The spirit of Christmas is descending...

 Hi there everybody,

The rain has been shimmering down and soaking our garden ever since Saturday morning. Tammy and Toby have been leaving pawprints all over my floors.  I'm continually wiping paws and brushing Golden fur.  Can't believe how much they shed.

Occasionally the sun pops its shiny head through the clouds.  It's a gentle reminder that its actually summer time.  You'd never guess this, considering these cooler temperatures.  At this time of the year, this weather evokes images of Christmas in the Northern hemisphere - log fires, elaborately adorned Christmas trees, Christmas lights and the joy of sharing time with family. I have always marvelled at the contagious mood which erupts from that first Christmas Carol pumped across the public address systems at the shopping centres.

"It's 'Jingle Bells' time!"

On Friday and Saturday, I handed out all my own carefully crafted advent calendars. (Afterall, it was the 1st December - only 25 days to Christmas!!!) 

Robz, my 22 year old daughter, imbued with childlike enthusiasm, bopped up and down in excitement as she studied the carefully wrapped packages in front of her. 

 "I don't think I have the restraint to wait until tomorrow!" she said, all smiles!  

What a wonderful time of the year this is!

Yesterday, however, I took full advantage of our cooler weather. I retrieved a fluffy blanket from the cupboard and settled down under it with my brand new 'Kindle' - a gift to myself  Cosy!.

I've been wanting a 'Kindle' for a while now, and have finally broken even with the money I spent on my book.  I finally took the step and dug into the coffers. I am so enjoying my new Kindle - although I haven't discarded the joy of a 'real' book in my hands.  Both have their merits in my lifestyle.  For the moment, however, I am having fun sifting through the many 'free' books available on Amazon.  It's at times like this that I wish I was living in a first-world country - where I could have access to the numerous on-line library lending facilities.  Perhaps the Amazon 'Prime's' lending library is the way for me to go.  
Anyone have a Kindle?  
Any recommendations?



The other thing that has allowed me to experience the descending Christmas spirit was being party to the "Raffle draw" on Saturday.  As I explained in my previous post - this was an effort to raise funds for my two nieces who are battling the debilitating effects of Juvenile arthritis. A condition like this brings enormous medical bills.   It was a simple idea - to raffle off a small cot-blanket which I had crocheted some time ago.  I put the idea out to the Facebook support group ...and it gathered unexpected momentum.  On Saturday the ticket sellers met at the Weinerlein family's house, for the two young girls to make the draw. 

 We 'took tea to them'  - wanting them to share in the excitement too.

I must say, I was totally overwhelmed when I realised the amount of money that had been collected for the family - a total of R4765.  This was far beyond our expectations, but it appears that so many people were moved by their story.  Not only did people buy tickets, but they also contributed, behind the scenes, to the girls' Trust Fund.  It's only the second time in my life that I've put together a raffle hamper, but wow, was I touched at the generosity of people who care the plight of others. Here is a picture of the group which met on Saturday to draw the winning ticket.

My weekend was also boosted by the fact that both my daughters were at home. "J" brought along her flat-mate from Pretoria, so our place was filled with happy chattering and stories shared over cups of tea.  Yesterday, the 'Boss' got out the 'braai tongs' too.  There is nothing like a South African barbeque (braai) to instil fellowship and goodwill. Admittedly, the weather wasn't the best, so the party was brought inside for a session of Wii games. 

This morning, I was so touched to receive a cyber-advent-calendar as a gift from 'Lisa' (Rottrover).  It is a 'Jackie Lawson' advent calendar - and one of the most beautiful I have ever received!  
The beautiful calendar is now securely installed on my laptop. 

 I am looking forward to opening up each little 'gift' between now and Christmas.  
And yes, I will show restraint! :)

Thank you, Lisa for the gift and the thought!  You made my day!

 (Above: "Hey Mom, it's raining...what do we do now?)

(Above: "Okay, we get it, this weather is perfect for a game of rough and tumble, BOL!")

Christmas is just around the corner.  It's time to start thinking about that Christmas menu; time to turn on the ovens, and time to fill the home with the wonderful aromas of cinnamon, cloves and ginger. Even the Guineapigs are getting a bath to herald in the season...

(Above: Robz' guinea pig, 'Scotch' receives his Christmas bath...together with a bunch of parsley.)

By the way, I am LOVING the intimacy of this new blog.   I hope you are too.  

Thank you for being my friends!

Sending lotsaluv

Caryl

Gifts for deserving family members...

Hi there everyone,

It's such a wonderful feeling to be able to write freely again.  Thank you, friends, for your encouragement and support, and for simply being 'you'.  I am looking forward to shaping this blog as we go forward, and hope that you'll find my life interesting.

I've had quite a bit of fun over recent weeks.   Today, being the 1st December, is the day that my craftiness is going to be revealed.  You see, amongst other things,  I've been so busy making advent calendars and it's 'day one' today, so the recipients will be starting to open them this morning.  I have made 5 in total; 4 of which are going to some special people in my life and the last one is being sold at our local home industry.  It's been enormous fun filling them with interesting, individually wrapped gifts too. 

ADVENT CALENDAR NO 1:

 
The first one (above), is going to my doctor daughter.  J is currently in doing her internship and is working unacceptably long hours. Often she is at the hospital on 36 hour shifts.  She is sleep-deprived, but still applies herself to her calling.  I am so proud of her and want her to know how much we love and appreciate her.  She lives away from home and will be alone in the evenings for most of the December period. I wanted her to have something to remind her that she is loved and that we are thinking of her.



ADVENT CALENDAR NO 2

Calendar number 2(above) is going to my other daughter, Robz.  She's the vet student and is at home, on holiday, at the moment.  Although she is well in her 20's, she's loved the opportunity of feeling like a kid again. Each of these calendars also has a special message in the little pockets for each day leading up to Christmas.

ADVENT CALENDAR NO 3

Calendar number 3 (above) is going to my little niece - Katie-Meg.  This amazingly inspirational 12-year-old is currently suffering the debilitating condition of Juvenile arthritis.  She has been in a wheelchair for the past year and suffers immense pain on a daily basis.  Her strength of character is an inspiration to everyone around her.  I thought she'd enjoy being reminded that she is so special.

If you ever see this...."I love you, Katie-Meg!"

ADVENT CALENDAR NUMBER 3

Advent calendar number 3 (Above) is going to Katie-Meg's sister, Amy.  Sadly Amy has also recently been diagnosed with Juvenile arthritis.  She has also begun to suffer excruciating pain in all her joints.  Both girls have been incredible athletes prior to their diagnosis, but now suffer excruciating pain on a daily basis.  It has been a devastating blow for the entire family.


This afternoon, we are going to the family of Katie-Meg and Amy to hand over the money that we have collected for a raffle which I have recently organised.  The advent calendars will be handed over to the girls at the same time.  I've asked the girls to do the draw for the raffle...

(Above: The cot blanket which I crocheted as part of the raffle presentation below)

People have been so generous in their support of this amazing family.  Their medical expenses have been astronomical with both girls receiving chemotherapy/physio, etc, etc.  I wanted to do my own little part by organising this small raffle, but we have been blown away by the generosity of people.  I'm not sure at this stage, how much money we have collected, but am so grateful to my team of ticket sellers that have been party to this initiative.  It's going to be fun this afternoon watching the girls faces as they do the draw, and receive their advent calendars.

ADVENT CALENDAR NUMBER 5

The final advent calendar (above) is the very first one that I made.  It was the experiment that started this whole process. It is slightly smaller than the others, but is ideal for sweets/chocolates.  I've decided to sell it at our local home industry.  We'll see, perhaps someone will buy it. 

So, which advent calendar is your favourite???

Well, I'm off now... Our car is full of.... flowers, eats (for tea), advent calendars, raffle presentation and raffle tickets.  We're in for a fun afternoon.

That's all for now.
Lots of love to you all,
Caryl
xxx