Tuesday 13 December 2011

The Christmas A – Z has come early ...

Hi everyone – I’m over at Lee’s Blog reminiscing on the A – Z Challenge with a few extra mulled creative thoughts A to Zed threaded in .. I hope you’ll join us ...

Designed by Ada Z 

One, Two, Three, Four, Five
Once I caught a fish alive
Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten,
Then I let it go again ...

Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen Gad’s alive
It’s Lee and Wifie’s Anniversarie
Fourteen years to the day: the thirteenth
Of that devilish twelfth month end of
Two Thousand and Eleven.....

Congratulations Lee and Happy Anniversary to you both ...

JD's book
Now for the ‘serious’ bit ...  J D Meier ( an amazingly well organised man and his blog!) .. has a new post up entitled “How to Market Your Book” – and it’s a resource that some of you may find useful to read and mull over during this Christmas period – and perhaps take advantage of his thoughts in 2012 ... so please click on over: Sources of Insight.

Happy Christmas!
That’s me done, dusted and icing sugared for this post ... head on over to Lee’s Blogging Challenge Blog ... it’s just so much fun being a part of this great group of supportive bloggers – wonderful friends from around the world ...

12 Days of Christmas
A to Zed, is as simple as ABC or One, Two, Three Buckle My Shoe – and apologies to all Nursery Rhyme lovers!

Last but not least ... Ada Z as she is usually known by (Ada Zdanowicz - of CollagePodge) designed the amazing A-to-Z badge - and this needs to be enlarged for you all to see the crossword detail - clever isn't she?!  Lee's post for Ada.

Have fun – enjoy all the posts on the A – Z reflections ... Cheers from me and Hello to Lee .... here’s to a wonderful year end and successful 2012.


Happy Anniversary – you two Birdies .....


Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

67 comments:

Slamdunk said...

Ha, on the way over to A-Z.

Old Kitty said...

Enjoy your A-Z-ing next year! I cheered most vociferously for two years in a row and my dashboard near enough exploded as there were so many of those I followed who participated - so next time I may take that month off! LOL!

Take care
x

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Hi Hilary anthing to do with the A to Z I'm all for. Next year will be my third......have already got mine sorted so I can enjoy Christmas without wondering about April.
Have a great week.
Yvonne.

Arlee Bird said...

Thanks Hilary for the lovely post. I'll show this to my wife when she gets home from work.
Your A to Z post is great fun and a festive addition to the holiday season. Thanks for doing it.


Lee
A to Z stories starting 12/12 and the official A to Z Badge is now revealed
Blogging from A to Z

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Slamdunk - thank you.

@ Old Kitty - will enjoy the A - Z next year .. just somewhat selective I think .. but it was fun as my first year.

@ Yvonne .. I'd read you were all up and ready with your posts for April - so you can enjoy Christmas! It's a great blogging event - good for Lee for putting it on!

Thanks - Slamdunk, Old Kitty and Yvonne .. here's to the A - Z challenge .. Hilary

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Lee - it is a pleasure .. I hope your wife appreciates Nursery Rhymes with a twist!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to you both .. cheers Hilary

Ada Z. said...

Thank you for mentioning me! That's so nice of you!

J.D. Meier said...

Thanks for the shout out!

Happy Anniversary Lee and Wifie!

There's nothing wrong with a little rhyhme, especially, now, near Christmas time.

I like how little reflections can bring back such big memories ... larger than life.

Happy Holidays!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Ada .. your art work is very well worth crediting .. and a pleasure .. all the very best - though I feel you'll be successful fairly soon.

@ Karen .. well you've had a lot going on this year too ... I will definitely take a more measured approach in 2012 - but I know what I'm doing .. and I met some wonderful people .. you being one! (I think!) ..

Thanks Ada and Karen .. all the very best - Hilary

Robyn Campbell said...

Almost time again? EEK! I better get some nap time in between now and then. And you're right about the support of the A to Z folks. Awesomeness. That's what it is.

Lovely post, Hilary. You rock. *waving*

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi JD .. you deserve the shout out - you have some amazing resources on your blog .. and I hope a few of my readers click on over and take advantage of your wisdom.

Thankfully we can take rhymes and use them appropriately .. and these just came to mind before I mashed on a bit extra!

I think those of us who did the A - Z challenge loved the month way more than we thought we would .. - and Lee's a brilliant organiser for it ---

Thanks for the visit and support you give me - you too have a great time over Christmas and the New Year .. cheers Hilary

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

I'm heading over now to check out Lee's blog, then I'm off to read JD. Hope you have a fabulous day, Hilary. Best to you mum.

Len Lambert said...

Haven't heard of A-Z...but now that I have, I might join and do it next year, too! :)

Joanne said...

I clicked over and enjoyed the Christmas journey through the alphabet ... A journey in classic Hilary-style, indeed!

Chase March said...

He said, "Should I try A to Zed?
or should I do Scipt Frenzy instead?"

"Why not do both?" was the reply to his query.

It's a lot of writing though and could make one weary.

But to play with letters and themes could be fun.

We'll just wait to see what happens when Spring finally does come.

Cheers!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Joylene .. good for .. you'll enjoy JD's Marketing Post .. glad you've got your Ice Contest up! Thanks re Mum - we trickle on ..

@ Len - I really loved the A - Z this year .. so I'm sure you will too - so look forward to seeing join us in 2012.

@ Joanne - delighted you enjoyed my guest post .. thanks .. just a fun A - Z ... very Christmassy.

@ Chase - yes definitely .. it'll be a break from writing .. perhaps have that relaxing time to think as well as A - Z ...

... but you could do both! We'll wait to see if you join us ..

Thanks Joylene, Len, Joanne and Chase - good to see you all .. Hilary

baygirl32 said...

Love your guest post, it is very festive :)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Robyn .. I see you slipped through the net - apologies .. caught you now.

Thanks for the great comment .. it's a fun time with some wonderful people ..

@ BayGirl32 .. thank you so much - good to see you here ..

Cheers Robyn and BayGirl .. have good weeks .. Hilary

Southpaw said...

Nice little poem. :) I will check out the links.

A Lady's Life said...

A-Z I'll check it out Thanks :)

Pearson Report said...

Hilary - I enjoyed your post over at Blogging from A to Z...what a wonderful way of tying in the alphabet to this Holiday Season.

Cheers, Jenny
PEARSON REPORT

Scarlett Clay said...

How fun,love the anniversary rhymes, my congratulations to Lee as well!! Oooh I fouled up the A-Z challenge something awful last time...haha...was in over my head but the concept is so cool and it was worth the chaos...that's how I met you!! At least I think it was?! :)

oh. and I LOVE the artsy badge!

~Scarlett

Empty Nest Insider said...

Two excellent posts in one day Hilary! You always put your heart and soul into everything you do! Looking forward to participating in the A to Z with you!

Lee, Wishing you and your wife a very happy anniversary!

Arlee Bird said...

Julie -- Thanks for the anniversary wish.

Hilary-- Thanks again for the great day of posting

And thanks to all of your commenters for all the support they gave you today.


Lee
Tossing It Out

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Holly - glad you enjoyed my play with Nursery rhymes! Good - the links are worth exploring .. JD on marketing, Lee on his challenge, and Ada on her art work.

@ A Lady's Life .. great - thanks for popping over to Lee.

@ Jenny - thanks .. the A - Z Challenge was fun ..

@ Scarlett - I met so many new people on the A - Z .. you'll rattle through the A - Z in 2012.

Yes - Ada's badge is excellent isn't it ....

@ Julie - thank you! Yes - I'll be around come April .. blogging away and looking forward to it too myself.

Yes - Lee and their anniversary - hope you both had a relaxing evening together .. congratulations and here's to many more ..

Thanks Lee to you for organising these links across to your new Challenge Blog.

Cheers everyone - Holly, A Lady's Life, Jenny, Scarlett, Julie and Lee .. have a great Wednesday ..

.. and it's Yvonne and her poetry today ...

Happy Days - Hilary

~Sia McKye~ said...

I applaud those who have the time and energy to do the A-Z. I did it last year, sort of. My blog isn't set up for full participation. It was fun.

I never would have thought of making a Christmas cake. I don't know why; it's a perfect *canvas* to make a lovely desert for the season.

Sia McKye's Thoughts...OVER COFFEE

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Sia .. I was surprised how easy it was to do it .. I did try and visit too many participants .. once I'd got that sorted .. I just went on. Showed me I could write short posts! - but reverted to my longer ones once every 5 - 7 days ...

Christmas cake is delicious - I'd love a slice now! A good cake and a cup of tea .. then settle down for a relaxing evening ..

Christmas cake as 'desert' .. not so sure! We do fry it up occasionally .. with brandy butter ..

Thanks for coming by - lovely to see you - cheers Hilary

Anonymous said...

That Christmas cake looks yummie Hilary, will check out the A - Z. Great post. Happy festive season.

jabblog said...

I still seem to keep missing posts. Anyway, I'll go and see thoughts on A to Z - it seems a long time ago that we took part in that. Well, it was a long time ago - eight months:-)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

I'll have to check out the one about marketing your book for future reference.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Patricia said...

nice job Hilary and I will jump over to lee's to say Happy Anniversary and to check out reflections.

I have asked for JD Book for a gift - it is on my wish list right now...I had to put the new oven ahead of everything else, because 4 and a half months was getting to be too old.

I am editing my post about Judy Croome's book right now...Dancing with the Shadows of Love review should go up December 19 or 22...
I have a student doing a guest post for the 22nd - but she has not gotten back to me...thus the confusion.

The movie review I am doing for the 16th is amazing...it is stunning movie...just like you and JD!
Thank you

Susan Scheid said...

I will always remember your A-Z. It was spectacular!

klahanie said...

Hi Hilary,
Ah fantastic! Thanks for reminding me about the A to Zed Challenge, or for our American pals, the A to Zee Challenge!
I know you did some insightful and fascinating posts. I, who doesn't get involved with such things will now sort of contradict myself and recall fondly how I did a few satire postings in regards to that intriguing challenge that gosh, brought further awareness of the alphabet :)
Cheers Hilary and thank you for your ongoing support and kindness on my shy, humble and unassuming blog.
With respect and a bonus letter, your way, Gary...

Helen Ginger said...

Thanks for all the links, Hilary. And the pictures! I can never think of pictures for my posts, so it's great fun to come here.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Susan .. Christmas cake and tea - an excellent choice for an afternoon .. glad you're checking out the A - Z.

@ Janice .. it was a long time ago - and I blog-hopped across to Lee's A-ZChalleng blog ..

@ Susan .. glad you're going to check on JD's marketing post - he has pearls of wisdom ..

@ Patricia .. good to see you. I can understand the oven first scenario!

I'm looking forward to reading your review on Judy's book .. "Dancing in the Shadows of Love" .. Thanks so much for your kind comment ..

@ Susan - many thanks .. I enjoyed it and it showed ..

@ Gary - when we met .. I wondered if you were in or out - and eventually tied up with you!! Your 'word' knowledge is rather exemplary .. I have to look them up!

Pleasure Gary .. it's great to be in touch via the blog and email .. and that's what a great many do - be around for support to others .. the storm hasn't blown the white cliffs of Sussex away yet .. and I have some distance between me and the English Channel! ..

@ Helen .. hope you enjoy the links .. I love putting the pictures in - gives another perspective on some of the subjects.

Thanks so much .. Susan, Janice, Susan, Patricia, Susan, Gary and Helen .. nearly had a Susan Sandwich here! Cheers everyone - Hilary

MTeacress said...

I love the style of those Christmas illustrations. Very cute.

Enjoy your A-Z challenge. I did one last year, and it was a lot of fun. :)

Merry Christmas to you too!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Michelle .. many thanks ..and hope you'll join us in 2012? You too have a fun-filled happy Christmas .. cheers Hilary

Karen Lange said...

I appreciate the info and links, Hilary. Thanks so much! Hopping over to Lee's now. Have a great weekend! :)

Linda said...

Love the pictorial version of 12 days of Christmas, and that cake is gorgeous, too. Did you make it?

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Karen .. am sure JD has much to offer ... and know you enjoyed my ABCs ..

@ Linda .. yes - I did too .. would love to be able to draw and paint .. sadly - no I didn't do the cake .. can't remember when I last made an iced cake - a good many years ago .. but the original royal icing, and proper marzipan and then a very rich fruit cake .. delicious!

Thanks Karen and Linda - enjoy your weekends too ... lots of rushing about to do?! Cheers - Hilary

Anonymous said...

I was trying to remember everything to the 12 Days of Christmas. The pictures jarred my memory. Thanks!

Susan Scheid said...

Just came back and noticed your Susan sandwich reference. Got a kick out of that--it seems we are a very varied, not to say delicious, lot!

TALON said...

I'll check out the A-Z, Hilary. It's amazing that 2011 is nearly through! Seems it only just began!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Susanne .. that's why I put the picture up .. I had/have one card left with the rhyme on ..

'jarred' is not quite the right word - but for the life of me "it" (what is the right one!) won't come out of my memory bank... jogged - perhaps is better???!!!!

@ Susan - yup and again almost .. 'cept you got here first .. and Talon was late - I'll blame it on her!!

You're so right .. that's what's so great .. as bloggers we just are so different - enterprising and surprising .. just like a sandwich! The poor Earl - turning in his grave .. at us lot!

@ Talon - lovely to see you .. I know 2011 has just about gone .. I loved the A - Z .. but could do with it holding off for a while?! - unlikely I suppose ..

Thanks Susanne, Susan and Talon .. great seeing you here .. and Susan - twice in a blog .. to talk about a sandwich of Susans .. or perhaps the middle is Susanne? She always floors me .. with the Z in Drazic - I want to call her Suzanne ..

Cheers everyone - Hilary

Denise Covey said...

You're scaring me! All this talk about A-Z. It'll come around too soon! Man, it only seems yesterday...

Now I'm mulling about what I'll write in April '12.

Denise

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Denise .. good to see you here and over at JD's sight .. he's a great source of information .. so I'm glad you've tied in with him.

I know April is very soon - but Christmas is less far away! .. and it's getting more Christmassy by the hour ..

Ideas are quite challenging .. no doubt I'll wing mine like last year - but it is great fun ..

Happy Christmas for next week .. cheers and enjoy the week ahead .. Hilary

The Blonde Duck said...

Merry Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful one!

Theresa Milstein said...

Happy anniversary to Arlee.

I love A to Z books. I had a few I read my children when they were younger. We're past that phase now. But I still have the Dr. Seuss one memorized.

Happy weekend!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Blonde Duck .. thanks so much .. I know you'll have fun .. lots of baking to enjoy!

@ Theresa - it was great to be able to wish Arlee and his wife "A Happy Anniversary" ..

The A - Z books and the Challenge are fun .. good for us now .. I've never read Dr Seuss .. and must redeem that!

Cheers to you both .. Blonde Duck and Theresa .. thanks for coming past .. Hilary

Unknown said...

I love the Twelve Days of Christmas picture. Very clever.

Love the picture of the Christmas cake too. Christmas cake and brandy butter. Yum!

Have a great weekend, Hilary!

Rosalind Adam said...

I'm really looking forward to the next A to Z. It was at last years that we first met if I'm not very much mistaken. I shall pop over to Lee's and see what's going on.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Shirley .. sadly none of them my pictures .. they just fitted in .. and oh yes - a piece of Christmas cake .. and a delicious mince pie with some brandy butter later on .. yummy!

@ Ros .. it was a great time .. and I would think it was where we'd met .. though I feel we've known each other ages .. see over at Lee's ..

Thanks Shirley and Ros .... hope it's not too cold up your end of the world - we had some sleet this morning .. but all gone now - just colder! Cheers Hilary

JJ said...

Hilary: May you have a very Merry Christmas season!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi JJ .. thank you - you too have a lovely seasonal Christmas and New year and a great 2012 .. cheers Hilary

Rosaria Williams said...

Happy Holidays, H.
Thanks for your visit.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Rosaria .. many thanks .. you too have a lovely seasonal time .. cheers for now - Hilary

Friko said...

Very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year, Hilary, may we all meet again as happily as we have done all year.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

And I read your post!
Thanks for sending the link to the exhibit at the British Library.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Friko - many thanks for your thoughts .. and you have a very peaceful uneventful Christmas and New Year .. and exactly as you say with all happiness in 2012 and I will definitely see you there.

@ Alex - thanks for coming by! I'm sure you'll be interested in the BL link ..

Happy Christmas and New Year everyone .. and Friko and Alex great to see you here .. Hilary

quilthexle said...

Thanks for the early warning about the upcoming A-Z challenge ... Guess I will start early with it, than it should be doable ;-)) Loved it last year!
I wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a happy new year!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Frauke .. I remember it well - you choked and splattered over your morning tea - when you happened upon my post on Beachy Head, here in Sussex .. letting me know that you'd made a quilt of that iconic picture, and then your husband painted it from your quilt .. and both hang in your sitting room ... amazing!

It was a great time .. and definitely should be easier 2nd time around ...

You too Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year .. I hope your cold is improving .. cheers Hilary

Hold my hand: a social worker's blog said...

Hilary,
I want to thank you for all your support. You wonderful blogging friend, faithfully visiting others and leaving uplifting comments. You are a gem.

I will check out the A to Z post. I can't wait.

Merry Christmas to you and your Mom, and lots of love!

Doris

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Doris .. so many thanks for your comment here .. and when you can come by. Your blog is upliftingly sad - and gets us all to think .. an essential for our elderlies ..

You made the most of the A - Z blog challenge and that's the best - I love your stories ...

Pleasure - I love getting round and I learn so much .. that's the important bit - especially amongst so many supportive friends ..

A very happy Christmas to you, your family and friends .. thanks for the thoughts to Mum .. she does and can take things - so appreciates your thoughts.

With a big hug and love to you .. Hilary

Tina said...

Hey Hilary, nice to meet you! I'm stopping by from the AZ blog to thank you for your comment! I'm looking forward to completing the challenge with you again.
Tina @ Life is Good

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Tina .. thank you .. the A - Z is such fun isn't it .. and it's not so far away now .. 2012 is so nearly here!

Happy New Year - Hilary

Mandy Allen said...

Hi Hilary, long time no speak! I've been very busy offline so haven't managed to get over to read your posts for ages. Very remiss of me and I have missed them. I've just signed up for the challenge and have entered a new site I am just getting online called Kitchen Blogging. Of course it's all about my favourite subject - FOOD! Hope your Christmas/New Year was good, I'll just read the rest of your posts to catch up a bit! Hope mum is well. My mum is buzzing right now - it's lovely to see.

Enjoy the journey.

Mandy

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Mandy .. good to see you back - no worries re the blog .. no change here! But delighted to hear you're looking forward to being back here .. and your new site sounds fun - I love food and learning about veg and fruit etc ...

My Mum is quiet .. but delighted to hear that yours is much better - that's good news .. cheers for now - Hilary