Although I see my neighbours during the normal week, waving hello, quick chat over the garden wall, there is a time before Christmas when small 'occasions' are offered. A coffee morning with a few friends. Another coffee morning with different neighbours.
It called to mind those lovely descriptions from Elizabeth Gaskell's 'Cranford', when teatime was central to the gentle way of life of the ladies. Hospitality featured dainty food served on beautiful family china.
'Very delicate was the china, very old the plate, very thin the bread and butter and very small the lumps of sugar'.
Elegant economy was the way of life.
So on Friday I trotted to left hand neighbour, coffee and mince pies with half a dozen other neighbours. So often we just wave, so it was nice to have time to chat, about health, about gardens and other news.
Saturday was right hand neighbour's morning. I admired her lovely collection of cards and enjoyed coffee, and yes, mince pies.
Yesterday was opposite neighbour, and we just had a mug of peppermint tea and a chatty catch up.
It's perhaps not quite the same as in Cranford, but the element of neighbourliness remains, even without the delicate china!
13 comments:
It's about the get together, chatting and catching up with everyone's news, sounds perfect.
Sounds like you have a great group of neighbors. How nice for you to get out with each one. Good to read you are more mobile these days!
Hello Elizabeth,
Well, in many ways, it was a blessing that it was not Cranford. No uncomfortable stays to hinder one's breathing, no upright chairs to sit for hours without bending or moving and certainly no stress from constantly wondering about doing the right thing. Just neighbourliness and fun catching up with all the news.
However, the level of gossip could have been akin to Cranford....
What fun
How wonderful that you've enjoyed Christmas tea with the neighbors. It's a wonderful way to come together for good fellowship and Christmas cheer.
Sounds like a wonderful festive occasion although I agree with Jane about the stays and necessity of absolute elegance. Nice to be relaxed and visit.
How lovely to get together with your neighbours.
God bless.
Christmas tea with friends and neighbors sounds wonderful. Merry Christmas 🎄❄️🎄
Tea or Coffee and mince pies in the afternoon is much more to my liking than cheese and wine in the evenings when I was younger!
It’s nice to have coffee or tea with neighbours . I also wish you un Joyeux Noel!🎄
Those gatherings sound delightful, Barbara!
That is delightful, Barbara!
It makes me smile to imagine all the to and fro-ing going on in your neighbourhood. Delightful!
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