View Full Version : RiUK's Advent Calendar
I thought I'd start the ball rolling for an advent calendar with a difference, each day running up to Christmas day just add a helpful festive tip or maybe a Christmas fact, whatever takes your fancy to help somebody out. If you don't celebrate Christmas, please don't feel left out, you could easily add a green tip of the day or a fact or a joke or natural remedy http://www.rawinuk.com/images/icons/icon12.gif Here's the first day;
1. Furoshiki
Apparently most of us over-buy wrapping paper each festive season leading to some 83 kilometres of giftwrap waste each year, most of it in the run-up to Christmas (quote (http://www.makingyourown.co.uk/make-your-own-gift-wrap.html)).
This issue has even led to academic studies on the subject, like one from a British mathematician (http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/guest/21972/?a=f) at the University of Leicester, who has devised a formula for how to most efficiently wrap a present of any shape and size.
Or alternatively you could learn furoshiki (http://www.recyclenow.com/what_can_i_do_today/furoshiki_japanese_w.html) the Japanese art of wrapping presents in scarves (Lush have caught on this year), either recycling ones you have or buying them from charity shops to boost your 'greeness' http://www.rawinuk.com/images/icons/icon14.gif
:xmas-smiley-010:
Eeeeek what if you receive a pressie that just isn't you http://www.rawinuk.com/images/icons/icon11.gif
According to Encyclopedia.com - "Research for Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), shows that over half (54%) of the UK adult population received unwanted Christmas presents in 2007. Nearly two-thirds (65%) would rather receive one less gift and have a donation made to charity instead." Pants Presents - Just say NO, is a campaign by CAF (http://www.cafonline.org/default.aspx?page=16518) the link isn't working to their pre done email, but it wouldn't be hard to make your own to say you'd rather a donation to charity instead of a present this year http://www.rawinuk.com/images/icons/icon14.gif Still on the theme of charities, if you recieved a lovely spanking new new computer or laptop you can donate your old one to Computer Aid International (http://www.computeraid.org/).
One new way is to offer it on Nigel's Eco Store* (http://www.nigelsecostore.com/cgi-bin/affiliate/clickme.cgi?exec=Jax&site=site1) new regifting forum (http://www.nigelsecostore.com/forum/), "Been given a gift you have no use for? Someone else might love it, so don't let it go to waste - regift it instead. Regifting is simple. Just post the details of your unwanted gift, or of something you are trying to get hold of, in a forum below, and get swapping with other regifters."
Then there are the more obvious options such as Ebay (be careful the giver doesn't have an account though), JumbleAID (http://www.jumbleaid.com/), Amazon, Recycle a Gift (http://www.recycleagift.com/) and Freecycle, but maybe a bit less obvious is saving it for another person's present maybe a birthday or thank you pressie, somebody who just might love it a lot more than yourself, as the saying goes 'One man's rubbish is another man's treasure!' http://www.rawinuk.com/images/icons/icon12.gif
Remember Noel Edmonds Swap Shop, ahhh my youth! Well others remember it too and couple of site are popping up now like Swapz (http://www.swapz.co.uk/) and Read it Swap it (http://readitswapit.co.uk/TheLibrary.aspx)
Hopefully you won't receive unwanted items, but sometimes it happens especially with the Secret Santa idea at many workplaces (although to me it just supports consumerism!) :rolleyes: but sometimes with a bit of imagination you can turn an unwanted gift into something more useful for yourself - Craftster (http://www.craftster.org/) is a fantastic American craft site that many Britons use too (like myself), where I am always amazed at the creativity of a collective mind! I don't have a clue what a dorodango (http://www.craftster.org/) is but these guys do and some give you tutorials on how they made their project so you can too - just make sure you have plenty of time though - it's like a timewarp on this site http://www.rawinuk.com/images/icons/icon11.gif
:present:
LOL looks like I'm doing the whole thing myself then - phew talk about giving http://www.rawinuk.com/images/icons/icon10.gif
Okay this is a very lovely Festive Spirit poem for you all;
http://www.christmas-time.com/star-6web.gifThe Spirit of Christmas - Anonhttp://www.christmas-time.com/star-6web.gif
I have a list of people I know
All written in a book
And every year at Christmastime
I go and take a look
And that is when I realise
That those names are a part
Not of the book they're written in
But of my very heart
For each name stands for someone
Who has crossed my path some time
And in that meeting they've become
A treasured friend of mine
And once you've met some people
The years can not erase
The memory of a pleasant word
Or a friendly face
So when I send a Christmas card
That is addressed to you
It's because you're on that list
Of folk I'm indebted to
And you are one of many folk who
In times past I've met
And happen to be one of those
I don't want to forget
And whether I have known you for
Many years or few
In some way you have a part in
Shaping things I do
This, the spirit of Christmas, that
Forever and ever endures
May it leave it richest blessing
In the hearts of you and yours.
:hert:
Some Festive Funnies today, just imagine we're pulling crackers and these little gems pop out :614::614:
:icon_cheesygrin: Why was Santa's little helper depressed?
Because he had low elf esteem.
:icon_cheesygrin: What do fish sing at Christmas?
Shark, the herald angels sing.
:icon_cheesygrin: What does Mrs Claus use to make her cakes?
Elf-raising flour.
:icon_cheesygrin: Who used to give presents to Sherlock Holmes?
Santa Clues.
:icon_cheesygrin: If athletes get athletes foot, what do astronauts get?
Missile toe.
:icon_cheesygrin: How many chimneys does Father Christmas go down?
Stacks!
:icon_cheesygrin: What beats his chest and swings from Christmas cake to Christmas cake?
Tarzipan.
:icon_cheesygrin: Whats happens if you eat the Christmas decorations?
You get tinsel-itis
karen @rawchocolateheaven
06-12-2009, 05:09 PM
In the spirit of Christmas I would love to deck our halls with boughs of holly, but the prickles just get in the way, Baking pies for Santa & carrots for Rudolph well he's one for the raw diet any day so none of that either...5 gold rings...4 calling birds...3 french hens...2 turtle doves and a partridge...well that should just be a reminder that our feathered friends need a little extra help in the cold & rain to just stay healthy...put all those coconuts to good use stringing them in the garden filled with seeds & things....and the Gold rings well check out who made that gold? was it at the expense of mining the rain forest? or perhaps a child crafted it?
keep Christmas simple,
encourage people to send E cards,
We spend any money that we would have bought family gifts and donate to things like red cross or buying bee hives for villages......
think carefully....it's a very selfish time of year and we are like little tea lights lighting a peaceful way forward,
our gift is the Earth for our Children xxxxx
Merry Christmas
LOL ah you kinda beat me to the ethical side of Christmas a bit there Karen, but many many thanks for contributing to the advent calendar :victory:
My youngest son is in rehearsals in a play highlighting the menace of human trafficking, it's directly linked to the Stop the Traffik (http://www.stopthetraffik.org/default.aspx) campaign, and has asked me to give everyone I know the information. They are making waves in the Chocolate industry (always big at Christmas) to stop the traffiking of children, one of the worst offending companies in many area, Nestle, have actually just agreed to make their 4 finger Kitkat slavery free or fairly traded from January 2010
The following is the information for the campaign, even if you are eating fair trade, rainforest alliance raw chocolate, you can still play a part and help end some suffering http://www.rawinuk.com/images/icons/icon12.gif
CAMPAIGN AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN THE CHOCOLATE INDUSTRY
http://www.stopthetraffik.org/images/breakingNews.gif (http://www.stopthetraffik.org/news/press/nestle.aspx) Take part in our campaign to bring an end to the trafficking of children in the chocolate industry.
Wrap up a traffik free chocolate bar or put a wrapper in a card and send it to Nestlé with a Merry Christmas message! (http://www.stopthetraffik.org/enews/20091126.html)
Eat chocolate, eat lots of chocolate, but buy, eat and give fair trade WHY FAIRTRADE?
Because at the moment fairtrade is the best trafficked free guarantee we’ve got Because it shows the Chocolate Industry that we want chocolate but we only want traffik free chocolate!
Because your choice – for traffik free chocolate matters!
Check out our Good Chocolate Guides to find out where to buy fair-trade chocolate.
Party, protest and fundraise. (http://www.stopthetraffik.org/resources/chocolate/fondueparty.aspx) Host a chocolate fondue party and tell others about the chocolate campaign.
Drown your town in coupons! (http://www.stopthetraffik.org/chocolatedownloads/coupons.pdf) Download and carry our coupons around in your wallet/purse and every time you buy chocolate—give one to the shop. Let all the shops selling chocolate in your neighborhood know why you are buying fair trade chocolate.
Read Chaga and The Chocolate Factory to children (http://www.stopthetraffik.org/resources/chocolate/chaga.aspx)
Tinkerbell
07-12-2009, 08:07 PM
Ok my turn to help out! I'm going to rock up your xmas :party0007: with a few festive ringtones..................
Whoops forget that one - I can't upload files to the site!
I suppose it's the thought that counts! :p
Don't worry Tink, it means a lot to me at the moment as I just can't give right now.
Tinkerbell
08-12-2009, 06:37 PM
No Problem Jax - I saw FB! You need to concentrate on yourself at the moment! :hug:
and here's a xmas poem for the rest of you :)
Happy Christmas Auntie Peggy
For Christmas I bought my Auntie
A brand new wooden leg
I didn’t have it specially made
No I just got it off the peg
You may say it’s not a nice gift
Or even that it’s a killer
It wasn’t her main present though
It was just a stocking filler
Copyright © Paul Curtis. All Rights Reserved
Kirsteen
08-12-2009, 08:44 PM
12 Days of Christmas, my true love
Dearest John:
I went to the door today and the postman delivered a partridge in a pear tree.
What a delightful gift. I couldn't have been more surprised.
With dearest love and affection, Agnes
***
December 15th
Dearest John:
Today the postman brought your very sweet gift. Just imagine, two turtle
doves .... I'm just delighted at your very thoughtful gift. They are just
adorable.
All my love, Agnes
***
December 16th
Dear John:
Oh, aren't you the extravagant one! Now I must protest. I don't deserve such
generosity. Three French hens. They are just darling but I must insist ....
you're just too kind.
Love Agnes
***
December 17th
Today the postman delivered four calling birds. Now really! They are beautiful,
but don't you think enough is enough? You're being too romantic.
Affectionately, Agnes
***
December 18th
Dearest John:
What a surprise! Today the postman delivered five golden rings. One for each
finger. You're just impossible, but I love it. Frankly, John, all those
squawking birds were beginning to get on my nerves.
All my love, Agnes
***
December 19th
Dear John:
When I opened the door there were actually six geese-a-laying on my front steps.
So you're back to the birds again, huh? Those geese are huge. Where will I ever
keep them? The neighbours are complaining and I can't sleep through the racket.
PLEASE STOP!
Cordially, Agnes
***
December 20th
John:
What's with you and those birds? Seven swans-a-swimming. What kind of joke is
this? There's bird do-do all over the house and they never stop the racket. I'm
a nervous wreck and I can't sleep all night. IT'S NOT FUNNY....... So stop with
those birds.
Sincerely, Agnes
***
December 21st
OK Buster:
I think I prefer the birds. What am I going to do with eight maids-a-milking?
It's not enough with all those birds and eight maids-a-milking, but they had to
bring their own cows. There is poop all over the lawn and I can't move into my
own house. Just lay off me. .
Ag
***
December 22nd
Hey:
What are you? Some kind of sadist? Now there are nine pipers playing. And do they
play! They never stopped chasing those maids since they got here yesterday
morning. The cows are upset and are stepping all over those screeching birds. No
wonder they screech. What am I going to do? The neighbours have started a
petition to evict me. You'll get yours.
From Ag
***
December 23rd
You Creep!
Now there's ten ladies dancing - I don't know why I call them ladies. Now the
cows can't sleep and they've got diarrhoea. My living room is a river of poop.
The commissioner of buildings has subpoenaed me to give cause why the building
shouldn't be condemned. I'm sticking the police on you.
One who means it, Ag
***
December 24th
Listen Idiot:
What's with the eleven lords a-leaping? All 234 of the birds are dead. I hope
you're satisfied, you rotten swine.
Your sworn enemy, Miss Agnes McCallister
***
December 25th (From the law offices Taeker, Spedar, and Baegar)
Dear Sir:
This is to acknowledge your latest gift of twelve fiddlers fiddling, which you
have seen fit to inflict on our client, Miss Agnes McCallister. The destruction,
of course, was total. All correspondence should come to our attention. If you
should attempt to reach Miss McCallister at Happy Dale Sanatorium, the
attendants have instructions to shoot you on sight. With this letter, please
find attached a warrant for your arrest.
-Merry Christmas
Right, please excuse my pathetic 'wobble' there, my world tumbled :o but I'm able to give a little now.
Okay so I'll do 2 days in one here to make up, and this is a big one and quite personal to me. I have 2 friends serving over in Afghanistan this Christmas and another who is a submariner but is actually home for this year :victory: So this is dedicated to them and all the other servicemen and women risking their lives everyday through the festive season xx
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE
T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE LIVED ALL ALONE
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE
AND TO SEE JUST WHO, IN THIS SMALL HOME DID LIVE
I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE -
NO TINSEL NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY THE MANTLE JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF A FAR DISTANT LAND
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARDS OF ALL KINDS.
THEN A SOBER THOUGHT CAME INTO MY MIND
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
T'WAS THE HOME OF A SOLDIER, ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, SILENT, ALONE
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN DISORDER
NOT HOW I PICTURED A LONE SOLDIER..
WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ,
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED
I REALISED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS, WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT
AND SOON ROUND THE WORLD THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY
THEY ALL ENJOY FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP BUT WONDER, HOW MANY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME?
THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED, I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE
"SANTA DON'T CRY, THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE.
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON'T ASK FOR MORE
MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS"
THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP.
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT, I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SAT AND SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHTS CHILL.
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE, ON THAT COLD DARK NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOUR, SO WILLING TO FIGHT...
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE
WHISPERED "CARRY ON SANTA, CHRISTMAS DAY IS SECURE"
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND - AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!"
THIS POEM WAS WRITTEN BY A BRITISH PEACE KEEPING SOLDIER STATIONED OVERSEAS.
THE FOLLOWING IS HIS REQUEST - I THINK IT IS REASONABLE.
PLEASE WOULD YOU DO ME THE KIND FAVOUR OF SENDING THIS TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN
CHRISTMAS WILL BE COMING SOON AND MUCH CREDIT IS DUE TO OUR BRITISH SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN FOR OUR BEING ABLE TO CELEBRATE THESE FESTIVITIES.
LET'S TRY IN THIS SMALL WAY TO PAY BACK A TINY BIT OF WHAT WE OWE!
Help for Heroes (http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/) are currently selling wristbands for just £2 to raise funds for the injured or you can donate online to this worthy cause.
:snowball1:
A raw vegan Christmas pudding recipe from Vegan Campaigns;
Raw Christmas Pudding
1 cup figs
1½ cups mixture of sultanas, raisins and currants
½ cup almonds
½ cup walnuts
½ cup mixture hemp & sunflower seeds
zest of 1 lemon
cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg
1. Soak nuts and dried fruit for 24 hours (also exchange nuts for any you like but don’t use peanuts).
2. Blend the nuts and dried fruit.
3. Grind seed finely (don’t add water).
4. Mix all these together with the lemon zest, then flavour to taste with the spices.
:xmassign:
I thought I would share a typical Christmas for us (if we're not snowboarding), what's your family Christmas traditions?
My lads have always written a note to Santa and Rudolf to say thanks for dropping by, over the years it's given me another insight into their views on things and has been quite cute, I've always written back as Santa and added any 'tips' for them for the New Year http://www.rawinuk.com/images/icons/icon12.gif http://www.rawinuk.com/images/icons/icon10.gif The youngest has always put a mince pie, carrot and glass of sherry out............although now a teenager I think he's doing this to please me :confused2: http://www.rawinuk.com/images/icons/icon10.gif
They always go down and get their socks that have been filled and bring them up to open with me while I stay in bed.
Then they go off and have their Christmas FIFA match, then go up the eldest ones family's house, while the dinner is made back here. After our dinner we then open pressies, watch some tv and our newest tradition is to play Rockband in the evening!
:xmastree:
Feliz Navidad!
This is a festive greeting in Spanish, and this one at 12 words is one of the longest ways to say Happy Christmas; Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas na Nupela yia i go long yu from Papua New Guinea :D
Here's a link to many more greetings from around the world. (http://www.santas.net/howmerrychristmasissaid.htm)
:icon_cheesygrin:
Tinkerbell
14-12-2009, 08:37 PM
Some Christmas facts
Why is Christmas abbreviated "Xmas"?
Because the Greek letter "x" is the first letter of the Greek word for Christ, Xristos. "Xmas" therefore means "Christ's Mass." The abbreviation has been around since at least the sixteenth century and is not, as some people have claimed, an attempt to take the "Christ" out of "Christmas" and make it a secular holiday.
http://www.luvscreations.com/holiday_pics/xmas/branch.gif
Why is it a custom to kiss under the mistletoe?
The custom of kissing under the mistletoe may be related to a Scandinavian goddess. Frigga, the goddess of love in Norse mythology, is strongly associated with mistletoe, which has been used as a decoration in homes for thousands of years. Mistletoe is associated with many pagan rituals. In fact, the Christian church disliked the plant so much, thanks to its pagan associations, that it forbade its use in any form. Some English churches continued this ban as late as the 20th century! According to Charles Panati's excellent book, Extraordinary Origins of Ordinary Things, holly became a Christian substitute for mistletoe, which is why we "deck the halls" with it. The sharply pointed leaves in holly were supposed to symbolize the thorns in Christ's crown and the red berries were to symbolize his blood.
http://www.luvscreations.com/holiday_pics/xmas/branch.gif
Why do we decorate trees for Xmas?
The evergreen tree, because it is perpetually green, has been used as a symbol of eternal life since the ancient Egyptians and Hebrews. The Scandinavians believed that the evergreen could even scare away the devil. Decorating an evergreen tree in honor of Xmas became popular in the Middle Ages, especially in Germany. The decorations then consisted of candles and wafers, to symbolize Christ and the Host. Martin Luther is actually said to be the first person to put candles on a tree. (The decorated wooden Xmas pyramid was also popular then!) The tree became popular in Europe and America in the 18th century and the Victorians started decorating them with candies and cakes hung with ribbon. Woolworth (a department store) began selling manufactured Xmas ornaments in 1880 and the custom became big very fast. The first electronically lighted Xmas tree appeared in 1882.
Nigel's Eco Store Christmas pressie ideas!! :present:Don't forget if you use this link here >>>>> Nigel's Eco Store (http://www.nigelsecostore.com/cgi-bin/affiliate/clickme.cgi?exec=Jax&site=site1)*, it helps this site to run ;)
For parents: I Love Recycling - Peter Blake limited edition tin plate £45
www.nigelsecostore.com/acatalog/I_Love_Recycling.html (http://www.nigelsecostore.com/acatalog/I_Love_Recycling.html)
For him: Cork case for laptops £21.99
www.nigelsecostore.com/acatalog/Laptop_Case.html (http://www.nigelsecostore.com/acatalog/Laptop_Case.html)
For her: Recycled wool Yellow Bobble Hat £13.99
www.nigelsecostore.com/acatalog/Yellow_Striped_Big_Bobble_Hat.html (http://www.nigelsecostore.com/acatalog/Yellow_Striped_Big_Bobble_Hat.html)
For teens: special offer solio charger for phones £36.99
www.nigelsecostore.com/acatalog/Solio_H1000.html (http://www.nigelsecostore.com/acatalog/Solio_H1000.html)
For kids: Pedalite safety light for cyclists £39.99
www.nigelsecostore.com/acatalog/360__Visibility_Pedalite.html (http://www.nigelsecostore.com/acatalog/360__Visibility_Pedalite.html)
For babes: Eco Excavator solar powered toys £14.99
http://www.nigelsecostore.com/acatalog/Eco_Excavator.html
For the house: plantable heart shape Xmas decorations and gift tags £4.50
www.nigelsecostore.com/acatalog/Bloomer_Heart.html (http://www.nigelsecostore.com/acatalog/Bloomer_Heart.html)
For energy watchers: Radiator Boosters as seen on Dragon's Den £19.99
www.nigelsecostore.com/acatalog/Radiator_Booster.html (http://www.nigelsecostore.com/acatalog/Radiator_Booster.html)
:present:
Probably JUST for the ladies...............however I know there are some diverse men out there so it's not exclusively for the ladies! As I'm going through the house packing somebody's stuff up, I'm sorting out a few cupboards - Out with the old, in with the new! http://www.rawinuk.com/images/icons/icon12.gif Anyway, this conincides nicely with an article I read somewhere about a charity that collects your unwanted bras and passes them on to those in need, and as I'm clearing the way for the new lingerie in the sales after Christmas, this couldn't come at a better time.
So if any of you also need to get rid of your old bras and make way for sassy new ones, here's the link - BRA APPEAL (http://www.breasttalk.co.uk/bra-appeal/)
:xmassign:
(http://www.breasttalk.co.uk/bra-appeal/)
Carrot Top
16-12-2009, 11:46 PM
Here is a link to one of the better e-Christmas cards I have received this year. A good one to use if you are feeling a bit stressed with all the pre Christmas preparations and need to chill out for a couple of minutes. Children will also enjoy it. Make sure you have your speakers on!
http://ecard.ashland.edu/2004admission/index.html (http://ecard.ashland.edu/2004admission/index.html)
I hope the link works OK...
Here is a link to one of the better e-Christmas cards I have received this year. A good one to use if you are feeling a bit stressed with all the pre Christmas preparations and need to chill out for a couple of minutes. Children will also enjoy it. Make sure you have your speakers on!
http://ecard.ashland.edu/2004admission/index.html (http://ecard.ashland.edu/2004admission/index.html)
I hope the link works OK...
It does CT...................and it's AWESOME, I love that, very fab for Day 17 thanks :icon_cheesygrin:
A Christmas story - Christmas at Fezziwig's Warehouse by Charles Dickens
I'Yo Ho! my boys," said Fezziwig. "No more work to-night! Christmas Eve, Dick! Christmas, Ebenezer! Let's have the shutters up!" cried old Fezziwig with a sharp clap of his hands, "before a man can say Jack Robinson. . . ."
"Hilli-ho!" cried old Fezziwig, skipping down from the high desk with wonderful agility. "Clear away, my lads, and let's have lots of room here! Hilli-ho, Dick! Cheer-up, Ebenezer!"
Clear away! There was nothing they wouldn't have cleared away, or couldn't have cleared away with old Fezziwig looking on. It was done in a minute. Every movable was packed off, as if it were dismissed from public life forevermore; the floor was swept and watered, the lamps were trimmed, fuel was heaped upon the fire; and the warehouse was as snug, and warm, and dry, and bright a ballroom as you would desire to
see on a winter's night.
In came a fiddler with a music book, and went up to the lofty desk and made an orchestra of it and tuned like fifty stomach aches. In came Mrs. Fezziwig, one vast substantial smile. In came the three Misses Fezziwig, beaming and lovable. In came the six followers whose hearts they broke. In came all the young men and women employed in the business. In came the housemaid with her cousin the baker. In came the cook with her brother's particular friend the milkman. In came the boy from over the way, who was suspected of not having board enough from his master, trying to hide himself behind the girl from next door but one who was proved to have had her ears pulled by her mistress; in they all came, any-how and every-how. Away they all went, twenty couple at once; hands half round and back again the other way; down the middle and up again; round and round in various stages of affectionate grouping, old top couple always turning up in the wrong place; new top couple starting off again, as soon as they got there; all top couples at last, and not a bottom one to help them.
When this result was brought about the fiddler struck up "Sir Roger de Coverley." Then old Fezziwig stood out to dance with Mrs. Fezziwig. Top couple, too, with a good stiff piece of work cut out for them; three or four and twenty pairs of partners; people who were not to be trifled with; people who would dance and had no notion of walking.
But if they had been thrice as many, oh, four times as many, old Fezziwig would have been a match for them, and so would Mrs. Fezziwig. As to her, she was worthy to be his partner in every sense of the term. If that's not high praise, tell me higher and I'll use it. A positive light appeared to issue from Fezziwig's calves. They shone in every part of the dance like moons. You couldn't have predicted at any given time what would become of them next. And when old Fezziwig and Mrs. Fezziwig had gone all through the dance, advance and retire; both hands to your partner, bow and courtesy, corkscrew, thread the needle, and back again to your place; Fezziwig cut so deftly that he appeared to wink with his legs, and came upon his feet again with a stagger.
When the clock struck eleven the domestic ball broke up. Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig took their stations, one on either side of the door, and shaking hands with every person individually, as he or she went out, wished him or her a Merry Christmas!
:xmas-smiley-010:
A quick easy pressie for today to jazz up your profile - free Christmas avatars (http://www.free-avatars.com/k-holidays-78-christmas-79.html?page=1)
:xmastree:
Today's gift is inspired by Karen as some of us were round her house today 'roasting chestnuts on an open fire' so for those of you that couldn't join us here are some warming pictures to make you feel cosy on a very cold night :tea:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v445/ShaunRydersBrainCell/Raw%20in%20UK/chestnuts.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v445/ShaunRydersBrainCell/Raw%20in%20UK/Ted_Hontalas_firebowl1.jpg
:cold:
karen @rawchocolateheaven
20-12-2009, 07:16 PM
http://images-3.redbubble.net/img/art/size:small/view:main/204519-12-christmas-ornaments.jpg (http://www.rawinuk.com/people/karimala/art/204519-12-christmas-ornaments)
I found a nice picture in the festive spirit I love
I like your representation of our chestnuts & fire bowl...that is definately one to work towards......
Christmas baubles on soft feathers......maybe one to many turkeys lost feathers for this one!!!! but I love all the colours at this time of year.
Any trip round retail centres allways inspires me for the colours alone...the other moments of sheer beauty are the cloud formations, pristine white whisps across brilliant blue skies...
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:YcrI6A5eFf-zgM:http://themodulator.org/archives/KHwavecloud20060712182748_surf02-thumb.jpg (http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://themodulator.org/archives/KHwavecloud20060712182748_surf02-thumb.jpg&imgrefurl=http://themodulator.org/archives/2006_10.html&usg=__yG9e16XeO-IDRQNQhrgfNt356p4=&h=450&w=600&sz=203&hl=en&start=12&um=1&tbnid=YcrI6A5eFf-zgM:&tbnh=101&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcloud%2Bappreciation%2Bsociety%26hl%3 Den%26rlz%3D1T4ADBR_enGB279GB280%26sa%3DX%26um%3D1 )
beautiful....
ps the fire bowl eventually caught and died beautifully xxx thank you all who came
iTunes are doing a 12 days of Christmas giveaway from the 26th until 6th Jan, they are offerring a free song, video, app, TV episode or film. One a day each day so it means logging in to their site to get it, but you can sign up for the period and get email reminders.
iTunes Link! (http://www.rawinuk.com/there%20will%20a%20free%20song,%20video,%20app,%20 TV%20episode%20or%20film.)
:hert:
LOL time got me, so here's a couple of days that are a bit late :o
Ecohamster have some reductions on Burt's Bees products (don't forget to claim back 8% through Quidco), the best saving seems to be on the Burt's 'Overnight Bee-uty' Bag £8.99
Ecohamster are also giving you free delivery at the moment too :peace:
Link! (http://www.ecohamster.co.uk/index.php?cPath=325)
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