I saw the light in you

[dolorosa_12]

Just a brief update, as I have a lot of cooking to do.

I will write a longer recs post on 1st January, once author reveals happen, but I just wanted to flail about with happiness a bit regarding my Yuletide gift: nearly 10,000 words of plotty, character-driven problem-solving with my two favourite Benjamin January characters, Dominique and Chloë. This fandom was my greatest new discovery of 2020, and brought me a huge amount of happiness, and those two characters are my very favourite. It was as if the author reached into my mind and wrote a story to my exact specifications — the fic has everything I could possibly have wanted for this fandom, and these two characters. I am ecstatic. (I'm also really intrigued to know who wrote it!)

My own assignment and treats seem to have gone well so far. I wrote five things in total in this year's collection, and if any of you can identify them ... well, I don't know what I'll do, but it would amuse me. Obviously I'm not going to confirm or deny anything until after reveals.

Christmas so far has been quiet and relaxing. As Christmas Eve dinner is the main event for Matthias's family (as with other people from continental Europe), we unwrapped presents last night with my in-laws via Zoom, and then I cooked a dinner of salmon and roast vegetables. Today's going to be slower, and heartier, and with more grazing rather than a formal dinner — and then we'll eat all the leftovers for the next week or so!

There's been a huge amount of flooding here, to the extent that the paddling pool in the park (normally empty during winter) has completely filled with rainwater, the river has burst its banks, and all the fields are covered with water. This is a photoset from yesterday, and today's early morning walk out to Grantchester was pretty similar: Grantchester Meadows had become Grantchester Lakes, with a gaggle of very confused ducks, geese, swans and seagulls swimming around on what is normally a grassy field. There were a lot of other walkers out and about, and everyone was cheerful and friendly in spite of the dire state of affairs in the country at large. There is light enough, for now.

I hope everyone else who participated in Yuletide is enjoying their gift(s), has had a good reception for their own writing, and is in general having a good day. If you celebrate Christmas, I hope you are having a restful holiday, and celebrating in a manner which makes you happy.

Comments

[rmc28]

Oh wow, the paddling pool! (which sadly stayed empty all year this year: in normal years one of my colleagues commutes in past it daily and reports to us when it is filled, so those of us with offspring know that Paddling Season has started)

It's lovely and sunny now, but cold, so I think I'm the only one of the household with a desire to go for a long walk. I think the kids would rather I stayed and hung out with them instead, so I'll hope the weather holds until tomorrow.

[dolorosa_12]

Isn't it astonishing? And yes, all the more so because they never filled it this summer, as you say.

I think it's still meant to be nice tomorrow, so hopefully you'll get your walk then.

[chestnut_pod]

Wow, just look at all that water! I grew up hard by a lake park that also doubled as my town’s flood control —- they would selectively divert certain portions of the watershed to flow into the lake rather than into the big river, or the streets, for that matter. So flooding (is it still flooding if it’s intentional?) feels quite Christmassy to me!

I hope your cooking went well :)

[dolorosa_12]

I like the sound of the lake park! A lot of the water here has receded, and now we're just left with very muddy paths. It wasn't too bad, although I know people in some of the surrounding villages who were told to move their belongings to the top floor of their houses due to the risk of severe floods.

The cooking's gone well so far.