WILL IT OR WON'T IT ? {that is th question}

Just a reminder of what snow is like.

Yesterday we were told it might snow for Christmas, but then who knows about these things? this is a typical Latvian comment, the other very popular saying is-- and this is accompanied by the shrug of the shoulders ' I don't know' try getting a straight answer from the kids, and you are rewarded with 'maybe' it gets a little frustrating when all you want is a straight answer to a straight question eg Would you like a cup of tea,, a sweet,, a cold drink,,a biscuit or a million other things. Reminds me of customers from Melksham they couldn't make up their minds either but that's another story. But back to the subject of snow, you know that white stuff we were moaning about eight months ago. Apart from some cold and frosty mornings we so far have been very lucky { some friends to the east have had a light sprinkling}we've not seen any snow so far {sod's law will determine tomorrow when we wake up the place will be covered in it}

Just a card roll and a bit of crepe paper simple!!

       Well anyway theres not a lot we can do about the weather,so, swiftly moving on. this week we were in full production mode making the sweeties for the pensioners party,and as with most things we seem to do theres always something extra so it was mince pies for everyone and a candle for the table, each holding a mandarin orange.
One of the nicest things about life here is the fact that however small a thing might be people do not look down there noses but are happy with the simplest of things. At this time of the year one can get so caught up with the commercial side of things that we loose sight of the simpler things that bring so much enjoyment. Yes here in Latvia we see the start of the season turning into a knees up for the shop keepers, but it doesn't start until halfway through November unlike the UK when Christmas things start to appear in what? August!!! Even today I read on Facebook someone has seen 'mini eggs' on sale still the great god Tesco or ASDA must be fed otherwise their wrath will fall and food supplies will cease. Heaven forbid!!!!

Our table.

Better get of my soap box now, and back to the party. It is so nice to join with our pensioner friends and we know that a seat will be saved for us should we be a little late.We seem to have fallen in with our own special group and always share the same table. A table I hasten to add that is always laden with home made apple cake, pies and savouries,which this year included mince pies and quiche,and as always the odd bottle of home made moonshine,'hic'and this years sample was a very fine brew { not that I'm an expert in any way shape or form, I just tried it 'for medicinal purposes only you understand} the first impression was 'by golly this would make a very fine paint stripper' but it did warm the cockles of your heart. With a warm glow all around, or perhaps just in my head, we settled down for the entertainment. To start there was a dance performed by the small children from school. They were a joy to watch and the expressions on each face made it all the more enjoyable.

The girls were able to show off their pinafores a new addition to their outfit, these were paid for out of a gift given by the choir 'Con Brio' and I am sure you will agree they look very pretty in them. The afternoon continued with musical items poetry and even a 'belly dancer' life is full of surprises. I'm told she was very good but again what do I know about these things??? Valerie said my eyes were popping out like organ stops, but you can't believe everything she says can you? After the subdued lighting was removed the, adult dancers had there opportunity to show off a couple of new dances

This was followed by what could only be called a Latvian version of a pantomime, most enjoyable to watch but difficult to explain, it involved an old couple who it seemed adopted a porcipine{or hedgehog }who played with the pigs,but was just waiting for the beautiful princess to find him and restore him to the handsom prince he once was. Well I think that was the gist of it there was a king and two sisters? and a court jester in there somewhere. The porcupine/hedgehog was played by the school's principal, oh what a gem she is!!!!!,she also played the part of santa's fairy helper, and really kept him in his place,, especially when the belly dancer was performing!!!!.

Just you behave yourself or I'll tell your wife!!!!!

    But like all good things it had to come to an end, we finished with Santa giving small gifts to each pensioner {remember the box's from last week, containing coconut ice and peppermint creams} and a time of comunity singing accompanied by a young man playing a piano accordian, and the we drifted of into the sunset in a warm rosy glow, {in our dreams} it was cold ,wet and dreary, but with a snifter of home made brew we were at least warm inside 'hic hic' I think it could be summed up by saying, 'A good time was had by all'
 Whats on the agenda for this week, well !!!!!!   we have a leak in the front of the house and which was  down the sitting room wall, so that MUST,  be fixed,also logs to bring over from the barn or we will go cold, and bits still to do in the garden, we have another film night for the teenagers {with pizza}and this week we will go and choose our christmas tree from the forest. oh !! so many to choose from,,,,,,,,every home in Stelpe is allowed a tree  from the Stelpe forest..
Will it snow???,,,,,, 'I don't know,  mmmmmm,,,,,,maybe' !!!!!we shall just have to wait and see won't we?


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