Christmas Socks and Goodies

 My girls assure me that they love my hand knitted socks, so that's what they got for Christmas again this year.  Three pair of 4ply socks, one each for them, plus a couple of other small gifts too.  They probably don't realise how long they take me to knit, but I started early, and had them done with time to spare.

Three pairs of socks

The pink ones are for my daughter Nicky, and I can't remember what brand this wool was.  The middle pair was for Emma, made with Happy Feet yarn.  And the last pair was for Megan, who has a much shorter foot length, so I have to remember to keep that in mind when I'm up to the feet.  This pair was knitted with all those tiny odds and ends of left over wool from previous socks, and I used Happy Feet yarn in plain blue for the cuffs, heels and toes.  I'm pleased how this scrappy pair turned out.

I came home on Christmas Day with two gift baskets, a gift bag, and a Christmas Stocking.  It was about time I unpacked them, I thought, on Boxing Day.

Lots of goodies here

Mmm, what's all this?  A big jar of my favourite cheese stuffed peppers - but there is a problem, I can't get the jar opened.  Also a big jar of strawberry jam, some bottled plums, plus a jar of preserved pears in mulled wine.  All so delicious.

Yummy preserves

What else?  Plenty of biscuits and chocolates to keep me nibbling for a while.

Biscuits and chocolates

Plus an assortments of soaps, creams, talcum powder, a sun hat, plus a lovely bees wax candle.  I'll be lighting that in memory of Robin soon.  And two crochet flannels/dish cloths from Nicky, I'll have to decide how I want to use them.

Haven't I been spoilt.

And lastly, Nicky spotted this piece of patchwork fabric so popped it in the basket as well.

From Nicky

I've taken down all the bereavement/sympathy cards today, and re-read all the messages again.  I particularly liked the words in one of them.

The memories shall never fade

The thoughts will last forever

A love so clearly Heaven made

Apart..... but still together

So many cards

I was really moved that a couple of people took the time to write me a letter, that is so special and thoughtful.

Christmas Greetings

Christmas has rolled around, and sending Christmas Greetings to you all.  It certainly was a different Christmas this year, without my beloved Robin by my side. I drove up to Kiwitea to spend Christmas Day with my daughter and her family, about a 75 min drive away.  I left home early at 6.30am and nearing the Whirokino Bridge, spanning the Manawatu River, just south of Foxton, the road was enveloped in river mist, quite a spooky feeling so dropped my speed right down.  After all, I could hardly see a thing.  Once over the bridge and away from the river the mist disappeared and I went on my way.  At that hour, the traffic was very light and I had no more problems on the road, luckily.   

I wanted to arrive early as the family always make a big thing out of opening the presents, followed by a big breakfast.  Granddaughter Emma was dressed as a Christmas Elf.  She had constructed the tree, like a grotto, with some of the gifts hiding inside, with the help of her uncle visiting from Australia.

Christmas tree and gifts

Mr and Mrs Clause were filled with chocolates

Christmas loo paper!

The gifts were handed out, opened and duly admired.  I was lucky to receive several gift baskets full of assorted goodies.  Noodle, the family dog was excited to get his annual Christmas treat, a squeaky pink pig.  He settled down to destroy it, ears off first, then the legs before ripping the body open to reveal the squeak and the stuffing.  That done, he was very happy indeed.

Noodle with his Christmas pig

The family always have their own take on a traditional Christmas breakfast.  Freshly bake croissants filled with ham off the bone, sliced cheesed and tomatoes.  Served with orange juice and plenty of coffee - delicious.

Later in the morning SIL Robert got a phone call to say that one of his older horses grazing on a neighbour's property seemed unwell, so off they all raced to see what the problem was.  Luckily the horse was not too bad and after a little care perked up again, maybe it was the hot sun upsetting the elderly horse.  

Our Christmas lunch was late because of the rescue mission, but nobody minded.  Robert was busy cooking stuffed, rolled, chicken breasts wrapped in bacon on the BBQ, another family tradition.

Robert busy on the BBQ

The sun was scorching hot by this time, mush too hot to eat on the deck, so we all went back inside the house for our meal.  Delicious indeed, chicken, ham, sauteed garlic asparagus, green salad, potatoe salad, macaroni salad, all very tasty.  That kept us quiet for a while.

Christmas lunch is served

Mmm, several tasty desserts followed, but I was so full that I only had room for a slice of delicious chocolate cheesecake.  It was time for me to start on the homeward journey so I finally got on my way, after it was all hands on deck to find my missing car keys!  When I arrived I must have put them in my pocket instead of away in my hand bag.  Luckily granddaughter Megan checked the armchair I had been using.

I had several occasions with tears flowing during the day, and I'm grateful to the family to just being patient and let my emotions settle down without making a big fuss.  To tell the truth, I cried in the car the whole way home.  It is hard to come to terms with losing Robin, and I have to admit that getting through Christmas Day was very difficult for me.  

Thank You All

 Many, many thanks to all who sent me blog post comments, emails, cards and phonecalls of condolences after the passing of my beloved husband Robin.  I appreciate each and every one of your messages.  Thanks also to those ladies who told me of their own losses too of their husbands, such a sad thing to go through for us all.

Robin's Memorial Service went well, although it was a trying day for me, as you can imagine.  The front table was draped with a quilt I had made for his 60th birthday, "Memories of Work and Play" I had named it.  On it I had arranged the framed Life Membership from the Caravan Club, together with his club hat.  And on the other side our wedding photo, taken 41 years ago.

Ready for the service

And off to the side were many, many of Robin's caps pegged up on my little camping clothesline.  People were invited to choose one to take home, and wear it in remembrance of Robin.  I'm pleased to say that most of them found new homes.  He loved his caps, and collected most of them during our travels.

He loved his caps

Ready for the service

I have this quilt now displayed on my quilt ladder, and have decided to leave it out permanently when I change the other quilts, as a remembrance, together with lighting a candle each evening in his honour.

Friends have dropped off several pots of flowers too, which I will be able to trim down and plant outside in the garden once they have finished flowering.

To brighten my day, Trish said

I've been slowly getting through the days, some days are better than others, with no desire to spend time at my sewing machine just yet.  But I do have a new knitting project to keep me busy.  This was started many years ago  by my friend Eileen for her grand daughter.  The girl is almost a teen now I think, so I suggested to Eileen that she pass the knitting over to me - I can finish it and donate it to somewhere worthwhile.  There was only about six inches done on the back, and as her knitting looked tighter than mine, I have unraveled it to start over again.

To keep me interested

Keeping close to Home

 These last few weeks between Robin's passing and waiting for the date of his Memorial Service I have been keeping close to home - a bit like being in limbo.  Although I've had to make visits to the bank and the supermarket to keep things running, I decided not to take part in several Christmas break-ups.

I did make an exception with the Sew Wots Christmas lunch the other week.  Thought I would be able to cope with meeting up again with this small group of caring ladies.  The chosen cafe was The Emporium, luckily not too busy with lots of strangers, and we all took along a floral fat quarter to swap.   We could add another small item as well if we wanted, for an added surprise.  Former member Moira came along too, so it was nice to see her again. 

Lucky dip for Christmas

Christmas Tree in the cafe

What did we eat, I can't remember.  But I do remember looking longingly at Carol's lunch and wishing I had chosen that item instead of mine!  The owner kindly took a few photos for us.

The Sew Wot Ladies

The other exception I made was to join my friend Dot and a couple of other ladies for her birthday lunch.  That was very nice, and Dot wanted to go to a favourite cafe which had recently been sold, just to see what changes had been made.  We were pleased to note that the new owners had kept most of the existing menu, after all, people like what they like, don't they, and customers are often adverse to changes.  No photo this time.

I've had a couple of difficult days, feeling most upset, so decided to take myself off to the local cinema to see the film For King + Country: A Drummer Boy Christmas - Live.  The film features a live performance by the Christian pop duo Joel and Luke Smallbone, a couple of Aussies now living in the USA.  Filmed in a sold out arena in Houston, Texas, it was a wonderfully uplifting film. Christmas songs, some were new to me, but many old favourites too, including the Little Drummer Boy.  I could sit there tearfully in the dark, and nobody noticed.  

Wednesday will no doubt be a difficult day for me, when the Memorial Service will be taking place.

Lighting a Candle

I've been lighting a candle to Robin in the evenings the last week or so - and will continue to do so. The flickering light is comforting as I reflect on our many happy years together, trips made, places visited, the people we have shared our social lives with.  So many happy memories.  And I must admit I do worry how I will cope in the lonely weeks, months, years, that lay ahead.

 Candle glow in the evenings

Poor little Gemma is still rather unsettled and her behaviour is different now.  I'm sure she knows Robin is no longer here, and can perhaps pick up on the changes in the household, and my emotions as well.  She was hiding away from the world in the box on her climbing tower.  I understand Gemma, wish I could hide away from the world too.  I never knew missing him  would hurt so much.

You can't see me, I'm hiding