Yawn Yawn Wakey Wakey 2024

Much brighter but cold wind. I've been to the plots to harvest the sprouts. It's a bit early but, we are going to shops tomorrow to pick up the pre-ordered food and general shop. For the last few years I've cut the whole stem with loppers, rather than bending in the cold picking them individually. They keep fresher on the stem too. In the past I can remember picking in the snow and ice, no risk of that this year.

 

Lovely pictures, @Ante1. We have had wind, sun and rain this morning! We both slept well last night, although we could hear the wind starting to moan. It’s really noisy this morning, but mainly higher up, the clouds are scudding by at high speed, but we are only getting occasional gusts at ground level. We were wondering whether to bring in the bird feeders last night, they are hanging from tree branches and swinging about wildly at times. However, there are lots of birds visiting, so I’m pleased we didn’t deprive them of their meals today.
I have made up the bed in the spare room, and wiped through the guest bathroom. All ready there for Friday, I’m trying to get all the boring stuff done now, so that I don’t spend Christmas prepping for visitors. Daughter and husband will be coming on Friday for a long weekend, and son and family will join us on Sunday. I have made all my lists for food, and will pick up the turkey and vegetables tomorrow. Just the two of us for Christmas and Boxing Day, but no doubt lots of phone and video calls. I’m determined to have a relaxing few days, apart from the cooking.
Hope it won’t be too fraught in the supermarket tomorrow! OH usually stays in the car and reads while I’m inside, so if the car park is manic, he’ll drive a few hundred yards down the road to the garden centre, and wait there until I phone him!

 

Hello folks. I believe we had hail and very strong winds last night, but must confess I slept through it all... I'm not usually a heavy sleeper so I don't know what happened to keep me "under", though I'm not complaining.

We had the heaters on, but it was still see-your-breath cold in church this morning, so we adjourned after the service to a nearby cafe for coffee and a chat. It's warm at home, though, and will get warmer still in the kitchen later, after I've made apple flapjacks and shortbread for the visiting hoardes. Just a little shopping to do tomorrow (for green veg and salad things), then I'll be making sure everything is ready for our post-Christmas visitors. Fortunately, they're coming by air this time, since Holyhead port is out of action for ferries to Ireland until well into January, thanks to Storm Darragh.

 

Amaryllis suddenly has started sprouting!



Previous picture was taken 15/12 so really pleased with its progress now.
Blowing a hoolie here and really fierce gusts..but quite mild.

 

@Liriodendron, you probably slept well after all that cleaning at Church yesterday. @Songbird my amaryllis is shooting up too but so far no signs of any flower bud so definitely a 'no show' for Christmas. I don't really mind though as I can wait and see what happens later.

 

I am going to wish you all good evening now. See you all in the morning.

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I am a happy bunny. I had a list (oh, how I love a list!) and I have ticked (almost) everything off (oh, how I do love to do that, ho ho ho!)
Presents wrapped, artlessly, fridge cleaned, goose taken out of freezer and in garage, tree finally decorated to satisfaction and neighbours' cards written.
The one thing I haven't done, is go to the greenhouse to harvest the new potatoes, but it was just too windy.
Permission to relax now, please?

@Songbird, 2 out of 2 amaryllis are at that stage. The third is really bashful. The 'cheapy' bought in Lidl already has buds.
My secret santa group is opening the presents tomorrow at 4pm. I'm not very good with zoom etc (very self conscious) but hope it'll be fun.