Merry Christmas - Joyeux Noël!!!

Merry Christmas 2005!
I hope all your Christmases were as eventful in your homes as it was in the Vicarage. Our Christiann" Christmas was filled with church. The three services at Little Tew, Great Tew, and Over Worton were allbeautifull in their own right. I think we had about 30 kids at the Great Tew service! (A lot of communion helpers). There were drinks afterwards in OverWortonn, then home. A well deserved snooze was taken after the Christmas-Morning-Wife-Saver (prepared by Mummy). In the evening we dined on tortière and watched Dr. Who. Today, however, I was a kid again. Upon hearing Jingle Bells played on the piano by Daddy, I, followed by both my mother and Martha (house guest) went bumping down the stairs. A time honoureded tradition. We opened stockings, and gifts as we always have done; savouring the moment. We've had tea with Karl and Hugh of Little Tew, and now I sit here smelling gorgeousness coming from the kitchen, as well Christmas in Elora. Daddy's basting the turkey in home brewed cider made with vicarage apples.
So to all whom I can't see over the holidays, I send all my love. I got a new digi cam from Mum and Dad, so I can now put up my own photos...coming soon!
With Love
xoxox

Christmas Time is Nearly Here!

I survived my first term at University. I handed in two essays, one lab report, and did an in class exam for biology. It was a lot of work, but thankfully our little network of friends we have here, was working hard, but always will to help or listen to your stories of how your brain is leaking out your ear!
The main thing I kept my eyes on as I tried to motivate myself through the work, was the though of my house decorated for Christmas. I come from a land of snow, and so it's what's comfortable to me. I am a snow baby. Unfortunately this country's answer to snow is rain ... but decorations are one thing that are always the same: The tree ( a really one!), decorated with decoration you made as a kid (messy globs of glue, glitter, and pom-poms), and the smell of the spruce or pine needles when you turn the lights on; the nativity scene, of which we have a beautiful one. The little diorama, representing why we celebrate the season at all; Christmas cards adorning mantel pieces, strings and filling baskets. Every year, even if you haven't written them all year round, you always have an excuse to write to people at Christmas. The candles burning, the carols and hymns that are sung, then there's the small of all the wonderful things being baked cooked, and prepared.
Christmas can be stressful, what with all there is to do in such a short period of time. To get around this, in our house we celebrate two days of Christmas... one Christian (the 25th, we go to church, have a family meal and relax), and one pagan (the 26th, we open gifts, have out traditional breakfast, and finally the turkey dinner). It works for us.
As term time came to an end, and I couldn't see the light at the end of any tunnel, I kept in mind the piece and calm of my living room, fully decorated, light off, tree lights on, carols playing, and a fire in the fireplace....
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, surrounded by friends, family and loved ones.
Take care!
xox

The Carol Service

I totally forgot about the bets laying whether or not I'd sing in the Carol Service! Well, all was well. Miraculously, my throat was better by the time Saturday rolled around, and my head wasn't swimming. Divine intervention??? Could be. The service on a whole was great. Ed filmed as much as the battery would allow, but this I have yet to see. The choir sounded great, and the kids were magnificent! It was a great night, and of course the mulled wine and minced pies were well appreciated. I am now in the midst of working on my last essay before Christmas break. I handed in my lab report, and I'm done one of my essays, but I still have another. When all is done...I am going to sigh a great sigh of relieve, then sleep for a day! XOX

4 Days left!!!

Hey Y'all, I have four days of school left...who'd a thunk that Christmas is next weekend! I just finished my lab report, but I still have 1 and half essay to write....no worries. Yesterday, Ed and I went to my Volleyball social dinner at Pizza Express in town. Good Pizza! I'm still munching my way through my chocolately secret Santa gift. I'm still awaiting snow, but I've now put some paper snow flakes on my window. I haven't made those in years! Must go and attempt to make a Webpage...it's for a course...I wouldn't torture myself out of my own free will! Hope y'all are well! xoxox

Having the Flu Sucks!!!

Imagine the most inconvenient time when your throat could get sore...(singing a solo for example)...Because this is the predicament I find myself in. Since Monday, the most I've accomplished during the days is getting to make more HMS, or more squash. Not very earth shattering stuff. I'm supposed to sing the "Once in Royal David City" solo on Saturday...Bets are laying whether or not I make it! GGGggggrrrrrr...
I feel I can relate to poor April in this FBoFW strip...Most appropriate.