Christmas Wreath Making

This morning, Milenka and I enjoyed a marvellous few hours at St Matthew's Church in Wigmore at a Christmas Wreath making event.

The church had been arranged so beautifully, with each place set out ready for creativity to take place.  There was greenery galore, plus lots of ribbon and added extras for those finishing touches.

We even had mince pies, stollen, sausage rolls, tea, coffee and prosecco!!  Because creativity needs to be fed!!

But even before all of that, I had the privilege of presenting a short Christmas thought.  I talked about LIGHT ... as comfort, as hope and as truth! 

I got a bit carried away with the greenery and ended up with the biggest wreath I've ever seen. It got quite heavy!  But, here it is, proudly handing outside my house 😀  We both had soooooooo much fun!

St Andrew's Night

Our St Andrew's Night this past week was a big success.  I think virtually everyone discovered a liking for haggis, even the vegetarian version.

A HUGE THANK YOU to my trusty helper, Pauline, who assisted with peeling, chopping and cooking 😀

In addition to eating, we had a quiz of Scottish words and their meanings, plus learning one of my favourite ceilidh dances, The Canadian Barn Dance.

Thanks Everyone, for making it

such a fun evening 😍😍😍

Thought for the week ...

Hidden talents ...

I love it when I discover hidden talents that our students have 😀  We already have a published poet in our midst, Emeka Onugha; and recently I came across another talented poet.  The words of the poem below really touched my heart and I asked for permission to share them with you. 

So much food for thought ...

Life’s Journey

Life is a journey, a winding road,

A place where joy and sorrow unfold.
          A roller coaster of highs and lows,
          With lessons learned as the journey flows.

                    Decisions made can heal or scar,
                    Some feel close, while others afar.

People you meet may bring you peace,
Or storms that never seem to cease.

          We wear kind masks, our truths concealed,
          Hiding the colors we rarely reveal.
                   Some bonds are fleeting, some will last,
                   While others are shadows of the past.

Each loss, each fall, is not the end,
But a chance to rise, to grow, to mend.
          For even the darkest nights must fade,
          And new dawns break where dreams are made.

In life, you'll find both friend and foe,
And from each one, a truth will grow.
          The truest hearts are few and rare,
          While false ones poison the very air.

Yet through it all, what matters most,
Is the strength you build, the dreams you host.
          To give your best, to hold on tight,
          Through every storm, through endless night.

Life teaches daily, until we're free,
Each moment shaping who we’ll be.
          It’s a journey vast, until we part,
          A sacred path for the human heart.

Ramanka  (Harsh)

Thought for the week ...

Dinner with the Famous Five

I love food!!!  

          I love spicy food 😀😀😀  

                      And I love being invited out for spicy food!!!

Jon, Pauline and I had the most wonderful time with our 'Famous Five' friends on Wednesday evening.

Our evening began with a welcome drink of Badam Milk, a traditional Indian drink made with almonds, cardamoms, saffron, whole milk and sugar.  Super yummy!

Starters was Medu Vada (daal fritters) with mint chutney, along with Chicken 65, a popular South Indian Chicken appetizer made by deep frying marinated chicken with curry leaves and green chilies.  Oh my word, soooo tasty!!!  

I didn't get a photo of the chicken, as I was too busy eating and making satisfied 'Mmmmmm' sounds 😀  By now, we were all getting very full, but there was more to come!

Main course was yet another delight for the taste buds  ...  Dosa (a thin savoury crepe), mini idli (rice cakes) accompanied by Mutton Karikozhambu.  I honestly thought I had died and gone to heaven 😃

After the three of us being served so beautifully, it was good to sit together over dessert.  The students had made us Paal Payasam, a sweet milk drink with vermicelli.  I had made raspberry, white chocolate cheesecake and a chocolate orange bomb.

NOW we were truly so full and it would soon be time to waddle back home.

Jon, Pauline and I would like to say a

HUGE THANKYOU

to Abi, Harinee, Desh, Gulakshitha & Jacob

for a truly fabulous evening 😃

Thought for the week ...

Thought for the week ...