BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar

Subject: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 30 Nov 07 - 08:39 PM

As it's the First of December on this side of the pond, it's time to open the first window on our Virtual Advent Calendar.

This window
seems to be the first one... Ahhhh... pretty!

Makes me want to get a mug of hot cocoa and a blankie.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Morticia
Date: 01 Dec 07 - 07:22 AM

Great photos, Liz

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 01 Dec 07 - 07:38 AM

fantastic!

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 01 Dec 07 - 03:44 PM

Lovely, Liz!
I'm starting a strange Advent- my daughter, the only other member of the family to date who was the least bit interested in such things, is away at college, no, thank you, she doesn't want an Advent calendar... so this year I have made a moss garden wreath, invoking the spirit of the solstice with blue and green candles, and am having a month-long Yule on my own, thankyouverymuch.

...Until my sweetie gets here on St. Nicholas day and we can let the light shine brighter and brighter on our own!

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 02:41 AM

Don't be afraid - if you have a picture you want to share with us - in pixels or words, just post it here with the day's window on it.

Here's todays window opening... isn't the view just Heavenly....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: GUEST,Avedon
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 09:37 AM

"isn't the view just Heavenly...."

Oh, yes.

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Beer
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 09:49 AM

Thanks for sharing those pictures. Some really good ones.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 09:54 AM

Thank you - your turn tomorrow??

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: ranger1
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 02:45 PM

Mmmm...chocolate! My favorite.

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: coldjam
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 05:10 PM

My idea of an advent calendar is the multi-sensory eating of the appropriate chocolate each and every day...I suppose "virtually" there are less calories to pay for...*sigh*

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 05:03 PM

So... no-one wanted to take up the challenge of another picture?

Ok...

It's been a strange sort of day here, very cold before dawn which came up gloriously golden and developed into a cloudless blue sky. By mid to late morning the clouds were huddling around the horizon and when I got home at about 2, it was starting to drizzle.

The high winds this weekend have stripped almost all the leaves now, only the evergreens have any colour left. They're loaded with ripening berries, just waiting for the birds to come and feast on them.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Eye Lander
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 05:33 PM

I am staying at Andy's for a couple of weeks and forgot to bring my Advent Calendar with me. ARGH!!! Disaster. Desperate measures called for, now I have created and printed a grid of 24 rectangles in publisher and each day we'll take it in turns to draw a picture. So far the local pre school would have produced better work. Definitely room for improvement but we are happy - it makes us laugh!

Jillie

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: open mike
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 02:07 AM

O.K. here is the 8th wonder of the world...an underground temple in Italy which is astounding..
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=495538&in_page_id=1811&in_page_id=1811&expand=true#StartComments

visit this temple--and be inspired

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 03:21 AM

WOW!!!!

Now that is what I call interior decorating, thank you for sharing it with us.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: coldjam
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 01:14 PM

Thanks for the pics guys-beautiful!

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 04:34 AM

on the 5th day of christmas a

Monty in a Cherry Tree...

Ewis's Monty

:-) He's my lovely tom cat (minus the tom bits - although half of one has grown back - according to the vet).

All the best

Ewis
x

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 04:56 AM

My God, there's a glare in that cats' eyes that means trouble for some poor fluffy or feathered creature down below!

Makes my little panther look like a hearthrug!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 05:59 AM

Open Mike - As Liz said WOW!!!! I would love to see that.

Jillie

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: GUEST,oops that'smesigned out for Secret Santa -
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 06:00 AM

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: GUEST,Eye Lander
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 06:04 AM

Oh bugger pressed the wrong button!

Wanted to say, our home made calendar coming on a treat.

If I knew how to add pictures to something I would give you a daily update then you could all fall about laughing the way we are! thinking 'My children/Grandchildren could do better than that'


Still we're enjoying ourselves

Jillie

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 06:30 AM

He's a demon true enough, but very affectionate one. He's also a rabbit catcher, dad used to moan that Monty had only ever left him the ears on the lawn. The other night he was so stuffed with a rabbit (we suspect) that he couldn't move.

He's a funny cat - you can't touch him when he's in the cherry tree, no man or beast is safe. If you reach up he'll swat you. When I take him to the vets for his yearly check up they ask us if we brush his teeth as they are so shiny - we puh huh hah and say you must be bonkers - we'd have no hands left. It takes 3 of us to worm him, and the yearly vet run means I have to listen to him yowling the word 'orrible, orrible orrible' all the way there and back. Woe betide ANY dog who sniffs his cage.

But he's still a cutey.

:-)

EWIS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 09:43 AM

Eyelander - if you can take a digital photograph and download it onto Flickr - the free photo share site, then post a link to the page here, we can all get to see it!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 06 Dec 07 - 01:33 AM

Today is St Nicholas' day and as a day when you learn something is never wasted, here's some useless information.

He was born in Myra, Lycia, a small province of the Roman Empire in Asia Minor (now Turkey). He lived there all his life, became archbishop and died there on this day, in the early part of the 4th Century AD.

He's the patron saint of Russia, Aberdeen, Greece, bakers, Sicily, Naples, parish clerks, pawnbrokers, small boys, prostitutes, pilgrims, coopers, brewers, dockers, fishermen, boatmen and those who had unjustly lost lawsuits.

He's best known for the legends of the pickled boys and the daughters' stockings. On his way to the Council of Nicaea, he stopped at an inn where the landlord had murdered three small boys, cut them up and salted them down for pie meat. Nicholas blessed the barrels and the boys all emerged alive, singing praises to God. Nicholas then converted the innkeeper so it wouldn't happen again.

Whilst walking through the town, he overheard a father lamenting his poverty to his three daughters. The father was encouraging them to launder their clothes so that the following day they could go out onto the streets and earn some money the only way they could. Nicholas dropped three bags of gold into their stockings as they hung up to dry (other stories have he put it into their clogs on the windowsill) and so the family were saved.

Saint Nicholas became the distibuter of gifts via the Church. Since 'pagan times' it had been traditional to give presents at mid-winter - Saturnalia for the Romans, Yule in Northern Europe where Woden was the gift bringer and so the Church wanted to sanitize (or santa-ize?) this tradition. They brought in the useful, all purpose Nicholas, with his legends of miracles and gift giving to take over the job. He would have been shown wearing his bishops robes which would be red for festivals. He got the red suited Santa makeover that we all recognise now, back in the 1860's in the US.

In Europe, he still gives presents and presides over many towns and villages, like Sint Niklaas, near Antwerp (where they make Guylian chocolate seashells - did you think I wouldn't get chocolate into this somehow?), where the statue of him looks down over the town square.

In New York, in 1914, the 'Santa Claus Association' was formed, to "preserve childrens' faith in Santa Claus' and they answer all the mail handed to them by the post office which has been addressed to 'Santa Claus'. If you google them, you find they are still going strong, with online facilities to write to Santa!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 06 Dec 07 - 02:21 AM

OOps.. the picture is the Sint Niklaas town statue... the town emblem is a turnip. I don't know why.

The town has a wonderful sword dance and flag waving team, who own their own pub and have their own beer.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 06 Dec 07 - 11:06 AM

Our post-doc from the Netherlands was distributing cookies yesterday and telling us about Sinterklaas. (Also how peculiar the connection of his black assistants...)

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 09 Dec 07 - 01:43 AM

The 7th and 8th seems to have gone by unmarked... but you had three pictures for the 6th, so the numbers still tally.

Last night was, for me, an evening of mingled work and leisure, enforced stillness and sombre black, interspersed with frantic, colourful action; times of great joy and wonder, leavened by some moments of despair and anger. I greatly need some still small voice of calm!

It's the Second Sunday in Advent today (9th) and the message is one of peace, of righteousness and judgement. Peace can be many things... the cessation of war; the end of a long, hard day; a yellow rose; a settling of spirits; a relaxation of the mind; the hope of spring after winter.

There are little oasis of peace all around us, we just have to take a few moments and look for it.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: jacqui.c
Date: 09 Dec 07 - 03:42 AM

December 9th - In The Bleak Midwinter

We have visits from a variety of wildlife looking for handouts and this red squirrel is a regular caller. The photo was taken from the other side of the glass, but he didn't seem too phased by activity within.

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 05:18 AM

10th today, 2 weeks to go...

Timw for The Mummers to start rehearsing (or remember where they put the various beer mats the script is written on....)

A prize for the first Mudcatter NOT in the picture to tell me who the two Mudcatters are!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: lady penelope
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 04:06 PM

Is that Manitas in the frock? (Rather fetching...) Other than, I have no clue.... :0)

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 05:53 PM

It is a rather fetching frock... used to be mine... and yes, it is Manitas.

Half a prize for Lady P. but only a small half, it's not good for your elf.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 11 Dec 07 - 03:25 AM

on the 11th day of Christmas, a

winter scene from 7 Dials in London....

Seven dials at night

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 11 Dec 07 - 11:52 AM

That's an incredible picture, almost makes me like London.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: lady penelope
Date: 11 Dec 07 - 02:44 PM

Oi, you promised... No more elves!!!

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 03:07 AM

Thanks LTS...

it looks Italian in a sortofkindof way. Certainly looks cosy and nice. We'd been visiting the National Gallery, Tutankahmun (sp) exhib and a weeeeee spot of shopping followed by a Christmas treat to watch Chicago.

Suze

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 05:31 AM

It's the 12th today, half way there... and here in London we've had our first frost. Of course, being an urban setting, it's nowhere near as severe or pretty as rural areas. Here, with all the central heating and double glazing, there's no chance of getting frost ferns on the windows anymore.

I remember them appearing magically on the windows of my grandfathers' farmhouse - we'd put old pennies on the Aga stove until they were warm, press them to the porch windows and make perfectly round peepholes to stare out at the frosted orchard. Granfer would take a bottle of tea with him to the milking parlour, not just to drink, but to warm his hands on so the cows didn't get a nasty shock. The muckheap would be steaming in the cold and the barn cats would make their way up the track to sit and bask in its' warmth. The walk to the parlour would be accompanied by the crackling of grass underfoot, the taste of ice on the tongue from the overhanging trees and the spanky feel of cold air on the cheeks.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 07:01 AM

ahhh I can remember those icy mornings in my grans house. We'd all be packed into a huge double beds as kids and fighting about who went to the loo first as it meant they got the cold seat first. She'd warm up our clothes infront of the fire and there'd be ferny frost at the windows.

awwwwwww.

EWIS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Morticia
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 12:26 PM

You two start on about the romance of chilblains and I shall throw up *G*

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 03:09 AM

he heee Morti, sorry, but they were lovely days. I miss me grannies fire!

My house reminded me of my grannies this morning, so bloomin cold - trouble with old houses there's always a draft from somewhere! We've shut off the flue while the fires not on hoping that'll help the chill. Even the cat looked a bit frosty and was racing round the house doing a timed lap to keep warm this morning. - always a bit of a hazard first thing - you have to dodge the excited cat.

EWIS

PS... chilblains - eiw!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 05:48 PM

Only the one cat? I have two and a lodger - I'm convinced that Raven kitty and the lodger are a wee gay couple who really should get themselves a room... they chase each other, roll around and generally act in a deeply suspicious way.

Dodging over that pair in the mornings can certainly wake you up!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 06:30 PM

Today is the 13th, and I went shopping... I bought this gorgeous little Father Christmas in Covent Garden - he's got holly clad fairies to help him too.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 03:14 AM

yup, only one - but left to my own devices and without significant other half to be the voice of reason, I'd have more cats. And she's not a particularly sociable cat with other cats, so she's the queen bee cat of the house. and very smug she is too. My other cat, I had to leave with my mum as he was far too settled in a their house it wasn't fair to move him with me. (Monty)

EWIS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: bbc
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 07:33 AM

I'm running late with my holiday preparations (such as they are). My mom moved to Maine at the end of the summer & I've been up to see her twice, so far. The times I've gone up would, usually, have been spent on schoolwork & housework. It's been well worth the time, though. Yesterday, we had a day off because of snow & I'm finally working on my Christmas card list. Naturally, I couldn't resist taking a few minutes off to take some pictures! Here's a photo of me, reflected in the wreath by my front door:

Merry Christmas!

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 04:09 PM

I knew there was something I was supposed to do tomorrow....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 05:43 AM

Well, I'm a bit behind with the pictures for a couple of days, but this morning, which started grey and horrid, is now a glorious sunny day. Consequently, the birds are out and hopping around. My neighbour over the back has stolen my tits by putting up a tall pole with feeders on, but they were visible from the bathroom window. I'm a bit peeved about the vagaries of my tits, but today made up for it... he wouldn't sit still long enough for me to get a picture but here's one of his fellows... mine was the fattest, fluffiest I've ever seen, a robin - a proper Christmas robin!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 08:34 AM

corrrrrr it MUST be a good red breast, as all I saw when I clicked on your link was....


**********************
Forbidden

Unfortunately, you are not allowed to access the requested page.

If you continue to have problems, please e-mail the webmaster.

************************

unfortunately I don't think the webmaster has enough hours in the day for all my problems.

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 10:32 AM

Well, you know me and breasts.... or is that tits?

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 10:05 AM

Here's today's window... a peep up our stairs with the help of a kitty.

The world's fattest robin redbreast hasn't made an appearance today, not whilst I've been watching but I'm sure he'll be back. There are no suspicious piles of feathers anywhere so it's fairly certain he's OK.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 05:50 PM

Here's what I was doing this evening... pretend it was yesterday's window.

A star if not in the east, certainly big enough to follow.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: The Mudcat 2007 Advent Calendar
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 06:01 PM

I got yet another not so Secret Santa present today, thank you Art!

Shadow cat really loves it too...

LTS