22nd December: The First Day of the Holidays

1. Orlando getting very concerned while Baby Ailsa was lying on the floor getting her snowsuit put on.

2. Watching our brother's family on their walk through the windfarm. They went to show Ailsa some sheep, and didn't know they were watching.

3. A very thoughtful and kind message from a friend.

4. A spontaneous hug on the morning dog walk - sometimes that can make anything in the world seem better.

5. Getting the travel cot out and cleaning it up, ready for the arrival of the Inverness family tomorrow! 

6. Looking at pictures of our beautiful dogs with an eye to entering them in an online Christmas dog show.

7. Pay-day. That might sound a bit Scroogey but, at this time of year, it's very reassuring!

8. Finally getting my bedroom completely cleaned. Usually it doesn't take long, but this has been ages because of all the Christmas stuff!

9. Eating homegrown carrots, which were characteristically (or carrot-eristically!) delicious!

10. Knowing that, with the solstice passed, the days are now getting longer. The magic of winter is all around us, but so is the promise of spring! 

11. Enjoying the Box of Delights advent calendar on Twitter. 

12. Reading and feeding back on another brilliant story from a Globe Soup contributor.

13. Looking at pictures from when we got Jess (our little cocker spaniel) and admiring how well she is doing with her weight loss journey.

14. Ailsa waking up with some seriously fuzzy and gorgeous hair. Her parents both said they had never seen it like that, but it was so cute!

15. Receiving some really beautiful Christmas cards - they are mostly very traditional and stunning this year.

16. Mum reading Linnet's story from The Children of Green Knowe. It is the best of the stories!

17. Catching up with people who have supported Crowvus during 2022.

18. Ailsa being absolutely adamant that she wanted cuddles with Granny Susie. She's amazing at making herself understood.

19. Doing the Radio Times Christmas crossword together. We're doing ok so far...

20. Clemency snapping up pictures of the birds outside - her commentary was very amusing!

21. Giving Alex, Aurelie, and Ailsa the official tour of Stempster. They'd seen all the rooms already but they were very good at pretending!

22. Having a sneaky snowman sweetie to round off dinner. Well, it is Christmas!