I'm typing this after 3 glasses of mulled wine and I wouldn't usually blog after drinking alcohol because I would very likely type something I shouldn't or something that I would regret. However, today, in fact, this weekend, has been so wonderful that I'm going to go ahead anyway.
Yesterday, as has become a family tradition, the vast majority of my family travelled from all over the place to converge on my sister's house and had a pre Christmas meet up. We don't get together as often as we should do really. We all have commitments and busy lives but it is always great when everyone makes the effort once a year to catch up and exchange cards and gifts - and to stand incredulously looking at the growing number of children that there are and how much they have all grown since the last catch up!
My sister and her husband are always generous and welcoming hosts and make all of us feel so welcome and I know that we all really appreciate the fact that they open up their home to an increasing number of us year after year.
In the morning I had been to an antenatal class with my daughter and her husband which I really enjoyed and which I think they both found informative and reassuring and then, once the class had finished, we drove the short distance to my sister's house and stayed there for a few hours before driving home again.
I love seeing my family and seeing all of us together makes me feel really happy and proud that we all get on and that we all care about each other. I know that our Mum and Dad would be proud of us too.
Once home, it was soon time for Strictly and the semi finals. Saturday nights don't get much better TV wise as far as I'm concerned and I loved every minute of it. I also cheat and find out who loses the dance off and leaves the competition on the Saturday night by going to a spoiler site! I don't know why the BBC insist on making us wait 24 hours before the results are announced and I'm too impatient to wait. Once the result was through I went off to bed and prepared for today.
Today has been fabulous ! First of all I went off with my youngest daughter to attend one of the local churches - the one where she and her fiancé have decided to get married in. It really is a lovely church. It is set in a small village and is set by a pond. The vicar and the congregation were extremely welcoming and I really enjoyed the service. I can already picture my daughter walking down the aisle of the church in a beautiful dress surrounded by family and friends, beaming with joy, to marry her man. So, yes, I approve of the choice of church and am looking forward to going to the carol service held by the pond on Thursday!
After the service we went to see the venue for the wedding reception. There had been a wedding there yesterday and the family were clearing up after the event. We hadn't expected to be able to get into place but the people clearing up were happy for us to go in and have a look around which was an unexpected bonus. It,s a wonderful venue. Yes, I approve of the reception venue too. Hooray!
Then it was time to go and buy our Christmas tree. For the first time in 8 years we had decided to have a real tree. Ever since my Mum died we have had the same artificial tree and I used to love real ones...needles or no needles. My daughter and I went to the local country park and chose our tree , had it wrapped and went home. Before the drive home we popped into the shop and cafe at the park where a brass band was playing carols. We had mulled wine and a mince pie and then had a look around the shop where Santa was also greeting visitors to his grotto. There was a great selection of goods to choose from and even a mini theatre which was showing 'Frozen' to a captive audience...for free.
When we got home I unwrapped the cast iron Christmas themed tree holder that hasn't been used for years and we set about putting the tree up....and it looks great. I love the fact that we have a real tree again. It just seems right. We put lights on it, decided against tinsel, and added the baubles. I had also thrown together some mulled wine so we had a cup of that each and had seasonal songs playing in the background.
Soon it was 5.45pm and time to head to the local pup which was holding a carol concert with mulled wine and mince pies available. The pub was packed when we arrived but we found a table, got our wine and a song sheet and waited for the choir from the local church to start singing which they did promptly at 6pm and they, and us, sang along to the traditional carols for an hour. I also bumped into an ex colleague from about 12 years ago who has recently moved to the road just around the corner from us. Small world, eh?
After the concert we went home again and decided to put the old artificial tree up in the conservatory. We decorated it with silver tinsel and baubles and some white lights and it looks good.
I'm not so sure that I can remember having such a different but fabulous weekend. I loved going to church and I loved seeing my family. My daughter's wedding seems more real....and the dog hasn't been sick for 24 hours. I'd say that was a result!
Have a great week everyone and take care.
Xxxxxx
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