Good Morning Monday 6th December 2021

Good morning everyone from a grey and damp Northampton. No yoga this morning, so I am planning on a bus trip to Sainsbury's to try and swap the top I bought last Friday for a better fitting one.

Spent yesterday afternoon writing my Christmas cards, and practically finished up my stock left over from last year, so will need to replenish today. Will have a coffee while I'm in Sainsbury's.

Feeling pleased as I managed to book three tickets to see the new Stephen Spielberg film of West Side Story, showing over Christmas and New Year. It has been getting 5*** reviews so I was really keen to see it. My usual cinema is getting booked up really early, but I managed to get a socially distanced performance in the first week of January for two friends and me.

Hope everyone's day goes well and that a random flamingo appears to make us smile!

Funny secret Santa gifts?

My local Mums bookclub secret Santa present turned out to be sixteen year old 2005 gingerbread kit ! Hilarious especially as we had all (except 1) spent £15 online gift wish list.

dinosaur, there is no recipe.
Marzipan Plums. Cut the plums in half and remove the stone. Place the plum halves cut side up and place a piece of marzipan about the same size as the stone. If you want more marzipan…. I add some red wine at the bottom for steam, but water will do. (Just cover the bottom of th3 dish with liquid) If the plums are very sour, I drizzle some honey/golden syrup on them. Put in the oven with the roast or whatever is cooking. Ready when soft and marzipan is golden.
Very forgiving recipe! I do the same with other stone fruit, using white wine for peaches and apricots

Morning from a dark wet S Lanarkshire, no sign of snow yet thank goodness, so I’ll be able to get into my childminding shift this afternoon. I need the car to pick the children up from school but can come home by train tomorrow if necessary. It’ll be a pest if I have to go back in for it later in the week but my days for driving in snow are most definitely over. Hopefully it won’t come to that.

Really lovely bags*grandMattie*, the wee girls will love them.

Good luck with your hospital appointment Marydoll, I hope you get some positive news.

This is moving in day for my daughter and SiL who have
been renting since May while they looked for a house they liked (and could afford) in the lovely wee town they moved to in the spring. They are so excited and I’m very happy for them.

Wishing everyone a good day and thoughts and prayers to all who need them ???

* Grandmattie* thank you. I’m drooling! Definitely one to try.

Good morning Mick and everyone, it looks as though the sky is clearing so we might see some sun for a change.
Cleaning day today before the Decs go up later in the week, I also have to varnish the legs on the new Bird Table, let’s hope the Jackdaws stay away, at the moment they are swinging on the bird feeders and scaring the smaller birds away. But as a very young MissOops once said ‘they are all Gods creatures Mummy’ hmmmm.
Love the bags GM
Marydoll good luck with the Hospital visit, take a list.
Cornergran I have a jigsaw folder, it’s brilliant as I can clear it away and tuck it behind the sofa, maybe a Christmas gift for your DH?
Have the best day possible and a hug for those who need one.

Good morning Auntyflo and all x

Good morning from a cold but bright Essex by the sea. As GG13 and Ginster have said the calm before the storm.

I shall be walking up to the Post Office this morning to deposit a cheque and get some milk, then post my Christmas cards.

Bathrooms to clean and the floor to vacuum.

Love the bags GM. Good luck at the hospital today Mary.

Have a great Monday everyone, stay safe and look our for that smile xx

Good morning from County Durham. Haven't posted for a long time but have been following most mornings. It's very very chilly here and I'm certainly not looking forward to two more stormy days ahead. Our stay at Cragside cottage for DH birthday was cancelled last week due to the last storm. It was a disappointment but those poor folk in Northumberland and Durham still without power deserve sympathy.
All Christmas decorations are now in place and we've even been able to attend a panto youngest GS was performing in (quite a change from last year) although school nativity plays are still out of bounds for us GP.
Today I will continue with my wreath making ready for my visit to the cemetery. Some will be gifted to family to adorn their front doors. My hands will be scratched and prickled by the time I'm done but I call it my labour of love.
Your bags are lovely GM. You are so talented.
Have the best day you can everyone.

Good luck at the hospital from me too MD.

Good morning Mick, morning all from damp and grey South Lanarkshire.

Yesterday afternoon I decked the halls and although I still need some greenery, which I’ll collect on my walks, the house does look quite festive which always cheers me.

Good luck today Marydoll. Hadn’t thought of using the bus from Braehead to the hospital, good idea. Although I’ve only visited the maternity ward the parking is a nightmare.

Mattie those totes are fabulous and your plum recipe sounds delicious.

I hope you feel much better today Grandmabatty
All the best to your DD on her new home day stilllearning

I’d love to see that film Blue but DH isn’t keen on going to the cinema yet so I’ll have to wait.

Laundry and food shopping on the agenda today ho hum!

Wishing everyone a peaceful day and thinking of those carrying heavy burdens. ??

Good morning all from wet Harrogate.
So much to do today so slept very badly last night.
Yes Marydoll I’d go for the 3 for the price of 2, what have you got to lose? Good luck!
grandmadinasaur I do have to drag Dh kicking and screaming to see Andre Rieu, but he did admit he thoroughly enjoyed it.
The christening went well, the church had the added bonus of a Xmas tree festival which delighted DGD. He wasn’t too amused being anointed with oil and the water was a step too far for her, but she almost behaved herself.
The tote bags are lovely grandMattie
The recipients will love them.
Have the best day you can folks

What a lovely font, Gwen. Glad the children were OK with their "wetting"...

Very sad visit to DH yesterday with DS since DH had had a very disturbed night and was consequently asleep and couldn’t/wouldn’t be wakened. Senior nurse on duty, who has nursed many Parkinson’s patients, suggested that his rapid deterioration means that I need to discuss end of life care, though whether we are talking about weeks or months is impossible to know. So although not really surprised we were a bit flattened and I was grateful to have DS there.

Meanwhile life goes on, with a dental visit today. Thinking of Marydoll and her battles with the health care system, and of any other posters struggling with life.

Good morning all from the Black country where it is very wet, looks like another day in.
Late up this morning and still need to catch up on yesterday's news, couldn't get on here at all yesterday.
Those bags look lovely GM
Best wishes anyone celebrating and virtual hugs where needed, enjoy your day and may you all find some ?.

Just having crumpets and thinking of EV

Good morning everyone from south Manchester where it’s damp but seems mild enough. I can’t see the Pennines though.

We don’t have any plans for today which is fine by me. The only thing we have to do today is pick the grandchildren up from school at 3:15pm so I think we will get takeaway coffees in the square and walk through the park to fetch them.

No Matt today so I’ve put a Blower political one in it’s place! Not quite the same.

Enjoy Monday all who can. x

GrannySomerset A sad time for you and the family. Sending ((hugs))

Good morning Mick and all from a damp cloudy Lancashire, where it is currently 3°C. I was very late getting up yesterday after a late night on Saturday. We had some exciting news, our niece and her husband are expecting their first baby in April. They got married a week after my bowel cancer surgery. I managed to get to the church for the ceremony, but had to miss the reception.

I have my second NDPP Zoom meeting this morning so must make sure I have everything ready. Hope your hospital appointment goes well Marydoll. Have the best day you can all ??

Good morning Mick and all from our lovely Isle of Anglesey. Blue sky and fluffy clouds after a night of heavy rain. Counting our blessings and hoping those still without power can be switched on again soon.
I shed a little tear for you this morning GrannySomerset. Sometimes life is such a battle.
Lovely sewing as always grandMattie snd I will have a go at marzipan plums, even I should be able to manage that recipe.
Perhaps men should wear full bathing suits like the women do Notgran. A bit unfair that we get to wear what holds all our imperfections in. Now there’s an idea for M&S.
We had a little drive around after dark last night, lots of twinkling Christmas lights to lift our spirits.
Wishing everyone some Christmas cheer to lift your spirits.
????

I’m back! I’ve just eaten my toast with my favourite Scottish marmalade. It is just wonderful being able to taste and enjoy food again. Whilst eating, I read the thread. What I’d like to know is:

What is Beechnut’s daughter up to that is so very norty?
Where does Oops live?
Will the reindeer on the roof at GG13 be safe in tomorrow’s forecast of storms?
?

I hope your orthopaedic appointment goes well today Marydoll. Yes, do mention all your bones. Remember that song ‘the hip bones connected to the thigh bone, the thigh bones connected to the knee bone!’ ? ?

And Scentia glad your husband was fine yesterday. A nurse I used to work with wryly commented it’s what men do when they are anxious - unlike women, they push themselves to prove to themselves that they are okay really which gives themselves confidence.

Big changes indeed momb for your son! I hope all goes well.

Sorry you got that tummy bug GrandmaBatty it sounds pretty debilitating. No wonder you’re washed out. Rest up is a good idea today.

And finally I hope your little grandson gets better soon cornergran. Earache in littlies is upsetting. Our L’il Miss was prescribed an antibiotic by a 111 doctor over the phone and the prescription delivered electronically to their nearest pharmacy. Good luck!

Hello, I'm in Manchester. Its grey at the moment. My house isnt worth diddlysquat Urmstongran, thank you for the milk stout last night.
I haven't posted here before but I always read. I was worried about Marydull, I thought her dd and sil were moving in and now they have covid. I hope I'm wrong.
That is a magnificent church gwenisgreat I love seeing peoples photographs.
I like your bags Grandmattie, they are very clever.
That will do for now.
Ena

A lot to take in GrannySomerset, good your DS was with you, take care of yourself.

Sorry I got the name wrong Marydoll.

Good morning all from a wet Lancashire coast.
Tired after my London trip, but loved the break. It’s amazing how four days away can make one feel as if you have been away for far longer, I think it’s called stretching time. I love travelling but find it tiring, always have, even when young. Nice to see my cat again but last night she was stuck in the spare room all night after following me in. Often happens.
Tonight my little band give their first ‘concert’, bit under rehearsed but hope it goes well, will go through it today myself.
Thoughts to Grannysomerset, such a difficult time and hope you all have a good day.