Blogmas - Day 14 - My List of 'Things To Do This Christmas'

Source: WeHeartIt

As the years go on the list does indeed get smaller and smaller in ways of the list not subjecting around materialistic things but better quality things such as spending time with family.

But each item on our list, we treasure it dearly.

- Getting my hair done with Mum, for the holidays and for her Anniversary meal with Dad. Since my brother and I are both now away from home, mum and dad wanted for us to spend the time together.

- Decorate my room. Even though my room is filled will fairy lights and tea candles I'm going ro attempt if I can fit any more. Finally I will be sticking up my glow in the dark stars that my cousin so kindly gave to me.

- Go to my Mums Christmas Carol Service in Church. It'll be nice to listen for a change and not take part. I do enjoying listening to music without singing along. I prefer other peoples voices to my own.

- Walks in the night. Only if it's a starry night. I just miss going for walks in the dark, where all you have is the moonlight to guide you. Night time walks are very special to me. I've been doing it, walking the same route, the block is what we call it where I live, ever since I was 9. I used to go with my aunt, sometimes the two if the other were home from England, and we'd chat while walking. Coming back home, Grannys house, we would come in absolutely freezing running for our cups of tea and sitting next to Gran, either ready to say the rosary or watch the news.

- I may be 22 but on my list is laying in bed with mum watching Coronation Street. I may be too old for cuddles, but I will always be her daughter and she my mother/ big sister heehee. Love is unconditional so when people sneer and think that 'you should act your age' I think it's quite silly really. As a baby I'd only ever want to go into bed with mum cos she was always so warm.... using her as a hot water bottle people haha. Nah but I always prefer to sleep next to someone knowing that I'm not alone. Having no boyfriend really can be the saddest of times.... *sigh*

- Watching movies with the family. I usually take my seat on the rug with my hot chocolate next to fire, like a cat. I always like hearing Dad telling me facts about the movie. Mum just smiles, having no idea what's going on, or in any case what movie is being played. We do spend a lot of time together in our family. Alone time over here is a necessity but when I'm with my family not so much. Growing up with Gran I never had alone time, she was always there. But I still did the things I wanted with her being there, was very much in my comfort zone.

- Dressing up. In England, I surprisingly don't get dressed up as much I used to when I was back living in London. Being here I'm always wearing a uniform. And the nursing uniform is the most uncomfortable, unflattering thing in the world! It's like wearing cardboard!

In Ireland, I'm always on the road. So it's nice to get dressed and feel like a girl for a change. Instead of being someone invisible in a uniform or a tracksuit and hoodie.

- Staying in bed all day. Today I woke up naturally at 1pm. No more stress you see from Uni, so I really did catch up on my sleep. And the bed I have here has my back in such bad aches. The bed I have back in Ireland may not be the comfiest but it's a lot better for my already messed up back.

- Wearing cuddly, cosy jumpers. I love them! The more old fashioned and quirky they are, the better.

- Going to my friends 21st. Even though we'll only be separated 10 days we'll still have to see each other. It'll be nice to meet her sister and family properly. We're all acquainted on Facebook and Skype calls but it'll be nice waking up in the house and seeing how my friends life usually is in Ireland.

- Playing my music as loud as I want in my house. My friends over here already know I'm odd. They say that because I have different, weird tastes in music and movies and yes my favourite food is just plain food. After all I was brought up with a Granny who would feed me a half plate of burnt whatever and I LOVED IT!! If you grow up with it, you'll love it. So as soon as I get home, the following morning, I'll be banging on the piano keys and singing alone with Puccini and Jennifer Hudson. Hey, they're too darn loud for singing along to with the neighbours... and plus the house-mates really don't stay away. They just walk in and expect a show of some sorts.

- Watch Downton Abbey Season 6 with my brother. Unlike me and my Dad who watch it every week, my brother waits to watch it all with me, all before the Christmas Special. So I will not be forgetting to bring over the DVD. Trés important!

- Take a piece of straw from the crib at church. We always do this in my family. Gran would always feel as though little baby Jesus would be welcomed in our house. So this year I'll take it to her grave and lay it beside her.

- Visit my grand-parents and great-grand-parents graves. I usually prefer to do it alone so I can chat to them. More so with Granny. I tell her what's been going on with my life in Canterbury. Who I've met, what I think of them. What my worries are, what I'm excited about for the future. Of course there's tears but I feel better thinking even though she's not in my life realistically any more, she can still be with me on my journey. I'll tell her about my first relationship, about the hardest losses I've faced with being a nurse, my first kid, my first house. You always feel as though the loved ones in your life will be there for your life changing events. 

- Make butternut squash soup. I've just been craving it for a long time now. And it s after all my favourite soup. Pumpkin is tasty with it as well and carrot, but I'll stick to having it plain with some lovely soda bread.

- Re-watch some of my favourite boxsets. My friend said that I am the only person she knows who collects boxsets of different genres, with tv shows and movies. If it is only a show that I love then I'll buy the collection. I just fall in love with the characters, wanting to be them, wanting to be in the directors mind, the costume designers minds, the composers minds. I do get disappointed sometimes thinking that my life will never live up to a movie. That it'll be predictable. My reasons for loving fantasy and sci-fy is simply because I believe in that little bit of magic.

- Shopping with mum in the winter sales. If I am wanting a new coat and if it is perfect that's my day made. That and sitting in a café with mum while people watching. Trying to suss out what peoples lives are like and admiring peoples outfits. Hey we're nosy but it's fun!

- Spend some catch up time with friends. See a movie, eat something maybe and chat, chat, chat.

- Watch the new Star Wars and Daddys Home movie with my brother and dad. I really need a laugh this Christmas and Will Farrell never fails!

Just think that tomorrow is my last day here in Kent... Hey I love it, but eating, living and walking with the same people can be exhausting. My flight is at like 9pm on Thursday and me and my Irish lassies are heading to the airport like 6 hours early. Firstly, because of the security over here, don't want delays or stress. Secondly, we're going to shop around in the airport and have some food and drinks. And lastly, we're just too freaking excited!!

Thanks for reading my little elves x

Blogmas - Day 10 - Candlelit Christmas Carol Service

I may have skipped two days but alas I had nothing new to add to any of those days anyway. Sure none of ye probably hadn't noticed.... up until now that is! Crap!

The first day for not publishing, I was doing it very last minute and the website was down. Then yesterday I was exhausted. Coming in the door from placement, I ate then napped for 3 hours, was awake for 2, then fell asleep for another 6 hours. I was all over the place with my sleeping pattern.

I just wanted to tell you all about the Candlelit Christmas Carol Service that was on in Canterbury Cathedral. I sang along with the gospel choir and the amplified sounds of our harmonies bouncing off all of the walls of the cathedral was amazing. There were other choirs there singing beautiful carols such as In the Bleak Midwinter, a favourite of mine and O Come All Ye Faithful. There was a little orchestra and contemporary ballet dancers, with the candles glow reflecting off their white costumes. They were almost like angels dancing to the crowd of 1100 people.

Even though I got candle was all over me, I still had a wonderful, peaceful time.

After getting our pictures taken with our conductor lying out in the front of us, we all made our way to the Uni canteen to get free mince pies and elderflower.

Source: WeHeartIt

I LOVE candles!! And everyone knows this about me. They know I love soft light. I love to have fairy lights, candles and lamps. Even my room here in Canterbury has fairy lights and church pillar candles at the fireplace. In my home in Ireland we always have candles. My family goes nuts for it. Seriously, even my dad!

I even got my mum to buy a huge candle lantern for outside our house, for Christmas.

And the reason why we've always had candles is, is that my mum is a freak for electricity, and she bloody well is right! Whenever we have had power cuts it makes no difference with getting around, we still can see where we're going. Plus you don't really need them if it's your home! You should know your own house off by heart.

So each Christmas we always have a tonne of lights!! I even got my dad to buy me these pretty lights one Christmas and put them on my ceiling in the shape of a tree!!

I can't wait to see my glowing house when I get back!!

Just one week guys... 1 WEEK!

Blogmas - Day 5 - Gospel Choir Service & Christmas Cocktails

Gospel Choir in CCCU Chapel

So myself and my friend Becks are in the Gospel Choir. It's not only students that are in it but lecturers and people from other places.

We had such a great time. We sang a lot of songs by Kirk Franklin (the King composer of Gospel music)

My favourites were "Now Behold The Lamb", "Precious Lord, Take My Hand", "Reign", "Joy to the World" and "Mary Did You Know". Our conductor also sang us a song with his guitar. I could see my housemates and friends standing up and sing Joy to the World with us. I was really in my element, smiling down at them. It was really something like out of 'Sister Act'. Our conductor was sprinting down the aisle and clapping to the audience. Seriously was a fun night to remember.

Afterwards, myself and my friends went out for a few cocktails and played a bit of pool. I of course went for the cocktails that had more of the percentage of alcohol, compared to the rest of the others. We hadn't been out in a while seeing as we are seriously feeling the nerves getting to us now with everything such as assignments, exams, placement and work. We're all a bunch of busy bees dying to get home and to finally have a break over the Christmas.

The Gospel choir is something of which that I happened to commit myself to, simply because the people are lovely and some that I've met have real soul and passion for music. Every rehearsal that we have, our conductor makes us laugh so so much.

My good friend Becks did a solo in "Now Behold the Lamb"... I still get teary when I hear her sing. If you could just see her, you'd agree that she is just so amazing! Our conductor said that this song will be hers for the next 3 years. 'Proud' doesn't even cover it!

I know this is supposed to be a countdown for Christmas Day but I am actually counting down to the 17th - the day I arrive in Dublin.

11 Days left guys!

Blogmas - Day 2 - Why family is important at Christmas Time

Source: We Heart It

I do wonder what it must feel like to have no family or no one else in the world to care for you during Christmas... I wouldn't want to say "I know how you feel!" because I don't. I feel loneliness at times but then again nearly everyone does.

My mum has always told me that I should take at least one moment of everyday to thank god/ the universe or reflect on everything I have in my life and to be grateful for it. So I do. Usually when it's the happiest point of my day.

When I was younger, probably around six, I was watching the news with my mum, Granny and Granddad and I remember finding out in that moment what death really meant. And during that time I thought it only happened to you as you got older. So I cried by myself by the back door of the house sitting on the floor with the dog beside me. My Mum knelt down next to me and told me that Granny and Granddad wouldn't die... of course it's something you'd say to a child but from then on I made sure to never take them for granted. Christmas is the time to have time to think and to make sure you show your family and friends that you do love them. Then as I got older I saw how anyone could die and not just from old age.

Gifts of course I do love them but to be honest I've never been excited for them (apart from 3 gifts I've ever ever received in my life... to be continued on another post) ... sounding a little selfish.... but I get excited for buying the gifts for people where I know they love to get them. It's tricky in my family as we don't really care about getting them. We're pretty much happy with the goodies, music, movies and dressing up. All the same we still put smiles on our faces to express how thankful we are.

Christmas time is really about making sure someone doesn't feel alone in this world. That they are cared for and that they matter. My parents have invited so many people into our home over all of the Christmases I can remember. A cousin that we had barely known, his mother and father had passed away in the same year and he didn't feel welcomed in his siblings houses for the holiday celebrations, so my parents invited him to spend it with us. Another year my aunt came from the Caribbean and stayed with us for a few months as she tried to sort out her life. Even dads friend was welcomed into our home when he had just separated from his wife and wasn't allowed to see his children.

It's the family that shows us what Christmas really means. And mine really has worn their hearts on their sleeves and has opened our home to anyone who is going through a rough patch. It's all I know about Christmas. And if I didn't have a family I really don't know what I would do at this time of year.

So be thankful and full of praise towards your family. Thank the universe for that goodness you have yet in your lives. Even with every disastrous that is happening in the world today, it really does show you how your life can change in the most unexpected times. Think about that and just take this moment to know what you have right before you!! Christmas lights, decorations, music and gifts will never go away, they will always be around at Christmas in many years to come but family may not.

Love them and share that love to others who need it!!

Blogmas - Day 1 - My Favourite Christmas Tradition

Hello dearies,

Well it's that time again.... Blogmas. The season where I publish a festive blog post every day up until Christmas Day.... (technically as I am posting them the day after it'll be Boxing Day (or if you're Irish, that St. Stevens Day for us.)

I had been pondering whether to do Blogmas this year, considering as I am busier than I was last year.... with Uni work such as assignments & exams, then there's placement, my commitments to the Gospel Choir and also my job.  But hey to me this is kinda like a countdown till I go back to Ireland for Christmas, when I will get to see my family and friends and have great long catch ups with them.

So day one I wanted to tell you all what my top most favourite Christmas tradition is. Now there's just so many to pick from so I'll give you a countdown list to my top favourite. Of course they've changed since my Gran passed away but I'm adjusting to new changes.

- Going to our main town Roscommon to see the turning on of the lights. Sadly I'll most likely miss this particular tradition this year. Usually me and my family see our friends and neighbours in the square of the town. So it's an exciting atmosphere to be around, seeing the town so busy... and trust me Roscommon is such a quiet town!

- Visiting the neighbours and family the week before Christmas.

- Christmas Eve, my family and I ALWAYS go to a pub. It's nice really. Like it's the only special time of year really that mum and dad don't get hammered heehee. If there isn't a fire we don't dare step foot inside the pub. My mother and I detest the cold!! We really should be living somewhere like Egypt!! Going to pubs really is where we have a lot of family time.

- Opening one present on Christmas Eve. My brother and I did this usually because we could never contain our excitement as children. I usually either went of for a gift from my grandparents. I'm a sentimental little thing you see.

- Another Christmas Eve tradition is me usually going out to my Godmothers house to spend time with her kids. I wait for my Godfather to arrive dressed as Santa, telling the kids they better be in bed early as he'll be back later on in the night with their gifts.

- Going to Midnight mass in my main Parish church with my Aunt and Grand-aunt. Sadly my Grand-aunt passed away this year, so it will be very different this year. But it really is such a beautiful site to see. Candles lit everywhere and the two huge Christmas trees. Not forgetting the well crafted manger in the corner of the church. I find that it's such a peaceful place to be, with the lovely choir singing my favourites Christmas hymns.

- I also go to Christmas Day mass with my Mam, Dad and brother, all dressed in our best clothing. I usually do the reading and sing in the choir with my Mam. Dad only comes to hear us sing and say hello to the neighbours.

- Christmas Dinner but not what you think. I don't get excited over the food. I just love to see Dads work. He really is my favourite cook in the world. So I just pretend to show my enthusiasm just to show him how grateful I am. I dread the washing up though.

Viennetta and sherry trifle is always our Christmas desserts.

My Top Tradition

So my favourite thing really is on Christmas Day, where it's the whole family sitting together in the sitting room after our meal... granted we spend ages in our dining room eating our desserts, with our backs to the fire and listening to Christmas music. But it's afterwards when we go into the sitting room and we open our gifts. We usually go in order... sad I know!! And then with the blazing fire on we get comfy for Downton Abbey.

Happy Decmember huns... (thinkin' of Mulan!)

Festive Feelings :: 11 :: Spreading Magic on Christmas Eve!

It's Christmas Eve Babe!

Magic is all around us and Santa is on his way.

When there are more good moments on Christmas Eve, they really stand out, making it feel even more magical.

I see magic in where there is kindness shown by others, in the laughter that is made together while watching family movies and also in the shining stars. I've just stood outside the door with dad and it's such a beautiful night. Somewhere inside me, I tell myself that Santa is real, because the idea of magic is just amazing.

Isn't it a lovely feeling when you help an other person out. Whether they're stressed, or  upset, and even if you remind them to take a breath or let them know that you're there for them it really can make their day. Today at work, I could see the stress in peoples facing, trying to get those last minute purchases and I did pause before checking whether they were ok. But ya have to chance it! I'm glad I did. I did manage to make some people smile today. Strangely enough I got a hug from a random customer. Maaaaaaybe cos I was wearing my bear onesie at work, heehee. Lots of fun. Pathetically it was just my Manager and I that wore them. I had the hood up and everything at the tills. Then my family came and laughed when they saw me. Embarrassingly enough they took a picture!! As well as my mother asked for a further reduction on a rather cheap item of clothing! How awful, heehee!

I gave my bus ticket to someone at work and I was glad that they felt a little easier, especially as they're a student.

Spread the love, the joy, spread the magic. It's a beautiful, wonderful feeling not just for you, but even more so for that person.

Festive Feelings :: 10 :: Music Bringing Memories at Christmas Time!

Music makes everything even more special at Christmas.

I love how it brings memories of the times when I danced in the lounge area in my old house. Well it wasn't dancing, just spinning in circles to the music and had the heat from the range blaring at me.

I have many favourite tunes, but 'The Fairytale of New York' will always be my favourite. I love the traditional Irish instruments in the song. Even though it has plenty of swear words, it for me shows honesty. No mushy stuff. There are lots of ups and downs at Christmas. Fights about the dinner arrangements.

'Rocking Around The Christmas Tree' brings back memories of my dad cooking in the kitchen. 'Driving Home For Christmas' is the song I have a brief flashback to when I was little, sitting in the car, looking out at the Christmas lights on the streets in Dublin.

Even with the most more newish songs, like Michael Bubles, 'Santa Clause is Coming to Town', his voice is replaced with my friend Edel. I can always hear her singing it, with the twists in the songs melody. Music makes me happier. There's no song that gives me bad memories, which is one of the things that I love about music.

Since I've been alone these past few days, I've been listening to my new album 'Christmas at Downton Abbey'. It's been lovely. My favourite is 'In The Bleak Midwinter' by a wonderful, joyful choir. It reminds me of the time when I sang in an all girl choir recital in a hotel back in Ireland. My Gran, brother, mum and dad were all sitting in the crowd. It has always been a favourite of mine, especially as it was the first time I sang in front of a big crowd.

Are there any songs that mean something special to you? Do you feel that they can provide you with happy memories of Christmas?

Festive Feelings :: 9 :: Culture & Religion

Today I spoke to a girl I work with about what Christmas means to her. And I asked how she celebrates it. She comes from Poland and from there, they have many traditions. For example, Christmas Eve is the time where they celebrate Christ. Christmas Day not so much. They lay straw under the table mat while they eat, in recognition of Jesus Christ in the manger. And when the first star appears, they can open their gifts. Her Christmas includes, making 12 meals, all vegetarian and also setting an extra dinner plate aside. It's a way of showing that everyone shouldn't alone at Christmas and that anyone is welcome into their home. At their meal, they all pass around bread, basically the same bread we have for holy communion. Everyone takes a piece and passes it on to the next person and makes a wish for that person. For example, wishing someone luck for their journey across seas.

These traditions sounded so beautiful to me, and I felt happier knowing more about other cultures out there and the way they celebrate this holiday.

I'm very careful over here in the UK, at work that is, in wishing someone a 'Merry Christmas'. That person may very well not celebrate Christmas. So I should respect that persons beliefs and opinions. My Manager doesn't celebrate Christmas which is funny and probably a little annoying for him in a way, because everyone has to wear their Christmas outfits to work this week, plus there's the whole Christmas album on repeat. And the whole time there's kids crying, wanting pressies. So my manager kinda wants to kick them when he sees them. Doesn't like Christmas or kids. This at this time of year is very amusing to me.

On another note, today someone asked me what I was wanting for Christmas. Simply nothing. I don't like the sentence, 'I want *insert* for Christmas'. People should not want but need, love, happiness and hope at Christmas.

I will celebrate it with the traditions I have grown up with. And yes, even if it seems a little repetitive I'm glad it remains so. It's a laugh at times, but also very sweet.

Please let me know how you celebrate at this time of year. Or what your main holiday is.

I'm very interested in knowing other cultures and religions.

Festive Feelings :: 8 :: Appreciating Your Friends & Family!

All year round we're busy bees, yet somehow at the busiest time of the year, we make the effort in telling the people that we care about how much they matter to us.

Christmas we know how hard it'll be in pushing ourselves to send pressies, cards, visiting the neighbors, meeting up with friends. We go out of our way because the rest of the year we don't have to explain ourselves. There are plenty of excuses!

I love Christmas for being the time to visit my family, neighbors and friends. Usually I visit my family in one day, travelling in the car with my mum. I give the Christmas cards to them and have a nice chat over tea and Christmas cake.

With friends it's a lot harder. Last year, I went for a meal with some of the old school friends and it was just lovely catching up on our lives. Sadly I won't meet them this year, but I hope they know that they're in my thoughts.

I managed to send each of them cards. Even though I'm in a different country, doesn't mean I can't send a simple card. What does it take? A short journey to the post office!!

Christmas is exciting for meeting people that you haven't seen in such a long period of time. It's an exciting time to get dressed up and show people that you don't just live in your work uniform, heeehee.

At least with these holidays, 'work' never has to be a subject on which to discuss. It's the time where you really want to forget about it. And pretend in a way that you're never going back.

The family aren't working, which means there doesn't have to be any stress in having to go to bed early. No one has to worry about there being any appointments. I myself have the pleasure in not having to wake up to the alarm!! Oh how that bugger annoys me! Seriously!

So remember your loved ones this Christmas. Ring them up and just talk about anything. Visit them by surprise with a bouquet of flowers and a card. You may just brighten their day. Give the time to show them that they're special to you.

Festive Feelings :: 7 :: What Truly Matters | Feeling Blessed!

So another thing that I LOVE about Christmas is feeling blessed and appreciative with what I have. It's a great time to reflect on my life and to know how lucky I am. So many people out there don't get to have dinner with their families or have the comfort of a warm home. Some people don't know what it's liked to be loved or to be even noticed.

I know at this time of year that my family are there for me. They know me so well.
I feel so lucky and proud of my family for looking out for one another. For the things that truly matter, we are loyal and protective of one another.

Christmas for me, is the time to thank God for everything he has given me. For the family and people that I have met along the way in my life, and for the lessons I have learnt that have helped me evolve. 

So be sure this Christmas to remember what this time of year really means. It's not just for gifts and leisure's you know!! Do a good deed and you will feel true happiness. Not happiness that you get from opening gifts, but a different happiness. Something that can last with you forever.

Festive Feelings :: 5 :: Radio Times! Movies, TV Shows & Interviews!

Christmas is mostly about movies and tv shows in my family.

Who doesn't love scanning through the tv guide and finding their favourite must-watch films!!

We all have favourites from our childhood. Lots of people like The Santa Clause, The Grinch...

For me it's been 'Shrek', 'Narnia', kiddie movies like them. But Christmas Day is all about 'Harry Potter', 'While you were sleeping', 'The Holiday', 'It's a Wonderful Life', 'Top Gear' 'Downton Abbey'... and this year 'Miranda' has her last episode and 'Frozen'. And if that wasn't enough New Years Day we have 'Sherlock' season 4... With Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman.

I love reading the Radio Times interviews. Here in the UK, the interviews are a little more interesting than the Ireland tv guide. I think maybe that most of my favourite tv shows are British rather than plain old Fair City... just about the only Irish soap we have, heehee. Of course there's Mrs. Browns Boys Xmas Special. Always a nice laugh for Xmas day and the family. In the UK its on BBC1. And for the people in Ireland, of course ye know when it's on! So I'm looking forward to reading interviews with Judi Dench, Miranda Hart, Downton & Angelina Jolie. Hopefully not too many spoilers on the upcoming shows for this holiday.

So, I'm excited to highlight everything! That's how sad I am. My brother & I, ever since we could read & write, we would circle tv shows like job interviews.

 So my snuggy onesie, lots of sweeties and tv choices of the day will be the perfect way to spend our Xmas night. Be sure to let me know what movies you grew up to. And recommendations?

Festive Feelings :: 2 :: Lights, Church, Family & Hope!

More than the majority of people love Christmas decorations, reason probably being that they're so pretty. I'm a person who gets bored quite easily with routines and the such, with seeing the same old buildings everyday, but come Christmas the towns are all lit up and decorated in celebration. We all wish that the lights would stay up forever, but then where would that leave us? We wouldn't have anything to look forward to throughout the year.

I love to give myself a goal and to achieve it. Mistakes is what I learn from and what I am thankful for. And Christmas is the goal where family is the center point of the holiday. I myself get excited about going to Mass on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, more so than the revealing of gifts. They're very much appreciated and valued, but it shouldn't be what matters. I get annoyed myself with seeing how the media, tv adverts and the likes are just portraying Christmas to people as a time for getting excited over gifts. You know what gets me excited? Just normal days out with family and friends. I'm that kid who picks up a toy for a few minutes then forgets about it the next.

Going to Church I see a whole community, full of families, no matter what sizes they are, come together to sing and pray. My brother says he doesn't pray, but he enjoys coming to be apart of something. It's nice to have tradition. Hearing the most wonderful hymns, such as my favourites; Silent Night, Oh Holy Night, The First Noel, Hallelujah and Panis Angelicus. They to me sound so magical. So yes, going to Carol Services is always a must every year. Back home in Ireland, on Christmas Eve, I go only for the music, beautifully lit candles and the peaceful atmosphere. Candles make me feel hopeful and uplifted. Sometimes I lay there at night, staring at the flame. Just meditating upon it and clearing my mind.

Lights give me hope, Church gives me hope and family gives me hope! I'm not a positive person but I am in a way a strong person. And one goal in my life is to hang on to whatever hope I have.

Festive Feelings :: 1 :: Food & Hot Drinks!

Merry Christmas Everybody,

And so this is me, little old giggles of life doing blogmas. My sisterish-bestie EdelBelle! created this tag post last Christmas. For 12 days, she wrote what she enjoys most about this special time of year. So I thank her for tagging each and every one of us, but I was honored in her asking me personally ----- twitter that is, heehee. Feeling very special.

The rules
1. 12 blogs  each saying a favourite thing about Christmas.
2. A blog a day....so one blog everyday from when you begin.
3.Title wise its (Festive Feeling-'Insert favourite thing'). As for the picture each day, Edel had edited hers last year for everyday. So I will be using hers, but you can make your very own if you so wish.
4. And lastly Edels final rule was to have fun and get in the Christmas Spirit!!!

So, food!

I don't eat that much as I get full after only a few mouthfuls, but I do enjoy the taste of food.

There's the whole festive foods, such as my favourites mince pies. I remember laying them out for Santa with a glass of milk and two carrots for the reindeer's. Whenever Santa had some mince pies left over I would eat them, believing them to be special, bit like holy communion, haha! As a kid, that's how I saw it anyway.

Christmas cakes have already been stashed away in the press. I enjoy eating a slice with a cup of tea. The taste is strong, but the flavours are what Christmas is!

Then of course there's the Christmas dinner. Everyone usually has something like, turkey, goose etc. In my family for the past 20 years, it has always been turkey, ham, brussel sprouts, parsnips, broccoli, carrots, green beans or mushy peas, along with my favourite... cranberry sauce. Turkey sandwiches will then be breakfast, lunch  and dinner for the next few days.

After dinner we always have our traditional, Vienetta ice-cream (with either cake or jelly.) Christmas Day also includs our treats, Celebrations or Roses. My favouirte being Celebrations. Mmmm, malteasers... nice. Oh and finishing up on the advent calendars. Hey, I pat myself on the shoulder for whenever I complete it.

Drinks!!

This season, thankfully, I don't have to explain why I drink so many hot drinks. I won't get those confused looks I get in Summer. I love all sorts of teas, coffees, hot cocoas, lattés, mochas... it goes on!

Coffee shops, such as Starbucks and Costa have the festive cups as well, so when you go out shopping, you have the pleasure in carrying either a little snowman, reindeer or a Santa. Out of all the festive drinks, my absolute favourite would have to be the black forest hot chocolate from Costa and vanilla spiced latté from Starbucks. So my time recently has been spent in cafés, drinking a hot drink and writing down notes, in my diary or work journal, or perhaps reading or enjoying a good vlogmas from Jim Chapman.