Winter Wonderland

I know I already posted today, but this was so lovely I had to share it. I went out to get groceries this afternoon and walked into the following! So, after I got home, I grabbed my camera and headed back out to record all the loveliness. It's not snow, but just as gorgeous. Enjoy!

Narnia?

Would this be called hoarfrost? Either way, it's impressive.

Christmas!!

This blog is for my family primarily, but the rest of you are welcome to join in the perusing as well. :) I'm fairly subtle when it comes to delighting in Christmas for those of you who don't know me.   --Pause-- That's a huge lie. I LOVE Christmas and so it has been an adventure to do Christmas in England. Finding the tree was a bit of a saga. You see, all my life I've been a Grand Fir girl--I mean the smell, the look, the feel--this tree is perfect. But over here one can't find them very easily and they've likely been shipped from the US if you DO find them and that just won't do. I like a fresh tree and if I can't cut it myself, it better be at least under a week from cutting. So I did some tree homework on line and found that a Norwegian spruce would be nice and cheap from a hardware store. Mistake. I know better too. Pre-cut and in plastic netting these poor trees probably haven't been living for two months. But, I thought I would be saving us some pounds. Ha! We put it up and notice the wasteland in the middle immediately. So I started trimming up from the bottom and soon we had.... a tree bush. But we thought we'd just make do. Until the next morning when it became quite clear that we were going to have a fire hazard on our hands in two days. Needles are FAR more attractive on the tree, not the carpet. So we went back to the store and got a refund which was nice. The man informed me that a tree shouldn't be dead like that. No kidding. Thus, why I was back with all my Northwest Christmas tree experience ready to let him know I didn't just fall off the apple cart. :) So this past weekend, Mark and I set out down Gloucester road where many different tree vendors had set up. We found our lovely chap on a lot only four blocks from our flat! It was rather amusing too, because the trees were located down a narrow dark alley which opened into a parking lot. It looked from the outside rather like a man in a black trench coat should sidle up and whisper from the side of his mouth "Hey buddy! Wanna buy a Christmas tree?"But it was all perfectly respectable, with lovely trees and a big selection and so we did not have to turn to the black market. We now have a Nordman tree. I cannot remember if it is a pine or a fir so we'll say it's a fir. It's a lovely dark green and has softer needles than our first one. I'm already sold on this type for next year. It's not as fat or thick as a Grand Fir but I think it's just as pretty. As if to prove to us that we had made the perfect choice, once the tree was up we looked around to clean up and... found about five needles on the floor. Yep. Since my vacuum was still FULL from the shower of the old one, this was a comforting thing. And so my Grinch heart grew three sizes that day, because I was getting a bit put out with dear old England and finding trees. But, I have been spoiled living in the Northwest all my life.
So, without further ado, here's my Christmasy home. :) And for good measure I added pictures of my lovely Christmas party with some friends.

Linda's creations

Katie mostly behaved herself

Jolsna made fabulous Christmas cards. Caz made work of art cookies, but is taking a break here. 

We made wrapping paper and cut shapes into potatoes to stamp on it. Went rather well given that it was our first time.

This is Bryony, my cop friend. You cans see she confiscated some pot from a felon and put it in her pocket. (She later turned it in, don't worry)

Linda showed us how to weave paper baskets

Katie made Barbie and her accesories

Cookie Christmas tree by Katie and I.

Annnnddd... there's Katie. 

The desolation of Smaug. The first tree. 

There is balm in Gilead. My Christmas flat!

I made a wreath too.

Artsy reindeer shot

I love my advent train.

Come Ye Thankful People...

As the saying goes, I 'remembered' the fifth of November last week in driving rain. I was impressed that the bonfire we saw seemed to be unaffected by the rain; in fact in almost looked to be strengthened by it. But, as one of our friends pointed out, they had chosen to burn what looked like a small house so what's torrential downpour  and gusting wind to that? AND even more impressive, they still managed to set off numerous fireworks. Take that O wimps that cancel 4th of July shows for a little sprinkle! So I thoroughly enjoyed my first Bonfire night over here and now the next holiday to which I am looking forward,  is Thanksgiving.
This is very appropriate for me right now, even though the English don't celebrate this holiday. (Well, should they? The reason for it did contribute ultimately to their loss of the colonies, but I digress. :)) I must confess to feeling rather homesick lately. I knew it would happen periodically, but as I approach my first holiday season VERY far away from all of my family, this feeling seems to have heightened. But I am glad to say that a day which could have been a tough struggle for me, turned into some great reflections. And I can even trace how God directed that for me. So I thought I'd share that.
I went to serve teas and coffees at a toddle/mums group which our church hosts. I do this on various Thursdays and it's a great way for me to meet people as well as serve others. I was graciously given a ride by one of the mums in our church who is herself expecting their second child very soon. So, the first step to overcoming the homesick blues was taken in being with many children and ladies. On the way home, this same mum ran a few ideas by me for things I could do to fill my days more as I continue to look for part time work. One of these ideas was being a sort of 'social organizer' in our church small group, looking for ways to include those who are lonely or feel a bit outside. And who are those folks most often? Well, singles. Having battled some single temptations myself over the years, I thought this was a very good idea and we had a good chat about how to serve such folks, as well as how to appropriately deal with feelings like loneliness. The second step to overcoming the homesickness blues was taken as I walked home from her house. I couldn't reflect on dealing with loneliness feelings without being led to how to deal with homesickness feelings. And the solutions are remarkably similar. As Nancy Wilson said many years ago in relation to weight gain I believe "Be content with where you are, and then do something about it." That phrase applies very broadly. When I was single and lonely, it was very good for me to find ways to help others or initiate social events. Do unto others.... Now, when my own battle has more to do with homesickness, I find that thankfulness is the best way to go. My husband encourages me this way, whenever he sees that I am struggling with being away from family. He'll ask what I'm thankful about this week. Are you tracking with me still?
All this comes back to reflecting that Thanksgiving is coming. And so, as I said, it is appropriate that I battle homesickness with thankfulness. So here is what I have to be thankful about:
Almost exactly a year ago, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. I found out about this right before coaching a volleyball game. I was devastated but knew I needed to do the next thing and that was coach a game. But I took a few minutes to run to my headmaster's office to cry and ask him to pray with me both for immediate strength and strength for the days to come. I cannot even write about this without weeping. :) Here I am a year later and God has wonderfully answered both prayers. My mom is free from cancer and things look good. We lost the game that night, but the love of my girls was wonderful. I am so thankful that I have my mom even if we're an ocean apart. I love you mom.
Also almost exactly a year ago, my dad got a phone call from some Irish guy in England who apparently wanted to pursue a more serious relationship with me. This caused the first and only time in my life that I have hyperventilated, but later as I read an email from said Irish guy titled "A question..." I was smiling quite a lot. :) So I'm thankful for my husband.
I found out recently that I am going to be an aunt again.... twice! Kathryn and Naphtali are both expecting within weeks of each other and I am very excited. I am so thankful for my nieces and nephews, some of whom can even say my name reasonably well. :) And on that note, I'm thankful for my siblings and all the great memories we have and I hope we will continue to make. I'm thankful for blanket forts in the living room and Lego empires in Seth's room. I'm thankful for horses that lived behind our house and let me feed them and a best friend who lived a few blocks away for many years. I'm thankful for Kajsa's ability for truly MEMORABLE memories such as ringing the bell in the Boise capital or insisting that Kathryn could talk at one week old. I am thankful that Kathryn liked to cuddle when she was little and that I was old enough to appreciate the joys of having a baby sister. I am thankful that Seth is alive and healthy today, expecting his second child. He has been the best brother possible to all of us. I'm thankful for all of their spouses and the richness they have brought to our family. I'm thankful for parents who raised us in the Lord and the faithfulness and patience they have displayed in their lives. I'm thankful for a Christian heritage that goes back generations-- a true testament to God's promises.
Each year, I am more thankful for the solid teaching I received at church as I grew up and for the excellent education I have received. I now live in a country where I cannot take it for granted. And I'm thankful for what we may call 'the little things': golden leaves splattered like paint on black pavement, glowing fall sunsets behind Bath Abbey and warm tea at 4. A cozy red couch, and double decker buses. Photos on facebook of babies, dear students and friends. Idyllic pastoral scenery going by the train window or the echoing beauty of an evensong choir in Bristol Cathedral.
And the only reason I can even BE thankful for all this is because of Christ and His work. So I am thankful for the Messiah, the One I will hear about in song when we go to hear Handel's work in Bristol Cathedral in a few weeks.
Does this mean that all my homesick pangs are gone? No. But it's good to put them in perspective. Happy Thanksgiving!

Bopping about Bath with Bryony

I know, I'm a sucker for alliteration. But I'm a former lit teacher who can't help herself. Thus, the title. But I thought I should post pictures of my first exploration into the city of Bath, which is a mere 15 minutes from Bristol by train. I went about a week ago with a dear friend I have made here in order to see a photography exhibit. We enjoyed it very much and then proceeded to wander into Bath Abbey AND got free fudge, hand made in a shop near-by. (Which then prompted me to BUY some more and enjoyed it hugely. :)) So here are my first Bath impressions!