Six More Sleeps – Christmas festivities

Christmas is almost upon us. Our tree is outside, the trunk soaking in a bucket of water with sugar and Vitamin B. The lights have come up from the basement and wait in old boxes for the decorating to begin. I’m slow this year, can’t seem to get too organized. I did begin the baking.

Last year I made shortbread and chocolate oatmeal cookies. Then I found some paper plates, filled four of them (we have four neighbours on our road) half with one type and half with the other. Wrapped them in plastic, wrote a Christmas card for each house and delivered them. It was a year that looked like a celebration that was going to be isolated and I thought it would add some festivity to the season.

This year, there are eight neighbours to consider. One of them took the time to clear the ditch so the water ran into the culvert and didn’t wash out our driveway. One started parking his truck in a different spot so it was easier to access our road. One cleared our drive of snow last year, mentioning that the cookies were darn good. These are such good people, I feel blessed to add a little to their holiday celebrations. But it does mean more cookies. 🙂

What is the celebration like in your neighbourhood?

Treason at Lisson Grove, by Anne Perry

Anne Perry does a wonderful job of presenting the British world of the 1800’s. Thomas Pitt, investigator, has been promoted to a position he’s highly uncomfortable with, yet he must step up if he will be able to save his friend Victor Narraway from the false clues and planted evidence against him. Pitt’s wife Charlotte is soon involved.

Perry brings the societal niceties and mores to life. 5 Stars

The 7th Canon, by Robert Dugoni

This is an interesting story of people trying to do their best while being setup for crimes they didn’t commit. Peter Donley is a young attorney who has been cutting his teeth on legal work in his uncle’s practice. When a difficult case comes in concerning a young priest accused of sexual abuse and murder, Donley is on his own, as his uncle is in hospital. Great storytelling, characters with good depth, and a race to the finish. Well done. 5 STARS

Happy Hallowe’en

Well, we survived the weather bomb, the deepest low-pressure system on record for Pacific Northwest that was coming at us last weekend. We barely noticed it, although when I went for a walk, the wind in the tall firs sounded like a car coming up behind me.

All the leaves fell off the trees.
The fir needles fell so heavily it looked like it was snowing

So, now Hallowe’en is upon us. Hope the ghosts don’t scare you, but just keep an ear out for the little voices calling “trick or treat” at your front door. They are so cute, tons of witches, goblins, fire fighters, warriors, Paw Patrol characters. Have fun!