Things that have made you happy today 2025

It's been peeing down and cold, so I have stayed inside and done the sum total of naff all.

 

I'm happy to see this thread now, I started thinking 2025 was going to be a 'moaning-only' year

 

We've just watched a cheesy old film with Sean Connery and Michael Caine - they don't make them like that any more.

 

Miserable and rainy here but we’ve played lots of board and card games - one of my favourite things to do over the Christmas hols.

 

I’m happy today after hearing my 103 year old Mum sing to me, over the telephone, the song “ I like a nice cup of tea in the morning”. She has spent months fighting off a particularly bad infection and sounding quite poorly over the phone. I joined in and felt over the moon.

 

I am happy today because I love to bake, but only in the winter. The warmth of the oven on a cold dreary day, the smell of baking bread, the anticipation of trying a new recipe, and actually have it turn out exactly as you wanted. Life is good.

 

This looks gorgeous @hydrogardener
What is that yellow cover and why did you use a round baking form?

 

It looks like cheese on top and assorted seeds? As a savoury person it looks delicious and something a bit different.

 

Looks yummy, what is it please? Looks like poppy or sesame seeds (and cheese).

 

It is artisan everything bread, made in a Dutch oven. It is covered in a mixture of seeds, like poppy and sesame. It is so easy to make, in so far as you mix the dough, let it sit for several hours, form it into a ball and bake it. Very little hands on work, mostly letting it rise. I made deeper cuts before baking, that is why the interior is yellow.

Here is a link:

 

Thank you so much. Just may have a go at that.

 

OH agreed to remove the Christmas stuff yesterday. While OH picked up the car from the service, I cleaned the flat. The service came up with the recommendation to renew the tyres, and we got an appointment with our Tyre company for Monday. While being in Cirencester, we got a call that the tyres have arrived and we could come today.
At 12, we were home with the certainty that we have done everything in the first 4 days of the year.
Unbelievable but true, we have no other contribution or annoying job to do this year.
After 2023 and 2024 has been my annus horribilis, I can now relax for the first time in 2 years.

 

My art group started back today, after a short break. It was nice to see everyone again and get back into a routine. They don't break up again during the year, it's only for Christmas, so I have the whole year to look forward to now. I've got several ideas to be getting on with ... and I'm looking forward to it all now

 

I managed to get hold of some sevilles for marmalade. Everywhere is sold out. None in the supermarkets here. Can't risk Sainsbury's online, which did have some yesterday - min order £25 and they can give you an alternative.

So I had to order them from eBay! The cost is £7.99 for 1.5kg. Pricey. The eBay seller is now sold out too. Well I just hope they turn up - just one bag of oranges in an UPS lorry!

Also happy that our bin men turned up promptly despite them being on strike. I wouldn't want their job.