May Your Days Be Merry & Bright

Teddy The Puppy Comes Home

& 

You Bring Me Joy!
 

Well Dear Readers,

Here we are on Christmas Eve !

Doesn't it seem so much nicer that it's a Saturday?! I think that Christmas Day should always be on a Sunday -   now, to whom should I write? I think it has to be a Royal Proclamation - I shall pop a note through to Highgrove! Still not quite used to 'King Charles' - I automatically think of the spaniel, so it will take a little time.

I hope that your gifts are wrapped, your pigs are in their blankets and you are all set for the festivities?

Christmas week is always hectic - but that's the fun of it!  At the store we have been trying to keep the shelves looking their best and full of things to gladden the hearts of our customers( or illicit a sigh of relief from a few weary souls!).

I returned to Amberley to try and get on top of admin( ie the bills!) and do a little frenetic buying of our last-minute best- sellers
( traditionally socks/candles and soaps!).

We visited my family on Tuesday, took delivery of a huge haul of logs to see us through until March, shopped in Chichester for a few last minute bits on Wednesday and then headed to Wareham to collect Teddy the Puppy on Thursday!

We do feel slightly evil to have stolen him away from his Mum at Christmas (like Panto villains!), however have been lavishing him with attention, toys, treats and as many cuddles as he will allow us! He is, of course, the loveliest and most handsome puppy that has ever walked the earth ( you knew that he would be!) and is birthday, Christmas and New Year all rolled into one. We intend to give him a wonderful life and spoil him rotten - although there is the possibility that he may have a career. Havanese dogs often performed in the circuses of Europe as they are very good at learning tricks!  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mynwFt8XN2M). 

As new parents we are already absolutely exhausted - we were up twice last night -  and the potty training is a challenge, but we will get there! Puppies want to play ALL of the time and are vocal if they feel that you are shirking your responsibilities as the entertainment! 

However, Theodore(Teddy's official name) really is a bundle of joy and already a chip off the old block. Like me, he is a Libran and consequently keeps all of his toys corralled neatly in his play area(!). And he has taken to luxury like the proverbial duck - he is particularly fond of the Husky Cashmere Throw on which he like to sprawl upside down, and the Velvet Sofa, which he strokes with his nose appreciatively.
I don't know where he gets it from!

This afternoon in the village, we have the living nativity which meanders along our street. We have the two donkeys( these work with underprivileged young people during the day so are quite saintly donkeys already!), Mary, Joseph and our 'gender fluid' baby Jesus, who proceed and collect the Shepherds just outside our cottage and the Wise Men a little further down - all with a choir. No sheep or camels sadly - I think with 'health and safety' it's hard enough to manage the donkeys! I am throroughtly looking forward to it - though obviously more for the children, it's fun
to see our neighbours in their costumes and we do love these community events.


 

Little Teddy inspired this week's missive as I thought that I would bring you some of my favourite pieces from this year ie some of the other things that have brought me joy for one reason or another!

The first is new and actually not available yet - I'm such a tease! - but I wanted to share it with you because the designs brought a smile to my face and made my pulse run just a little faster as soon as a saw them.

These Apple and Pear glasses are from Italy and I had to have them. The fruit sit at the base of the stem, however the whole glass can be inverted and the Apples or Pears used a the receptacle.

My favourite after-dinner tipple is the pear-infused, eau-de-vie 'Poire William', and so my logic here is that I would use the wine (or water) glass as intended during dinner, and then turn it upside down at the end of the meal and drink my pear liqueur from a pear with my coffee! This made me incredibly happy( simple things!) and so I ordered 4 pieces for myself and 24 pieces to place on our shelves just to see how they were received. It turned out that I was not alone in being smitten by their charms and all of the glasses sold out in in hrs! And so I shall re-order them for Jan. I thought that Schnapps would be the perfect drink to served in the apple glasses?

I realise that one doesn't have to be so literal and can serve absolutely anything in them - but I do love a theme! If anyone is interested in owning one of more of these beauties, please email me (MD@roullierwhite.com) and I shall add your name to the waiting list and let you know when they arrive. Pears are in amber or yellow and apples in green or pink. Things to make you smile in the New Year! The next order will be exclusively for our
online family of customers - it's only fair!
 

I am pleased and proud to have created the 'Mr White's Give A Fig Collection' this year. It took me far longer than I had intended, however I am delighted with the fragrance - it too brings me joy! - and even more delighted to be writing cheques to homeless charities. If I did nothing else this year at least there now stands a testament to Lawrence's kindness that will hopefully continue in perpetuity, helping those less fortunate for many years to come. The next cheque will be travelling up to Bedford and the 'SMART Prebend Centre' which offers hot food, showers, clean clothes and shelter to those who find themselves without a home. 

https://smartcjs.org.uk/contact-us/smart-bedford-rough-sleeper-homeless-support/

I was made aware of this wonderful charity by the ceramicists Doug Fitch and Hannah McAndrew (whose incredibly beautiful pots we collect and bring us joy every single day!). Doug's late father, Derek Fitch, was a Church Minister and helped found the Day Centre to provide support for the homeless of the area. What an incredible legacy(!), and I am so pleased to be able to contribute to their outstanding work!

Giving, does indeed, feel good - as the very wise Abraham Lincoln once said "to ease another's heartache is to forget one's own" - and what could be more Christmassy than that?!

My sincere thanks to everyone who has supported the launch of 'Mr White's' - it means so much! I have plans to add to the collection next
year so please watch this space!

One Of Our Stunning Pieces From Fitch & McAndrew - These Illustrate Perfectly That Nothing Quite Beats The Touch Of The Human Hand!