The beginning of a new year is a time of resolutions and fresh starts. Dark, winter days can make staying positive very difficult. But for now, we have hope.
‘Once you choose hope, anything’s possible’.
Actor Christopher Reeve
Hogmanay fireworks, Edinburgh 2015. Photo credit: Eric Richardson
Dark days
Written in 1908 a poem was brought to the attention of King George VI in 1939, when the days were very dark indeed. He included it in his radio broadcast to the empire. Who knows what the New Year holds for us? It is so full of uncertainty. Here is that poem, a message of hope for us all.
The Gate of the Year
by Minnie Louise Haskins
And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”
So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.
And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.
New Year fireworks Photo credit: Eric Richardson
Happy New Year…
and as the comedian Dave Allen, popular in the 1970s famously said: ‘May your god go with you’.
That was the year that I started my blog. I visited places, made things, shared experiences with the grandchildren and blogged about them. It was an amazing summer. I loved it.
All the ingredients needed to make the perfect, braised, red cabbage
Guest blogger
I did some guest blogging on a couple of other sites like https://thegrandparenthub.com/ this is a site that shares ideas and things to do with the grandkids and is full of inspiration. And then there’s my local ‘What’s In and What’s On’ website for my region https://www.innorthnotts.co.uk/ which is full of things to do and places to visit.
Travel
Travel played a big part in my life during 2018. South coast of England, east coast of the USA , west coast of the USA and Scotland. There is an old saying ‘travel broadens the mind’ so perhaps there should be a bit more of it.
The end of Route 66 is on Pier Park, Santa Monica
The New Year is just around the cirner
2019 is already beckoning and it would be good to get to know my own country better. Perhaps an extended tour of the UK in a motor home? https://www.justgo.uk.com/ All suggestions gratefully received.
Get active
There should be more exercise. I could sign up for a ‘long walk’ or train for a half marathon. Again, all suggestions considered. I do need a challenge.
Brand spanking new trainers
New skills
And then of course there is ‘sausage making’. I recently purchased a sausage maker. That is a story/blog, for another day.
It’s the best policy
I have to be honest and admit that I don’t like the turn of the year. The ticking of the clock. The anticlimax. The resolutions. The stepping into the unknown. But it is just another day with a different number when all is said and done… isn’t it?
Hello 2019
So, with some trepidation I will welcome in 2019. It boils down to two things: being healthy and happy. That is all I wish for my family, friends and of course you and me.
Happy New Year dear reader, I hope it will be kind to us.
I wish you a very happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year.
Angel chimes, with lit advent candles on the mantelpiece by the Christmas tree.
This image makes me think of the poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’. It contains all the names of the reindeer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen Comet and Cupid, Donner and Blitzen and of course Rudolph. Which got me nine points in a recent pub quiz!
Roll out the fondant to the size of the cake, leaving enough spare to make the reindeer. Dampen the marzipan and place the fondant over. Smooth the surface. Leave for a couple of days to harden before making the reindeers snow scene.
Christmas cake with a layer of marzipan under a layer of roll-out fondant icing
Make the template
Find a simple line drawing or picture of a reindeer. Sketch onto a piece of card. It doesn’t need to be posh card, I used a piece from a tea-bag box https://www.yorkshiretea.co.uk
Cut out the shape and then… carefully and painstakingly cut out the reindeer.
Carefully cut out reindeers shapes using a card template
Leave them alone
Put them on a board to dry out for a couple of days. Leave them out of reach. They become quite brittle and so need to be treated with great care.
Glace icing snow
Place three tea lights on the cake. up a paste with icing sugar and a few drops of hot water. Use this to make snow drifts in which the reindeer will stand.
Set the scene
With great care place the reindeer in the snow as in the picture. Use toothpicks to prop them up until they have set. Some of the legs may come off! In which case they become laying reindeer. Some of the antlers may snap off – in which case they become does!
Use toothpicks to prop up reindeer until they have set into position
In the woods
Trees can be made from simple, right-angle triangles. Lean three together in a puddle of glacé icing with a little icing spread on the edge where they join together.
Centrepiece
Light the candles and turn out the lights for a stunning, Christmas centrepiece.
Wonderful creations on every stall of the Saint Nicholas Market
It’s Christmas market time
Where better to indulge in the sights, sounds and smells of the yuletide season but your nearest Christmas Market. With the Yuletide season upon us, the aroma of mulled wine and spices, and the sounds of Christmas songs… we’re ready to fully immerse ourselves into the festive spirit with a visit to a Christmas market. The streets of all the UK’s major cities – and some of the towns and tsbrave the chilly winds and visit one before it’s too late!
Crowds flock to the City of York for the Saint Nicholas Fair
The lovely Christmas aromas coming from the traditional chalets
Traditional chalets
The historic streets of York come alive during the winter months. Take a stroll through the vibrant market stalls of the St Nicholas Fair. Peek inside traditional chalets prettily decked-out with fairy lights and just follow your nose.
From baubles to baskets, an interesting mix of wares on every stall
It makes Christmas shopping very nearly enjoyable
The St Nicholas Fair is at the heart of Christmas shopping in the City of York https://www.visityork.org/whats-on/christmas . Over 100 traditional style chalets are dotted along Parliament Street, St Sampson’s Square, The Judge’s Lodging and Coppergate. A million visitors enjoyed the delights of the Christmas market last year.
Original and unique. Items crafted from the wood from old wine barrels
A seasonal tradition
Visits to Christmas markets are fast becoming one of the UK’s favourite seasonal traditions. It doesn’t matter where you are in the country, you are never too far away from a Christmas market.
Hurry, only one week left…
York is a Christmas shopping heaven with its eclectic mix of shops and the magical Christmas market. The festive shopping started at St Nicholas Market In mid-November and will continue until December 23rd. The ancient city and the market combine to provide a very Dickensian feel with a hint of Victoriana with the busy market stalls which sell everything – crafts, local produce, and lots of quirky things made in Yorkshire.
Colourful, eye-catching and tasty. A homemade confectionery stall
York Railway Station York railway station is a ten minute walk from where it is all happening. This is a really great opportunity to soak up the city’s medieval charm and enjoy the festive flavours that transform York into such a magical place.
Traditional chalets
The St Nicholas Fair is at the heart of Christmas shopping in the City of York https://www.visityork.org/whats-on/christmas . Over 100 traditional style chalets are dotted along Parliament Street, St Sampson’s Square, The Judge’s Lodging and Coppergate. A million visitors enjoyed the delights of the Christmas market last year.
Traditional wooden cabins that house the Christmas market traders
Visits to Christmas markets are fast becoming one of the UK’s favourite seasonal traditions. It doesn’t matter where you are in the country, you are never too far away from a Christmas market.
York Minster bathed in the light of the setting sun
A good excuse to experience a local hostelry
And of course there are many pubs – many of them boasting their own unique piece of history and local ales and homemade food.
