The light of the candle burns ever so brightly.

Candles, I like them for a number of reasons. What's not to like?

I have a fresh odor candle in the WC, I have 3 candles on the table in beautiful crystal holders. I have candles outside on the deck on a wee shelf for a cosy feeling while sitting outside. I have special candles for different seasons. Most important though, I have blessed candles I use in times of need and joy!

During my childhood I can't even begin to count the number of candles that were spent after being lit due to a stressful event. When we heard about someone in need, whether ill, in dire straights or hoping for a job, out would come the matches and the flame would light up the wall behind it. Didn't matter what time of day it was. Seeing the flame, one would immediately have the person in mind for who the candle had been lit. Positive thoughts and prayers therefor were constantly zapped to the needy.

My mum was a fervent believer that that flame would somehow be part of the solution. That the prayerful messages to the Heavens would be loud and clear. Not so much her 'wish' be granted, but that the person needing strength, courage, hope or energy would get whatever they needed. A job, good health, a child, a house. For the thankful moments the candle was also lit. The good results of an exam, the desired wish, car, home, child, job etc.

And I've always done the same. It brings comfort - also to me! Makes me feel that I am contributing in some way to the need that has arisen or reminding me that thankfulness is an important facet of and in our existence.

For the past few weeks my special candle has been doing overtime. For a number of people who are listed in my 'special people in my life book'. All of them ill. Some of them terminal, others hopeful for recovery in the not too distant a future. I'm praying their prayers will be answered. The lighting of the candle is a tangible and practical way I can be involved. Funny thing is, that the person of family thereof is comforted by just that gesture of mine! So maybe lighting a candle isn't such an empty action after all.

I looked at my candle today, felt humbled and concerned, and wondered, 'How any people to one candle?'

Not making the time- but taking the time, for friendships!

It is Monday and the weekend is now a warm memory. How lovely it has been to catch up with various friends. Something I like to use our weekends for.

Over the past few weeks we have had a number of catch up moments. I noticed when writing our Christmas cards in December that a few of our friends hadn't received the attention they deserved from us the past year. It highlighted for me the need to 'do it different' this year. To be a bit more alert and pay more attention to those people who brighten our world and add colour to our lives- in their own unique way.

What played a part in this 'neglect' was definitely the over full diary we had - the shift, the trip to my children, the visit from overseas, the new routines, distance and the a few small health odds and sods. So it wasn't a lazy excuse but more a 'too much of one thing and not enough of the other'.

We have finally found our feet, have a few less BIG THINGS lined up and feel more relaxed. Our routines more settled and our commitments less stressful. Time then, to restructure and refocus on what is important.

Friendships - such an important part of life in general. People needing people. Having a place to go to share your story, being privy to other people's stories, sharing memories or making new ones. Enjoying a glass of wine or sharing a meal - a coffee time visit or a walk in the park.

I am aware that it isn't the amount of time one spends with friends - but the level of enjoyment and support one can give or receive.

What recently was meant to be a quick cuppa - turned into 4 hours of sharing and unburdening.

When we arrived for a snack - it turned into a 3 course meal.

A short call to say 'hello' was a heaven sent break in a sad day.

The walk in the park - was a treat of nature at it's best ( and a healthy red nose to boot)

The need for more stamps meant that there are letterboxes received fun mail instead of just bills.

I know it is an unrealistic task to think we can meet up with all those in our 'little black book'. But I do know we can do our utmost to share moments - and make room for those wanting  to 'be' with us, for whatever reason.

I aim to mend my ways in 2016 and hopefully I will be able to say - I am pleased and proud of our efforts this year.

Our friends are the treasures in our life.

A wee flash back

I make a point of writing a last blog before year's end- but when you read what I have been up to in my kitchen you will understand why I was stuck for time.

But first- how was your Christmas? Did you eat in, out, have guests, a quiet dinner for two or did the day pass by without any specific upheaval?

Christmas is not the same for everyone, I realise that. For me it is being with family and if that isn't possible, then with the closest friends you want to surround yourself with. Providing of course they want to spend that time with you ( wink wink).

Listening to and looking at the various weather reports, not many countries had, what one might call, the traditional weather pattern expected at the time of year. We certainly didn't.

Funnily enough it was too warm- and not into temperatures as in Australia where one of my sons lives but, we generally have something close to a white Christmas- at least nothing much above 5 degrees. We had 14. And that feels weird.

Our guests were dear friends who otherwise would have spent Christmas within their own homes- not a bad thing, but gathered together we had a great time. Nine of us graced our table and I have to say,  " worth repeating!"

Seeing we knew each other pretty well, I was also aware of likes and dislikes. I stayed clear of fish dishes and had plenty of vegetable choices and in various forms prepared. I had a silky parsnip puree, jellied beetroot and carrot juice, shoe string sweet potato fries and an absolutely yum vegetable terrine. These accompaniments to go with the 5 and 1/2 kg turkey. The cranberry compote had a lovely tawny port added which lifted it to another dimension. Sooo delicious.

I prepared a 6 course meal.... with much love and dedication and I have to say " a proud moment" when the reactions and compliments were freely dancing around the room.

Our guests arrived approx 4 pm and we closed the door after the last guest left at 11:30pm. Guess you could say that we had a great evening.

Christmas, a time of sharing, of merriment and a taste of the holiday spirit. For me, I think of families in a special way. It is a birthday we are commemorating. In this time of refugees and unrest, I think about Mary and her being far away from home, being a 'displaced person' as many mothers now also are. But it is also a time of joy. New life, a promise of things to come.

Last year we moved into our new home on Christmas Eve and believe me, I had NO intention ( or energy) to have a Christmas dinner here. This year I reclaimed the festivities and made them my own once again. Wonderful.

Another few days and the tree and all the trimmings will disappear into storage once again and I can look back on a great festive season. I hope you can too!

Why do you blog?

"Why do you blog?" A friend and I were enjoying a leisurely coffee at a cafe. We hadn't seen each other for a while and it was time for a catch up.

"So why do you?' she continued. Before I could answer she added " I would be ever so embarrassed to let the world in on my life - you just flaunt yourself in pubic and don't seem to care what people think. Do you really believe they want to read about your impressions, ideals and experiences?"

Flaunt, embarrassed!!! I was struck dumb for a moment. Where on earth was this coming from - and where was the conversation going to?

Our, or at least her tirade went on about how privacy, freedom of speech, the written word and the dangers of Internet all had their moment of glory. She wanted me to know how concerned she was and also how negative her experiences had been reading some of the blogs written by these 'so called' experts and their views. Surely I didn't think I was contributing positively to society by being ' one of them".

Well, this was the last topic I thought we would be discussing today. I was completely caught by surprise. My brain was racing trying to discover what had brought on this waterfall of words - gunning for me it seemed and my writing efforts. I tried to make the right noises at the appropriate moments - wanting to hear more while trying to gauge where this was all coming from.

Suddenly it became clear when the item of 'topics' was aired. How did I pick my topics? " I mean", she said " you need to be pretty well informed before you can advise or even pretend to know all there is to know about something". Apparently I had written about a subject close to her heart - winter blues' and this had not been well received. Well, after all, I didn't suffer from it, and where did I get the nerve to write that with the oncoming spring - those negatively affected by the dark months - could now come out of hibernation and enjoy the sunbeams once again. ( in fact that wasn't how I had written the piece but it was how she had interpreted it).

I let it ride - no use defending myself or my writing passion. As we ordered our second coffee my friend leaned over and reached for a weekly left laying on the next table. " Oh", she said, " have you read the latest installment of Anna's Diary - wow, this woman is amazing. I love reading about her escapades".

I suppressed a grin - let's have a muffin with our coffee shall we?