Very Best Wishes to All My Blogging Chums.

The Madonna of the Magnificant by Botticelli 

I'm here to wish all of my blogging chums a very merry Christmas and a happy new year in 2026. 

But I have to say in this particular countdown to the season I have felt bombarded by the hustle culture, you know the one that tries to get us to over consume and buy huge amounts of rubbish we don't need and certainly should not be gifting to our friends and family. 

One of the worst offenders is Gobal Player !! I normally enjoy listening to Classic FM, but for weeks now anyone tuning in has had their musical enjoyment poisoned by an aggressive campaign to sell tickets to enter a 'competition' to win increasing amounts of money. Literally every 20/30 minutes the presenters have been banging on about it. I tried to change to a couple of my other favourite stations but they too are under the Global Player umbrella, and so the 'message' was the same. The whole thing really saddens me. It feels like their overriding message for this season of goodwill is GREED.

Anyway, this for my blogging chum Cranky Crow, a bookmark of someone she will recognise.

And a message for the universe.

 

New Light From Old

 

I have been making some candles with my son. Well to be more accurate I have been emptying out the old left over wax from various vessels and combining it with some very pretty soft rose broken candles and a little bit of beeswax, and a few drops of essential oils. I am very pleased with the results.

In the past I have bought a number of expensive candles because they are in pretty/interesting containers, like the two above. The one on the left I believe is Victorian glass and the one on the right is a hand made studio pot.

The original candle in the glass vessel was lovely but didn't burn well and loads of wax was left stuck around the inside. As you can see from the photos I put all the old wax in my trusty thrifted aluminum bain marie and heated slowly. The new wicks are ethically sourced and have no nasties in them.

Once I have used these up I will be buying quality wax to make new ones.

I shall be making all my own candles in future as the process is so simple and I know that I'm not burning anything that may be giving off toxic fumes.

My Guru, Love & Peace On Earth

 

Oh my.

Mistletoe & Lurgy

 Greetings lovely blogging chums. I have succumbed to the dreaded December lurgy. Which of course is beyond irritating. It has been with me for a few days but I'm hoping it may not take hold fully and I can simply brush it off ere long. Regular doses of Echinacea will help me in my quest.

Like everyone I have a few things lined up in the run up to Christmas including meeting up with friends I haven't seen in a while. Fingers crossed I manage to chase off the pesky germs.

I may have mentioned that I haven't gone overboard in my house decorating this season. I find year on I want less fuss about the house. But this year I feel as though my house is calling out for a very large bunch of Mistletoe.

I will try to secure said bunch today. I realise it is not widely available and supplies are limited but I can't abide plastic and faux versions, they are completely pointless in my view.

This morning I stumbled upon a little film, via Imogen Ashwin of Bracken and Wrack, about the wonderful tradition at York Minster where they bless a large bunch of Mistletoe and hang it up at the altar there. Of course they present it as a Christian practice, but we all know don't we? And anyway I really love the Very Revd Keith Jones talking about fellowship and home.

I also found on Youtube a roaring fire from the library at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, 6 hours of it! I loaded it up on my television last night and I thought it added a certain something. I do have a log burner but I thought it would be a great thing to have on in the background if you're hosting this season and  you don't have a real fire. A little bit of fun anyway.

Tis The Season

 

A few things that have made my heart skip a Christmas beat. My hand made organic wreath created at a local Hospice fundraiser, not as perfect as others that were made but I'm happy enough to hang it on my door. After all, it is what it symbolises that is important. Please note my recycled Chatsworth ribbon from last year, makes it look a bit posher :). And my beautiful new Emma Bridgewater mug, the first day of Christmas. I have a number of her mugs, I love them and like the fact every purchase from her supports an old  British industry and local folk.

What are you especially enjoying in the run up to the big day?