Good Morning Saturday 16th December 2023

Good morning from a mild Bristol.
Enjoy your “coos”, Michael!
I had nothing planned except to go to the library. Ha! The delivery arrived at 12. I rushed off for the bus; quick (?) shop at Waitrose opposite, heaving with shoppers. Naturally the library was closed. Really annoyed, I walked home, getting to my stop at the same time as the bus.
After
Much, I made gingerbread for the house “ordered” by my DGDs. My trusty Kenwood decided to die! So I made the dough by hand, cut out the pieces and baked for about two hours - I made those mini house “mug hugger” thingies with the remaining dough. Very fiddly as the walls are 3cm square. Gives you an idea of the scale.
I spent nearly an hour assembling floor lamp, and did a lot of 🤬🤬🤬 because the instructions had been translated from Martian. Finally done, found that there were no bulbs. More 🤬🤬🤬. I’ll get some this morning.
Today, church coffee morning, library and lightbulbs. I shall sit all afternoon, watching mindless rubbish on TV.
Try to make a random act of kindness today. Carpe diem 🦩🦩🦩🦩

Good morning, a dry start here in south Gloucestershire.
What a frustrating day for you grandMattie, I do sympathise with ‘Martian instructions‘, I think Ikea’s are from there!
Hopefully a better day for you ahead.
A quiet weekend here 🌹

Good morning from a mild, cloudy Cornwall. Today my eldest son and his two children are coming for their Christmas treasure hunt; six gifts each are tucked in corners around my little flat. I make it as difficult as possible. 😁 As my six-year-old grandson comprises 95% rubber ball his dad will take him off to the beach for an energy burst afterwards, while his sister will stay and do art with me. Tomorrow my other son and his lad will be repeating the adventure. 😆

Good morning from the South Downs. No idea of the weather.

Still dark and dog snoring though.

Today is tree decorating day accompanied by carols. I shall then marzipan the cake and wrap more presents.

Yesterday whilst out walking in the peace of the woodland I was marvelling at the depth of fallen leaves - the trees make their own mulch! I’m sure there is more than other years, which can’t be I suppose, but it is remarkable. I love the way the birds throw it to one side looking for food.

I also received a parcel from John Lewis addressed to me - it was a rather nice set of champagne coupes. I didn’t order them, and I haven’t a clue who they are from - assuming that they are a Christmas present. Process of elimination I guess!

Beer battered fish tacos for supper.

Peace and harmony to all.

Stood morning from the Midlands, bit milder today with a damp start. Going to take myself off somewhere and pootle round. Like a Saturday but now I'm retired every day a bit like one.

Good morning from Colchester where the sun won't rise for another hour. A cloudy but dry day forecast.
A quiet Saturday here. DH is out for another Christmas dinner tonight, which means I can watch the Strictly final in peace.
Love to all 🦩 x

Good morning from Shropshire.

Today we are supposed to be taking the grandchildren and meeting up with both DD’s and their husbands for Christmas lunch at the pub in my mum’s village.I say supposed as H has woken half an hour ago with a dreadful cough.I have administered calpol and a warm drink and will see how he is in an hour.

grandMattie what a frustrating day🤯

The treasure hunt sounds great fun Mizuna.I may steal that idea for next year.🎅🏼

Have the best day you can everyone🦩🎄🎅🏼

Good morning all from the Scottish Borders. I must get up but do not feel like it at all. I have a busy day ahead. Volunteering at the Open House this morning, baking a cake first and filling vases with greenery and berries for the café tables, and somehow I am also volunteering in the Christmas craft market this afternoon!

I did a long shift at the community shop/ café yesterday too. It was very busy and the card reader broke down at one point so I felt like running away.
But later on I did some Christmas shopping and cooked a nice meal for me and my friend so we sat by the fire and put the world to rights with a bottle of wine.
Such a frustrating day for you gMattie
I've had those Martian instructions too 😄.

Hoping everyone has a pleasant day

Good morning Mick and everyone from a damp-looking Carlisle. Mild and showery is probably the order of the day here.
It was a pleasant day of pottering for me yesterday. A gift I'd ordered arrived within 24 hours! Santa's elves must be really really busy...the traffic up and down my road has noticeably increased--with delivery vehicles.
I'm debating whether to go out to Sainsbury's or not, I usually do on a Saturday just to top up my fresh fruit and veg and get items Tesco's don't supply. I'll have to make my mind up very shortly, but I'm feeling deterred by the thought of its probable busyness.

grandMattie, all manuals seem to be utterly useless these days. I hope today is less frustrating.

Have the best possible day everyone.

Good morning all from a quiet North Leicestershire.

Not sure what is happening today apart from singing at a local Christmas Fayre. And watching the Strictly final. Ooh, and decorating the house.

Have the best day possible, everyone.

Good morning from a still dark NE where it seems to be very mild, 9 degrees according to thermometer.
Lunch out with my friend yesterday was really good, the food was tremendous and the music playlist was from the 60s, it was like taking a step back in time.
DD is on the Eurostar out of Brussels now and will be in the north at lunchtime.
GD1 has her driving test this morning.
My entire family are visiting this afternoon and we will be celebrating DS's birthday which is actually on Monday.
I am going to be tired tonight because I woke up quite early.
Have a good weekend.

Good morning everyone from a dark and wet Inverness, it’s very mild though at 11º
I’m looking forward to a day at home today, because we’ve had workmen here all week I’ve been out quite a lot so not got much done. They’re not coming back until Monday so I’m going to have a good clean and tidy up as it’s been quite dusty.
Hope everybody enjoys their Christmas activities and events and have fun if you’re out and about
Thinking of everyone with worries and struggles, hope today is gentle and take care all whatever the day brings 💐

Morning Mick, morning All from a dark, dry corner of Somerset.

Good if tiring day yesterday. Enjoyed volunteering in the morning, a quick lunch, a stop at a shopping mall which surprisingly wasn’t too busy. Then on to a couple off hours with Wonder Woman, our son and grandson. Our daughter in law is indeed a Wonder Woman as she was able to suggest Christmas plans the evening eventually confirmed will work for us all. She is much stronger, although still tires easily and has to manage ongoing pain.

It’s rare to be able to plan Christmas family time far in advance. Retail isn’t a kind taskmaster over the Christmas period, especially as a change of role has seen our son overseeing a large number of convenience stores which are to open on Christmas Day - not his decision! He is expected to provide telephone support, hard for them to relax.

Today will be a quiet one here, needed after yesterdays activity.

Enjoy what you can of the day everyone. Hope Saturday is kind to us all.

Good morning dark but dry here in the Black country.
Not a lot happening here today DH not well cough and cold cancelled our evening out yesterday and the same again for today, so I shall carry on reading my book.
Don't know if he will want usual full English his appetite not good left most of his evening meal that's when I know he isn't well will see when he gets up.
Enjoy your day everyone whatever your plans and may you all find some ☀️.

Good morning from a mild and calm Torbay.

Lovely, busy family times for many with seasonal celebrations but with frustrations along the way, too. I hope things improve where that is the case, especially for grandMattie and Grammaretto. Poor H with a cough, Susan56; I hope your family meal plans can go ahead.

Last night wasn’t without difficulties for our performance as a major accident near the seafront caused some cast and audience members to arrive late. The curtain was held for nearly ten minutes to enable most to arrive including our concertina player who accompanies us as we carol-sing! The play eventually went off well with a wonderfully warm response from our audience. DH loved it and said he felt quite emotional on hearing the carols.

A tough call for staff regarding Christmas Day opening, cornergran and I hope your DH soon recovers, monk08.

Last two performances of Crawford at Christmas today. Happy weekend! 🦩🎅🏼🎄🧑🏻‍🎄🦩K

Morning all from West Oxfordshire. I’m still in bed and the two cats have crept in for a bit more sleep. Elder son is up and downstairs. He is is often up very early as he has online Arabic or Russian lessons. He and OH will go off at some point to sort out the bee hives. I am expecting a couple of parcels and will also be doing a click and collect at our nearby Waitrose. Someone mentioned marzipaning the cake - I had better get on and do mine. I have a chocolate log to ice and decorate at some point too.
I have had items with NO instructions attached!
Have a good day!

Good morning.
Hoping the weather stays dry as I am being picked up by DD2 , DD3 and DGS2 in a couple of hours. We will then collect DD1 and make our way to Woodstock where we will have lunch. Following that we are off to Blenheim to se the decorated house and the light trail.
It will be a good test of my new hip as we will be doing a fair amount of walking.
Thinking of those who are poorly and hoping plans for those out and about go well

Good morning from a dry Black Country, where there was obviously a light frost overnight.

Busy day ahead. Off over to hairdressers, to have hair cut and highlighted, as we are off to a birthday party tonight. So staying over in the hotel where the party is held. Before hairdressers I was going to pop in to DD's with her birthday presents (birthday is Monday) and their Christmas cards. But she has a heavy cold, and so does her DD1. So will ring doorbell, leave presents on doorstep and wave from the drive. I was hoping to spend an hour with them all.

Then dash home, late lunch then catch train to Hotel.

Hope your DH feels better over the weekend monk, always a sure sign someone is unwell when they are not interested in food!

Wishing you all the best day possible

Good morning Michael and all GNs from a dry South Yorkshire where we are promised a bright day. I have to stay in for a delivery today - one of GS’s Christmas gifts. Then, at some point, I have to do some food shopping. It looks as if DS and family will be here tomorrow, but not sure what the numbers are yet. I went to do my volunteering stint at the school yesterday and was invited to watch the first whole school rehearsal for their Christmas concert. They have been rehearsing in year groups when I’ve been there previously. It was lovely - and lively! Reminded me how much we used to enjoy GS’s junior school theatricals.
Have the best day you can, folks.

Good morning all from Polmont where it's currently 10° and dry. It looks windy as the tree in my neighbour's garden is whipping about. GrandMattie a very frustrating day for you. Susan poor H. I hope it passes quickly and the rest of you are not inflicted.
Yesterday was a day waiting for deliveries which eventually arrived late afternoon. Dd popped in with dgs2 who was very excited to see me. After they left I was very lazy.
Today I'm meeting a friend at my local garden centre for breakfast. We will put the world to rights like you and your friend Grammaretto then I'll take her home. A visit to Tesco is needed after that, then home to sort out washings before settling down to watch the final of Strictly, like many others. Have a good day all

Good morning all and it’s a calm day here in Essex.

Just one more present to buy and then it’s done 🤞. I made mince pies yesterday but need to do more.

Today I’m going with Dd and little DGD to see Wonka, hopefully it won’t be a disappointment, as I love the Charlie and the chocolate factory films.

This is after DGD has been to see Santa , so an exciting day for her. She was Mary in the school Nativity play yesterday, so all festive memories being made.🎅.

DS2 and family have flown to New York for a few days. They’re booked to ‘climb’ the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty and to see a show , so a busy exciting time will be had.
I’ll await photos .

Ash I’m glad your play has been a great success. 🎭.
Ginny enjoy your day. Sounds lovely.
Mizuna that will be so much fun for your GC.
What sort of gifts do you hide?
After 21 years of doing a stocking for GC , (up to 8 now) with 10 gifts in each one , I’ve called a halt.. I’ll do a little game for the younger ones this year, and yours sounds a great idea! 👍.

Wishing all poorlies a better day and those struggling with this and that, a calmer one. 🙏🎄

Good morning from a dry Suffolk where my post has just disappeared into the ether here.

Apart from marzipaning the Christmas cake and wrapping the last few presents we have a quiet day before what looks like a busy week ahead.

grandMattie your description of your gingerbread house reminded me of the kit I made with eldest GDD when she was 2. It was a kit and she was very keen to help! She ended up eating many of the sweets intended for the roof and I had to use several cocktail sticks to stop the construction from collapsing as the icing used to ‘glue’ the sides together was somewhat soft! We haven’t had one since. Going to post this before it too disappears.

Good morning from North Yorkshire.
It’s dry so far. I hope it stays that way as I have bedding to wash for the spare rooms. I may have visitors later in the week.
Church coffee morning today and I need to pop to the garden centre to collect a table arrangement.
It’s lovely to read all about your get togethers with family. I shall be off to mine next Saturday.
Have a good day everyone.

Good morning, warmish with black clouds, dull all day and not inspiring weather here in s somerset

I woke at 1 am and was awake for too long, hence me finally waking late. The recent powerful solar storm affected my sleep, this human is sensitive to ion shananigans. They play havoc with my circadians

I want to get out today, not on my bike, there is far too much muck on the roads and dangerous slippery leaves. It has to be a walk but I can walk fast to and from the shops

Dd is ecstatic with the photo of jumper and hat andsent me lots of hearts. Really good value and pretty yarn, Bretts marble. I finally cleared my lounge yesterday and did some reading while sitting in my low reading -chair. Clearing, wiping, dusting makes such a difference to room ambience

Today, scotch broth to put together from prepared stock and small bit of ham. I need to soak pulses and grains. My stomach likes that soup. I must get on and finish that skirt, brown threads and I need to put pink threads on the machines for dgd top, which I will cut out today. I will do all the prep for that this afternoon and will make it over sunday/monday, if the purple zip arrives

Have a good day