“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!”
(Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol)
What a year it has been here on Swirl & Thread.
I have laughed….
I have cried….
I have imagined…
I have walked in some wonderful places, with some incredible people….
I’m not very good at recapping on my life in general, but what I wish to say here today is …
To all those whose words I have been lucky enough to read in 2017…I thank you!
To all those whose words I did not get the opportunity to read, I am so very sorry. As a blogger I will always do my best to fulfill commitments and promises made, but sometime life throws a few curve-balls and all the best of intentions go out the window!! I will get to read your books in due course, so do please be patient with me.
I would like to thank all the writers who contributed to my weekly Irish Writers Wednesday Feature. It has been an honour and a pleasure having you on my blog. This is a feature I do hope to continue in 2018.
To all the publishers, thank you for trusting me to look after your writers words. Each package that comes in my door brings with it a fresh excitement that never wears thin.
And to all you bloggers who, although I have never met you, I now proudly consider my friends. Never have I encountered such a supportive, welcome and extremely funny bunch of people. You all brighten my days with your banter and warm wishes. Bloggers really do rock!!
And finally, but definitely not least, to all of you who take the time to read and share my posts. It’s such a privilege to be in this position and it’s one I never take for granted. I’m not a writer but I do always try to express myself in an interesting manner, so really thank you all so much and I do hope you have enjoyed my ramblings.
I’m taking a wee break from the blog for a couple of weeks so I’ll see you all back here in 2018 with lots more bookish posts!! (P.S. You should see the books I have in my tbr pile to be published early in the New Year…..eeeek!!)
I wish you all a Very Happy Christmas with Best Wishes for the Year ahead…
Nollaig shona dhaoibh!!!
Mairead xx
A very Happy Christmas to you and your family Mairead and looking forward to more of your blog posts next year xx
Karen many happy returns. Hope you have a very special & magical Christmas ❤
And a squishy hug of Merry Christmas to you & yours this festive season my lovely. This has got to be one of my favourite blogs to visit & it’s been a joy to read your posts, reviews & musings this year. I look forward to reading more in 2018 xx
Kate how wonderful to hear that. Thank you so much. Wishing you & yours a peaceful Christmas. ❤
Warm wishes to you and your family! Have a wonderful festive season! Much love! ❤️
And to you too Eva. We made it!! ❤
Haha, we did! Now we just have to hope Santa brings us that new brain and we are set!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! You rock too! Hear you next year, can’t wait to see what you’ve read during your break!
Thanks so much Inge. I just need to hide away over the hols now & find a quiet spot Hope you have a lovely Christmas ❤
A very Merry Christmas, Mairead 🙂 Look forward to catching up in the new year xx
May you & yours have a peaceful Christmas Cathy. Xx
Merry Christmas Mairead!! Enjoy your break
And many happy returns Renee to you & yours ❤
Have really enjoyed your posts too, and thank you for all your support. Have a lovely, peaceful Christmas.
Thanks so much Jessica. Lovely to hear that! I hope you have a relaxing break with best wishes for 2018. ❤ x
Dear Mairead, what a beautiful Christmas wish, so much like you 🙂
Thank you for inviting me to your blog, it has been a pleasure and a joy meeting you and discovering that we both… dance on the beach to the music of the Singing Butler 🙂
Wishing you and your lovely family a blessed and merry Christmas and a 2018 filled with good books, inspiration, happiness and, why not, a dance or two 🙂
Lots of love,
Patricia Furstenberg
O Patricia what a beautiful message! Thank you so so much. I’m looking at the Singing Butler right now. How well you remember it!! Your imagery is wonderful. I love your way with words… I too wish you & yours the very best this day and every day. Happy Christmas Patricia ❤
Merry Christmas to you and yours Mairead!
Thanks so much Lynne and many happy returns. ❤ x
Merry Christmas Mairead! Looking forward to great books in 2018!