2020 will go down in history there is no doubt about that as the year when, because of Covid-19,  we were told to work from home for a period of time in order to manage the virus. Steadily things improved but sadly the R rate has risen again. Like many others throughout the country I am wondering what Christmas will bring. but of course, things are what they are, and everyone is doing their best. So what can we do to cut the effort and cost?

So here are some very successful prompts I have used in the past :

1. Set a budget per person and stick to it. You will have to apply a lot of self discipline here because it is so easy to choose something that you know someone would love but which may not be in your price range. If this is the case put it back, or if shopping on line, move on .
2. Make your own Christmas cards. This is a great fun and such a lovely festive activity and one that the children can help with. I like to let my children draw a festive picture and I then scan it and print onto card. My relatives love getting a little work of art far more than a generic store bought card.
3. Secret Santa: I have a sister, a brother in law, a brother and a sister in law. Instead of buying presents for everyone we like to arrange a Secret Santa which is great fun, we set a price to stick to and exchange our gifts on boxing day, if we can meet up under these strange circumstances of course. It is great fun to participate in and no one is left out.
4. Frozen food. Let’s start with the big bird – the turkey. For the past few years I have substituted a frozen turkey crown in place of a fresh turkey. I have done this because they are so much cheaper, there is no waste and they are easier to cook as you can pick up a pre basted one – so no more dry turkey. Then there are the trimmings. Frozen vegetables are cheaper and you do not have to worry about doing the last minute dash to get the fresh sprouts. Additionally  you only cook what you need and can chuck the rest back in the freezer for another day. However I prefer not to  buy frozen Yorkshire puddings or roast potatoes, as I prefer to make the my own.
5. Start stocking up now. Put on that mask, use the hand wash and pick up extra non perishables to store away for the big day. I like to stock up on wine, biscuits, crackers, sweets, chocolates and pop. Of course, online outlets have been wonderful at delivering gifts and food over the past few months, so explore all the  options available.
6. Make your own presents. This isn’t for everyone but I find that homemade gifts are a lot more personal than bought ones. And this can vary from homemade jam, chutneys, cakes and pickles to bath bombs, face masks and wax melts. And for those who are crafty a homemade bookmark or notebook will always come in useful and for the ultimate wow factor you could try making jewellery.

I hope that you can find some help and reassurance from some of these tips that I have used in the past and will certainly use again this year –  depending on circumstances . As we slide into November, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a merry, and safe Christmas.

European debut for US artist Danielle Durchslag at UK Jewish Film Festival 2020 UK Jewish Film Festival, 8 Davies Street, London W1K 3DW Thursday 5th – Thursday 19th November 2020

Renowned American artist and filmmaker Danielle Durchslag has never before exhibited in Europe until now. A rising star this side of the Atlantic, Danielle is making her UK directorial debut at the BAFTA qualifying UK Jewish Film Festival, where she will present two provocative short films from her critically acclaimed BOUNTY series.

The BOUNTY series lifts the curtain on the inherent tensions present when the Jewish history of oppression is combined with extreme privilege. Using voice actors, live actors, animation and complex editing techniques, Durchslag makes video collages that subvert familiar British cinematic tropes to explore political and psychological complexities of American Jewish wealth; specifically the concept of American Jewish wealth as a dedicated form of “sophisticated WASP drag”.

Making its UK premiere at the festival, Eleanor of Illinois stars Judy Kuhn, 2020 Olivier Award nominee and four-time Tony nominee for her roles in the original Broadway casts of Les Misérables, Chess and Fun Home. Kuhn is also known for her seminal turn as the singing voice of Disney’s Pocahontas.

In this most ambitious piece from the BOUNTY series, Chicago’s most powerful Jewish doyenne channels Katharine Hepburn to punish her adult child’s insolence and win back their loyalty. This piece is a meditation on what hard-won financial success has wrought, a passionate piece of experimental video art fan fiction, and a portrait of how normal family dysfunction, when combined with extreme affluence, transforms into high melodrama.

The Woman Who Heard Too Much will make its worldwide premiere.

Durchslag transforms a suspenseful scene from Alfred Hitchcock’s The Man Who Knew Too Much into the story of an upper-class Jewish mother, played by Doris Day, who becomes emotionally overwrought at a live performance of Fiddler On The Roof. The short playfully exposes the patriarchal attitudes at play in Jewish dynasties, and so often exemplified in the non-Jewish characters in the classic films of directors such as Hitchcock. It also contends with the power and limitations of mainstream Jewish cultural output.

The UK Jewish Film Festival will return this November with a spectacular programme exploring Jewish and Israeli life, history and culture.

This year, with an offering which features films, Q&As, panel discussions and other special events, the Festival will be streamed online, with limited performances in partnership with JW3. We’re talking Academy-level artistry here in six minutes (Kurt Brokaw, Senior Film Critic for The Independent, Eleanor of Illinois).

Eleanor of Illinois Running Time 7 minutes Director Danielle Durchslag   Cast Judy Kuhn

Website https://ukjewishfilm.org/film/eleanor-of-illinois/

The Woman Who Heard Too Much Running Time 2 minutes 30 seconds Director Danielle Durchslag Cast Doris Day

Website https://ukjewishfilm.org/film/woman-heard-much/

Dates Thursday 5th – 19th November 2021

Tickets The videos will be available on demand for 99p or a Festival Pass will unlock access to all films and screenings for £35. Advanced booking is available here: ukjewishfilm.org/festival-tickets/

Twitter @durcharts @UKJewishFilm

Instagram @ddurch @UKJewishFilm

Website www.danielledurchslag.com https://ukjewishfilm.org/

Image credit DAnielle Durchslag Fine Art

The Lockdown was, for many, a time of reflection, perhaps a time of change. Here at Frost Magazine we have chosen some books which might strike a chord, and offer a way forward. With Christmas on the way, perhaps  one is suitable as a gift for someone else.

From Broken to Brave by Sam Pearce

A guide which discusses recovery from trauma leading to the creation of a new way of living.

Pearce explains that she wrote From Broken to Brave to share the  profound life and business lessons learned on her journey through pain, loss and abuse to successful entrepreneurship.  In other words after  struggling to rise above a background of mental and physical abuse the author has recovered her courage and power and is channelling all that she had learned into forging a new satisfying way of living.

Pearce uses her experiences to show how one can change what seems a given path along which one stumbles and just manages to survive, to one in which you  take back control and create something better . She shares her mistakes, and finally her way forward, in her case, to a life as an entrpreneur.

A positive heartening guide, an  interesting read and a  good generally upbeat companion to have as you break free.

Available here:

Another in the same ilk: Break-up – From crisis to confidence by Claire Black

Black is  one of the UK’s leading Break-up and Divorce Coaches – who says: “It is my experience of separation and divorce that has driven me to help others going through this experience. When I look back on my experience now, I feel immensely proud of how I behaved, and how I turned things around for myself. I am here to show you that you too can do this, so that when you look back in 5 or 10 years’ time, you too can feel proud of how you handled your break-up or divorce.”

Again we have an author using her own experiences – in this case, of a  sudden break down of a marriage. Floundering about amidst the shock and distress she determined to feel the ground beneath her feet and strid on, and having done so, to create a guide n on how to move forward for those experiencing a similar situation.

This is a guide to managing your emotions, and taking back control, working out what you want from life, and planning how to achieve this new path. Sensible, and clear advice from a former solicitor,  and one of the UK’s leading Break-up and Divorce Coaches.

Available here: www.clairblackcoaching.com

Now to: Spirited by Nina Bambrey

Spirited is in essence an eight week course, or however long or short you wish it to be, in life lessons for a parent. 

Aerial artist Nina Bambrey – yes really – creates a new concept in the way we prepare for the arrival of a babe. In her book she draws on what she has learned as a circus acrobat and single mother to offer guidance which fits the lifestyle and expectations of an upcoming generation of millennial parents-to-be.

“Spirited” is designed as a workbook offering emotional guidance and practical advice for new mums and dads.

As Bambrey says: “Becoming a parent for the first time involves a shift in identity and the development of new skills and capacities. This can be a shock to those who think that their lives will carry on largely as before. I am excited about helping people find the emotional resilience and support they need to thrive in their new role.’

The author has  set out the book in chapters, which include exercises. This idea focuses the mind,  and will be a helpful aid to some. Certainly worth a read.

You can join the author’s community www.flipturn.org.uk for free resources and how to get a group or one-to-one support

Book available here

Annie Clarke’s latest novel: Christmas on the Home Front pb. pub by Arrow, will be available  29th October 

Sometimes I have the real pleasure of reviewing a novel I would have bought myself. Not often it has to be said, and but for life, Covid and work I would have got to this sooner. (I have a pile of books to review)

What a treat, Hot to Trot, M C Beaton’s latest and A Death in the Medina – one after the other:

A Death in the Medina by James Von Leyden is set in Marrakech, in the stifling heat of August at the start of Ramadan. A heat which exceeds anything in living memory. Most foreigners head for the hills, or preferably the Arctic to cool down. One who remains is an impossible woman, or so I thought, who owns a riad (a traditional house built around a courtyard, and which is a form of hotel) She has a French boyfriend who is an architect. There is an English girl who has lost her bag, passport etc. All these pawns cross the path of 24 year old local detective Karim Belkacem, who of course is fasting. Who has a sister’s wedding to pay for. Who takes a job as a night watchman. So not only is he not eating or drinking during the intense sleep, but neither is he sleeping.

A Moroccan girl is found murdered. Another detective takes the case. But Karim knows the girl and fears it is a sloppy investigation, and all the while the heat is rising. Is the murderer one of the pawns? If so, which one? Or is it none of them?

As the heat builds so does Karim’s confusion. We feel it, we put on the fan though in reality it’s cold outside. We drink water , feeling as parched as he. I can’t say my confusion rose as his did, because I seem to live a life of chaos, but oh, dear, I felt his. And who on earth is the killer?

Slowly, delicately, elegantly it comes together. A grain of sand on the body – from the desert? But it’s salty? So where has Amina been? All the time, the hotel is rising, but too quickly. All this concrete to mix…

It’s unputdownable. See how I multi-tasked so I didn’t have to stop reading.

So, turn yourself into a dog’s bed if it gives you a few more precious minutes  with James Von Leyden in Marrakech. Read, learn, and finally understand ‘who did it.’ A Death in Medina is more than a mystery, it is an experience.

A Death in the Medina by James Von Leyden pub by Constable (who are publishing some great books) paperback

In these stressful and uncertain times many of us are turning to new hobbies as a way to let off steam and learn a new skill. Create you is a local group based in Highbridge Somerset and was founded in 2019 stemming from a long held and widely practised belief of therapeutic art.

Create You founder Leila Browning says : “After struggling with mental health issues myself I started on my creative journey to finding a way to use art as a form of self-help.

Having found something that worked for me I wanted to share this with others who also struggled with their mental wellbeing, I then conducted lots of research until the idea was born.

Creating art relieves stress, encourages creative thinking, increases brain function by using problem solving skills and imparts other mental health benefits. Creating art provides a distraction, giving your brain a break from your usual thoughts, and you may find yourself in what is known as ‘the zone’ or a state of ‘flow’ which is what ties it in nicely with mindfulness

It was important that Create You was an all-inclusive company, having worked in the autistic sector for a while, I realised the how important it was that anyone visiting and joining groups would be able to feel part of something regardless of their abilities.

Create You has been designed especially to be a safe and welcoming space for all.

In these unusual and stressful times people need that escape and we’ve found our classes more in demand than ever.

We believe that during lockdown people were given time to be creative and have a new understanding of the importance of taking some time out for ourselves.”

Create You offers a wide range of groups. There is something for everyone from Adults to children from beginners to more advanced artists. This is what they have to offer on a weekly basis;

Monday Art for Adults 10.00 – 11.30am,

Creative Kids 5.00 – 7.00pm

Tuesday Art for Adults 7.30 – 9.00pm

Wednesday Men Only! 11.00 – 12.30pm

Young Artists 5.00 – 7.00pm

Thursday Home Education Group, Art 10.00 – 12 noon

Friday Artists and Crafters Unite 10.30 – 12 noon

Create You also offer workshops ranging from china decoration, beading, pyrography, felting and printmaking, to name just a few.

When asked what impact Covid has had on the creative groups that they host. Leila Browning said;

“Like most businesses, Covid has made this a challenging year. we’ve been running groups and live events on Facebook, even doing paint-alongs via Facebook live! We have managed to rearrange our creative centre to comply fully with government guidelines, and we expect to be able to continue our groups as planned.”

2021 is going to be a extremely exciting year for Create You here is what they have planned for the new year;

“2021 will see us expanding our repertoire, adding new classes in even more diverse areas, and we are even going to be able to offer a space for graffiti artists! We are also going to be offering corporate team building events and giving hen parties the opportunity to create some beautiful beaded decorations they can wear to the wedding. We are always working on new ideas, and we have no shortage of them”

If you are interested in what Create You has to offer but do not live locally then do not fear

“Going forward, we envisage franchising Create You into other parts of the country, so watch out, we may be coming to you soon!”

If you have any creative activity in mind, please feel free to contact us, we would be delighted to discuss your ideas.

Create You; tel 01278 767411

Email; www.createyou.art@outlook.com

Facebook/Insta @createyou.uk

web www.createyou.uk

Facebook Groups: CreateYou-Creative community

CreateYou-online gallery

Oh, be still my beating heart – Aggie is back. Snakes and B……..s – thank the Lord. I have had the most enjoyable couple of days reading, laughing, wondering just ‘who did it?’ in this village mystery. God bless this creation of M.C. Beaton’s, though, of course, I believe Agatha Raisin really exists. She simply must, because she is as grumpy as I am, and makes me feel less alone in my role as the politically incorrect old duck of the universe.

The blurb the publisher sent talks about an eccentric Cotswolds-based detective with an erratic love life and a penchant for G and Ts. Yes indeed. But she is ever willing to leap to the defense of those accused by the dastardly Wilkes, who seems even more determined than usual to close the murder case, whether his chosen perpetrator/s are guilty or not.

And did Sir Charles Fraith really murder his quite dreadful show-jumping wife? And was Agatha his accomplice? What tosh- surely?

And will the glorious Agatha – with the  help of her team of private detectives – end up attempting to hunt down the real murderer. Well, yes, for a price.

Each page glides into the next, evocative scenes are established, pictures are painted, laughs conjured up to  empathetic nods from the reader. Quick, quick, turn another page. Really? Oh, surely not him? Or her? Well, perhaps, and shove off Wilkes, you horrid little twerp.

On and on we go, from a trot to a canter, a canter to a gallop as we are transported to the vineyards of Bordeaux, and back to dear old Carsely. And what about James? Will he enter Agatha’s life again?

Up and over the jumps we go then, cheering on Agatha, loving her, laughing with her, wishing we too lived in Carsely. What romps we’d have, sitting in the pub with Agatha and probably Roy, in his jodpurs, (what a vision)  chewing the cud, or perhaps it should be oats… or, well, whatever horses eat.

Read Hot to Trot. Love it. Live it. Be the better for it. Far more invigorating than a tonic.

Hot to Trot by M.C Beaton. Pub. Constable hb and eBook