I enjoyed reading Richard Osman’s “The Last Devil to Die”, an entertaining murder mystery involving the Thursday Murder Club. I think part of the enjoyment comes because the four friends are all seniors, living in a retirement home and made it their hobby to help the police solve murders. One of the characters mention writing her bits and bobs in her daily journal and those three words grabbed my attention. I had always thought it was bibs and bobs as one of the tenants that had rented the upstairs of the family duplex, had a bit of a lisp, especially when she forgot to wear her upper plates. Now, decades later, I have the corrected version which makes more sense.
Being awake at 2:33 am is no fun. Instead of drifting off again into a nice, restful sleep, my mind was hop-scotching in various directions–none of it earth-shattering or needing life-and-death decisions. Bringing a home-baked apple pie or a lemon meringue to a pot-luck was not exactly serious enough to result in insomnia. And neither was car-pooling because our driver was a certified teacher for educating her students to the rules of the road. I had already dismantled the newborn hat that didn’t fit the grapefruit and started another version. The grapefruit was supposed to be the size of the newborn’s head. My last thought was throwing together blueberry muffins now to bake later or baking them now and we would have fresh-baked but colder by the time we were ready for breakfast. Also, if I did get up to do all this, I would be really wide-wake. And it was on that thought that I must have finally fell asleep.
Browsing through my favorite shop, Gardenworks, made me realize Christmas was exactly four days away as I write this. The artistic staff had been busy with their Holiday creations and there were plenty of inspirations for photos and gifts. Gnomes and Christmas birds were a part of it. Perhaps that was why my thoughts were scattered and filled with bits and bobs–Christmas was already around the next corner and I was just not ready. . .yet.
Lots of Holiday reds. . .that helped make a festive mood. Note I said festive and not chaotic which was what I was kind of feeling. . .
Gnomes and Owls–that helps. . .I really love owls and gnomes are another favorite. . .
A real orange tree makes it a Holiday scene. . .I’m feeling a bit of that festive mood now and less chaotic over what needs to be done. . . .
Pinecones and evergreen boughs. . really great scent and the sight evokes Christmas scenes of the past. . .
They’re not silver bells but silver balls and cones, on a bed of evergreen boughs makes it another Christmas scene.
Christmas Eastern Teaberries add to the mood. Thank you Gardenworks for getting me back into the Holiday spirit. Just browsing through your wonderful and friendly store makes it inspiring. . .
I think the sound of Christmas really hit when I attended a Pre-schooler’s concert. The carols sung by the 4 year olds was especially memorable, when one of the little boys proudly announced that it was his baby brother who was asleep in the large wicker basket as the enthusiastic voices sang ‘Away in the Manger.’
The smell of butter cookies, gingerbreads and mince tarts, baking in the oven, makes Christmas even closer–practically on my doorstep! It’s nice to know that the sight of Christmas-y reds and greens on displays– plus the sugar and spice scents that dominate the Holiday scene does make it a holly, jolly, ho-ho-ho, candy-cane moment.
Now the big day is finally here.
Thank you to all my Readers who read my bits and bobs and joined me on all my walks. I would like to wish all of you the Merriest of the Holiday Season. May 2026 make many happy memories to savor and enjoy; bring unexpected moments to be fondly remembered. But most of all, have old friends by your side joined by new friends met along the way.
MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
chocofigbee 