for Alison, the bag of sticks…
Duke’s mum has a real fire. It’s the only heating she has in teh house (the "central heating" ie 2 readiators are also run from the heat from the fire) and some years ago when I asked her what she wanted for Christmas she said "oh, I’d be happy with a nice big bag of sticks". The next week I noticed taht our local petrol station sold them so I bought the biggest bag they had, gift wrapped it, lots of bows and ribbons, big "Fragile" notice on it (well, the paper would rip if it wasn’t carefully handled) etc. I got her something else too but kept that hidden….. So we presented the gift with much fuss etc and she was ridiculously pleased with it, more pleased than with the "proper" present we had got her! So now every year, as well as something "proper" she gets the biggest bag of sticks I can find. This year Duke has taken it a stage further though, Oulton Park had to fell several trees and there’s enough wood to keep her warm until this time next year even if we suddenly plunge into and ice age I think!
That’s really lovely.
Comment by Elle — November 30, 2008 @ 9:57 pm
lol, that is lovely
I love those funny little family traditions 
Comment by Alison — December 3, 2008 @ 2:28 pm