posted by Lily on Uncategorized

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A wee bit of mass production at the sewing machine always makes me nervous that Christmas is indeed around the corner.

There’s even a twinkling candle – albeit, a Mortein one.  Surprisingly effective at keeping away the biting hordes that are besotted with my elbows and ankles.  And I’m singing along to the Christmas cds – Hope sent a beauty, and there’s also Emmylou Harris waiting her turn – the title track, Light of the Stable is heart-lifting. Raffi – how can you resist the fun of Up on the House top! Meryl Streep reading the Night Before Christmas – after eight years of listening to her gorgeous voice, when Abigail or I read this poem, we find ourselves reproducing her intonation and pauses and exclamations- quite funny! The Philadelphia Brass – like having a glorious Salvation Army band in the back garden – you can just picture Scrooge hunching along the streets of London, swiping at the passerbys with their Christmas bundles and smiles.  And our absolute favourite, Derek Jacobi reading J.R.R. Tolkien’s Letters from Father Christmas

This last one is utterly divine – what a man!  If you buy a Christmas cd and book this year – buy this one.  The letters are so full of love and adventure and whimsy – and in the times of hardship (Depression and World War 2) have kindly but pointed reminders of how so many people are suffering and having to struggle with so little and how important it is to thus take less and share what we do have.  Honestly, there are parts where no matter how fiddly the sewing, my eyes just well up with tears, and I have to stop and notice.  As for the book – the illustrations are magic and have inspired years of letters from Abigail to Father Christmas – and vice versa!  I listen to it almost every day – even without Abigail!

Of course the best way to tackle a Monday deadline is early on a Sunday morning in your nightdress.  That way, after what seems like only an hour or so of inefficient stitching, you can look up at the clock and think “omg!  It’s a quarter after  12 and I’m still in my nightdress and hot and sticky and breakfast is still all over the bench and the beds aren’t made!  Aaaargh!!!”

Finally, by dark, everything is ready for packing and there’s a lovely sense of busyness and satisfaction. The three overseas parcels must leave tomorrow morning with Aunty Annie who’s traveling to Vancouver and has kindly offered to post them from there for me – 1/4 of the price – a Christmas bargain!  In return, I have to be up at six to drive to Cleveland and pick her up and take her to the airport – small price to pay and besides, she’s so gorgeous I would do it anyway.

I could definitely get into the custom of making up bundles of Christmas sweetness – I’m even thinking I’ll extend today’s production – will need extra fabric of course – to include those nearer who will need Christmas pillowcases, table decorations, tree decorations etc …  

Actually, we should give these presents early in the month – what’s that date they do it somewhere overseas – December 5th or 6th? – in Holland? – when Sinterklaas and Black Peter hop through the windows?  That should be our “Christmas” Christmas present giving day so that the presents may be put to good use before being bundled away for next year.

Of course, there’s always a hitch or two along the way.  Last night’s involved bundles of gift tags, cut and decorated, their ribbons ready, and Abigail’s lost  her hole punch – the only hole punch in the house.  Hmph!  Desperate measures were called for so out came a darning needle – it made the prelimary hole – and then …. what could I use ….. aha!  the meat thermometer – perfect!  It is clean, I promise. :-)

Done – boy that feels good!