A Festive Concert: Barnsley Museums at Christmas!

Shedcast 9 on 18 12 2020 at 18 31

And so this is the run up to Christmas, no shopping for us, we are keeping well away from crowds and have ordered our supplies on line, now we can only hope that our turkey arrives and is not 'out of stock' or substituted for a packet of chicken thighs. 

The good news is that our new sofa is down for delivery on Monday - yeah! We shall be able to sit in comfort after our Christmas dinner, and for evermore should we so wish. 

I have spent much of this week in the kitchen in preparation for Christmas, and because it was our son's birthday on Wednesday, I made him a birthday cake. The freezer is now full of apple sauce, Yorkshire puddings, an emergency nut roast, cake, biscuits, pastry cases, pigs in blankets, etc. So I feel ready for feasting, even if there will be only the two of us. And we won't be holding back on the chocolates.

My art project this week was 'anything to do with a Christmas song' so I used Away in a Manger as my inspiration and this is what I produced:

Away in a Manger

Next week's project is to produce a Mandala, I'm looking forward to that one. I think we should have some sort of exhibition when it is safe to do so, or maybe put together a little publication to catalogue what we have done in this most unusual year.

Speaking of which, the second wave of this nasty virus seems to be swelling to tsunami proportions. A new strain is virulent in the south and spreading northwards, but apparently the vaccine will be able to deal with it. I suppose it will be well into the new year before I get a jab, David will be first in line as he is over 70. The over 80s are being vaccinated first, together with NHS staff, carers and the most vulnerable. It's a marvelous thing, and I only hope enough people put themselves forward for it, there seems to be a section of society who are not on the same wavelength. Wherever there is a crowd of people this virus spreads and wherever you look there is a crowd of people. I feel another lockdown will be imposed very soon.

Anyway, David and I shall restrict ourselves to our every other day walk, shopping on line, and video calls to the people we love. I must say, FaceBook is great for keeping in touch with friends.

We shall be in the shed again on Christmas Eve for our Christmas Party, so I look forward to sharing the fun with you by way of our next Shedcast. Meanwhile, keep safe and keep smiling!

Love and hugs,

Jane and David xx

Shedcast 8 from the kitchen 12 12 2020 at 10 54

Well, this is a first, a Shedcast from the kitchen. We were in the shed last night, but briefly. And then... Surprise!... What a fantastic evening it was, a family gathering in the street, everyone at a distance, unusual but very much appreciated. The photo's tell it all, it was dark and a bit chilly, but the love warmed us up.

We were in the shed but then we got a phone call, and...

It was sheer joy...

Jo up from London

David brought us one of his mandalas for the Arthouse...

And Tracy brought us a lovely Christmas tree.

This week's art project was 'cats' so here are my 'cat' pictures, not too inspiring, I'm afraid this week. Next week's project is 'Anything related to a Christmas Song' the challenge is on.

And... into some weeks baking failures fall:

Failed ginger biscuits! I put the oven on but forgot to set the heat at 180. There you go.

What a strange week, but it ended so well. Hope you have had a good week. Join us next week when we shall be back in the shed barring more surprises.

Lots of love to everyone,

Jane and David xx

Shedcast 7 04 12 2020 at 18 03

Hello Everyone from a very cold Birdwell. We had snow this morning but it didn't settle. It did put us off walking around the block, as we say, but no worries I'm sure we shall manage a walk out today.

I put my health issues to one side, and dowsed up on paracetamol I spent 3 days in the shed occupying myself with the production of the challenge of the week - a head and shoulders portrait. This is what emerged:

Our lovely daughter, Jo. It was not easy, I admit, but I really enjoyed trying to tease out a likeness. This week's challenge is 'Cats' so I'll have to get my thinking cap on. 

I am feeling much better and ready for a creative week. It's probably time to put the Christmas tree up too. David and I spent a couple of hours doing our Christmas shopping on line, yesterday, so we don't have to worry about that. I think it is time for a few carols on the cello - always a good way to spend a rainy afternoon on the run up to Christmas.

Unfortunately we have to pop in to Barnsley for blood tests on Tuesday, but once that's over we will be isolating all the way, and we won't be getting together with the family on Christmas Day, or any other day soon. We have come this far so a few more months until the vaccine has been widely taken up, won't hurt us. We are in tier 3 and that means 'keep away from as many people as you can'. 

So, on with the week. Keep busy and stay safe,

Love to you all,

Jane and David xx