I woke this morning with a small list of “things to do” on my mind. The first of these was to ask my Hero to retrieve the box marked “Advent” from the loft. On this, the first Sunday of Advent, I usually make the first acknowledgement of the season, which I’ve steadfastly resisted until now.

So small references to Autumn are put away and I spent the morning polishing glass table tops and washing candle vases ready for a month of twinkle lights and candlelight. Wicker and wood can gradually make room for silver and sparkle then.

But I’m not ready to go full blown Christmas yet. It takes time. Over the next couple of weeks we’ll get there, but in the meantime, I’ll enjoy making more straw stars, I’ll fold paper and fiddle with beads and sequins for our Christmas cards and savour the days which, in many ways, I appreciate more than Christmas itself.

There’s something lovely about the anticipation.

So sorry Harry Bear, I need that red quilt please. Yes, I know our small friend helped you up onto the piano stool when we were away and yes, you do look very cute indeed. But any extra practice will have to wait because the quilt you are sitting upon is needed to hang over the stair rail.

And so it goes. Small things put in place; the same procedure every year.

As I was pottering about this morning, moving bits and pieces about, I stopped to read a post from a friend who had shared a favourite poem from my childhood, by the author and poet Eleanor Farjeon.

People, look east. The time is near
Of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able,
Trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the guest, is on the way.

I can’t remember the last time I thought of her, but immediately I recalled books in the school library of the 1960s with covers illustrated by Edward Ardizzone, English lessons with poems written for children and that rather unusual name that I couldn’t quite work out how to say. As often happens, I sat down and read a little, found out a bit more and felt pleased that Fiona had prompted the thoughts with her post this morning.

As I put the Advent plate in the sitting room, I felt I needed to check that the lebkuchen were up to scratch though and ate the first of the season. I’m sure Anton 🐻 will keep my secret.

It was nearly lunchtime too. Better get the matches.

Here we go!