Dear Friends of Mountmellick Embroidery and Heritage Museum,

Today, 6th. Jan., we celebrate here in Ireland, Nollaig na mBan

(Women's Christmas) or Little Christmas. This is supposed to be a day off for the woman of the household, a rest day for her and time to meet up with her friends over tea and some Christmas cake and enjoy a chat. A little reprieve after all the work and cooking over the Christmas period before the decorations come down.

I don't know if this tradition is widely practiced nowadays, but wouldn't it be a lovely one to revive in future years when we have Covid lockdowns behind us.?

So this year for today I am browsing through my craft books, indulging in some extra television time and enjoying every last minute of the Christmas decorations and fairy lights everywhere before they come down tomorrow. There will also be a few messages to some of my women friends, and of course some treats of the chocolate variety!

This second period of nationwide lock down due to the Covid pandemic will be tough and stressful for so many people for many varied reasons. Hopefully it may also be time for us to reshape our lives and lifestyles, to realize and appreciate all the little things that enrich our lives, to declutter!, spring clean! dream, think and plan for a healthy lifestyle in tune with nature, craft and creativity and stay connected with family and friends. Like last spring and summer we can soon enjoy the simple pleasure of the great outdoors, of pottering again in the garden in the company of all the singing birds, fluttering butterflies and buzzing bees.

So we wish you all a very Happy Nollaig na mBan, Good Health and Happiness for 2021 and Nimble Fingers to practice and enjoy your needlework creations.

Best Regards to all, Stay Home and Stay Safe,

Ann and Marie.