"Two pre-school children and an adult have been killed and 13 other people wounded in a knife attack at a creche in north-western Belgium." 1. A representation of the Nativity, usually with statues or figurines. 2. A hospital for foundlings. 3. Chiefly British. A day nursery.

When I bought the shepherds for my creche last month, the wise men were not available. They're back in stock now, so I just ordered them. Think they'll arrive by Epiphany? ;)

  And is it true?  And is it true? This most tremendous tale of all, Seen in a stained glass window's hue, A baby in an ox's stall? The Maker of the stars and sea Become a Child of earth for me? -John Betjeman     Have a beautiful holiday, all of you.  May the coming year be filled with love.

The turtle knew he was less than a day away from the village, but the night was dark and cold, and it seemed at the moment like there was no-one else out there at all. He wondered if he could have missed...the rest. In her eyes, the tears shone.    "2,000 years ago one man got nailed to a tree for saying how great it would be if everyone was nice to each other for a change." -Douglas Adams

  The turtle knew that he was quite close to the end of his journey; he could see the houses of the small village in the distance, and he knew that soon he would be there. It was sunny, and...shines over all things. I am everywhere. From me all came forth, and to me all return. Split a piece of wood, and I am there. Lift a stone, and you will find me there. -The Gospel of Thomas

  The little turtle felt like he had been walking for months.  His feet (all four of them) hurt, and it seemed like days since he had tasted a cool lettuce leaf, or piece of apple.  He wished with...wheeled, the camels snorted, and they were gone. And the turtle, refreshed, continued his journey. "If you bring forth what is within you, what you have will save you." -The Gospel of Thomas

You will get a post tonight.  I'm feeling better, btw, and did not randomly throw up dinner for no reason last night - which was good, because it was an amazing pork loin rolled up with spinach and provolone...guys like me, and I love you for it.  :) Just so you know, the turtle has made it to another group of animals making their way to the stable - you'll hear about his meeting with the horses tonight

...to the word; understand knowledge ; love life, and no one will persecute you, nor will anyone oppress you, other than you yourselves ". And, just to lighten the mood a little, here is another of my creche favourites - the little animal band: These little guys were once a prize in a cereal box, or a candy box - they were originally part of a much larger circus set, and two of them have lost...

Since there was some interest (a tiny bit) in the saga of my little turtle... Now he has reached the soldiers, who are telling him the story of how in the middle of a war, the birth of a very special...from the '60s) and suggested it. Mind you, the "bundle of joy" he's carrying is pink, but the colour pink wasn't always associated with girls (though it certainly is now - neat photos, huh?)).

...variations in the lining (as well as some of the damage; predictably, it is worse at the neck). And the binoculars I got:   So pretty. And they came with the original case. Finally, on to the creche - I found some lovely lead figures this year, and I used them to add a couple of vignettes to the whole thing: This is the whole thing - the more secular (for certain values of secular) bits...