Advent.....

Today is the first Sunday in Advent, and this evening, I will light the first Advent candle in our wreath. We time this as a family, so that wherever we are in the world, we all light ours at the same time. To me, this is the start of the Christmas season.

In the UK, people do not generally put up their trees or decorate their homes until about a week or two into December, but then we all keep our decorations up till 12th night, so our Christmas season goes on longer. However, I have seen some homes around the village with their lights up, though not on yet. I think by tomorrow, some homes will be lit - at least on the outside!

It has been fairly quiet around here - I have been sewing, and will show you some of the things I have made before I wrap everything. Some of the recipients do read this blog, though, so I will be showing you everything nearer Christmas! They will be too busy to read by then. I do love being creative, and there are so many wonderful things out there in the blogosphere to give new inspiration! And my sewing room clearly demonstrates the fact that I am inspired. I will need to mow the carpet one of these days. We will not mention the state of the kitchen.

Yesterday, I went to Costco with friends who have never been before. And although I expected chaos, it was really quite civilised. And everyone was so polite - both shoppers and staff. The mistake I made was taking a trolley (shopping cart). One then feels the need to fill it up. I have enough toilet rolls to survive a decade or 2.

And then I saw the perfect body pillow - you know, those long bolster like things which should have been invented back in the dark ages, when I was pregnant. I have looked at them in other shops, but they were very expensive, and came without a slip cover, so I resisted temptation. But the one I saw yesterday was perfect. AND it came with a zipped cover. This is just what I need to try to sleep better with the WK (Wretched Knee).

So I slapped that thing in the trolley. And every time I wanted to put things in there, it was like a divine sign. Stop! It unfolded itself and shot up to full height. 5ft. I squished it down and suddenly it would fly up and wave its head about again. It was like wrestling an anaconda. Not to mention the fact that by the time we got to the car with 2 trolleys, we had a slight logistical problem. The car was small and there were 3 of us. So I wound the anaconda over my legs and stayed warm and snug all the way home. And slept very well for the first time in months too.

Right - sorry I have not been commenting much - I am reading when I can and I will be making time to comment in the next few days! One is striking while the "iron" is hot. The muse may depart.

Happy tree-putting-up-and-decorating!