Mindful Moments, Missing Tape & Christmas Magic — 8 December

Today’s mindful calendar prompt was a lovely one: watch a Christmas film mindfully — no phone, no food, no drink, just presence. Notice the feelings, the magic, the music, and all the techniques filmmakers use to guide our emotions.

My daughter and I attempted this over the weekend. As I wrote in yesterday’s blog, I failed spectacularly on the “no food” rule — unusual for me, because I’m normally perfectly happy watching a film with nothing more than a cup of tea in hand. Still, we’d watched The Holiday in previous years, and it always brings back memories. Jasper, in particular, reminds me of a certain relationship ending — officially it never actually ended — of my own.Why are there men who keep you hoping, never quite ending things when they should? Thankfully, there are Miles-types in this world too — warm, genuine, and steady — and I’m grateful one found me.

I also learned something new: fettuccine Alfredo is a comforting Christmas Eve tradition in parts of the USA. Growing up in Germany, our Christmas Eve dinner was always potato salad with sausages — simple, nostalgic, and full of childhood warmth.

I might still try the mindful-movie activity again before Christmas. But which film? Love Actually, perhaps?Tell me in the comments what Christmas movie you’d choose.

A Morning of Yoga, Wrapping Paper… and Elf Mischief

After the kids left for school, I started my day with morning yoga — Kassandra today. Then it hit me: today might be the only chance to wrap presents before Christmas. Cue instant festive chaos.

First, the tape had vanished — elves, obviously.Then the wrapping paper ran out, even though I was sure we had another roll. When the last sheet disappeared, I stopped what I was doing for a late breakfast: avocado on sourdough, the same as yesterday, mainly to finish the giant avocado.

Laundry went up, then I popped to the shops. An espresso at the café gave me a moment to review my shopping list — useful, because my next Thursday Murder Club book was ready for collection at the library.

Back home, I wrapped a few more presents, hung up more washing, did a quick tidy, and suddenly it was lunchtime. Still working through the beautiful kabocha pumpkin. Along with the pumpkin, I roasted sweet potatoes for tomorrow’s lunch and aubergine for tonight’s dinner. Black Bean returned from the allotment and we shared the last of the yellow pea risotto with chunks of roasted pumpkin. One pumpkin really does go far — and it keeps incredibly well once cut.

Dinner Prep, Cookies, and the Cosiness of Mint Tea

Later, with a cup of Pukka Vanilla Chai beside me, I chopped carrots, broccoli, and peppers for the kids’ prawn stir-fry. The adults had aubergine pitta pockets with leftover hummus — a delicious zero-waste dinner.

After my evening walk, I baked a batch of walnut cookies. My old go-to recipe — Santa’s favourite — has mysteriously vanished, but I found a lovely replacement on the Dove website. Felicity had given me a bag of spelt flour she wasn’t going to use, and we’ve nearly finished it now after six spelt pizzas and this second batch of cookies.

While the cookies baked, I threw together an overnight muesli and prepped tomorrow’s salad. Finally, I sat down with a pot of fresh mint tea — determined to use up the last of the mint, which has lasted impressively long.

These December days are fun, cosy, sometimes messy, and meaningful — a mix of mindfulness, meals, magic, and missing tape. And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.