A week in the country
I have had the most wonderful, exciting and action packed
year with the 45 anniversary of my needlepoint design and teaching and just at
the beginning of the month my 80 birthday!
The anniversary was so special in many ways, first with an
extensive exhibition of work, needlepoint done by some very talented students,
an opportunity to be inspired by ingenious adaptions of standard designs into
upholstered pieces as well as a preview of all the new designs with their
gorgeous threads and exciting stitchery
The other result was
many, many people whom I had not seen for a very long time contacted me and
some managed to attend the exhibition and assure us that they were still
enjoying their stitching. This
reconnection meant an enormous amount to me and I must thank every one of you
who responded.
Another pleasure was our 9th visit to Calabria,
way down in southern Italy and a first, a visit to a beautiful estate in
Tuscany which was an equal success and both are planned again for 2017; Tuscany in May and Calabria in September.
My birthday, well it hasn’t really sunk in yet; so many
people appeared to know (whether it was Facebook or just good memories) but the
amount of cards, well wishes and calls was really appreciated enormously and
celebrating with my extended family was great.
Which brings me to the ‘week in the country’. My daughter Candida drove over from France to
be with us (her husband Paul unfortunately had to stay behind with the animals,
2 horses, 3 dogs and 2 goats at the present count!) After the celebrations Candida and I drove
back together - much more fun driving with a companion especially around Paris!
They have an old stone mill which they have owned now for
some years but is still on ‘ongoing project’ however with log fires and
Christmas decorations the whole place looked very festive. As a family we all love Christmas trees and
it has always been a tradition to acquire a few new ornaments each year and so
it is particularly nostalgic to see some of the most loved pieces again.
Those of you who came to the Mill in Norfolk might remember
the very high ceiling in the living area and I well remember the late Alex
Larkin helping me firstly to choose a 12’ tree in the plantation, have it cut
down, bringing it home – up the stairs was no easy matter – and then decorating
it.
Another strong memory I have was an exhibition at Woodlawn
Plantation, the Christmas of 1999 when, besides a marvellous display of
needlepoint from various shop owners, Christopher Radko decorated the main rooms
with his amazing collection of blown glass ornaments.
Even though my original collection is divided among my
children, each piece has a story and helping Candida dress her tree brought so
many happy events back.
It might sound odd but Robert and I tend to spend the
holiday period with members of our own families; we are together most of the
year, have wonderful overseas trips together but, at Christmas we do like to
follow the customers of our particular families.
Then, besides the traditional garlands, holly decked with
berries and red candles in tall candlesticks there was the food to
prepare. Although I am back here in
England for the actual days, Candida’s birthday is on the 18th
December I was allowed (indeed encouraged) to help with some of the traditional
food, so we had happy times, shopping. preparation and cooking some of the
items we as a family associate with Christmas.
The rich fruit cake was made for
us but honestly part of the fun is both marzipan, icing and decorating the cake;
we stuffed fresh dates with left-over marzipan, dipped some in melted chocolate
and decorated other with stem ginger – both delicious and not too sweet.
Another first was a suggestion of simmering a large ham in
cider for many hours till the cider has reduced to a thick sauce, again
delicious cold and just so useful for a quick sandwich or with a baked potato
(my absolutely favourite) when there are so many other things to do.
Christmas pudding is another must in England, when there are
very small children around, a small silver coin can be buried in the pudding
and the lucky person who finds it has a wish.
Again there is a number of traditional sauces to be served; my family
have always gone for the brandy butter, but Paul remembers a delicious brandy
sauce (so Candida will be making that too) Some families prefer thick cream and
others a warm home-made custard – I know I shall be sticking to the brandy
butter myself.
So, what has this got to do with needlepoint you may ask;
lots, I can assure you. First when absolutely
exhausted with the cooking, climbing up ladders to fix decorations and wrapping
presents a comfortable armchair and some stitching is the best relaxing turn
off possible. Second you might have
made – or just be finishing off a spec case, i-pad cover or pincushion destined
as a present or you might have some stockings to hang up for Santa to fill or –
if you are American you may even have a tree skirt to mask the base of the tree
ready to pile the presents around I say ‘American’ as, however much I adore
and admire the beautiful skirts I have seen there is no way I would needlepoint
one to be admired for so short a time and probably covered with gift wrapped
parcels most of it.
Then of course should you wish to get ahead with next year’s
present, here we have a two day Christmas ball class (May 10 & 11th)
with Ruth Dilts when one ball will be worked but the techniques for both the
work and the finishing will be explained for future designs. Let me know if you would like full
details. I myself hope to make one for
each of my children for their next year’s tree.
So my week in France went far too quickly but with so many
happy memories I have returned refreshed and encouraged to do our own home
especially for a party we traditionally hold on New Year’s Eve and await some
newly painted canvases with ideas for our Tuscan stitching trip – I can’t wait
to both select the threads and stitches.
Wishing you all the happiest Christmas and a healthy and
joyous New Year
Anna
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