Betwixtmas Saturday

A full year of writing weekly

Hello again,

I hope this finds you (like me) enjoying a quiet moment or two during the ‘Betwixtmas’ period. The mist is lying low again this morning, as it has for several days now, making it feel as though we are cloud dwellers. The village is fairly quiet at the best of times, but the damp droplets clinging to everything seem to muffle even the faintest sounds. I’m the only one up and about, though it’s well past the time we’d usually be busily getting on with the day - and I’m still in my pyjamas, which feels rather indulgent. These few days between Christmas and New Year truly are a luxury for some of us.

Burrington Ham in the mist

A Festive Reshuffle

It feels like an age since I last wrote, as my previous missive was just a quick Christmas greeting. It’s been a busy couple of weeks! Not only did we manage to get the utility room put back together after the builders left, but I also orchestrated a fairly comprehensive reshuffle of several rooms in the house. This crucial reassigning of spaces involved a lot of furniture moving. Happily, I’m still pretty strong and, with a bit of wheedling, persuaded family members to help. There was plenty of huffing, puffing, and more than a few expletives, but we did it. We now have a lovely dining room where we’ve been thoroughly enjoying our festive feasts.

New shelves in the utility room which I love!

Probably should have remembered to photograph the dining room before dinner

The reshuffle has also meant that my computer/study is now in a much smaller room upstairs which I’m rather loving. I feel somehow safe and cocooned in here, while the room downstairs felt somehow grander and loaded with (my own) expectations. The time this project took also contributed to the list of things I failed to complete before Christmas, most of which are completely irrelevant, other than the sending of a personal greeting to my nearest and dearest. I had a plan, but simply ran out of time and feel sorry it went by the wayside.

Christmas Eve Farewells

On Christmas Eve, amidst family visits, last-minute wrapping, and preparations for a big family party, I drove our eldest daughter to Bristol to catch a bus for her 36-hour journey to Brisbane. It’s our first Christmas apart, and although I was pragmatic and absolutely encouraged her to go, there’s a quiet ache in my heart that I hadn’t expected. She feels so far away, and the time difference only distorts the sense of connection that instant messaging usually brings.

Having followed my now husband out to Australia just before Christmas some 29 years ago and staying for a couple of years, I wouldn’t have dreamed of trying to keep her here with us, but I perhaps have a new appreciation for how my own parents may have felt back then!

A Glass Half Full (Or Not!)

Christmas is such a funny time of year, isn’t it? It stirs things up in so many ways. As a village, we’ve been much more sociable—carol services, drinks parties, and festive singing have brought us together and reminded me how lovely it is to belong to a small community. That said, the stresses and strains of Christmas planning are undeniable, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed despite all the twinkly lights and pretty decorations. My own tipping point came this year because of a broken glass.

Apollo warning Gertie off. I don’t recommend naming a cat after a God!

We’re looking after our daughter’s cat while she’s away. I’m very fond of him, but he has a pathological dislike of Gertie, which drives him to the highest cupboard in the kitchen. His descent involves a skid landing near the kettle, a space that must stay clear. Unfortunately, that corner was occupied by a delicious array of cheeses, and I had just placed my most beautiful, special wine glass there when the cat made his move. The result? Broken glass, squished cheese, and a string of choice words from me. My poor in-laws wisely retreated to the sitting room while I stomped around. It’s just a glass, I know, but I haven’t quite let it go yet (as you can tell!).

Gertie seeking comfort with her snoot in a stocking!

Gertie, meanwhile, has found Christmas rather discombobulating. Her usual routine has gone out the window, surprise treats are coming from all directions, and an overwhelm of squeaky toys has left her unusually clingy. Last night, as I turned off the light, I heard her tail thumping happily against the floor as she muttered in her sleep. At least she’s been having happy dreams.

Hopes and Themes for 2025

These last few days of the year quite naturally invite us to reflect and to forecast, I know I will see many people writing a review of their 2024 and while I think it’s a useful exercise to do for oneself (I think we often achieve more than we appreciate) I find reading others’ lists of successes a bit intimidating. All I will say is that I am surprised and delighted to have maintained this weekly writing habit, and I thank you for your support and encouragement. My first post of the year can be found here and since I know that many of you too are creative I will share again this quote which I have pinned to the wall in front of me. It’s a good reminder to make time for what we need.

“Unused creativity is not benign. It metastasizes. It turns into grief, rage, judgement, sorrow, shame.” Brené Brown.

As for 2025, I haven’t given much thought to how I’d like the year to unfold, but two themes have been rattling around my mind: boundaries and mentorship.

It is my nature to want to help others, and while I believe it’s important to extend a hand where needed, I’m beginning to see how much of myself I give away. To succeed creatively - be it pottery, writing, gardening, or photography - I have to reserve some energy for myself. It’s about taking myself seriously in roles beyond domesticity and finding the right support.

For years, I’ve wistfully wished for a mentor - someone who might gently guide me, challenge me, and provoke deeper thought. I’ve tried masterclasses and workshops, but they’ve often been too specific and not what I needed. I dream of an old-fashioned kind of mentor, but I suspect this is unrealistic. In my daydreams, they simply appear in my life, but perhaps you have experience in seeking something similar? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Our Boxing Day Walk on the beach at Weston Super Mare, it was actually really busy!

I think all that remains is for me to wish you all a ‘Guten Rutsch’ - a wonderful expression we learned while living in Germany to wish you an easy slide into the New Year! I will be in very northern Finland next weekend visiting my sister, so you can expect a snowy sort of postcard from me.

With my love and very best wishes,

Vx

ps. Your comments, likes and responses continue to make me smile week in, week out, so thank you 🙏🏻