Cold.

It has been wild and windy today with a lot of rain and a few rainbows.

Our minimalist decorations became a bit more minimalist this morning. As I went round turning on all the lights there was a click and the lights over the table went out. Those were the ones with lots of white lights plugged into the mains which I really like. Peter had a quick look but couldn't see what the problem was. We had the same lights in the sitting room so I moved them over and have kept the old lights for spares as we don't know which bit failed. I then moved a string of battery operated single lights from the main hall into the sitting room so that things are more or less back to normal.

My whole day's activities have been connected to Christmas which is quite nice when there's no stress involved. Straight after breakfast I drove to the Post Office to buy stamps and to send off the first of my Christmas cards. Stamps are so expensive these days but I do think there's something special about getting a card through the post. I could have walked but it must be at least a mile each way and the weather was getting colder and wetter by the minute.

Back home I wrapped up well and put up the outdoor driftwood tree. (I can see from the photo that it is leaning over a bit so I'll have to adjust the wires keeping the top in place.) I had to wait for a break in the weather to hang up the stars most of which I tied on the tree as it getting very wet and I was losing feeling in my fingers. It's only a bit of fun and I like the challenge of seeing what I can make with materials gathered from the beach. Whatever I put up has to withstand the strong winds blowing in from the sea too.

While I waited for the rain to ease off I got a large pot of red cabbage cooking. Red cabbage, onions, bacon and apple cooked in cider vinegar with honey and allspice. I usually make it at Christmas and as it freezes well I make a large amount at a time. My kitchen antics didn't stop there as I made new orange peel stars for the indoor driftwood tree from an orange I bought on my way back from the Post Office.

The surgery phoned in the afternoon to invite me for the second shingles vaccination, that was the only one that has ever made me feel poorly then when I asked they said my blood tests were all normal. No surprise there. Now I'll have to chase up the doctor about the beta blocker.

A few more photos from the craft fair.

Ceramics.

Glass.

Tactile Textiles.