D.I.Y Nativity

As an alternative to a shop bought Nativity with a carefully constructed setting and coordinating figures, I was rather taken with this home made affair which I saw in a Sussex church at the beginning of the year. I rather like the fact the maker has gone off piste with the inclusion of all different types of ornaments to set the scene. I had some of those whimsies made by Wade as a child and although, I don't recall there being any mention of an owl being present, but the Bible doesn't say there wasn't one either!

I had a smashing day with Lovely Grey yesterday, but I need to sort out photos and thoughts before I blog and frankly, I can't remember where I put the jar with my brain in so no chance of that happening today!

Arilx

A Quick Quote

Arilx

A Frosty Reception

I can honestly say that until yesterday, I had never been greeted by a snowman doffing his hat. This rather fabulous automata was built by the amazing volunteers at the local museum. Apologies for the less than fabulous photos....they were taken on my phone.

I shall make the next post a non festive one...I don't want to be suffering from Christmas overload too early in the month!

Arilx

The Stealth Elf

Following on from a recent conversation about buying strings of non fairy lights to keep up in the lounge during the long winter months, Mr GBT and I went mad in the town recently and not only topped up our light supplies, but also invested in some new festive decorations. A fair few have got broken over the years and the tinsel looked decidely threadbare.....never fear the height of our retail extravaganza was to step over the threshold in in Wilkos, but most came via our usual preloved route of the charity shop.

Now this has given us a tidy little pile of new, shiny things. Normally I'm a right old harridan about the whole Christmas decorating malarky....nowt up until Yule except this year we seem to have acquired a stealth elf  here at GBT who is challenging my bah humbug ways by sneaking one decoration up a day. I didn't even notice them appearing for the first couple of days. Mr GBT just smiled at me benignly when I commented on it and continued along his merry little way. They are still popping up and it's become quite an amusing game to try and spot them!!

The pretty glass baubles are one of our recycled thrifty purchases.

Arilx

Where did you get that hat? Where did you get that style?

Huzzah an amazing day of dancing yesterday taking part in the tree dressing event at the Weald and Downland museum. I was able to debut my new mask and we all performed a new dance for the first time. It was so good to get out and jingle my bells in the sunshine after being poorly!

No photos...been there, done that on this 'ere bloglet of mine. What did take my fancy though was this fabulous hat that one of the ladies in Rabble was wearing. It was difficult to get a shot because she was dancing and she soon got too hot and took it off. That's what I love about being part of the Morris world....all its eccentricity in all its glory!

Arilx

Watches

I was in a local jewellers recently [not a place I'm usually found it has to be said] when a young chap wandered in. Cheerily he greeted all the staff and then told them excitedly about the latest watches he'd bought. It was evident from the exchange that they all know him well.

Once he'd gone I asked the lady helping me if he collected watches because I was sure I'd seen him a few months ago in a charity shop asking if they'd had any new ones in. She smiled and said he comes in every morning at the same time to see them all. He buys all his batteries from them and always likes to show them his latest acquisitions. He often gets them a little gift too. She said that they always enjoy his visits, but it can be awkward sometimes because some customers show their disapproval at the brief interruption. I just quietly explained that I recognised the behaviour immediately from my own son as a child with the all consuming hobbies, rigid routines and lack of social awareness. This will never change for this young man, but I am glad that he has found a place where he is treated with kindness and understanding. I've met many people in life who I can't abide [and vice versa], but I guess this reminded me that it doesn't mean that I don't have a choice whether to behave badly towards them or not....a little bit of kindness can go a long way.

Arilx

Baby's First Christmas

Wicked Mother....look what I made the teenogre wear that first Christmas he was on the planet...we cackled gleefully as he wore his Snowman hat and it wobbled away everytime he moved his head. The following year there was to be no tomfoolery at his expense....any type of naff Chrimble gimick/ adornment was removed from about his person swiftly and accompanied by a very stout, no nonsense "no!". Oh well it was fun while it lasted!!
Arilx