Sprinting November days

In one respect I am glad to see the end of November, it is a miserable month.  Always damp gloomy weather, the afternoons dissolve into evening with such speed, leaves fall like a snowstorm and memories flood back of the month when we said a final goodbye to my Mother.  At least this year the final day of the month is crisp bright and cheerful.

However, these galloping dates mean that December is getting ever closer and lists are getting longer in preparation for Christmas. The shops are already full of the usual piles of extra stock, in anticipation of the public response to wall to wall advertising of products we would never afford a second glance in any other month.

I need to take a red pen to the Christmas card list, I’m sure some of these people can’t even remember who we are.  On the other hand I look at some names and wish that we had more time to keep up old friendships, maybe that is something for retirement. 

My thoughts back in August of a more minimalist festive season have mellowed and we are on track for the full works again this year.  It seems there is no way of having a break from our usual Christmas Eve party, the Darlings tell me that their friends are already talking about it.  Apparently, it simply would not feel like Christmas if they didn’t join us for our jolly early evening gathering, which manages to grow in numbers as the years pass.  It started as a quick drink back here after the chaotic crib service when the girls were little.  As we outgrew the church service the event changed in character and before we knew it, our guests have planned to attend even before being invited!

No time to linger on a keyboard. I should be folding my packets of currants, apricots, figs and prunes into the warmth of excessive amounts of Grand Marnier and orange juice, so the fruits can soak for a few days and fill the house with wonderful aromas, before being baked into the most delicious Christmas cake. Aah, bliss!