Closer

I prepared a Sunday roast feast today. We had to extend out Victorian pine table by adding an old drop leaf table from the greenhouse. It worked out fine. Shirley put linen tablecloths over the whole shebang.

All the people I love the most were in attendance: Shirley, Frances, Stew, Phoebe, Margot, Ian, Sarah and Zachary.

The menu included roasted loin of pork, vegan nut roast, apple sauce, sage and onion stuffing, tender stem broccoli, roasted carrots and parsnips, golden Yorkshire puddings, roasted potatoes and two types of homemade gravy. This was followed by a homemade apple crumble using the last of the usable apples from our garden with vanilla custard or vegan ice cream. And of course there was water and fine wine to drink.

I got to sit next to Margot who remains such a lovable child. She can mimic "mamama" and "dadada" now and when she stands without assistance for twenty seconds or more she is very proud of herself - clapping and laughing when she finally drops to the floor.

Zach is a good eater. I woke to hear him kind of singing and chortling to himself this morning as he lay in the cot where Margot sometimes naps. Zach is staggering around with some confidence now and he has a happy disposition even though he suffers from a touch of eczema. This is being managed really well by Sarah who remains a diligent, loving mother. I hope it is something that he grows out of. His skin is certainly sensitive.

Phoebe was dressed in the outfit of a Santa assistant and looked lovely this afternoon. She went to see the "Disney on Ice" show at Sheffield Arena with her mama this weekend and thoroughly enjoyed the experience even though she is not fond of big crowds and loud noises. She also travelled on the Sheffield Supertram for the first time.

Christmas feels close now. Yet another one - arousing memories of past Christmases. Loved ones who have gone and the happiness we shared. It's a time for nostalgia, taking stock and noting the relentless march of time.

Tonight Bert's son Philip called round with a present for me. It was the first time he had been to our house. I invited him in for a tot of Irish whiskey. He does a great job of caring for both of his aging parents who live in two different houses two miles apart. Without Philip's assistance 88 year old Bert could not live at home. I have reminded the cantankerous old bugger about this several times.

Finally this weekend, I got round to sending some of my e-cards out. This has become an annual habit for me and given the increased cost of posting physical cards in this kingdom, I can see me posting even more self-designed e-cards in future years. See my 2024 card at the top.