The bread for breakfast tomorrow morning is proofing. A Christmassy gingerbread dessert for dinner tonight is cooling in the fridge. The gifts for my favourite supermarket employees have been handed over. The presents are wrapped and under the tree.

Christmas 2020 may begin

In many ways, the run up to Christmas 2020 has been much less stressful than usual. No shopping marathon, trying to get the last pieces bought the day before Christmas, no schedule clashes with too many Christmas markets and Christmas parties among friends and colleagues. I did my gift shopping all online – the majority of it with local businesses and small makers, so I got it all done from the comfort of my home. I was even able to multi-task and bake the odd Christmas biscuit here while clicking on “buy” there 😉. It also helped that the Christmas tree has been up and decorated since the weekend, so no hectic morning on the 24th when I usually juggle the tree decorating with last grocery shopping and emergency gift wrapping 😂. The fact that my mum is not here this year – although sad – may also contribute. You know what it is like, daughters desperately trying to fulfil mothers’ expectations… Speaking of daughters and expectations – I *definitely* did not expect *this* when I asked my daughter and her friend to decorate the Christmas cake:

CSI Dublin or Time Team?

So, all is peace, and therefore here come my Christmas wishes to you:

To all you kind and generous and patient readers, may you have a wonderful Christmas if you celebrate, or simply the opportunity to relax, unwind and enjoy a little bit of down-time after a strange and scary year. While we may have had a little too much down-time due to lockdowns, it has also been an aggravating year that has grated on our nerves. But with the end of the year, news have improved – from election results in the US, to vaccine news all over. Here’s hoping that we will all beat this virus next year, when vaccines are rolled out. – On a personal level I would also like to thank you all for your wonderful support this year. TWO fundraisers instead of one, and so many donations, bids, purchases and help. You are helping make the world a better place 😊. I have felt absolutely overwhelmed (in a good way) with your response, and I am really really proud of what we have achieved together. You all rock, and I am happy to (still) be in this with you all. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL

and much love from

Sonja ❤️

PS: If possible, I’ll catch up with Tumblr over the next few days… who knows, there may be a few slow moments 🙂