Friday 29 December 2017

Surprise Visitors

We had a quiet Christmas, spending it on our own.  I began to have a few doubts on Christmas eve, remembering and reflecting on Christmas's past...we had left it too late to drive anywhere, the last ferry had gone and there was no sailings on Christmas day.  That said the Carol service at Church and the fellowship afterwards was a real delight and lifted my spirits immediately.


We had the quiet Christmas we planned and enjoyed every moment.  We had the added bonus of been able to speak/see family with the amazing technology that we have today.  Neighbours popped by to say hello...




...and just as quickly left, strolling down the road together to the next cottage.



We did have human visitors too over the Christmas period, neighbours popping in with Christmas fayre which was a joy.  We feel thankful that we have been accepted into this wonderful community and this has reinforced our decision that this is our forever home.  No white Christmas here, the weather was very mild.  However, we have had a few sightings of snow/sleet/hail but it only lasts a few moments.  Food has been plentiful but I am happy to say there has been no waste and we didn't get fed up with the leftovers.


Eggs and cheese added to leftover vegetables made for a wonderful lunch with cold cuts and pickle.  All in all different is not as bad as anticipated, a different Christmas yes but a wonderful Christmas too.



Hope your Christmas went to plan and that you had the Christmas that you had anticipated?  Once again we have no real plans for New Year and intend to celebrate quietly.

See you soon.

36 comments:

  1. I wished I had had the same Christmas as you with four legged visitors and a cozy being together. Christmas is not anymore the same when we get older and then our children often celebrate it in another way and they have their own families.

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  2. We had a quiet Christmas but no unexpected visitor ;)
    I wish you and your lovely family a Happy New Year !!!
    See you...
    Hug
    Anna

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  3. What lovely, woolly visitors!

    Christmas was not as bad as anticipated here either, certain family members were not as intense as usual which made things far easier for me to deal with. I also appear to have become popular with my eldest and youngest nieces and spent some fun time with them (my nephew declared me to be "weird", he is quite right). The middle niece only has eyes for Dan!

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  4. How lovely to have some woolly visitors. Your lunch looks and sounds delicious, simple and tasty.

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  5. I'm glad Christmas turned out good for you after your slight misgivings Christmas Eve. It is always hard those first changes in a new place and home, so good to hear how settled you feel. Loved your visitors!

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  6. Glad you had a good Christmas, even if it was just you two. Isn't Skype wonderful.

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  7. I'm so happy to hear that you had a lovely Christmas in your new home even though it was different to what you are used to.
    We didn't have any leftovers to deal with as they all went home with The Doodles for their Boxing Day dinner. I was really rather glad of that but the fridge still looks quite full.
    Hugs-x-

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  8. Proving that a lovely Christmas is what you make of it...sounds lovely to me, too.

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  9. We somehow have the idea that all Christmases must be the same, when in reality, they never are. Before our first Christmas alone, without any family, I knew that I would just have to embrace the change. It sounds like you have made the mental switch to enjoying life as it comes. How wonderful to be accepted into the community and feel a part of life there.
    Your woolly visitors were a fun sight.

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  10. It sounds like a lovely Christmas, especially with your woolly visitors. We'll be on our own for New Year too.

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  11. Christmas with some one you love is always good. We had one of my sons as he and GF split up, although we had planned a time by ourselves, as moving, all my hospital stays and visits had kept us very busy in 2017. Like you it would have been the first without family around, but we did visit my daughter Boxing day which was very nice to see my grown up grand children.. but the rest of this week we have been alone. Yours turned out really nice and wow I don't think anyone else had such pretty woolly visitors! Nice to have you back, looks like you had a wonderful visit, sunny and warm and your grand children, a fab time.

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  12. I so enjoyed reading about your Christmas. Thank you for your sweet words on my blog. Things do change, but I am every so grateful for technology that allows us to remain close.
    I loved your visitors so much. How fun would that be to have a sheep or two popping by to say hello? And, I'm very happy for you that your neighbors have welcomed you into the fold so thoroughly.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  13. I love the photos of your sheep visitors! Especially the one of their tails going down the road to spread Christmas cheer. I'm glad you had a lovely day. We used FaceTime to "be with" my daughters and grandboys and I too was so grateful for the technology. The only problem is -- no hugs!

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  14. Was tickled to see the carolers you had at your door! I'll bet they didn't keep in harmony, but bleeted it out. We chose to stay home this year for a change. It was quiet and happy with calls from the girls and families, but not the same as being there. Have a wonderful New Year!

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  15. yay for friends who pop in! I'm glad your decision worked out and you are happy living there.

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  16. It sounds like a lovely way to spend Christmas. I love that technology can allow us to see others who are far away. It's lovely to be able to see Mum at Christmas despite being a world away. I've said this before but the place you live looks so wonderful and peaceful.

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  17. Glad that you enjoyed the quiet Christmas Lorraine, it's been quite a year for you, sending Good New Year wishes to you too x

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  18. We too have a quiet Christmas and yes, Christmas is no longer the same as it used to be. Thank God for friends. Our kids wanted to avoid the traffic congestion on the road and would rather wait for the Chinese New Year holidays.

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  19. This is the best one.. staying at home and relaxing..

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  20. It amaze what one can do with leftovers. Wishing you best in 2018.
    Coffee is on

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  21. Your lunch looks wonderful! I am a little jealous of your quiet no drama christmas.... maybe next year.

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  22. You're blessed to have a friendly community that support one another so it's nice to have neighbours who come visit you. Our guests who visited over Christmas have gone home and travelled back safely to their houses in the English Midlands and Berkshire. Snow arrived again yesterday. We plan to have a quiet time seeing the new year in.

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  23. nice post!glad that you had great christmas :)

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  24. I love your visitors, I had a few deer visit as they walked on past my house. So glad you have found such a welcoming community. Happy New Year.

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  25. The sheep are great I'm alway wanting to paint them .I did a small wool punch last night, Maybe that why I like them, as I love wool.I also had a great Christmas . Holiday have change so much for me. Its cold here, your weather looks warm Laura

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  26. Nice wooly visitors. They are an interesting bunch! I'm glad you had a nice Christmas together. And neighbors stopping in sounds nice. I think we'll eat last of our Christmas lunch today. Have a blessed and joyous new year! Hugs!

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  27. Oh...
    I sooo loved sharing your quiet Christmas with you.
    I am inspired by you, my friend.
    Inspired to embrace the inevitable changes that come with the passing of years.
    I love your new life.
    And we too will be celebrating quietly...
    Happy New Year!!!!!

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  28. Sounds to me like a nice way to spend Christmas. It was nice that neighbors dropped by. Folks don't do that much anymore, not around here anyways. I love the sheep who came to visit, and the beautiful view behind them. Happy New Year!!

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  29. I think that Christmas is what you make it and that if you approach it in a positive spirit, you can enjoy it, whatever it's like. You made it happen. Different isn't necessarily second best, it's just different. Happy Christmas to you both. x

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  30. Your Christmas celebration sounds quiet but full of joy none the less. I liked seeing your sheep visitors.

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  31. We also celebrated Christmas at home and invited 2 neighbors who were also planning to be home alone. It was out first Christmas in our own place in years and also their first in the mill apt, so we had a couple of firsts in common. And, like you, we also have no plans for New Years and will celebrate quietly and be asleep before midnight. Happy New Year to yiu both🎉🍾

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  32. Sheep visitors, enjoyed seeing them. We have Christmas like this to some years. We are getting older , our children are and they have plans with their children and take turns with grandparents at this time. Next year will be quiet for us. Good to live in a community such as you do with fine neighbors.
    Your lunch looks so good. I will make one like that with the eggs and veggies as you have.
    Wishing you a most Happy New Year! Betsy

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  33. A quiet Christmas after your busy holiday must have been quite a change. I like your sheep visitors and wonder if it's not uncommon to see sheep on the roadway.
    Have a happy and healthy 2018!!

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  34. Oh, how nice! They'd be welcome here anytime. Probably came over to wish you a happy new year, I do as well.
    Amalia
    xo

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  35. Christmas is the best time of year to receive visitors. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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  36. We spent Christmas Eve Day at the new Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium by Bass Pro. A mile and a half of amazing exhibits. Highly recommend it for anyone visiting the Springfield, Missouri area.

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