No not Noro virus but the festive feeling! I just made mince pies for my Bridge club and instead of pastry stars I found some playing card pastry cutters and did clubs, hearts etc. Clearly I have too much time and very little direction. What the hell, it gave a lot of pleasure! And Grace that is what Christmas cards give, pleasure to each of the recipients, because they know you have thought of them. Try delivering by hand as many as possible to save on cost and those that you send to people you rarely see then a little note……you are always so good at that.
My mother now lives on her own and this morning I was talking to her and she would find Christmas hard to endure if she wasn’t scooped up by one of her children and could join in all the celebrations. However there are many who are alone and it must be the worst day of the year especially if they can remember happier times. My mother’s best friend, that she does everything with, was found this morning ill in her bed because she has been too cold to get up and prepare food for herself so she is suffering from malnutrition, how sad is that. All her friends, of a similar age, could not get out because of the weather and when she didn’t answer her phone, suspicions were roused. She is now being moved to an old people’s home near to one of her children but a long way away from my mother who is going to miss her so much. Getting old is no fun and Christmas highlights this.
Meanwhile on the other end of the scale my children (29 yrs, 20 yrs, 19 yrs, & 15yrs), who seem never to want to grow up, love every minute of this holiday. There were complaints when I did not send Advent calenders (with chocolate of course) to the two girls at uni! Yesterday we had a day out shopping with them, in Bristol, and we went to underground shops with no windows or shop front selling vintage clothing to Primark for red and white spotted fluffy pyjamas. We had so much fun, even though it was freezing and I had to drive back home through thick fog.
I have a story to tell about my Husband, again, but I think I need a few drinks to lubricate the typing fingers as it is a corker………so look out for it during the next two weeks…………….

P.S. Tip for mince pies – put zest of orange in the pastry mix and use orange juice instead of water to bind the pastry together….scrummy!