[Snoopy]

Hello

Been very busy so had no time to TAS - we have had a wonderful run up to Christmas, Joe and Tara were interviewed in St. Georges MArket Belfast by BBC Radio Ulster who had a live broadcast from the Market, Tara sounded sooo grown up, they were all amazed because we went up the night before and slept in the van in order to make sure that everyone got their Tullywood Farm Christmas Hams, as it was snowing at home, and we wanted to make sure we got there!!

A wise decision as we do not have gritters on country roads or b roads, so we would not hve made it through the ice.

Since Tuesday we have been snowed in - the ice on the road is solid 3 inches and the rushes in the fields look like upside down
icicles - it has been sooo pretty - only two customers did not manage to collect their Christmas Hams - so more for us ( he he )

We are hoping to have a family party here today, but no-one can drive to us, so its a pretty walk through the woods to get to Tullywood - and the cars are parked at the bottom of the mountain.

Tara had her first not believing in Santa Christmas, and she had a wonderful time with lots of nice little surprises as she didn't ask for much, will post a photo tomorrow.

I didn't get anything  but I am very happy that I made lotsa others have a lovely time 

Don't feel too sorry for me yet, the secret santa might arrive - and ....  The Kenwood Chef KM020 that I was wanting has now been reduced from 499 pounds to 340 pounds at Amazon, and it will arrive on the 6th January - MY BIRTHDAY! 

So I have a lovely new machine to look forward to, and lots of bread and cake recipes at the ready

Wishing you all had the bestest Christmas Ever, and hoping you all have lotsa luck and happiness in 2010.

MAke sure you all do something to remember the true spirit of Christmas - tomorrow we are going to Ardcarne Church to the
Carol Service - love it. all candles and christian hyms and memories of school assembly and the morning prayers.

Lotsa love from JUlie, and Joe and Tara x x x 

[Rosemary]

Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2010 from Dan, Rosemary and all at LFC

[Crofter]

....and a Very Merry Christmas from Dave & Jane at Ravenstar on the Isle of Lewis!

[HappyHippy]

Happy Hippy sends her warmest wishes for a peacefull and prosperous 2010, to all my very dear TAS friends 
May angels guide you, watch over you and protect you all the year through.
Love and best wishes for the future, Karen xxx

[bamford6]

merrey christmas happey new yere from just out side aviemore minus 7 15 inches off snow from G L Bamford

[Fluffywelshsheep]

Merry Christmas from the McCann's and Jones'

[marigold]

Happy Christmas from us here too.. I really really hope that your secret santa arrives in the next post and that it is appropriate. We had a great day here yesterday complete with sledging. Our ambition for next Christmas is to grow everything on our plates. Hope you all have a lovely winter holiday.

[JulieS]

Happy Christmas Julie 

[carl]

a very merry christmas from me, to you all. had a lovely xmas morning,after a late night watching my son sing in his first midnight mass at sheffield cathedral, as a chorister. a beautiful bright morning, with snow on the ground but  blue sky, whilst seeing to the animals, making them safe for a night away. walked the dog down the lane, as far as the shire horses in the field, while I could hear a brass band down the valley playing carols, perfect. then a quick breakfast of scrambled eggs and smoked salmon with fresh bread and a lovely espresso. more chores, pack everything in the back of the wagon then 120 miles, to a lovely late lunch at a hotel on the north york moors, with the inlaws.( was not sure what to expect, but it was really good and no worries about squabling folk). most useful present was a hat with flaps, least useful was 2 bottles of malt and one of awful whiskey,caramel and vanilla liquor. i drink a whole bottle of whiskey at least every 10 years, if we have guests, wouldn't dream of giving them the liquor.we have returned home and have now done all my chores, piled up the fires and can now relax. Have had some lovely pork pie for our supper, which mark (aka sanam) gave us. it was made from their first batch of pigs, i bet he is really pleased with the results. nice to meet family and friends at christmas, but nothing beats home, with a roaring fire, a glass of red and a loyal dog snoring and trumping by your feet.
Hope you all finished the year on a good note and that we all start next year with good luck. cheers.
Peace now shattered by son trying his new tenor horn out, bought by his grandad as a parting gift from from his late grandma, who was sadly mised this christmas, but will  now always be remembered when alex is blasting the cobwebs from the rafters.you've got to love christmas.

[doganjo]

I remember Christmases like that too.  Sadly, I don't have a fire (can maybe sort that), kids have flown the nest (but saw them and their families yesterday, oldest granddaughter plays clarinet, grandson plays violin, and I gave the nearly 3 year old a wee piano - so maybe a small band in the making he he), then home alone (but who knows - maybe that could be sorted too one day! )

[sandy]

How times change...I usually see my family over Christmas and feel a bit sad that I am not with them all and even sadder that I still cannot afford to go to Australia to visit my eldest yet my ex and his girlfriend and there now.....BUT, times change,we grow older and have different commitments, if I save and go to Australia, not only will we have to have no income from the busy B&B but also no income from my partner as his wage pays the mortgage and he is an agency worker, not much choice but a lot of money and expense either way. . I chose to stay here with the dog  and puppy sit, I am enjoying it and really do not mind all the work now and in the f uture, this is the first time for ages we have not had any guests staying although they are back soon. I have had some wonderful Christmases with my family and with my partner....this one is focused on the dogs and the TV and maybe the food!!! Nice but nicer if I could have everyone here!!!!! Fingers crossed, another year maybe and this year I have a very big event with ancestors arriving from everywhere to our family homecomming..if that's not an incentive to loose weight then what is? maybe we should start a forum weight watchers???Happy Christmas Happy New Year and Thanks all of you for being there for me!!!!(and the other forum members of course)

[jameslindsay]

Sandy I have always worked Christmas day so therefore it just becomes another day - a busy one at that. This year though I enjoyed the day, we closed at 5.00pm, had something to eat, took the dogs a walk, fed and locked up all the goats etc and went upstairs, watched some TV and then went to bed. My sister works for us so she was with us as her husband was working till 11.00pm. My only niggle was I didn't get to see my great niece on her first christmas day but they stay in Forfar which is a bit far there and back when we have to be back for a busy shift. However, on Boxing Day we were closed so my Niece and Niamh came over with my sister for the afternoon and dinner as again both their hubbies were working and we had a great time. This was a good christmas for me.

Things do change, I used to always make a point of seeing my parents, sister and family and grandparents on christmas day. Now the grandparents are no longer with us and my sister and I have no contact with our parents. It doesn't stop me thinking back to the good times we once had though. Memories are great things to have, for the remembering the good parts anyway. Keep smiling, you have no time to worry with all these beautiful pupies.

[sandy]

Thanks, not too worried, we moved to change our life style and we have, it's great as well, has to have one down side e.g family..

[doganjo]

I moved down here to be near my family and Christmas Day was spent with them between two puppy feeds(5 hours approximately) - but you can't be with them 24/7 and that would get boring after a while anyway.
As to "maybe we should start a forum weight watchers"  I've started a new topic

[bigchicken]

As it fast approaches the bells or the new year let me take this opportunity to wish everyone on this forum a happy new year, Great fortune to you all in the forthcoming year.May you and yours be well.