12th December: Peace and Quiet - finding a little calm in the run-up to Christmas

Picture 1: This weekend we're forecast unseasonably warm weather but, for now, the icy mornings go on... Here is Clem clearing the windscreen.

Picture 2: I tried to get a photo of the sparkly roads but it's harder than I thought, so here is... a road!

Picture 3: Is this one better? There's a moody blue morning sky on this one too!

Picture 4: Poor Teddy is sitting downstairs at the moment, after being rudely grabbed from his perch in the bedroom by Orlando. He looks pretty traumatised, don't you think?

Picture 5: One of my early attempts at cross stitch which resurfaces every year. Probably time to press it now...

Picture 6: What can't you make without breaking eggs...?

Picture 7: ...Forget omlets, the answer is clearly Christmas Cake! It's baking in the range even as I type!

Picture 8: Peace has been maintained in the house now the dogs are in their baskets...

Picture 9: ...They are the wrong baskets, but they seem to have come to some agreement about it!

Picture 10: And speaking of peace: I have had this Christmas Card (from the Radical Tea Towel Company) for a couple of years now, waiting to be sent. But it's message is so poignant at this point in time, I would like to send it to all of you: wherever you are in the world, whatever language you speak, and whatever alphabet you write in.

Peace on Earth.

Picture 11: A teacher's desk at lunchtime... It makes you think about the different kinds of peace. Certainly not as important as global peace, but my head could use some quiet!

Picture 12: Pig In Blanket is on the move. If he is discovered, you might see his new perch tomorrow!