Looking back I realized it has been a long, long while since I’ve shared anything other than my thoughts with both my faithful readers. Back in the day I’d link up to posts on other blogs and scatter random pictures around. Well Christmastide is a time of sharing and there has been much in Blog Land that’s caught my often unfocused interest.
As to the random photos they are of a visit we made to the Rembrandt House Museum during our stay in Amsterdam in September.
An ancient portal leading into a modern block of flats. 
The red shutters indicate that the Museum is open for business. 
The Sluyswacht leans even further than Pisa’s famed tower. It was originally the lock master’s house. 
The Rembrandt House Museum (Museum Het Rembrandthuis) closed and shuttered early of a Sunday morning. That modern structure to the left is the entrance to the very well designed and interactive museum.
My blog buddy Mitchell’s spouse was complaining about the cold in Málaga when they did a tour of the Christmas lights this past week. Apparently it was a frigid 15c (59f) and poor San Geraldo was freezing. As the temperature here was -15c I had little sympathy for them and even less when I saw Mitchell’s photos of the magnificent light displays.
This brought back memories of our New Year’s in Madrid back in 2010. They certainly know spectacular illumination in Spain.
A press used to aid in the binding of collections of etchings and prints. 
The only heat in the classroom came from a cast iron stove 
An ingenious, and fragrant, way of making sure no one sits on the period furniture.
A few times in the past month or so the Mainland has been cut off from the Island when the winds have been high and the Confederation Bridge has been closed. It can cause problems but nothing like what early Islanders encountered back in the days before the “fixed link” when winters pretty much froze the Northumberland Straits. Over at SailStait historian Harry Holman posted a report from 1876 when a crossing of the nine mile gap took from Sunday to Wednesday with the odd dunking in the process.
This happens to coincide with the announcement of an increase on the toll to cross to the Mainland. It’s going up by .75¢ for a two-axled vehicle, .25¢ for motorcycles and bicycles, and should you wish to walk across the 12.9 km (8 mile) span there is no increase. It remains a mere $4.50.
In a break with a forty-year tradition I did not polish my balls this year. I let Laurent do it! (Oh grow up! Honestly are you still in grade school?) Laurent wrote all about the preparations for Christmastide at the Beaulieu-Hobbs manse.
December 13th is Christmas Jumper Day – for those not familiar with the word “jumper” means “sweater” in the United Kingdom. It actually derives from the French jupe – which the French may want back come the new year.
Willy Or Won't He 
I enjoyed this newsy and eclectic post, Willym! Ball polishing — oh, you boys.
‘…when the Mainland has been cut off from the Island.’
OMG, you ARE becoming a dyed-in-the-wool Islander!
Every time Christmas balls or ball polishing Uncle Pervy gives thanks for not being the one to break tradition of purchasing a Neimam Marcus Christmas ball each year for more years than we will mention.
OK so I can’t edit so I will have to reply. Between polishing and Uncle Pervy should have added “is mentioned”.
Rembrandt and Amsterdam, I need to do some wandering! Besides, we have to escape the cold; it’s supposed to drop to 13C overnight tonight and 8C overnight Tuesday!
Larry tells me you’re going to stuff each other this Christmas? Metaphorically speaking, of course.
JP
Well that an “It’s behind you!” comment if I ever heard one! Been to the Panto have you?
We had to open the doors and windows again as it was too warm. It should get down to 10C this evening – brrrrr. Before you wish me ill take schadenfreude I will soon be in Michigan freezing my wrists off.