I just realised that this being my 98th post, the 100th post will fall exactly on Christmas day if I stick to my advent-calendar plan of posting on each day! Today’s principal image (you can see I’m not being so disciplined on the one-image-per-day principle of the advent-calendar…) is of a mist-wrapped tree we saw while out walking.

Inside the house I baked a large saffron loaf, some of Nigella’s popcorn, spiced cider and a large Ploughmans lunch. The lunch featured lovely goat cheeses from the Oxford Farmer’s market and a really gorgeous, fruity cranberry jam that Liz made. If you haven’t had cranberry jam with goat’s cheese, it is an amazing combination. The sharpness of the fruits contrasts perfectly with the mild creaminess of goats’ cheese. Liz’ jam is brilliant with just the right balance of extreme cranberry zing and sugary sweetness, and lots of nice, chunky cranberries preserved whole in the mix. I love when fruit is cooked to a minimum in a preserve, keeping its full flavour intact. We all appreciated the loveliness of the jam! Many thanks, Liz.

Outside, away from the delicious, seasonal fare, our road was weirdly quiet. Most people were away for the day and a low mist settled early in the afternoon, making the air damp and foggy. We went for a walk and were greeted by beautiful, quiet, wintery sights;

A frost-blackened leaf.

Wet, cold grass.

White, empty streets.

Damp Snowberries.

It feels a bit sad here, this being the first Christmas without Ruth for Mark’s family. Sensing the emptiness and strangeness of the atmosphere, I’m reminded of how much our mothers do to make Christmas happen in the home and of how integral their presence is at Christmas. I am glad Mark’s father is here for the next few days and I hope we can make a little joy and warmth to soothe the pain of absence.

The saffron loaf is, in part my celebration of the returning sun; from 21st December onwards the days begin to lengthen and there is more and more light. I love this turning point in the year and the hope the returning sun brings.

May it bring light to all in 2008.