Today Jackie filled the house with the aroma of her delicious jalfrezi sauce for the curry option of her Boxing Day culinary delights.
Taking a break after lunch on this mild, cloudy day occasionally graced with a peek of sunshine, she drove me into the forest.
Father Christmas once again toasts his toes on the Lymington River Christmas float, while gulls fly over moored boats.
Stopping at Shotts Lane to photograph skies and trees, we watched a raptor tracking potential prey, perhaps dreaming of its Christmas dinner.
Through holes in hedges along Lisle Court Lane we glimpsed the masts of Lymington Harbour.
The tree on the Portmore village green now sports its Christmas baubles;
someone must have dropped a jigsaw puzzle piece outside the telephone box converted to a book exchange. Although it did not belong to the puzzle inside the booth, I picked it up and placed it on top of the similar attraction, where at least it would have a chance to dry out.
A horse peered over a gate on Jordans Lane while another forever followed a pointer across a weather vane.
The crochet artist shy of publicity has now given us a Christmas mice theme atop the Pilley Hill letter collection box.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s tangy pasta arrabbiata and fresh green beans, with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank Cahors Malbec 2019.
I always cook that type of food.
thank you, Mina
Most welcome
Jackie is making many of us salivating.
Thanks very much, Sylvie. She will like this
It sounds and looks Christmasy there! So many lovely photos–and I like the bright baubles against the grey sky. I wonder what sort of raptor that was.
Thanks very much, Merril. John Knifton suggests a kestrel
Cool!
Love the crochet letter box hat. 🙂 Your dinner sounds delicious.
Thanks very much, Sylvia. I hope you can get in and out of cars easily now.
Thanks, Derrick. No problem getting in and out of our SUV. I’m not sure I could manage a low car, but fortunately that’s irrelevant. Walking 3 to 4 kms a day now. 🙂
Good
Delightful post of Christmas past and.present
Love the crocheted Christmas mouse family.
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Thanks very much, Pat. We particularly liked the touch of the crocheted lantern
That is a delightfully clever touch
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I love the Christmas float in the river! Is it anchored, or does it float down the river? I also really like the pairing of the live horse and the weathervane horse.The crocheted mailbox topper is the best one yet!
Thank you very much for your observations, Liz. The float is always static – and in the same spot.
You’re welcome, Derrick.
This post is filled with aromas, a sense of anticipation, a sense of community spirit and lovely views. I have enjoyed reading it.
Much appreciated, Anne
I love the mailbox topper! Great shots, Derrick. Thanks for sharing.
Much appreciated, Jill
“The crochet artist shy of publicity” – I would add the words original and excellent to the description of the crochet artist.
True, Tootlepedal. Thanks a lot
Not many more sleeps for Christmas Dinner Derrick.. There may be Grey skies above but you certainly found lots of Life and colour in both Nature and puzzles..
A joy to read and that crocheting such fun and skill… 😀 Enjoy your new week ahead Derrick
Thank you very much, Sue. You, too
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I enjoyed your little rhyme Derrick,
“Father Christmas once again toasts
his toes on the Lymington River Christmas float
while gulls fly over moored boats.”
which made me smile while I was writing a poem this morning … thank you for brightening my day Derrick
“The calm whispering sky
Becomes the morning’s warm footbath
While doggie paws wander on the winding path
Dawn’s old cogs begin turning
Rusty axles are slowly rotating
Daytime wheels start rolling
Time never stops revolving
New seasons always keep evolving
And summertime lights up new horizons”
The attached photo is from my/our morning walkie
https://1drv.ms/u/s!Asumt4cZ9A65hO00fmlVHZBcJfh-Qg?e=BKKUgd
I love the float. What a great idea.
Thanks very much, Bridget
The bird shots are absolutely stunning.
Thanks very much, Gary
The crochet person must get so much pleasure out of her making her mystery offerings.
I do hope so, Yvonne. Thanks very much
The jalfrezi sauce looks delicious, the raptor is breathtaking, and those Christmas mice are delightful! I wonder what happens to the crochet artist’s creations. She is quite talented.
Thank you so much, JoAnna. That is a good point about the crochet artist’s creations
The silhouetted monochromes accentuate the colours of Christmas decorations. The post is festive and poetic in keeping with the season’s moods:
Father Christmas once again
toasts his toes on the
Lymington River Christmas float,
while gulls fly over
moored boats.
Thank you so much, Uma. I am delighted that you picked out that piece
The river float, awesome. As for your crochet artist, they have got their knitting needles out as well.
There’s a fb group aptly named Our Happy Place – a lot of us NZers on it but also smattering of other world wide places. photos to cheer one up – often with a theme, This week of course “it’s show us your Christmas decor” some very entertaining posts…
Thank you very much, Catherine
I think it’s a kestrel, Derrick, but one with the tattiest tail I’ve ever seen.
Thank you very much, John. I hoped you would recognise it
Looks as though it was a dull day weatherwise. How lovely to see the little family of mice. Such a wonderful idea.
Thanks very much, Sue. It was quite dull. The sun peeped out momentarily for the float pic.
I’d love to visit the Lymington River and where you photographed Lymington Harbour. How wonderful….
I love the black and white photos but I’m sure glad that’s not a Veloci-raptor. 😉
“dreaming of its Christmas dinner” well maybe. I was soooo trying to get a sniff of Jackie’s jalfrezi sauce.
Since we’re having Christmas a week before the actual dates with the “Siggee” family. Our son plans will begin with Christmas Eve and finish with a boxing day pool party. He’s a super cook when it comes to outdoor cooking. mmm… now after loosing 16 kilos over 4 months I hope I’m not tempted too much. I still want to wear my new size 12 swimming costumes for the real Christmas Day. 😉 Looking forward to seeing grandchildren though.
I so enjoyed today’s post Derrick.
Thank you for all these lovely comments, Chrissy – and congratulations on the weight loss
🙂 You’re welcome and thanks.
An excellent seasonal mix of information and observation, delightfully illustrated.
Thank you very much, Roland
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family.
You, too, Sherry. Thanks very much
Jackie’s hearty meal looks scrumptious. Excellent photos and I love the idea of the float on the river.
Thank you very much, Eugi
My pleasure, Derrick.
Looks like a day for staying indoors beside the fire.
Actually it was quite mild, Andrew. Thanks a lot
I enjoyed all the photos, Derrick and Jackie, especially the crocheted mouse Christmas!
Thank you very much from us both, Lavinia
Nothing like smelling a meal cooking to bring anticipation. Those mice are utterly adorable. Reminds me of the ones in the new delightful Christmas show “Robin, Robin.”
Thank you very much, Laurie. If the artist with the needles ever surfaces I will let her know
Love the tree and bird photos!
The B&W photos really capture mood and details.
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you very much, Carolyn X
Goodness, Chrrsitmas mice–hooray!
Thanks very much, Cynthia
Don’t you wish I could type? Sigh
🙂
What a beautiful day! Gorgeous moody photos ?
Thank you so much, Ribana
Ooooh! The Christmas mice are splendid! What lovely work that shy person does. I enjoyed all your photos of the hunter’s silhouette against the sky.
Thank you so much, Crystal
Jackie had me at the curry, and your photos mesmerize me, Derrick. Merry Christmas to both of you.
Thank you very much, Crystal. Your good wishes reciprocated
Mmmmm… that jalfrezi sauce really does look delicious!! Tell Jackie I would love the recipe! <3
https://derrickjknight.com/2014/01/22/a-link/ There you go Jan. Thanks very much. X