Our week

We live in the north-west of our city close to high areas of moorland, but these days we don't venture there when we know that there'll be deep snow drifts and narrow lanes like switchbacks that look down onto the valleys below.  However, our daughter drove out to meet a friend on Sunday afternoon and sent us some photos of what it's like up there.  Under the restrictions we have to stay local right now and can only meet or be with one other person in an outdoor setting to get some fresh air and exercise.  The time spent has to be under socially distanced conditions.  The two friends took the friend's dog with them for their walk and he loved the wide open spaces, of course.

I've been out for walks a couple of times this week and I'm glad I took the opportunity to do so when I did as today it's really cloudy and not the sort of day for taking photos which I like to do in order to record where I've been during this time when often our routine is similar from day-to-day. Yesterday the sun was shining, the sky was blue and I knew that the local reservoir would be a good place to go especially as it's only a short drive from our house.  I'll show you more of my walk next time.

I've been waiting eagerly for the first lot of crocuses planted in pots to start opening because of the warmth of the covered yard and the sunshine that appears from behind the clouds now and then.

The snowdrops in the garden have survived the snow.  How resilient they are despite being delicate looking flowers.  

These are the ones in the churchyard where I walked on Monday and they particularly seem to thrive in the sheltered areas under the trees.

Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Day marks the beginning of Lent in the Christian calendar. As usual I made some pancakes as part of our evening meal.  In Italy different types of special biscuit or sweet pastries are served at this time.

Finally, this is the embroidery that I'm working on at the moment.  It's taking me quite a while to do and I realise that it's nearly a year since the embroidery set was gifted to me, but it keeps me occupied in an afternoon when Mr P and I sit and relax. 

Thank you for coming by.  Have a peaceful weekend whatever you're doing.

Certosa di Trisulti: The Nativity Crib Scene

  

When we visited the Charterhouse in the mountains at Trisulti in the Summer we went into the church which is situated in the courtyard of a papal palace of Innocent III (the pope who gave his blessing so that Francis of Assisi, the humble man of vision, could continue with his work as a friar preaching the gospel of love, justice and peace; demonstrating the way of Christ to the church and society in general).

A baptismal service was taking place at the time and many of the side chapels and adjoining rooms were open.

                                           

                                               

In the courtyard the shepherd boy placard indicates the open door into a semi-darkened room where there's an illuminated Nativity Crib set in a village with scenes and figurines of country folk who are engaged in a traditional way of life and working on different crafts. Some of the models are moving so it's a dynamic and endearing permanent display that has been there for many decades.

The nativity scene or il presepio was first introduced by Francis of Assisi on Christmas Eve of A.D. 1223 when the people of Gubbio in Italy created a living nativity scene in the woods and Francis preached the joyful message of the birth of Jesus Christ - 'the child of Bethlehem'.

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The feast of St. Nicholas - a children's festival

Today is the feast of St. Nicholas who was born in Patara, part of present-day Turkey, who became a Christian bishop and is believed to have died on the 6th December 343.  Stories of his work for the poor and legends about him spread far and wide and he became known as the protector of children and sailors and was associated with gift giving. In Holland he continues to be an important figure and the children put out their shoes the night before the 6th December in the hope that St Nicholas (Sint Nikolaas or Sinter Klaas) will leave gifts for them. In America Sinter Klaas became Santa Claus (the modern day Father Christmas).

Because St. Nicholas was such a popular saint in Europe until the Reformation in the 1500s many old churches and chapels are dedicated to him.

St. Nicholas' Church in High Bradfield is one of them. There was an Advent service there yesterday afternoon with an invitation to local women's groups as part of the patronal festivities, but since 87 m.p.h. gales were being recorded up there and being relayed to the local news programmes I decided not to go. Apparently High Bradfield felt the full force of the wind - the strongest gales in the area, which is not surprising being so high up and exposed to the elements. Thankfully, the weather has calmed down.

The chapel in Haddon Hall, Derbyshire has wall paintings including some in the chancel that illustrate incidents associated with the life of St. Nicholas - resurrecting three children and calming a storm at sea. St. Nicholas was associated from early times with the chapel.  The 'chapel of St. Nicholas' was mentioned in a marriage settlement of 1180.

Anyway, coming back to present-day festivities as we approach Christmas I've included a collage of 

chocolates made by grandsons when they worked at a chocolate shop.