Friday Smiles 2024 # Week 50

Once the hustle and bustle of Christmas decorating, card writing and baking is done, there is often a couple of quieter weeks, (unless you are a busy mum with last minute present buying and wrapping to do), but I like these quiet days when I can curl up with a book and read for hours, watch some nonsense TV and if I am lucky, find a sheltered spot and sit in the sun for an hour. We have had a few quick hours of sun on the porch before it drops, earlier now, and hides behind the corner of the roof.

But it hasn't been all quiet and restful.

Saturday a very Equadorian tradition arrived in our village. There is quite a large group of folk from Equador who live at the top of the village, and when it is one of their celebrations, other groups come from the towns and villages around. So this week it was the celebration of the Niño de Isinche. As far as I can find out, centuries ago a pack of mules brought bales of straw to a big hacienda in the village of Isinche, Equador. While 'processing' one of the bales, a small wooden statue of a baby was found. The rich owner of the hacienda had a vivid dream which led him to build a glass enclosure for the statue which became known as Niño de Isinche, and every year, close to Christmas, the Equadorians hold celebrations in its honour. There are several parts ro the ritual which involve various costumes, and of course, food elements, but here it seems to be a day for doning colourful clothes and playing loud music, while dancing, eating, and having a good day. They start with a big mass in the church, and then they dance to a nearby ground donated to them for sport and recreation, where they have a huge party, with music and loud fireworks, that continues late into the night. I often go up to watch them leave the church. I have to admit some of their masks and costumes are a bit scarey, but I love all the girls bright coloured skirts and shawls, and white embroidered shirts.  But this year I was busy in the kitchen so I didn't go but I have made a collage of some photos posted on the Town Hall facebook page, to give you a feel for what it was like.

Why was I busy in the kitchen, and what was I baking...  mince pies of course: six dozen of them and a little jam tart to use up the left-over pastry. They are the only Christmas sweet cakes that we both enjoy so many of these will eventually be eaten by us, but some will be given away too.

Yesterday was my sewing group Christmas party at a nearby hostel. There were about twenty of us, and this year we had one long table so it was relatively easy to walk along and chat to one another. We had a lovely meal in good company so it was very enjoyable. This is a photo taken from each end of the table. I was sitting next to Liz in the bright pink jumper, about half way down.

My skin condition has been getting slowly worse over the past few weeks so today I had another appointment with my dermatologist. She confessed she couldn't find the cause but I now have different medicines to try, so here's hoping they will at least help a bit.

We did get the forcast drop of 10º this week, but it has still been quite sunny and warmish out of the bitter wind. I still managed to get washing out and dried which is always a blessing. But the nights are chilly and the fire is on every evening. One day we watched this bank of storm clouds rolling towards us, but again they rolled away and we did not get the promised rain. We still could before the end of the weekend though.

Chris managed to get a morning working hard in the garden. He has cut down the two trees that threatened to overcrowd us, one by the gate and one over by the little square of garden in the corner. He uncovered our two poinsettias that we planted out after Christmas, the red one was four years ago and the pink one the next year. This year it is the pink one that has shown its colours, It is looking really good. The red one only has a few red bracts but I remember last year, it didn't really turn until well into January, so we will have to wait and see.

I was pleased to hear from my sister yesterday that my parcel of cards had reached her safely, and she has now posted them on. They travelled fast this year.

Tonight there is fairly benign face in the clouds. I am glad Iris could see the same face as I did in last weeks photo, so I am not the only one with paradolia in this little gathering.

Now it is time to prepare this for publishing tomorrow and linking up with Annie's Friday Smiles, and then I can feed the cats who are all around me meowing pitifully as though they haven't seen food for a week!