of myself. I've had the house decorated (which I don't recommend just before Christmas). :-D

Hopefully, you can now see all of the calendar. So glad you have enjoyed it.

I wish you all a very Happy and Blessed Christmas. So pleased for kandj. <3

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=eebe0099abcea19ea6173358b3470a1b

Cx :-)

Hello all

Well done Vera for "spot the deliberate mistake."

I'm also loving the beautiful Advent Calendar. Much appreciated and many thanks Cynthia.

Daughter picking me up tomorrow and I'll spend a few days with our family in Durham. I am blessed.

A Happy and Peaceful Christmas to everyone X

You’re ahead of yourself Cynthia - it’s only day 23. You’re always so busy I expect you met yourself coming back :-D

I think this year you have produced the best Advent Calendar yet. Thank you.

Good morning :-)

Day 24 of our Advent calendar <3


https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=eebe0099abcea19ea6173358b3470a1b

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Day 22 of our Advent calendar <3


https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=eebe0099abcea19ea6173358b3470a1b

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Day 21 of our Advent calendar <3


https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=eebe0099abcea19ea6173358b3470a1b

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Day 20 of our Advent calendar <3

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=eebe0099abcea19ea6173358b3470a1b

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Thanks Gwyn......still rushing about!! sigh.

Today is the 4th Sunday in Advent.

Day 19 of our Advent calendar. <3

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=eebe0099abcea19ea6173358b3470a1b

Cx :-)

Good to hear that the decorating has been completed in good time for Christmas.

I hope you enjoyed your afternoon tea.


I noticed this 'alternative' school Nativity play on a news site.......

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-cumbria-59685066

Good morning :-)

Decorating finished after 2 weeks! Looks good. Now an afternoon tea later so had better get on. :-D

Day 18 of our Advent calendar <3

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=eebe0099abcea19ea6173358b3470a1b


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Oh my word, I missed a day.....so sorry! I am being re-decorated and am all over the place! You should be able to open two doors today though <3


Days 16 and 17 of our Advent calendar..... <3

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=eebe0099abcea19ea6173358b3470a1b

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Day 15 of our Advent calendar <3

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=eebe0099abcea19ea6173358b3470a1b

Cx :-)