On the First Day of December ...

We're reading Stephen Cotterell's Do Nothing Christmas is Coming, described as an Advent calendar with a difference.

Every day we're offered a thought on one page and a list of practical suggestions on the other - the perfect balance between theology and real life.

Today we're invited to compile a Christmas wish list - 'not things you want to consume or purchase, but things to believe in, things to hope for'.

There are three items on my list:

• Take time to enjoy each other's company
  My elder daughter's coming home for a fortnight.  It'll be the first time we're all together since the summer and I'd like us to create a bank of happy memories to draw on until we meet again at Easter.
• Get out and about as much as possible.
  When it's cold and wet the temptation is to stay indoors and watch too much telly.  We could always switch it off and play a game or work on our traditional Christmas jigsaw, and I hope we'll find time for both.  But I'd like us to try and get out of the house at least once a day - for a tramp through Leigh Woods, a stroll around the harbourside, a visit to a museum or an art gallery, an outdoor event ...
• Concentrate on what really matters
  I've become increasingly overwhelmed by the pressure to deliver the perfect Christmas experience - the most sustainable sourced turkey, the most artistically decorated tree, the most politically correct cards,  the most appropriate gifts, the most tasteful wrapping, the happiest family...  The media bombards us with visions to aspire to.  I often feel as if I've already failed before I even begin.  I've got to keep reminding myself that none of this really matters.  So I'm holding on to the baby, but some of the bathwater is going to have to go!

That's my list.  What's on yours?

PS  Sorry about the quality of the photo.  I've tried and failed to achieve a higher resolution.  Hey ho!

What I did this Weekend

University applications require extensive travels.  When my elder daughter was looking for a place we headed north to Durham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews and Aberdeen.  With her younger sister we've been concentrating on the south, from Falmouth to Brighton via Cardiff, Plymouth and Winchester.  However this weekend we ventured a bit further afield - to Norwich.

Here are a few random photos of our visit:

Urban art

Full English at Chez Dennis

They say Norwich has a church for every week of the year ...

 ... and a pub for every day!

Monuments to God ...

... and mammon!

The open air market

Autumn Fare

We couldn't resist these hot sugary churros at the Tobacco Factory Market this morning.

Saturday Night Out

Eastpole Orchestra at The Old Bookshop

Their next performance is on 14 December at The Grain Barge

Don't miss it!

Half Term Projects - Update

I'm afraid I didn't manage to get through my list.  I made chutney, bread and Christmas cake, finished the bunting and met up with some former workmates.  I discovered another trader who accepts Bristol pounds (The Folk House on Park Street) but only after I'd paid in sterling.  Still, I'll be better prepared next time.  I started my book but didn't got very far.

As for the rest (and the back bedroom in particular!) .....

However, as in the summer, I did other things - delivered leaflets and processed data for George Ferguson's campaign, went out to lunch, had friends round for dinner, attended a WI wine tasting evening and a mayoral election hustings, and finished off two more knitting projects.  Not as much as I would have liked, but just about enough.

Vote for the Man in the Red Trousers!