Very nice indeed! My dad built me a train set when I was a yoof and I recall happy days going to the hobby shop to buy trains and many hours playing with it.
As with Roseofsharon, hope your brother gets much joy from his truck NicoleMR.
The parents' artificial Christmas tree has seen better years and mum mentioned getting a new one. She has mentioned a real one, off hand, previously, so I ordered one (they deliver...I have a small hatchback) Our first real one (I'm the eldest at 47). Hopefully a nice surprise.
Wow, I looked up that truck @NicoleMR and I think he, and most other blokes interested in trucks would be over the moon. I know my older brother would have been delighted when he was able to manage such things. (He has Parkinson's now and wouldn't be able to hold it).
Well, I found my little plastic nativity scene (Made in Hong Kong c.1955), and it's now been cleaned up, and placed on my sideboard.
Alas! the Shepherd (there was only the one) is missing, presumed lost without trace somewhere in the mists of time since the last Christmas on which the scene saw the light of day...possibly around 1985. My Old Dad died in July 1986, and My Old Mum never bothered with Christmas decorations thereafter. I may be able to find a suitable pastoral figurine among my 00 scale model railway accessories.
Still, Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus are all present and correct, along with three Sheep, an Ox, an Ass, and the Three Kings - the usual rather inaccurate mix (Scripturally speaking). The Stable appears to be built along the lines of an Alpine chalet, and there are three Fir Trees, so presumably the Nativity and the Epiphany took place in Switzerland.
I have just returned from the post office where I sent off my retro CD player for repair having discovered it had stopped working when I went to play the album that always kick-starts Advent for me- "If on a Winter's Night" by Sting.
I'm feeling somewhat bereft so hopefully it can be sorted!
I know I can stream music digitally but at certain times I like the experience of handling a physical CD, it's the same with my Kindle and paper books 😆
My birthday is today, so I did all the in-house Christmas decorating. I do the outside right after Thanksgiving, but I only do Christmas in the house on my birthday. Please do not ask me why I have no idea. I started way back when I moved out of my parent's house eons ago.
I've written all the cards, but have still to go to the Po Stoffis to send off those that can't be delivered by hand.
At Tesco this morning, I bought a couple of bottles (one of WINE, the other of GIN) as presents for friends, and what is described as a *Jolly Christmas Pudding* for myself.
Some cards have already been received, and will be placed with the little nativity scene in my modest *Christmas Corner* on the sideboard.
The people opposite have a huge pink neon penguin in their front window, which has been lit from dusk until nearly midnight for the last 3 weeks. I can see it from my sofa every evening. I usually enjoy seeing the Christmas lights around the estate but I may have met my threshold…
A pink penguin might just be the inspiration needed by primary school teachers when trying to invent new characters so that every child in the class can participate in the nativity play!
Christmas simply isn't Christmas without The Pink Penguin™, as enny fule kno.
A gentleman of my acquaintance (head server and Sacristan at a church not far from Our Place) has a collection of small plastic/rubber Dinosaurs, and he places one in a remote corner of the church's crib scene each year...
Our post offices are all closed - Canadian postal workers have been on strike for several weeks. While most find this anywhere from mildly inconvenient to truly a hardship, I like imagining those who send cards thinking they have been granted a special excuse not to get to it.
Many notices on Facebook groups of people entrusting their packages to anyone traveling near where their parcels need to be!
A gentleman of my acquaintance (head server and Sacristan at a church not far from Our Place) has a collection of small plastic/rubber Dinosaurs, and he places one in a remote corner of the church's crib scene each year...
A gentleman of my acquaintance (head server and Sacristan at a church not far from Our Place) has a collection of small plastic/rubber Dinosaurs, and he places one in a remote corner of the church's crib scene each year...
Brilliant!
Yes. It annoys the vicar, but delights the children. They have more fun looking for The Christmas Dinosaur™ than they do looking for boring old Magi...
A pink penguin might just be the inspiration needed by primary school teachers when trying to invent new characters so that every child in the class can participate in the nativity play!
I once again feel the need to put in a plug for The Alto Wore Tweed, the first book in Mark Schweitzer’s The Liturgical Mysteries, in which there is indeed a church Christmas pageant where a penguin makes the journey to the manger, complete with song:
There ain’t no ice in Bethlehem,
I traveled her you see,
To greet the Baby Jesus,
But it’s too dang hot for me. . . .
In the vein of annoying the vicar but delighting the children, the somewhat uptight rector was not given advance notice of the appearance of “the Penguin of Bethlehem,” which was planned by the music director as a special surprise.
Stamps have been bought, and affixed to those cards which require them. I'll pop them in the post on Sunday (weather permitting!), as there's no collection from here until Monday morning.
Well I went to my college alumni Holiday Party last night. It was OK, pretty nice. Lovely venue, very good food, open bar. The people there were mostly the younger alums of course, but I did run into one person from my year I knew and was glad to see, so that's a win. All-in-all, I think it was worth going to.
My little church choir always likes to have a Christmas Party, though oddly, it hasn't yet been glossed for this year. If no one else does, I'll bring it up this Sunday.
Presumably it took the Holy Penguins so lomg to travei from Anyaectica to Bethlehem yhat the Holy Family had left for Egypt before they arrived. One nopws they misswd the Massacre of the innovent too. Perhaps, being dressed as Anglican clerdy, they took the subsequent funeral services.
Burning some frankincense incense, listening to the Messiah, and finishing making and sending Christmas cards. My St. Nicholes collection is also on display to celebrate his day.
It was a lovely morning. Taking a lunch break, then cleaning up the card mess. I do miss going to hear the Messiah in person. It was once something I did each year. There is none around our smaller city. I also no longer drive and am not overly fond of going out in the evening anymore.
Presumably it took the Holy Penguins so lomg to travei from Anyaectica to Bethlehem yhat the Holy Family had left for Egypt before they arrived. One nopws they misswd the Massacre of the innovent too. Perhaps, being dressed as Anglican clerdy, they took the subsequent funeral services.
Mrs RR made me get the candle bridges (menorahs?) down from the loft. Praise be that (a) I found them and (b) they still work! Now I have to find the extension leads. These are not to be found except by prayer and fasting. For me, the stresstive season has started.
We have received three Christmas cards.
Must get on with writing ours, so have just put the cards, festive stamps and address book n the table, where I can see them, to remind me that it needs doing.
Our Town's Christmas Festival and Christmas Market have been cancelled this weekend, because Storm Darragh, but all the local shops, pubs, and restaurants will still be open - and desperate for customers!
Even the Cathedral's usual informal Carol Services (two this afternoon, and two tomorrow afternoon) have been cancelled, though the other services will be held as normal, possibly with very depleted attendances...
Yes, hospitality is really feeling it this year. It won't help that the last big day before Christmas is likely to be the 20th, so fewer days for big parties etc that bring in the money.
@Bishops Finger I don't have many to buy for either, but as well as a couple of donations I always buy myself something special.
It's a way of making sure I get one present I really want.
So do I, and a lovely little 00 gauge model railway engine (a new release) arrived yesterday...
Dear BF... You should know your audience by now, and you know some of us can't hold our breath much longer. What engine is it?
I for one won't sleep until I know.
PS: Mrs RR has ordered another Menorah. With batteries. She's gone Menorah Batty.
*groan*
The new Engine is a Rapido UK LNER Y7 0-4-0T in British Railways livery - small, but beautifully made, although some reviews have not been 100% impressed...and it is, admittedly, rather pricey.
Excellent choice, supporting a worthy cause, too. Rapido are generous sponsors of The Great British Train Show organised (in Ontario) by the Platelayers Society every two years.
Presumably it took the Holy Penguins so lomg to travei from Anyaectica to Bethlehem yhat the Holy Family had left for Egypt before they arrived. One nopws they misswd the Massacre of the innovent too. Perhaps, being dressed as Anglican clerdy, they took the subsequent funeral services.
Well, their ancestors had apparently made it from Mt Ararat to Antarctica without leaving a trace, so the buggers have form for long determined journeys...
Excellent choice, supporting a worthy cause, too. Rapido are generous sponsors of The Great British Train Show organised (in Ontario) by the Platelayers Society every two years.
The UK branch is rapidly becoming one of the best manufacturers in this country. They obviously have a great deal of fun creating their models, and I admit to having several of their forthcoming locomotives on pre-order...
Comments
Oooooooooh! So envious!
As with Roseofsharon, hope your brother gets much joy from his truck NicoleMR.
The parents' artificial Christmas tree has seen better years and mum mentioned getting a new one. She has mentioned a real one, off hand, previously, so I ordered one (they deliver...I have a small hatchback) Our first real one (I'm the eldest at 47). Hopefully a nice surprise.
I'd had it on pre-order for some time, and hoped that it would be in stock at the retailers in time for Christmas. It was...
Alas! the Shepherd (there was only the one) is missing, presumed lost without trace somewhere in the mists of time since the last Christmas on which the scene saw the light of day...possibly around 1985. My Old Dad died in July 1986, and My Old Mum never bothered with Christmas decorations thereafter. I may be able to find a suitable pastoral figurine among my 00 scale model railway accessories.
Still, Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus are all present and correct, along with three Sheep, an Ox, an Ass, and the Three Kings - the usual rather inaccurate mix (Scripturally speaking). The Stable appears to be built along the lines of an Alpine chalet, and there are three Fir Trees, so presumably the Nativity and the Epiphany took place in Switzerland.
I'm feeling somewhat bereft so hopefully it can be sorted!
I know I can stream music digitally but at certain times I like the experience of handling a physical CD, it's the same with my Kindle and paper books 😆
We can't spare an Engine Driver, so it'll have to be the Holy Wheeltapper.
I just registered for my college's annual holiday party, which I haven't been to in years, It's tomorrow, and I hope it's worth the $50 it cost.
And have fun, @NicoleMR!
Seconded for both of you!
At Tesco this morning, I bought a couple of bottles (one of WINE, the other of GIN) as presents for friends, and what is described as a *Jolly Christmas Pudding* for myself.
Some cards have already been received, and will be placed with the little nativity scene in my modest *Christmas Corner* on the sideboard.
Really must try and get started, but because of a busy weekend, the pressie-buying will have to wait until next weekend.
A gentleman of my acquaintance (head server and Sacristan at a church not far from Our Place) has a collection of small plastic/rubber Dinosaurs, and he places one in a remote corner of the church's crib scene each year...
Many notices on Facebook groups of people entrusting their packages to anyone traveling near where their parcels need to be!
Yes. It annoys the vicar, but delights the children. They have more fun looking for The Christmas Dinosaur™ than they do looking for boring old Magi...
There ain’t no ice in Bethlehem,
I traveled her you see,
To greet the Baby Jesus,
But it’s too dang hot for me. . . .
In the vein of annoying the vicar but delighting the children, the somewhat uptight rector was not given advance notice of the appearance of “the Penguin of Bethlehem,” which was planned by the music director as a special surprise.
As are polar bears, though at least they do come from the right hemisphere.
My little church choir always likes to have a Christmas Party, though oddly, it hasn't yet been glossed for this year. If no one else does, I'll bring it up this Sunday.
It was a lovely morning. Taking a lunch break, then cleaning up the card mess. I do miss going to hear the Messiah in person. It was once something I did each year. There is none around our smaller city. I also no longer drive and am not overly fond of going out in the evening anymore.
Are you posting from your local pub?
*Stresstive* season describes it only too well for too many people...
All home made - drawings not crafting.
☃️ 🎄
Must get on with writing ours, so have just put the cards, festive stamps and address book n the table, where I can see them, to remind me that it needs doing.
Even the Cathedral's usual informal Carol Services (two this afternoon, and two tomorrow afternoon) have been cancelled, though the other services will be held as normal, possibly with very depleted attendances...
Dear BF... You should know your audience by now, and you know some of us can't hold our breath much longer. What engine is it?
I for one won't sleep until I know.
PS: Mrs RR has ordered another Menorah. With batteries. She's gone Menorah Batty.
*groan*
The new Engine is a Rapido UK LNER Y7 0-4-0T in British Railways livery - small, but beautifully made, although some reviews have not been 100% impressed...and it is, admittedly, rather pricey.
Well, their ancestors had apparently made it from Mt Ararat to Antarctica without leaving a trace, so the buggers have form for long determined journeys...
The UK branch is rapidly becoming one of the best manufacturers in this country. They obviously have a great deal of fun creating their models, and I admit to having several of their forthcoming locomotives on pre-order...