Chris & Pam Dyer Welcome you to
Open Hearth - 2003

In 2002, many of you echoed our sentiments for a "slower, simpler" Holiday Season. This year, we are committed to that concept, combining hospitality and friendship with a no-fuss (one-pot or prepared in advance) approach to entertaining. You are invited to join us whenever and for as long or as short a time as suits you and your schedule. There are some guidelines we humbly ask you to follow: No gifts - your company and your friendship is a gift in itself - if this concept is uncomfortable to you, then we will graciously accept "hearth gifts" of food or drink.

We will start the season with the celebration of the winter solstice on Sunday, December 21st An evening of Celtic music, and a simple Celtic supper that reflects Nature's bounty

Christmas eve, we will come closest to the traditional meal served with a generous helping of Carols. As always we will leave an offering of cookies and sherry for Santa and carrots for his hard working reindeer. While any mouse that should be foolish enough to "stir in our house" will be granted safe passage, assuming the Borders stay "asleep in their beds"!

Christmas Day - tradition, snow and red noses "be damned"! Think sunshine, think warm - for anyone sufficiently at a loss to seek our company on December 25th, we are proposing to turn up the heat! Maybe the old wood stove will even get the temperature up to "tank tops and beach boys"!

Boxing Day and memories of watching the South and West Wilts meet at the local pub - a tradition destined to be outlawed by the unwise in response to the unknowing. Other memories of cold blustery days at Wincanton Racecourse, the drum of hooves on the turf, the sound of equine bodies crashing over and sometimes through the jumps, and the warmth of the bar between races. Past times honoured by a meal from the past.

New Year's Eve or Hogmanay as it is also known and the tradition of "First Footing". For many years it was customary to lavish gifts on friends and relatives. There was often the firing of canon (not usually at the same friends and relatives), and the sounding of ship's sirens to indicate Midnight. It is then traditional to leave your own house and visit (or "first foot") your neighbours. In doing so, it is important that you should take some gifts with you. A bottle of whisky, a lump of coal and some type of food. (Traditionally oatcakes, black bun or shortbread, depending on the region). Those who stay at home generally hope that the first person to visit them will be tall, dark and handsome. (This is thought to be a throwback to Viking days when blond strangers arriving on your doorstep usually meant trouble.) We will not turn you away whatever your complexion and will forego the gifts in favour of your presence. The "Bravehearts" amongst you are invited to partake of Haggis, "Neeps and Tatties".

New Year's day is going to the dogs. It will mark the end to our entertaining for the 2003 Holiday season and there can be no more fitting end than to share it with our four-footed friends. As we welcome the New Year with anticipation of all it will bring, so we will welcome you and your Borders to a leisurely brunch and an afternoon of dog activities. A walk across the back if the weather permits. A chase through the back yard maze if there is snow enough to make the paths. Inside there will tunnel games and the endless fascination of "fire mice". An exchange of doggy gifts and goodies will not be out of place.