The Gentle Art of (Festive) Domesticity...

I feel like that that old advert of Cadbury's Caramel- do you remember?  When the lovely sultry Mrs.Rabbit tells Mr. Beaver to 'slow down and have a Cadbury's Caramel'- not that I am lovely or sultry!  It's just that I am a little perplexed by peoples attitude to the Festive Season.....

Why is everyone running around in such a bad tempered fashion??

I understand that time is a precious commodity but really!We ventured out on Sunday to the 'shops'- something we NEVER do- Sunday is for papers in bed and a roast lunch!  But we had had a problem with our beloved vehicle on the Saturday, so with a courtesy car at our disposal (Thank you!) we went off on Sunday morning....

Feeling 'Merry and Bright'!

What an expereince is all I will say,everyone that I said 'Merry Christmas'to looked rather shocked and hardly anyone said it back - apart from a lovely young lady on a checkout at Sainsburys and one lady in Marks and Spencer's - everyone shopping was so bad tempered!  Why???

Especially when online sites can really help with ensuring that you do not have to venture onto the High Street if you do not wish to....

 Munchkin has NO intention of going anywhere....

We were glad to get home and indulge in a bit of Christmas Spirit! Carols and Mince pies - not gin- though I am partial to a bit of Sloe Gin at this time of year....

I still believe that Christmas is absolutely what you make of it and I still find it the most JOYFUL time of the year and no-one needs to be a slave to 'commercialism'...

  My intention this Yuletide!

I really do....

Do you remember that wonderful quote in Miracle on 34th Street?

'I'm not just a whimsical figure who wears a charming suit and affects a jolly demeanour. You know, I... I... I'm a symbol. I'm a symbol of the human ability to be able to suppress the selfish and hateful tendencies that rule the major part of our lives. If... you can't believe, if you can't accept anything on faith, then you're doomed for a life dominated by doubt.'

I first heard that years ago and it always stuck with me...

 Another saying I have always loved on this tin that I treasure ....

Once home I decided to get Festive and make some cards....

Mincemeat and  Mincepies...

I adapted the mincemeat from a  recipe by Mrs.Beeton that has no suet in it and NO sugar - just honey - it was DELICIOUS!!

And I put some vanilla essence into the pastry mix too.....mmmm.

After all that activity there was only really one thing to do....

 

 Sit back and have a Cadburys Caramel- I mean a cuppa and a cinnamon rock bun...

We are off to Totnes Late Night Christmas Market tonight which is usually FULL of Festive Cheer!

 Heres wishing you all a Festive Holiday with lots of Love and Laughter

and 

Have Yourself 

a 

MERRY AND MAGICAL

time...

Warmest Wishes,

Callie- Noelle