Fun in the Christmas snow

Day One of the family get-together, on the first of Pop's treasure hunts.

Holly Berries for Christmas?

Not a chance!
You see, we have 'visitors' at this time of the year.


Hungry Ones.




Redwings.

Snow Country

Funny, after years thinking we would be lucky to see snow any time during the year, we are suddenly immersed, and (almost) getting a bit fed up with the stuff. Particularly if it stops our nearest and dearest from making it to see us at Christmas. But there are good things about being well away from the smoke at this time of year.
Our house is at the centre of this shot, taken from a distance. You see we are well embedded in the countryside, although it's only in winter that we can see the extent of it from the house as foliage covers the views.

Braved the minus -13C for a circular walk today. This footpath has us in it's view, just up and right a bit from the footpath sign. This field normally has alpacas in, but they were not in evidence today.

Forgot to say this is HoF having a blog entry. Above is picture of the compleat herself, plus umpteen layers of winter padding.

More snow

Lovely snow, this time like icing sugar, and not very cold either, comparatively. I managed to get HoF out of doors for a half-loop walk after I'd been to the butchers to stock up on beefburgers for next week. He does need prising away from the computer and assorted jobs. We had breakfast in bed too, before dawn, which isn't hard as dawn's so late right now.


Yesterday I made some mince pies and then over-cooked them while I was on Facebook. So I'll have to eat them, won't I, and make some more. Nice problem. According to reports from Miss P who is trying to take a friend to Heathrow, there is plenty of snow down south, so I'm hoping the African grandchildren are getting their fix. Everywhere is so beautiful in the snow but looks rather disgustingly dirty in a thaw. I would like the family to see it looking so wonderful but don't want the snow to prevent their arrival. A local carol service was cancelled today and I'm waiting to see if the Santa Run with Carols on the Green will be too. May not go to that. There are paper chains to make, and a crossword to do...

Arrivals

Last Friday morning early we (grandparents four) went to Heathrow to meet the African family. Entire winter outer togs were taken along too, so that the new arrivals could cope with the shocking British temperature.

Snow

We have had snow for a while, but last night a fresh two inches arrived and I managed to get these shots.


Am absolutely shattered after several hours at the church fund-raising Snowman Day. I was on my feet serving soup and washing-up, without insoles in my shoes, because I was wearing furry boots plus tights plus socks for warmth. So my 'bad' foot is really sore. HoF has kindly gone to finish my stint of the clearing up. I just can't work out how come I'm so feeble. The woman in charge of the soup department, older than me, is going on to a dance tonight whilst I am dreaming of a hot bath and an early night. Last night, after a busy day sorting deliveries for the village mag and baking for today, we took advantage of our 'facilities' to watch a video from bed. Saw 'The Horse Whisperer', good film though rather long drawn out. Can't see what other women see in Robert Redford though, why he should be classed a heartthrob. Not a patch on Gregory Peck!
It's thawing now but we hope the snow will hang on till Friday.

Girls night

On Tuesday evening I had a Girls' Night. Yes I know I'm not a girl any longer, but it cheers us up to call it that, and I could hardly call it Old Ladies' Night.
I made four desserts plus cheese and biscuits and invited a bunch of friends over. Three couldn't make it, either due to cold, snow or tiredness, so we were down to six. As a consequence HoF and I are still eating the leftovers. After the eats and a good natter, we watched 'Enchanted April' one of my favourite films, and a birthday present. The evening was voted a great success, although the sugar rush woke us two up at 4am for a cuppa.
Let's do it again, they said.