A Comfort

The Christmas season is a joyous one.  No matter whether you actually celebrate the religious side of it or not, the holiday time is a magical one for all.

We all realise that Christmas is made for children!  What with all the excitement of anticipated presents, the glow of the tree lights, the decorations and all the treats, such wonders.  There is also a little bit of the child in each and every one of us.

Christmas invokes childhood memories for all of us, hopefully, mostly good.  Certainly, for me the smell of pine takes me back to when I was a little girl.  My mother loved to decorate the house inside with freshly cut pine branches decorated with huge bright red ribbons.  Our tree had gold decorations since my father liked it simple for better effect.  Sort of ‘more is less’ idea.  However, one thing always sticks in my memory and that was the ‘real’ candles we had hanging in our live Christmas tree on special holders that had cone shaped weights to hold them up straight.  Can you imagine?  Real candles to light up your Christmas tree?!!!!  It did give that magical feel though since we always celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve.  The warm glow of the candles in the tree (no we never had any accidents!), the tall red candles that were lit and stood proudly in their holders on the table amongst the best china and linen.  The pretty shadows darting across the presents at the base of the tree with the anticipated eagerness to unwrap them whilst listening to old fashioned Christmas carols.  The light dancing through the glasses of red wine or, as in my case, red wine tinted with plenty of water to create a beautiful rose glow! Those are my warm memories, I was so lucky.

I know that the memories for all of us a so different; as different as we all are and that is what helps make them so unique.  Events happen and at the time we cringe, weep, sit in anguish, laugh or smile.  However, later we look back, when the time will have mellowed those same events and we can remember them with less grief, with pleasure, with a glow.  This is truly the time to reflect.  A time to think about the good things that are still with us for there will always be somebody worse off than ourselves.  It can be hard to realise at the time but, truly, there is.

Lately several of our team have had bad news, endured sadness, pain and misfortune.  Just remember, you will get through it.  There are those who will want to try to reach out to help, give comfort, gently stroke the forehead to help make it better – let them.  We all need each other for the support we can give to get us through our situations.  Soon there will be a time to look up and smile; see the wonder that is before us and shine once again.

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Psalm 91:4

It was not my intention when I started to think about writing my post for this blog to become so reflective.  Indeed, I am not particularly religious!However, since we are a close group even though we are scattered across many far miles, we have so much in common with each other – that of empathy along with the wonderful support we give each other in times of plenty, times of grief and just, in times.

I thank you all for the comfort you have brought me and in turn I hope I will be able to return the favour.  So, now I leave you with a few ‘comfort’ items from our wonderfully talented team.  You are the BBEST!

O Tannenbaum Holiday Gift Tags by MisterPenQuin – these would be so pretty on your gifts under the tree!

Christmas Tree Suncatcher by Clinging Images - this Christmas Tree will make a great decoration piece for your home.

Christmas Card Art Quilt Print by Pocket Comfort – a piece of nostalgia for Christmas, embellished with love.

 Winter Snowman original by The Creator’s Palette - set in a quiet snow covered landscape, a lonely snowman invites anyone to "Come and Play".

Nativity Note Card by P F D Original Artworks - Unto us a child is born... This is what it is all about and so often lost in the festivities. A reminder of Christ's birth this season.

Nativity Scene by Jill’s Treasure Chest - This wooden Nativity Scene is perfect for someone who wants to display the Nativity, but doesn't want small pieces lying around for children or pets to play with.

Sweet Angels Pendant by Artsy Clay -

"Angels around us, angels beside us, angels within us. Angels are watching over you when times are good or stressed. Their wings wrap gently around you, whispering you are loved and blessed."
- Angel Blessing

Twelfth Night.... or, What You Will

Tomorrow being 6 January will be twelfth night by which time, the story has it, all Christmas decorations should be taken down otherwise bad luck will befall you!

I included the title What You Will since this was the alternative title given to this classic William Shakespeare play.  Like many of his plays this one centres around mistaken identity.  I remember one of the characters, a pompous steward named Malvolio.  This was only because when I was at school I played this character and loved wearing the outlandishly brightly coloured knee high socks.  Malvolio thought they were very fetching! 

However, the play has also garnered much critical attention for its nuanced and sometimes elusive treatment of issues of gender, ambition, and love.  There was a lot of cross dressing but we move on swiftly!

Going back to the start of this post I do mention that in UK it is the latest date by which you are supposed to take down the tree and remove any Christmas decorations.  We did this over the weekend and it is lovely to get the house back to normal.

Another description of Twelfth Night is Epiphany Eve which some areas of Christianity celebrate the conclusion of the twelve days of Christmas.  In some countries the Epiphany or Adoration of the Magi is marked by the exchange of gifts the this night takes on the same relevance as Christmas Eve.  In modern times food and drink are consumed heartily (when are they not?) with traditions going way back.  For instance in UK a punch called the Wassail was consumed particularly on this date as well as throughout the Christmas period.  Indeed some catholic countries this time marks the start of the carnival season which lasts right through to Mardis Gras Day!

Searching through the BBEST team for items to cheer us up I came across this beautiful suncatcher from Diana's Stained Glass

Peace Dove Ornament-Suncatcher

A reminder in some of our troubled times when the peace dove can be welcomed into our homes.

 

Do you have 'thank you' notes to send?  Why not take a look at these lovely ones...

Thank you Notecards - A play on patterns in blue and tan, set of 4

by Green Willow

 

 

I could not ignore this listing, could I?  The butterfly is one of my favourites so I just had to include it!
 

Yellow Butterfly Ornament

by Talking Dog

 

 

 

And so, my friends, in my first post of 2009 to our team blog I have covered a wee bit of history, legend, drama along with some offerings to show off our very talented team!  May 2009 be kind to us all!!!!

Yes I know it is 3 November but in UK we celebrate Guy Fawkes/Bonfire Night on 5 November

Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot...

The picture is of the 'Gunpowder Plot' conspirators

Guy Fawkes & the Gunpowder Plot ....
The words of "Remember Remember" refer to Guy Fawkes with origins in 17th century English history. On the 5 November 1605 Guy Fawkes was caught in the cellars of the Houses of Parliament with several dozen barrels of gunpowder. Guy Fawkes was subsequently tried as a traitor with his co-conspirators for plotting against the government. He was tried by Judge Popham who came to London from his country manor. Fawkes was sentenced to death and the form of the execution was one of the most horrendous ever practiced (hung ,drawn and quartered) which reflected the serious nature of the crime of treason.

The Tradition begins...
The following year in 1606 it became an annual custom for the King and Parliament to commission a sermon to commemorate the event. A genteman by the name of Lancelot Andrewes delivered the first of many Gunpowder Plot Sermons. This practice, together with the nursery rhyme, ensured that this crime would never be forgotten! Hence the words " Remember , remember the 5th of November" The poem is sometimes referred to as 'Please to remember the fifth of November'. It serves as a warning to each new generation that treason will never be forgotten. In England the 5th of November is still commemorated each year with fireworks and bonfires culminating with the burning of effigies of Guy Fawkes (the guy). The 'guys' are made by children by filling old clothes with crumpled newspapers to look like a man. Tradition allows British children to display their 'guys' to passers-by and asking for " A penny for the guy".

******

In the evening as we all gather around the bonfire having placed the 'guy' on the top, favourite foods are on offer such as burgers, hot dogs, jacket potatoes, baked beans. Often the night will be cold so soup would be a very welcome warmer! Or, later partake of some hot chili, bangers and mash, whilst taking off your winter coats indoors. Children might enjoy toasted marsh mallows or toffee apples. As for a drink, a hot punch or mulled wine for the adults and punch made of hot apple juice for the children would be very welcome!

Smaller children might hold sparklers whilst fireworks would be organised by adults for a showing at the end of the evening's entertainment.

Here are some ideas from some of my BBEST friends to remind us of autumn and impending winter as we huddle around the bonfire to keep warm.

Aceo Original Painting Carmel Apple Autumn Treat Quest by

Backroomtreasures

As the moon rises in the sky you might well encounter a scene such as this collage by

Vanfleetstreetdesign

Take a Hike....(Original Collage)

As we stand around, the wind is starting to whip around us; even a few snow flurries could be forecast!

As shown in

Art Quilt Autumn Flurries by

Artmixter

When the festivities are over and the little ones have left to go to their homes and so to bed all that remains is for the adults to round off the evening with a nice mellow glass of wine using these beautifully hand painted ......

Autumn Leaves Wine Glasses by

Glitz n Glass

And so the dying embers from the huge bonfires around the country smoke and splutter their last sounds before collapsing into the scorched soil underneath; next year it all starts again as the children make their 'guys' and look forward to bonfire night!