Saturday 7 January 2017

Five Christmas Gifts

Hello and Happy New Year. I really hope that 2017 will be a better year than 2016, which was particularly difficult for me.  I haven't made any resolutions but, prompted by a friend, I have set myself a few goals which I hope to achieve before the end of this year so I am busy making plans and lists; I do love a list.  I also love a list of Five and so today I am joining Amy's Five On Friday at Love Made My Home to share with you five of my Christmas presents.

1.  Mrs Tiggywinkle

 
 
The 150th anniversary of the birth of Beatrix Potter brought an outpouring of commemorative items onto the market and I was hopeful that something would make its way into my Christmas stocking.  I was not disappointed: my thoughtful sister bought me this special 50p piece from the Royal Mint.  Obviously, I shan't be spending it!

2.  A Glass Soldier

 
 
The Teacher gave me this to hang on my Christmas tree.  It was made by the sixth form students at the special school where she works and I think it's beautiful, as she knew I would.  (I tried to photograph it in situ, hanging on the tree, but my photos were rubbish!)
 
3.  Tiny Churches

 
 
If you've been visiting me here for a while you might have worked out that I like visiting churches.  I'm not sure why but I think it's because no matter how old or how big the church is, there will always be an altar which will (almost) always be placed under the east window, there will always be a font, a pulpit, pews or chairs, and yet these fixtures are always different.  There are stories to be told and I like decoding the clues.  This book was a gift from another thoughtful sister and it turns out that I have already visited a few of the churches in this book, although I have never written about them here, so I think it must be time to revisit them!
 
4.  A Rather Battered Little Book of Poems



My mother gave me this book and it is real treasure.  Obviously, it's not new and the inscription shows that my grandmother gave it to my grandfather on his 39th birthday which means that unlike many of their possessions, it survived Hitler's blitz on London during the Second World War.  There is more treasure within its leaves: a newspaper cutting, a fragment of a poem written by my great, great uncle, James McKeon of Cloonfad.  I wonder when that was tucked inside?

 Click on the photo to enlarge it and read the inscription.
 
5.  A Trip To The Theatre
 
 

Every year at Christmas my parents take their children and grandchildren to the theatre, at enormous expense as there are now twenty of us.  This tradition began in 1980, I think, when they brought together grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins in London to see Hiawatha at the National Theatre and although we had a few years' break, it's now an annual event.  Cameron Mackintosh's production of Mary Poppins was this year's treat and it was a brave choice because some of us love the film and this musical is not the same as the film - obviously.  I mean, you can't really animate the penguins on stage, can you?  However, it really was a treat for all ages and I heartily recommend it.
 
So there you are.  No diamonds, porsches or expensive perfume, just some simple, thoughtfully chosen things which bring me happiness.  I'm off now to have a look at everyone else's Five On Friday (or Saturday).
 
See you soon.
 
Love, Mrs Tiggywinkle x

38 comments:

  1. What delightful treasures you have been gifted. Did you know they are re-making the film Mary Poppins with a special cameo by Dick van dyke, I am very excited about it as love Mary Poppins xx

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    1. I didn't know that. It's a brave move because the film is so beloved and I don't think it could be improved. Even Dick van Dyke's terrible accent carries a special charm! x

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  2. Gifts from the heart are always the best.

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    1. I totally agree, Janet. Hope you have had a good weekend. x

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  3. I bet Mary poppins was amazing to watch, I'd love to start a tradition like this myself but as you say I guess the costs are astronomical

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    1. They are indeed, Richard - £57 per ticket this year. Yes, parts of it were amazing, Cameron Mackintosh spends loads of money on his productions and it pays off - which, of course, is why the tickets are so expensive. x

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  4. Lovely, thoughtful gifts that will always be treasured and remembered. It doesn't get any better than that:)

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    1. Absolutely, Rosie. I read somewhere that as we get older, the gifts we want get less expensive and I think that's right. Apart from world peace, of course! x

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  5. Thoughtful gifts are always the best, they are all great gifts chosen with love. Such a wonderful idea of getting the family together, a rare treat. Thankyou for your wonderful comments, you really did make me smile.

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    1. Always happy to make you smile! It is a rare treat to get the family together as we are quite spread out and unless there is a special birthday, a wedding or a funeral Christmas is the only time we do it. x

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  6. Beautiful, especially that ancient book of songs. I bet that trip to Mary Poppins was wonderful. What a great family tradition :) B

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    1. Isn't that book special? My favourite gift this year, I think. Yes, Mary Poppins was wonderful, especially when she flew! x

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  7. What a nice idea to take everybody to the theater but not when there are so many, lol ! My poor wallet ! Doing lists doesn't bother me at all, but then I forget them and always do other things as written on the list !

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    1. I do really love a list, especially the ticking-things-off bit as I work my way through it. x

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  8. Love those gifts and what a wonderful tradition of going to the theater. I hope you can visit some of those tiny churches and share them with us. I'm going to add your home link into my feedly so I don't miss any of your visits.

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    1. Bless you, Ellen. Yep, I visited the first tiny church yesterday and am working on the post. x

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  9. Lovely thoughtful gifts. I hope you do share about the tiny churches you visit. Your parents give the gift of a shared experience and that's such a great thing. Happy weekend.

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    1. The gift of a shared experience is a great thing indeed, Lorrie, and it's so lovely to see the nine cousins altogether. They care so much for each other. I visited the first tiny church yesterday so the post should be ready to share soon. x

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  10. Did you see 'Saving Mr Banks'? over Christmas... it was a film about the making of 'Mary Poppins' and actually really interesting/entertaining. Jx

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    1. I missed it Jan, we were out but I am hoping to catch up with it. This production of Mary Poppins is based on PL Travers' book and Saving Mr Banks, apparently, so I am intrigued. Lovely to see you blogging again. x

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  11. These are the best gifts - personal, thoughtfully chosen, and meaningful! Love the Rudyard Kipling book passed down - such a treasure! I do love the tradition of going to the plays. My Dear Mother started a similar tradition a few years before she died and we saw 'The Nutcracker Ballet' every Christmas in Seattle. We kept the tradition after she left us, and went last year, but this year was tough with losing my MIL and we didn't go. Your tiny church book looks wonderful. Do share if you go to some! Hugs xo Karen

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    1. My parents used to take my sisters and me to see The Nutcracker at Christmas when we were children and they took my daughter when she was six. To me, The Nutcracker means Christmas. x

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  12. Thoughtful and very special gifts to treasure. I particularly like the glass ornament. The book about churches looks interesting and the visit to the theatre must have been a real treat. I hope that this new year is a good one for you and your family. Linda x

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    1. Thank you Linda. You have some new rhythms to find too, I think, so I wish you well with that. x

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  13. Thanks for popping by my blog today. I love a list too! You had some really thoughtful presents. There is a lovely church at Kenley where our cabin is with a wonderful view at the back. Inside it is small and simple but perfectly formed. The land behind it is the remains of my grandparents farm but my dad kept the best bit with the best view which is where we have our log cabin. Happy New Year! Jo x

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    1. Ooh, thanks for the tip Jo, I've added Kenley to my list. Actually, we were very close yesterday and I was sorely tempted but decided that two in a day was pushing my luck with the Best Beloved. Hope you had a good weekend. x

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  14. Books are always appreciated! Happy reading!

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    1. Thank you! Books are certainly always appreciated here. x

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  15. Wonderful, presents just right for you, each one a treasure with a story. Glad you enjoyed Mary Poppins, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious x

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    1. Gold star for spelling, Karen! Yes, those presents were just right for me, the best type of all. x

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  16. Oh I do love a good list! :) Interesting, 2016 was not one of my more stellar years either so I am hopeful for this shiny new year. No resolutions for me either just a few goals... time will tell.
    Thanks for popping over to visit my blog. I do so love new friends, well I love my old friends as well of course :)
    Nice to meet you and as your newest follower I shall look forward to future posts.
    Hugs for now from snowy New Hampshire, USA

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    1. Bless you Beth! Hugs back from drizzly Shropshire. x

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  17. What a lovely and thoughtful gift selection. Have a very happy New Year.

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    1. I am lucky to have thoughtful people around me, Marie. x

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  18. Thanks for sharing your treasures...each one truly lovely...and your pleasure gave me pleasure, too. I am off to look up "Tiny Churches" now :)

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  19. The book of poems is so special, what a wonderful gift.

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