Walking the Essex way

Yesterday my friend and I walked to our favorite lake on a misty and frosty morning! First walk after Christmas and I really enjoyed the walk.... It was very atmospheric with the mist surrounding the lake.
Unfortunally it was to much for my friend, she had been nursing a cold all through Christmas and shes not walking today!!...I was hopping for another walk....I think I will go on my own, I could not sleep and have been awake since 2am so I need to clear my head....

A Christmas memory.

All that work! And its all over, Christmas is always something to look forward to, the gathering of family and friends, exchanging tokens of affection, the excitement of opening presents....The preparation of sweet things and the Christmas Lunch!!!

Now its only a memory! Did it really happen! Or is it a sweet memory of great times that hopefully our children and grandchildren will remember as I do with found memories.
of the laughter that I can still hear of all those past Christmas, of family getting together and that warm feeling of togetherness of belonging, feeling that we were loved.

I do try to keep that tradition alive, December is a month that takes me back to those happy times, of growing up in a home full of music and much love. Now Away from my Madeira and my dear parents long gone..
I hopped that my siblings and I would keep together and take it where our parents left of, but unfortunally it was not to be...My heart feels heavy with sadness. But I am lucky enough I do have my daughters and my little darling for me to love and be loved...

Happy New Year to you all

A Christmas memorie

December for me is a month of nostalgia! It takes me back to my childhood. My little house in Essex way is smelling just like the house of my early years in my Madeira, the house that I and my siblings grew up, the scent of cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg and black treacle, permeates the whole house.

I can just see my Mama baking all the goodies for Christmas, first the cookies, I remember we had to help, rolling little balls ready to go in the oven, then came the cakes mama measuring the ingredients into a big basin, no electric mixers like I use, she had to do it all by hand.
Once again the scent of baking, and one can smell it for miles, because every house in the neighbourhood is also baking for Christmas.

Now its my turn and it gives me a lot of pleasure, to keep the tradition going, I know that my girls and their cousins love Vavo's  cookies and it gives me great pleasure to send them to the family, a little token of a time when we all felt loved... I hold this memory in my heart locked like a precious jewel .

So now my house feels and smells just like Mamas. The house

 smells heavenly, the scent of spices so heady its intoxicating, and that's how I remember Christmas.
I hope that one day my babies will have the same similar memories.
Whishing you all a very happy December and I hope that you all have been very good, because Father Christmas is taking requests at moment..... So place your order wisely...

London outing.

Yesterday we visited London for a launch of an Anthology a selection of short stories Published by Bridge House....My friend Paula short story was one of the selected, (((The glass slipper Company)))
I loved being there it was so interesting listening and talking to the other authors.

This is the third time that we go to these. And am so pleased for Paula, so far she has had 10 short stories published. The last one was last year  in Cafelit 5.....Paula also has written 3 novels but she's till waiting for that break which am sure won't be long.

So yesterday we got all together that is Paula Her other half Russell who is very supportive bless him. her friend Joan and I..... we all went to London for the launch, but first we had lunch in a London Pub....In all it was a great day, even though I was not feeling very well.... really I should've been tucked in bed with a hot water bottle...But am glad that I went.....