Auld Lang Syne

Dear year of the ox,

There are many days of new year for me and many days when the year feels new; 1st September, 31st October and 1st January...Tonight is the recognised date in 21st century England, when the year's hourglass is turned upside down to start again. It is the one given to me from birth with countdowns, clock chimes and fireworks. I realise, year of the ox, that you officially end on 14th February, but I can't help but fit my Westernised calendar around you.

You have been trying and a tribulation, a blessing and a curse, offered salty crying and sweet celebration, made me wonder what could be missing and what on earth could be worse. Regardless, you have seen me through some things that have moved and shaped me and I am grateful. However, you are over and I am not, so this is goodbye.

I won't miss you. We might meet again and when we do, I will eat roast beef with horseradish and mashed potatoes, and pretend to plough fields whilst wearing leather and drinking milk. Until then, I promise to remember you, and to grab life by the horns with both hands.

Yours, Fiona

Mairi Campbell and David Francis - Auld Lang Syne

Happy New Year everyone! May the next decade be everything you wish it to be.

Wassailing Song

Wisselton, wasselton, who lives here?
We've come to taste your Christmas beer.
Up the kitchen and down the hall,
Holly, ivy and mistletoe;
A peck of apples will serve us all,
Give us some apples and let us go.

Up with your stocking, on with your shoe,
If you haven't got any apples, money will do.
My carol's done, and I must be gone,
No longer can I stay here.
God bless you all, great and small,
And send you a happy new year.

- Traditional

Happy birthday to two lovely ladies, and a merry Christmas to all!



Noah and the Whale - Love of an Orchestra
(thanks for the reminder, Jordan)

'S Wonderful

Happy drinks and amazing gigs, lock-ins with fantastic and funny musicians, a new favourite Chinese takeout, homemade cards and hilarious gifts, chocolates and sweet treats, mulled wine and raspberry beer, silly presents, the sweetest of songs, lovely friends and the prospect of my wonderful family all in one place at the most magical time of the year. December has been good and Christmas is going to be better.


Ella Fitzgerald and Sammy Davis Jr. - 'S Wonderful

Mistletoe

Mistletoe new,
Mistletoe old,
Cut it down
With a knife of gold.

Mistletoe green,
Mistletoe milk,
Let it fall
On a scarf of silk.

Mistletoe from
The Christmas oak,
Keep my house
From lightning stroke.

Guard from thunder
My roof-tree
And any evil
That there be.

- Charles Causley

Today is the first snow of the year here, and it makes me think of catching snowflakes on your eyelashes, holding hands with gloves and mittens on, coming inside dripping with wet crystals, cold noses, rosy cheeks and covering someone with kisses.

The Wise Men's gifts were splendid things,
But it is kisses makes us Kings.

- from The Best Gift by Todd Hamilton

Read, Write, Revise

One Archaeology exam to go until my big sister comes to visit and take me home for Christmas!

Let The Wild Rumpus Begin

Whilst I open my Secret Santa presents and eat Christmas cake with my lovelies, then run off to watching the long awaited Where The Wild Things Are, I'll leave you with Maurice Sendak and Spike Jonze in an interview.

Blackbird

After a rather terrifying experience on a night out, I woke up to this. A sure-fire sign that things are going to be fine.


I went to work a shift at Barnardo's, which always sets a smile on my face, and found that the talk of the shop had finally been put out for customers to lust after. What a beauty.




I hadn't been in some of my favourite little shops for weeks, let alone bought anything. So, I then went on a slight buying spree, but justified, seeing as a contingent of purchases made were for others. After all that, I came home to something I prepared earlier. Thank you thank you thank you, Kate Flaim, for the divine dinspiration!




Salad greens and bacon lardons with wholegrain mustard dressing, roasted beetroot with balsamic vinegar, hardboiled egg, onions cooked in red wine, roasted potatoes and feta cheese. Good food is essential for a good mood.

All We Are

The Maccabees - Young Lions

Jolly

'Tis the season for scarves and boots, paper snowflakes and Christmas biscuits shaped like angel birds.

Copenhagen

I have my first exam today and hate how unprepared I am. All I can do is show my face and do my best, and definitely do better next time. Oh, December days are cold and dark but there are lots of lovely things to look forward to!





Come on, Copenhagen. It's now or never - please don't fail us.

Lighting Candles

found here



Light My Candle - Rent

Flower of Scotland

Daresong

I once found a dying wasp on my windowsill. Far away from the terror inspired over childhood summers, it was sad and slow and pitiful. The poor wasp wasn't ready for winter; no more ice cream or ripe fallen fruit, no more sunshine and nothing to eat. In sympathy, I gave it a drop of honey, a last supper, and left it to die with sugar on its lips. When I came back, the honey had all gone. The wasp bowed courteously and flexed its wings. I opened the window as wide as my mouth and watched it fly away into the wind.

Plaited Perfect

found here



p.s. YES!