Easter

here at the Follies we usually stay home at Easter and this year is no exception. Our celebrations began Saturday night when we joined in the Easter Vigil Celebration of Light which usually begins after sunset. For us this was 8.30pm and the service finished around 10.30pm so easter morning was a lazy affair. 

In the past I have laid a trail around the house of brightly coloured plastic eggs filled with goodies but as the youngest Folly is almost 10 we have moved on to written clues which take more decoding. 



searching close to the woodpile for chocolate eggs

I always write the clues in rhyme though sometimes these can be a little forced. Here is this years selection:

Think of somewhere very cold.

Then grab the handle and be bold.

You may find something for your tea

Or perhaps you’ll find something 'wee'.

This one is not laid by a hen.

Go into the garden and think again

Eggs here we sometimes find.

You will need sharp eyes to look behind.

‘Where are you going to little brown mouse?

Come for a feast in my logpile house.’

Of the logs there are lots.

But whats’s nestled amongst the pots?

For this place there is no key.

But rather numbers – you’ll need three.

In addition to the treat there is a clue.

To find the last this you must do.

Now you are stuffed and can eat no more.

So the last is not made of chocolate galore.

Go to your rooms old and new.

And find something that each can do.

the afternoon continued in relaxed mode with lots of chocolate and sweetie eating accompanying movie watching.

We rounded off the evening with a family feast with us all around the table and look forward to spending time with our extended family later on in the week.

looking back

Looking through my photos, deciding which ones to use on the blog made me realise that we spent an exceedingly chilled out family Christmas.  As we are well and truly into 2012 I decided I needed to record the family moments before they slipped from all our minds.  Here are the much belated photo snippets of our family Christmas.

Christmas Eve always entails our family walk around New Alresford.  We even remembered bread for the ducks this year. The route we follow is very short but it is a walk we began when the children were toddlers and have maintained every year since. 

We stop off at Caracoli for hot chocolate, coffee and snacks.  The coffee shop has such a festive feel. It was a warm Christmas Eve - just look at those tables set outside.

The nativity scene close to the Christmas tree in the square is always made by children from the local primary school.

As dusk begins to fall it is time for the follies to make our way home.



Christmas Eve continued with a meal and charades and then it was time to put out the stockings, milk and mince pie for Santa - not forgetting the carrot for Rudolf.  Even though the youngest Folly is now 9 there is never any suggestion that we omit such traditions.  I have to admit that now the Follies are getting older the chance to stay in bed until 7.30am is very welcome, but even teenagers cannot contain their excitement longer than this.

The holidays seemed to roll on smoothly with lots of family time and leisurely activities.

It all seems such a long time ago now and already there seems to be spring in the air as Folly 4 and I noticed the snowdrops out on our walk.