The Laboratory

Occasionally we are looking in design shops abroad and see something so clever you think, "why has no one thought of this before?". Manufactum, a German hardware and gift store, had these in Vienna, and we were like "Of course!" Like all Advent and Christmas candles, it feels like it would be a shame to light them. From the archive: ketchup and mustard candles (Zara Home) Also spotted in M&S: ketchup and mustard tops

This weekend sees the first of Adam's 5 carol services and concerts he's playing the organ in. The tunes from each have been going round in his head, even in his sleep, and the current winner is a beautiful anthem by John Rutter we are singing at ChristChurch Woking at 5pm and 7.30pm on Sunday. Do come along! But who invited the monkey? And why is the host wearing a 1950s toupée? Oh, he's French :-) Bonus track: another one we're doing is a little track I like to call "Mary, with the benefit of 2000 years of hindsight and theological interpretation, did you know your baby would be able to walk on water and annoy Richard Dawkins?"

We were looking for a nice angel picture to put on the calendar, so big thanks to Isobel who sent us this Playmobil version of Gabriel visiting Mary that she made for a school project. We had Playmobil back on the very first Advent Calendar  but nothing so handcrafted. We particularly like how Gabriel is so small he has to stand on a bench!