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2008 Holiday Traditions Calendar

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diamondlil
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Post by diamondlil » Sat December 13th, 2008, 9:59 pm

Thanks Vanessa!
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There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

Edith Wharton

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diamondlil
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Post by diamondlil » Sun December 14th, 2008, 8:01 am

As no one has claimed today I thought that I would post a link to a blog piece that I have done about Christmas in Adelaide:

Click here

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pat
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Post by pat » Sun December 14th, 2008, 10:15 am

Becky was there! She was not in the clip, she danced behind one of the bands as part of the Cheryl Bradley Dance School. Cheryls school has been involved for over 20 years! I will see if I can find a pic...I knowI have one taken from the tv!
A good book and a good coffee, what more can anyone want? xx

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pat
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Post by pat » Sun December 14th, 2008, 10:25 am

found it!! hope it works!!


Not very big, but you get the idea!
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A good book and a good coffee, what more can anyone want? xx

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diamondlil
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Post by diamondlil » Sun December 14th, 2008, 10:49 am

I forgot that you said Becky was in it!
My Blog - Reading Adventures

All things Historical Fiction - Historical Tapestry


There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

Edith Wharton

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pat
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Post by pat » Sun December 14th, 2008, 11:04 am

LOL! She loves it! Even though she is up before 6.00am to get ready and to the start point for 7.00 breakfast, then walks/dances the route and eventually home again by 1 ish! She feels it is an honor to be involved. We dont go into the city to see it, but might do one year soon. We did go the first year we was here, but then she was not in it!
A good book and a good coffee, what more can anyone want? xx

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Volgadon
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Post by Volgadon » Sun December 14th, 2008, 2:13 pm

I'll take the 18th.

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diamondlil
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Post by diamondlil » Sun December 14th, 2008, 7:26 pm

I've added you to the list.
My Blog - Reading Adventures

All things Historical Fiction - Historical Tapestry


There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

Edith Wharton

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Vanessa
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Currently reading: The Farm at the Edge of the World by Sarah Vaughan
Interest in HF: The first historical novel I read was Katherine by Anya Seton and this sparked off my interest in this genre.
Favourite HF book: Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell!
Preferred HF: Any
Location: North Yorkshire, UK

Post by Vanessa » Mon December 15th, 2008, 9:31 am

Our Family Christmas Traditions

Our Christmas usually starts with my mum, mother-in-law, daughter and I going to the Christingles service in our parish church on the Sunday before Christmas. I'm not particularly religious but it's lovely old church and I enjoy carol singing to get into the Christmas spirit!

On the Monday before Christmas there is a village meal laid on in the local pub for all the villagers. Celebrations usually go on until well into the early hours of Tuesday morning. Some revellers can be seen tottering home at about 5am! Not me, though, I'm usually tucked up in bed. ;)


A tradition of ours when our daughter was younger, was putting out a sack and stocking for Santa, along with a mince pie and a glass of brandy (this Santa drinks brandy! Ahem!) on Christmas Eve. Nowadays she just gets a stocking and the rest of her presents go round the tree with ours. Another tradition we used to do before Christmas was visit Ripley Castle, have some lunch in the Boar's Head, see Santa in his Grotto and then have a walk around the grounds of the castle. I think it's quite sad when children start to grow up!

We have two Christmas trees, one in the lounge which is about 7ft tall (we have a galleried landing over the lounge) and one in the kitchen/diner.

Christmas Day is usually an early start due to the anticipation of gift opening when everyone gets a little giddy! We light the fire and play Chritmas music. Then the rest of the family arrive (can you hear the Adams Family music? ;) :D ). We then head down to the local pub (yes, it is the hub of the village as there isn't much else to do around here!) at midday, the first drink being on the house. We totter back and eventually eat our Christmas dinner at about 5pm, which consists of the usual turkey with all the trimmings (stuffing, sausages wrapped in bacon), roast spuds cooked in goose fat, sprouts, broccoli, carrots (and peas for my husband as he's notoriously difficult about his veg!) followed by Christmas pudding which we set alight before we eat it (we turn off the lights, pour brandy (yes, more brandy!) over the pud, set a match to it and it looks so pretty for about 30 seconds). As if we couldn't be full enough, we start on the cheese and biscuits, finishing off with coffee and chocolate mints. We either end up playing games like trivial pursuits, charades or cranium, or some members of the family actually manage to drag themselves into the lounge and fall asleep.

Boxing Day is also my husband's birthday, poor soul, so we have a party which means more food and more family arriving (cue Adams family music again! ;) :D ). Friends and neighbours also make an appearance.

Either the following day or the day after that we have a complete change and drive to Whitby where we take the dogs for a walk along Sandsend beach, followed by fish 'n' chips in the famous Magpie Cafe. This is my favourite part of Christmas! A complete change from the usual festivites.

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pat
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Post by pat » Mon December 15th, 2008, 9:48 am

I loved Whitby! Never got into the Magpie Cafe as there was always a long line there, instead we found a good chippy round the corner! We even looked into buying a B&B in Whitby, I think it was in the Cresent, overlooking the sea. If we had not got here, that is where I would be now!
A good book and a good coffee, what more can anyone want? xx

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