Happy Winter Solstice everyone!

I have no idea where this came from as a friend passed it on to me on Facebook....so if anyone knows the originator, please let me know and I'll give it full credit plus any links to their websites etc.

Since writing the above I've done a little research and found out that the poem was written by Isha Arrow-Hawk and this link will take you to the poem. As to who she actually is.....well that still remains a mystery :o)

Sadly, I've just finished designing my cards for this year, but I must keep this in mind for next year.
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Yuletide Cheer

The chill breath of winter touches us,
As blankets of snow cover the ground.
With the glow of moonlight upon them,...
Its like diamond sparkles all around

Inside the room is cozy and warm,
The scent of evergreen wafts from the fire.
Surrounded with love and family,
I've got all that I could desire.

Sleigh bells jingle from the front porch,
As my coveners decorate outside.
They've no need of blankets
,They have the warmth of love inside.

In my home we all gather round,
And with Pagan carols our voices ring.
Then we settle down to enjoy the tale,
Of the Oaken Lord and the Holly King.

For our holiday is quite different,
Than the covan Christmas night.
We cast our Circle, join together,
And welcome the return of Light.

Then we sit and share the feast,
As we pass bread and wine around.
As blessings from mingled voices..."
Never hunger," "Never thirst" abound.

All too soon the rite is ended,
And we greet the newborn day.
As we clasp hands together,
This wish we send your way....

It's no matter your tradition,
Be you family, friend, or guest.
We wish you joy and peace,
And may your Yule be Blessed!!

However, as a solitary, I'll omit the coven bit I think :o)

Happy Winter Solstice everyone!

Family Matters!

Steve was right! If I had known that within 2 weeks, I was going to strip and decorate a 3 bedroomed house, complete loads of DIY jobs, carpet rooms and move a 3 bedroomed house into another one, especially at our busiest time of the year, I probably would have had an anxiety attack!

My son, daughter-in-law and 20 month old Daisy needed a bigger house in a better location before her baby brother is born in February and as luck would have it, the perfect house became available.

Sadly the house had belonged to a husband and alcoholic wife and was badly neglected and in serious need of some TLC. Apart from the superficial spruce up, there were lots of other jobs to do and it needed to be done before they moved in. My little Grand-daughter came 5 and half weeks early and I was keen for her not to worry and have that blood pressure raised.

Me and my son decorated (which I LOVE!) and Steve built fireplaces and helped where he could. He'd booked a million Craft Fairs which couldn't be cancelled, but he was a great stabiliser when things went wrong. Thankfully, he's laid back and not easily stressed.

The painting was finished in 10 days flat and the wonderful, huge garden which looks out onto fields can wait till the spring.

Last weekend we moved them in. Saturday was set aside for the boxes which we were to move with the cars and then a van and friend were to turn up on the Sunday for the bigger stuff. Unfortunately, the van didn't materialise, through no fault of the driver....so we decided, totally unfazed, to move what we could in 2 Renault Scenics. Thankfully, we had bought my brothers old Scenic as a second car to the Smart Roadster to use for Craft and Wedding Fairs. Can you believe that we moved everything.....and I mean EVERYTHING... 6' fridge freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer, cooker and even a double bed in these cars? AMAZING!

The family are happily moved in. Daisy loves her Peppa Pig Bedroom, there's a wonderful Sycamore and Silver Birch in the back garden and the birds are singing. Mo dramas, mo nervous breakdowns and a huge bucket of achievement.....all is well with the world :o)