advent calendars

In the past few years, the popularity of the Advent calendar has grown enormously, not just for children either. Alcoholic and various edible calendars now seem to be everywhere we shop. 

Those with deeper pockets can get ones with expensive toiletries and even jewelry. Children’s advent calendars have also seen a huge amount of variation and are often as hotly in demand as Christmas presents themselves. 

The first Lego Advent Calendar is the perfect example. 

But most people think of Advent calendars as printed versions, showing religious or wintery scenes. Each has 24 windows - you open, one each day, on the run up to Christmas. Behind each window is an illustration. 

festive lights

While the custom of decoration a Christmas tree is a relatively recent phenomenon, the celebration of Christmas is old. 

The festival at Christmas time was known in the most ancient Mysteries of all religions everywhere and has always been celebrated. It is not merely an outer sun festival, but one that leads man to a divination of the sources of existence. 

Signs & Symbols of the Christmas Festival

It was celebrated annually by the highest initiates in the Mysteries at the time of year - when the sun's force was weakest and bestowed the least warmth upon the earth. 

An ever-flowing river of love weaves through all generations. At times we may need to dive deep beneath to find it. Trust that when all else fades and is gone - love remains. 

Christmas at Coal Drops Yard, London

Winter falls on London, with blistering winds, early sunsets, and grey days. But the city lights up everywhere for the holiday season, chasing away the chilly gloom with cheery decor, warm drinks, and of course the famous Christmas markets.

Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross

comfort food

wonder | wander | women are not cooks by nature. Only learning to cook in our mid-thirties, when we had our own kitchens to putz around in or lord over. 

Growing up in our grand/mother's home, none of us learned to cook. When she was around, she did it all - quickly and distinctly her way. 

battered bible of basics

We love our food too much to not take an interest in it - even if we did not start out very hands on. We would collect cookbooks and pile them by our bedside to read through before bedtime. 

Autumn in Kensington Gardens

 After living so long in the tropics, wonder | wander | women love the turn of the seasons. Of course summer is the season that feels like home to us, but autumn is so beautiful and appeals to our sense of poetry.