Gransnet Grotto

My favourite xmas drink is a Snowball. I never bother with them at any other time of the year.

Or else a bottle of Bicardi, plenty of coke and friends to play cards with. Does anyone want to have a game of crib or dominoes whilst the mince pies warm up.

With an umbrella and a cherry . I like my advocaat neat...stick me in a corner with some rolling tobacco, a bottle of advocaat and put the Boxing Day racing on and that's me in heaven.

Is there a corner of the sofa left for me. I've just done a silly thing - I went shopping after the Christmas party and I need a little snooze now.

Just every now and again may we please have 'Fairytale of New York' I know it's a bit dirgey and no-one knows the words, but I just love it.

Good evening everyone. I havn't been around much lately but finally found my way to the grotto; you've made it so inviting.

I've brought some cinnamon spice scented candles and last years homemade sloe gin. It's well matured now, so be careful how much you drink.

DH says he's still got his Santa outfit from a Christmas gig he played a few years ago and would be quite happy to have ladies sit on his lap and tell him what they want for Christmas. I'm so lucky to have such a thoughtful DH.

Oh, and 4 year old DGD has played a camel this year, if that's any good for the nativity.

This sofa seems to be infinitely expandable, kitty. Fairy tale of New York, yes please. lyrics here to sing along Christmas cheer - not!

Thanks for that anno - I'll print some off! Did anyone see Michael McIntyre doing a sketch of 'Fairy Tale of New York'

Just goes to show how much I drink - 'Cointreau' not Quantro!

Love Fairy Tale of New York.

Oh the Pogues - just what's needed - I love that song! It's snowing wetly here now....I'll don my big fluffy baffies (slippers to those down south) and join you shortly

........stamps snow off boots on way in......

Lucky you finding sloes flump, I missed out this year. I'll have a little sip, not too much though because gin always makes me snivel.

The decorations and tree are looking great! I'm ready for a snuggle on the sofa to recover from an aerobics class. (It's for Over 50's and mainly chair based so nothing to brag about )
I

As we are all in good voice - are we doing the communal carol singing on GN this year? How about it Cari/Geraldine?

Never tried sloe gin, is there a slug left for me?

There are slugs in it?

Yes, I'm afraid that's all that's left, Movedalot. The poor thing must have got mixed up with the sloes....

Looks like its back to the champagne then, so sad!

I think I can live with that hardship.

flump It was a bit extravagant of you to use your sloe gin to drown the slugs. They are quite happy with stale beer.

S'cuse me, but that slug must've come in with somethin else. We are most particular when making sloe gin or plum brandy.

And there I was, thinkin that tomorrow I might bring in some 'frendship cake'! But if yor goin to caste nasturshums I'll just go back to the plum brandy at hhome.

Oh! I've drunkd it all.

This year's damson gin (sloe crop failed) is just about ready for bottling so I'll bring a bottle of that. DGS probably brought the slug. He is fascinated by them.

Had to pop in if Fairy Tale of New York is on. Move up and pass me a glass of mulled wine please - I'll put this plate of smoked salmon yummies down here shall I?

www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=BNNFtlF9CDE

Nice little concert for the Grotto.
Very cheerful......I'll bring some Stollen.

When I tried to find Fairy Tale of New York, I got a video of an amazing seven year old conducting a Strauss waltz. Serendipity

flickety Where do you live? We had absolutely no damsons this year. I am running off 2011s harvest for damson gin. I much prefer it to sloes.

Greatnan, here are the lyrics

Damson deprivation. I live in hopes that I will locate a little pot of last year's jam in the fridge.
It was the terrible weather in the blossom season that done 'em in I think.

'Twas 3 weeks before Christmas
And down in the grotto
The Grannies were drinking
And getting quite blotto.

Smoked salmon and nibbles
Slugs and sloe gin
Winter fuel allowance
As the night's drawing in.

There's room on the sofa
For those of good cheer
We'll keep out heads down here
UNTIL IT'S NEW YEAR [GRIN]