Yawn Yawn Wakey Wakey 2024

Glad you are ok, @floralies.
Dull and grey here. I’ll need to put some more lights on, it’s like evening already. Did some organising in the kitchen this morning, and released a whole drawer for use. Might use it as a temporary home for Christmas goodies.
Bought some puff pastry mince pies in the supermarket bakery yesterday, but they are a bit pallid. I’ve just given a couple of them 10 minutes in the air fryer on the bake setting, and they looked and tasted very good indeed. Also checked Monday’s blood test result on line in my medical records. Result was back same day, all normal, so that’s good.
Still don’t know the children’s plans for Christmas week. Not going to stress over it though, I have turkey crowns ordered to pick up next week, there are loads of pigs in blankets in the freezer, and a packet of stuffing in the cupboard! I can wing it from there!

 

Afternoon everybody, it's got colder and damper as the day wore on but it was quite mild when we had our usual walk. Found the maintenance people had put warning notices yesterday on the damaged path through the Orchard, we're most impressed with the speed they've reacted - most unusual these days. They are hoping to finish the job by the end of the week.

I did a quick bit of gardening just before lunch but didn't stay out long as it had got colder.

OH's nephew popped in for a cuppa yesterday and gave us some bought mincepies and a bottle of wine, very nice of him. However, we ate a mincepie later and then read the label - oh dear, 284 calories EACH! I'm hoping my homemade ones won't be so calorific.

Never had the need to have snow tyres @Busy-Lizzie , we don't usually have very heavy snowfalls in the West country and I don't drive in the snow at all - ever.

Will do present wrapping tomorrow and do the tree/decs on Sunday, after the cleaners have been. Still struggling with how to wrap up a ginormous box with my daughter's presie in it,
a big metal fire pit for her sitting out area. I can't lift it so might just cover the top of the box. It certainly won't go under the tree!

Nice to 'see' you @floralies.

 

I had my Covid and 'flu vaccinations this morning at the pharmacy. Then we did the weekly shop at Leclerc SM.

This afternoon it was the turn of the island bed to be weeded and tidied up. It's a mixed bed, shrubs, roses and perennials. I haven't quite finished it. I found my obelisk and put it over Blush Noisette which was tiny in the spring but has grown quite a lot.

 

Evening folks. I’m shattered tonight after a busy day and horrible drive home in dark and rain at rush hour. A bit of comfort food and an early night are in order.

You all sound busy. I wish I had time to do more baking. I am going to try making a Swedish chocolate dessert sometime - a Kladdkaka - anyone made or eaten?? There’s a saffron and white chocolate or a dark chocolate version!

 

All we have managed today is put up tree and other decorations. The boxes are back in the loft so if anything is missing it's too late now.

 

@AuntyRach, I have never heard of the cake you mention but hey - chocolate; cake - I'm loving it already! I must admit that I am pleased I do not have to have winter tyres put on my car and I share @lizzie27's aversion to driving in the white stuff. So much nicer to just watch it through the window of a snuggly warm room. @Ergates you sound properly organised now!

 

I am signing out for this evening. Enjoy yourselves whatever you have planned. See you all tomorrow.

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@AuntyRach, from what I’ve been reading, the sticky chocolate cake sold in Ikea restaurants, and sold frozen from their food shop, is probably the same as the dark chocolate Kladdkaka. I’ve certainly tried it, very gooey and delicious with cream. A bit like a nut free, soft brownie. Yum!
I’m not really organised at all, @Ladybird4, just trying to kid myself! However, much of what I still need to buy is last minute stuff like cream and vegetables, so I can’t get that yet anyway. What I must avoid like the plague, is getting brainwashed into thinking I need lots of ‘party food’. Most of the eating will be proper meals, although I’ve got enough booze in the cupboard to completely pickle my liver if no one comes to help me drink at least some of it. OH isn’t a fan of alcohol.

 

Good evening!

It's been dull & damp most of the day here, but I've made sausage rolls at last (I think the halo you awarded me was a bit premature, @Ladybird4 !), done some shopping and written some Christmas letters. This afternoon we put up the tree (artificial, rather old but ok when lit up and liberally sprinkled with angels etc), and other decorations, some of which are distinctly historic. They include a papier mache Santa with a wobbly head, whose stomach originally contained a chocolate orange, and which dates from OH's childhood. (The Santa, not the chocolate orange...)

We're hoping for a visit from the electrician before Christmas. He says he'll try, but on past experience that doesn't mean a lot! One of the two ceiling lights in the kitchen started flashing on Monday, and now is lifeless. We fitted them with circular LED bulbs, replacements for their fading fluorescent tubes, about a year ago. Hopefully it's just a loose connection or something, because those LEDs are now obsolete.

 

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A very good morning one and all. I have just heard on the Beeb this morning that a glass of wine - red or white - every day, could be good for you - or maybe I just dreamed that.
Hope your electrician does get to you @Liriodendron and that the light can be sorted.

 

Yesterday was a sad day.
Robbie and I had to say our final goodbye to each other.
He collapsed during Monday night and became worse at the vets. there was nothing more we could do for him. Enough was enough.
Feeling pretty miserable at the moment. We all know what to expect when we take on animals but it doesn't get any easier.

 

Oh @Goldenlily26 what a sad time for you, I'm so sorry. I've been through that sadness before with my lovely Tigger and 5 other Border Collies. It's always hard.

 

Good morning all.

I have a sore and achey left arm from my Covid and 'flu jabs. Not sure that I feel like gardening today. I have a pile of ironing and a load of presents to wrap.

 

Oh @Goldenlily26, my heart goes out to you and I know how you will be feeling. On 15th of this month was the first anniversary of my final goodbye to my little Lily. What we have to remember is the lovely life we give to our pets and the joy and unconditional love they give to us in return. Stay strong. x

 

So sorry @Goldenlily26 , there is nothing like the love we receive from an animal