The main event is 6-7 this evening (UK time) but I'm expecting people to pop in early, perhaps to drop off food, tell us what you'll be wearing, or which literary guest you'll be bringing. Likewise, it's fine to hang around chatting afterwards. The space is free until Saturday (when I'll need it for my next post).
Have you brought a guest? (If so, can I talk to them, because the bloke Ally27 brought keeps telling me really scary stories.)
What are you eating and drinking? (There's a buffet table which already holds a variety of nibbles. The veggie options include Marguerite's special Christmas pie. There's also plenty of wine, Sheelagh's Irish coffe, and if alcohol isn't your cup of tea, we have elderflower presse, Eirin's 0% mulled cider, and an enormous pot of actual tea. Any further contributions are very welcome.)
What are you wearing? (It's hard to tell with typing, but I promise I didn't say that in a creepy voice.)
Are you listening to music?
Do you have a favourite party game? (As Richard Osman stood Dee up, we're going to have to organise our own.)
 |
| Lights borrowed from my neighbours. |
On a personal note, thank you very much to everyone who has supported my own writing - by buying my books, reading through KU, requesting them in libraries, being ARC readers, downloading the free ones, leaving reviews etc etc. Cheers!
71 comments:
Good morning everyone! I've just popped in to decorate the place for this evening. I'm happy with the tree, lights, vases of greenery and paperchains, but not sure about hanging a bunch of mistletoe – what do you think?
Maybe substitute with edible decorations? Have you got any of those concertina-type paper coloured things that open into bells? ☺️
Good morning, you have been busy Patsy! I could bring some Christmas crackers and party poppers if you would like me to?
Not sure about the mistletoe...
Would you like some help taking down the decorations after the party?
Dee
I've got paper and scissors, and we're creative...
'
Some crackers would be good, Dee and yes please to the offer to help clear up. We'll need to keep everything safe ready to use as 'seasonal' story inspiration in June.
Sadly, I'm not. I was last in the queue when dexterity was being shared around. However, (never start a sentence with 'however'), I could bring some glue and iron filings and we could make our own sparklers. (Health and safety might not allow — unsure if you have public liability.)
Oh great Marguerite I love sparklers but they never last long enough, it sounds like yours will (if the walls are still standing afterwards!). Now back to my wardrobe to choose a suitable outfit, I thinking a red dress trimmed with white fur...
By the way I asked Oscar Wilde to accompany me & he said he would be there in 'spirit'
I'm not sure that mistletoe is politically correct these days Patsy, it might lead to unwanted advances from some of the rather suspect guests & maybe even legal action against the party thrower!
Insurance, Marguerite? Umm, no - but this is a multi genre party, so we could go historical with the sparklers nd pick a date before health and safety had been invented?
That dress sounds very festive, Sheelagh - and being here in spirit is the right way to attend a virtual party.
True, Sheelagh - but think of the story inspirations it might create.
I am going to wear my Christmas jumper, I don’t think it’s too kitsch - there’s a Christmas tree with flashing lights, tinkling bells and tinsel around the cuffs … plus dancing penguins.
Re party games, I was going to suggest charades, but not sure how we could manage that.
Dee
Are they real penguins, Dee?
Oh, yes they are Marguerite. I shall take them back to the zoo after Christmas, I won't be sorry about that, they've taken over the bathroom...
Dee
I have a tree with flashing blue lights. Tinsel and baubles and presents underneath!
I feel awful now, especially as I upset Dee with my pushiness. Jane Eyre-Rochester (no spoilers... reader, she married him) has to go to Adele's Nativity play. I asked Heathcliff to step in to accompany me — and lo and behold Mr R's decided to come as well! I thought he wouldn't bother. I think this could be an explosive mix without even including my sparklers. Sorry. I shall be wearing sackcloth and ashes.
Oh, Marguerite – yes there could be trouble there. But not to worry about numbers as I had invited another guest, a very dapper Belgian gentleman, but he couldn’t make it, something about trouble on a train… A shame really as I had offered him one of my Christmas jumpers to wear, but he didn’t seem too keen…
Dee
That's a great jumper, Dee!
I'm glad you asked, Marguerite - I didn't like to.
That sounds lovely, Helen ... assuming those blue lights don't come with alarming sound effects!
Maybe we can subdue them with mince pies, Marguerite? Or keep them apart?
Can I tempt anyone to a mine pie and glass of Baileys / hot chocolate?
Ooops Freudian slip with the mince pie name there!
Oh no, I'm unfashionably early, I don't see anyone else I'll have to do another round of the block and try again
Hello everyone, Merry Christmas! I've had a busy day so I've come in my Christmas pj's but I am wearing a Santa hat. My contribution is Babycham and caramel shortcake (millionaires shortbread). My guest is Jo Marsh who is giving everyone a gift of a knitted muffler and slippers, I've noticed there are a few dropped stitches but it's the thought that counts. She's also working on Christmas play with a dastardly villain but I'm not sure it will be finished in time for us to perform!
Oh yes please, do you have any whipped cream with that, Patsy?
Apologies Jo March, slip of the fountain pen!
Thankfully it won't be ready, Elizabeth, I feel I haven't had quite enough baileys for playing the part of Amy just yet
Yes please, could I have hot chocolate with Baileys added?
Good evening, everyone. I’m afraid my guests let me down - I never did hear back from Jane Austen. Then I tried another literary love of mine, Paddington, but I gather he’s rather tied up in the West End, so I’ve bravely come on my own.
I’m just on herbal tea right now, but still feeling festive!
I am tumbling in, after a fraught day, in my duffel coat and woolly hat - no party attire, sadly. This is partly because yesterday we bought a bungalow! And today I spent hours on the phone trying to insure it, which was troublesome because we won't actually be living in it for a few months, until work to it is complete. (Honestly, potential insurers were unable to accept that, as the bungalow is only five minutes' walk from our current home, we would check on it daily. Aagh.) Anyway, something is in place for now at least. I feel very shabby beside my far more glamorous guest, Caroline Maxwell, star of my psychologicial-suspense novel, 'Closing In'. Caroline is one of those sickening people who would look great in a bin-bag, and is still as stunning now, in her fifties, as she was in her teens. She also happens to be a very nice person, and a loyal friend, although she does have that one weakness that gets her into trouble ...
Lovely to see you, Sheelagh - fab dress!
Ooh, I'd love to have a babycham🙂. Thank you Elizabeth.
Oops - sorry, that was me in the duffel coat - I forgot to add my name; it really has been that sort of day.
Oh dear, but I would hate to imagine a Baileys fuelled Amy. But I'm sure she would approve of your beautiful dress Sheelagh.
That must have been tough slighted by Jane in that way, perhaps she had a few other social engagements in her card (if that's the term)
Good evening, Elizabeth. Thanks for bringing the shortbread. I'm very partial to that. And thanks for the slippers, Jo. They're very... umm ... Sorry, must dash and greet more guests!
Oh dear Marian, but well done Paddington I hear he's doing well!
Well, hopefully you can relax now and enjoy the party!
Thanks, Elizabeth and Jo, for the beautiful slippers - I needed a pair, and forgot to ask Santa.
You're welcome!
Great to see you, Marian. I'm sure you won't be alone for long. There are quite a few characters here already.
No worries if there is a power cut Patsy, Helen and I will save the day with our flashing lights!
Oh! Sorry – just heard a loud noise from upstairs, must go and investigate, be back later.
Dee
Hello, everyone. Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Patsy for hosting.
I can see you have been very busy, getting everything ready.
I have invited Alan Alexander Milne, so you can probably guess who I’m hoping he will bring with him. In case they are unable to attend, I’ve brought a couple quotes:
“If there ever comes a day where we can’t be together, keep me in your heart. I’ll stay there forever.”
“Ideas may drift into other minds, but they do not drift my way. I have to go and fetch them. I know no work manual or mental equal to the appalling heart-breaking anguish of fetching an idea from nowhere.”
HB
Sounds like an awful day, sit down put your feet up and have one of Patsy's delicious mince pies and a welcome drink.
Thank you everyone I did feel a tad overdressed there for a moment amongst the pjs & duffel coats but then I decided I'm old enough to own it & flaunt it!
I know - I was always going to come second to a 250th birthday and a stage triumph. It was foolish of me to try.
I enjoyed Paddington's performance in the Royal Variety Performance earlier this week, Marian - I imagine he is very much in demand for social occasions at this, and indeed any, time of year.
I'm glad you could make it - and that hat is rather carol singer-esque, so quiet festive in it's cosy way.
I hope all goes well sorting the bungalow issues.
Oh! I didn't recognise you, Eirin! (And I've only had the one Baileys) Nice to have you here.
Lovely to see you, HB - lovely quotes too!
Oooohhh I'm hoping your guest brings lots of friends with him.
Now this is very exciting - is there ANY chance your special guests might bring along an additional, very small friend, name beginning with P? He is my absolute soulmate.
Patsy – apologies but the Pevensie children have just turned up, uninvited – they took a wrong turn in Narnia, due to a blizzard, and ended up in my wardrobe! There are clothes, coat hangers and snow everywhere.
I may have to leave the party early, to tidy up.
Dee
I have a bottle of Merlot and cheese and biscuits. Think I'll start with the Austrian smoked. Anyone like to join me?
HB
So very true HB
Good news! Hamish the hunky fireman from my Firestarter romance has arrived, with all his mates from Red Watch. They're on standby while we light Marguerite's sparklers.
I notice someone has turned up the music - there's a good chance this means my guest will dance - and when Caroline dances, everyone looks. Her late parents danced mesmerisingly together - they loved Elvis and could really jive. Caroline's mum and dad were also exceptionally good-looking - her mum was petite and Maxie, her dad, tall and lean. I miss them.
Remind them Santa is still watching and they need to tidy up their own mess :)
Let's all dance!
Congrats on the house purchase, Eirin. Now time to relax with perhaps something stronger than the 0% mulled cider, I can do you a hot whiskey or an Irish coffee in jigtime. I'd say Caroline would prefer a gin & tonic with a slice of lime?
Oh yes please, HB. I almost forgot that I brought some plum chutney - not homemade, I'm afraid, but from a local artisan - do you have anything that would go with it?
Oh, it’s Christmas, I might be tempted to join in with the dancing!
I hope it isn't anything too exciting.
I'm getting a bit too hot in this jumper...
Dee
Smoked cheeses sounds good. Thanks, HB.
Eirin - look around you. I suspect you'll spot some crackers!
You can't be too careful with those pesky sparklers!
Hamish! Hello! Er ... yes, I do happen to know who that woman, dancing is. And yes, she is very attractive - she's my friend, Caroline.
I do enjoy a bit of Elvis.
Take off a few penguins, Dee. They're welcome to the use of the kitchen sink for a while.
I shall do that Elizabeth, thank you!
Is there any Babycham left?
Dee
Me, too, in my duffel coat, Dee.
Post a Comment