Gransnet Grotto

jodi I'm enjoying the coffee with you. If you eat my crumpet there are no calories in someone else's food (well known fact) and I can eat yours, dripping with butter. Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Oooh I'm starving- a crumpet will be just lovely. I woke up late this morning (couldn't sleep) and a friend rang to ask me to go to the Nativity service with her - gave me exactly 12 minutes to get ready; I managed to shower, wash and dry hair, get dressed, eat a banana and be on the doorstep in 11 minutes. Amazing what you can achieve when pushed . It was worth it to see all the wee faces, so excited at the thought of Christmas. I haven't been to Church since J died so that's another break through. Yummy, can I have a 2nd crumpet please?

Gally well done you! Have as many crumpets as you like, you deserve them. You could root around and see if last night's crowd left anything else or whether we need to re-supply?

Eat up gally you deserve it. Another first, well done. Children's faces remind us of the wonder of Christmas don't they?

I've just baked my signature piece 'Kingy Cake' lots if lovely, still warm, frangipani. Goes wonderfully with a nice cup of coffee.

Thanks for the slimming tip move. I'll remember that one.

Did nanadog make it home last night she sounded like she'd imbibed a bit too freely?

I'd MURDER for a crumpet!

Just dropped by to tell you I've put the friendship cake recipe on the food thread. By the way, it's the sourdough that can grow as it gets fed, the cake just disappears as it gets eaten. I'll just have a quick coffee if that's alright then dash off to wrap pressies. [oh well it has to be done] [shrugged shoulders?] emoticon

re. squirrels. We don't have any reds hereabouts. The grey that visits my bird feeders every morning would make a good wiper if I could only get my hands on it. I shout at it and it sits on the fence and taunts me.

Have you tried putting treacle on the fence anno?

It's a thought, Nanad, but I don't fancy having a whole tribe of blackbirds stuck to it as well!

On my garden fence it would be seagulls!

This afternoon I have been hanging out of the bedroom window trying to get a photo of two red kites playing about, (you could see all their markings and the flying display was fantastic), for crimson but at the end of the garden is a dene and its surrounded by trees, every time I was ready with the camera the kites flew behind the branches of the tree and I could not get a decent shot. But we also have a very fat grey squirrel, does that mean he has been filling up ready for a bad winter?

Whenever I visit DS2 and family in Oxfordshire, I can see and hear the red kites all the time. Some neighbours are daft enough to leave meat out for them on the shed roof - contrary to the advice of RSPB. From being a new phenomenon just a few years ago, they have become a commonplace sight. it has certainly been a most successful re-introduction. My 'fat grey squirrel' is fattening up on my bird feeders and is looking very prosperous.

Where are you all? Its lonely in here on my own. I've just baked a chocolate roulade and about 100 Baileys filled mince pies and need some help

Still trying to remember what I've forgotten?

D'you mean the mince pies have only got Baileys in them?
I'd better try several to see.....thanks Movedalot!

Can I heat my mince pies up and pour chilled Baileys over them Moved? Have you put Baileys in the chocolate roulade too?

jeni....P..M..T......Passport. Money, Tickets. Anything else, you can get at Southampton or on board. What time do you sail? I'll wave from Waitrose car park as you go through Southampton Water.

No Ana there is a little bit of mincemeat too. Trouble is I might not have mixed it very well so you might have to eat several to see which is the best.

No notso the roulade is totally teetotal, sorry. Do you want me to bring some Baileys or do you have your own?

Thanks Moved, if you have any spare supplies they can always be put to good use in the Grotto.

Should be doing the last of the wrapping but I've still got a cold and feel rotten so may I just huddle near the fire if I promise not to spread my germs? Nice hot chocolate would be very welcome if there is some and a crumpet with lashings of butter.

I feel better already

They are already in the grotto Notso, come and join us

Chips, chips and chips - a big bowl of steaming, crunchy chips for you all and take your pick of salt, vinegar, tomato sauce or brown .........maybe mayo?

Not too fond of mince pies you see......but if nobody wants any chips I'll be found in the comfy corner noshing the lot.

Hence the name butty -

Chip butty, yes please

Butty Butty Butty!!!! Wait! I'm on my way, and I have the wine. Ooohhhh! Chips.