Hi I won't keep you long.

Sitting at our dining room table writing this blog and seeing just how cold it looks outside I am grateful for all the hard work I put in during the spring and summer months, sawing splitting and storing logs in preparation for days just like this.Whilst our central heating system may look and be a little (well in fact a lot) old fashioned with steel pipes and finned sections in place of radiators, it works!  The temperature today has dipped to -10c altho we have at some time reached -27c which is fine as long as there is no wind. We are often asked how do we manage when it is so cold, The answer is simple put  an extra layer on and take a little longer to get ready before going out, long johns may be the answer of the day and make sure your tucked in, I despair of the fashion where there is a large gap between the top of the bottom and the bottom of the top I'm sure you get my drift.

Down our way.

But back to the view from our window, everything is coated on three sides in a heavy frost and this has come from the east as the western side of most things is less white, the sky is dull grey which makes everything a tad boring. But and it's a big but when the sun comes out everything and I mean everything is transformed the snow sparkles as if someone has scattered diamonds all over the place, the air takes on a magic all of it's own and the most minute particles of moisture freeze and glitter as they drift by. Thats when winter is at it's best in Latvia,  the snow is dry and brushes off clothes the air freezes the hairs up your nose and it's amazing.

It's amazing what a bit of sunshine will do

I am sure those of us who have flown have all wondered at the sight when on a dull dismal rainy day we have left the depressing sight behind and soared up up and away into the clear sunshine with everything taking on a new appearance. what were dark clouds are now  rolling hills of the white cotton wool etc.
Anyway to move on, the boiler is full,the pipes are hot, paths cleared and the birds ( chicken and wild) are fed and watered, so it's time to catch up here on "tales from"
The only thing of note that has happened since I wrote last, has been the pensioners party. 26 pensioners and several friends gathered for an afternoon of fun and entertainment including games, dancing and an accordion band (pensioners themselves) who had travelled 140 kilometers to play for us. Starting at 12 o 'clock we finally left the school hall at just  after 6pm.

All the way from Saldus (140 km)
just to play for us.

When it comes to games we are not big party game players so we just say sorry we don't understand and can sit on the sidelines and watch the antics as things unfold which is just fine. When it comes to dancing  well thats another matter, I have two left feet and no sense of rhythm but that's no excuse  one is pulled onto the dance floor any protest falls on deaf ears.especially when it's an "everyone on your feet type "
We can not refuse, to do so would be rude and so we join the chain and wizz round the floor arms stretched wide in and out over and under in one confusing mass, finishing up out of breath laughing at others smiling and applauding each other. Then falling back into our seats only for the music to start and we do it all over again.

All ready , let the party begin .

Well it's Sunday morning now and our door is open for Sunday club, something we have had for the last seven years, sadly as the children grow and leave the village for secondary school and dare I say it some of the first children to come  are now married and have their own children, maybe the next generation of Sunday club children who knows.
Back to this morning and with the snow falling we have just one faithful young girl, Vivita who has been coming since she was 5 years old, her english is good and being here gives her the opportunity to use it.  While I write this she is in the kitchen with Valerie cooking something, I think it may be cream horns, Whatever it is it smells good and I know it will taste good.

Making cream horns

Over the years we have found that food whether it be at home with children or pensioners or school cooking with different classes, eating a bring and share lunch with friends,or just the sharing of home baking with neighbours barriers are broken down despite language differences. Like a ripple in a pond who knows just where our actions will lead.

Yes they are good.

Having cooked the cream horns some were taken home for mum dad and the family. we'll find out later what they thought of them.