Hello, thank you for popping in. It's lovely to see you here. Today is the first day of December and in the absence of any Bah Humbug from the Best Beloved, I am allowing the excitement to commence and, inspired by Marie at Candytuft Corner, who blogged every day in November, I am going to try to share some of my festive preparations here every day.
I am not really sure when Advent begins this year: I had thought it to be on Advent Sunday, the fourth Sunday before Christmas, which is 3rd December, but last week an Anglican vicar told me that it begins the day after the Sunday on which the church celebrates Christ the King, which would mean that it began on Monday, 27th November. Hmm. However, as most calendars and calendars count down the days to Christmas from 1st December, I decided that I could begin my preparations today, which actually seems rather late, given the number of people who put up their Christmas trees last weekend. I have never known so many people to put up their trees in November before and I wonder if they have thought, "Right then, it's Black Friday so that must mean it's Christmas." I find it all quite odd. Don't get me wrong, I love a Christmas tree but I like it to be just that, a Christmas tree, rather than a NovemberandDecember tree.
Another thing I like is mince pies. I went to a meeting on 1st November and my lovely baking friend, who makes particularly good mince pies, had brought some of the delicious treats to keep us fuelled but as I was "keeping Christmas in December" I very politely declined, although I had to sit on my hands while I did so to stop one (or two) finding its way onto my plate. My friend knows me well enough to understand and on Wednesday, after another meeting, she gave me a little package with instructions to open it today, which I did. This is what I found -
Isn't she lovely? I really do have some wonderful friends. So this evening, after dinner, I took a mince pie plate out of the bottom of the dresser and ate one in a proper fashion. I might have another one in a minute, they are delish. Christmas is coming, it's official.
See you tomorrow.
Love, Mrs Tiggywinkle x
I loved reading about you not officially beginning Advent until the proper time! I remember as a child we put up our Christmas tree maybe a week before Christmas. Now, my family buys it the Saturday after Thanksgiving! Times have changed indeed. I wish you a blessed start to this Advent season. Pat xx
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you too, Pat. My parents always used to hold off with the Christmas decorations until the weekend before Christmas when I was a child and I found that very disappointing but now even they decorate earlier in the month. The first Christmas I was in my own home I bought a tree on 1st December and put it up! I moved to later decorating when my children were small because I didn't want them being wound up to the point of overexcitement for the whole month, and recently we seem to have settled on the winter solstice for the tree, although other decorations go up a little earlier. x
DeleteI wonder how you would feel about my mince pie samosas? We're trying to cut down on all that buttery pastry! x
ReplyDeleteI'd definitely be up for a mince pie samosa. I have made mincemeat flapjacks in the past and my friend makes mincemeat shortbread, both yummy. I suppose I just like anything with mincemeat! x
DeleteOh, this made me smile as just like you I won't eat a mince pie until 1st December, in fact I haven't eaten one yet. I save up the treat for when we are out somewhere perhaps shopping or exploring and have one in a coffee shop with hot chocolate so it feels festive. How kind your friend is and her mince pies look wonderful:)
ReplyDeleteShe is very kind and her mince pies are indeed wonderful - lovely thin, crisp pastry with no soggy bottoms. Good idea to have a hot chocolate with your mince pie, another wintry treat. I am glad to have found a kindred spirit! x
DeleteI love Christmas so much I put it up early and leave it up longer than most.
ReplyDeleteI do understand that, Sugar. I just like to mark the difference between Advent and Christmas, both of which I love, and I find that Advent is often overlooked. Most of my decorations will stay up until Epiphany but I keep some up till Candlemas. x
DeleteNever too early to think about the Advent season. :)Those mince pies look delicious. Hubby is talking about making some this year.
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy the quiet and reflective bit about Advent. I hope your hubby comes up trumps. x
DeleteI feel so blessed to have one of your blog posts written about me, your baking friend, and my special gift to you of mince pies. There will be many more made before Christmas, with Christmas (mincemeat) shortbread and my Christmas tray bake, made with marzipan, cherries and almonds. More treats for you ....
ReplyDeleteYour treats are always very much appreciated so I'm looking forward to that! It's SO lovely to see you here, Merry Liz. I try to reply to everyone's comments individually. x
DeleteI’m glad that you found some inspiration at my blog. I’m with you when it comes to Christmas treats - it does have to be December before I indulge in mince pies. As for Advent, I understood that yesterday was Advent Sunday, being four Sundays before Christmas...
ReplyDeleteWell I failed at the third hurdle but I've picked myself up and dusted myself down and I'm carrying on regardless. You did really well. Advent Sunday was definitely yesterday. x
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