What do points make?

As I was searching the Net for top Christmas gift ideas to share with you all, I came across this.

'So what?' you might think. But take a look at the gift that was in at #10. Your very own Bruce Forsythe! He's not looking well is he?

Christmas Comes Early: Example #2 - Songs of Praise

Recently I posted evidence of Christmas coming early with regard to supermarkets setting out their festive wares - at the start of September! Well, now I have more evidence to fuel the fire.

Last Sunday (that's 14 September) the BBC's Songs of Praise special was recorded at the Royal Albert Hall. But moving such landmark festivals is all par for the course with Songs of Praise. Take, for example, what happened last year to Easter.

I know that Easter is a movable feast but really...!

What is Myrrh Anyway?

Much excitement in the Green househould this morning, as my author copies of What is Myrrh Anyway? have arrived. And for what started out as a relatively short stocking filler of a book, it's actually turned out to be quite a weighty little book on the subject of Christmas and its traditions.So if you've always wondered why Christmas Day falls on 25 December (and not the 15 Augcember, for anyone who's seen the new series of Harry and Paul on BBC1), or can't understand why Brussels sprouts are always on the menu for Christmas dinner, then this little Christmas cracker of a book is the one for you.

The book isn't officially published by Icon Books until 2 October, but it is available to pre-order over on Amazon. And you can discover more fun and fascinating facts about the festive season right here on this blog!

Christmas is here! It's official!

People are always saying that Christmas comes earlier every year, but this year looks like it's going to break all previous records, as Christmas is already here! As of last Friday, to be exact. For that was when I went into my local branch of a particular well-known supermarket chain and saw an employee setting out this year's Christmas confectionery.

And there's the proof. Well, it won't be long before What is Myrrh Anyway? is out in the shops, so if the supermarkets are already putting people in a Christmasy frame of mind, surely it can't hurt sales. As they say, every little help!

Christmas in the Sun

A common complaint is that Christmas seems to come earlier and earlier every year. Well, Christmas came on Saturday for the population of Centralia, Pennsylvania in the US - and there definitely weren't any complaints.

Last December, massive floods meant that hundreds of children missed out on Christmas altogether, and last Saturday the Salvation Army and several law enforcement agencies hosted the special 'Christmas in the Sun' event to bring a little seasonal cheer into their lives, out of season, as it were.

All the fun of the Christmas Fayre

I have just come back from a week away in the Welsh borders and as part of our family holiday we visited Ludlow and its castle for a day.

Whilst there I saw Ludlow's Medieval Christmas Fayre being promoted, and thought I would pass on the information here (for any who might live in the Shropshire area or be visiting at that time).

The Fayre will take place on Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th November 2008. In 2007 over 15 thousand visitors enjoyed Ludlow's Medieval Christmas Fayre, so why not go along this year yourself and see what all the fuss is about.

And of course you get to visit Ludlow Castle at the same time, which would be, in itself, something of a Christmas treat!

If you know of any other Christmas Fayres, feasts, festivals or other celebrations, why not contact me at whatismyrrh@hotmail.co.uk and I'll promote them here on the blog.

One Man's Poison...

As a writer of action-adventure stories, the nefarious schemes of ne'er-do-wells hold a particular fascination, for without the drama and jeopardy they inject into a situation the hero would have nothing to do.

However, to my knowledge I have never actually suggested someone actually ingest a poison themselves, unlike TV chef Antony Worrall Thompson (who, let's face it, should know better). In fact, in What is Myrrh Anyway? there is a warning against using an ingredient in a recipe that could cause harm.

So, the moral of this little story? Buy What is Myrrh Anyway? and don't trust that ginger-bearded guy off the telly! Do you think they'll be many bookings at his restaurant tonight?