Fontanini time

We’re being lulled into thinking winter is a long way away. Yes, the nights are dark by half-past four, but the temperature outside hovers from 9C to 14C – and the grass is still growing. HBTW cut the back grass a week ago, and may yet have to do the front.

This little shepherd boy is from the Fontanini range and is called Aaorn. He is one of the 5inch range and is part of our present to ourselves this year to add to the nativity scene. The set of stable, figures, angels and animals now spreads over most of the top of the piano; that means stopping buying extras or nudging everything up closer together. Go on, guess,which do you think is more likely? Of course this relies on a) HBTW being agile enough to get up into the loft to get the storage box down; and c) nothing terrible having happened to them – mice don’t seem to like them so I am hoping all is well.

My source in the UK has stopped stocking this make of figurine, so they are having to travel from the States. I have also ordered three palm trees and a campfire (no picture).

If you have a good memory, you may recall that last year’s additions included an elephant. To be honest he was a bit of a disappointment as he was too small to be full-sized. Now you may be wondering why on earth I enjoy this gathering of the toys together. Perhaps it has something to do with the Christmas times of austerity at the end of World War II – or maybe I am still just a kid. It’s fun anyway.

Here is a confession and Ssshh! don’t tell anyone – it is only lack of space that stops me going into the dollshouse business. I love all the miniature pariphernalia. Now I did have a dollshouse when I was quite young. However, it is associated with being in isolation hospital for 6 weeks. And of course the furniture and fittings were not all that sophisticated. Except for the lights. I adored the lights. Happy Days.

By the way – was there an elephant at Bethlehem?
And does it matter?