Good Morning Saturday 16th December 2023

Good morning Mick and all from sunny Lancashire, currently 11°5C.

I slept most of yesterday. MrB and I watched ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ last night. Very late to bed, slept much better and had a long lie in. Feeling a bit better today, hoping to have a short walk and look at the Santa trains this afternoon. Will finish writing the cards and pop them in the post box. Will probably crash out after that

Happy Saturday all, I hope today is kind to you 🎄

Morning all

Late today as I have been to the local shops first thing. Last gifts to wrap then I shall bake some more mince pies and Christmas flavoured banana bread.

Have a good day folks 🎄🤶

A much later good morning from me in a bright Northampton. Dozed/slept till almost 10am, which is highly unusual for me - woke at almost 6am for the bathroom then went back to bed, next thing I knew it was mid-morning.

Had a quiet day at home yesterday, a bit of pottering, read all afternoon and finished book 1 of the Cazalet Chronicles, book 2 ready to start this afternoon! Watched rugby on tv last night, and a fantastic win for my team - I nearly jumped out of my chair when they scored the winning try in the last minute!

Very little planned for today, mainly the papers, reading and tv.
Chicken Provencal for dinner tonight.

Have a pleasant Saturday everyone.

I was on a hunt for DH’s favourite Tunnocks Caramel Logs yesterday Georgesgran. I finally found them in a small independent grocers. Nice afternoon treat for him.

Good morning from Glasgow where it is a dreich wet and windy day.

DD2 in Oz facetimed DD1 and myself for a catch up, I have no idea how she does this 3 way connection but it was a joy to chat to my girls feeling we were in the same room. Her new house is in a higher area which won’t be affected by any future flooding which completely submerged their last house. They love it and I especially envy their large veranda overlooking a park area, bathed in sunshine, I could see myself spending all day there with a book. Maybe one day.

No plans today, I will keep myself occupied doing this and that.

Have a good weekend all, especially to those who are struggling on through whatever difficult times at present.

Good morning Mick and all from Sunnyside northwest coast 9°
Enjoyed the organ recital yesterday, but a small turn out. Impressive town centre church with many memories as my late DH was in a choral society who sang there regularly. The organ is not my favourite instrument, but I love it when it’s thunderous and it’s felt through your whole body. I was introduced to the organiser and have the promise of a recital myself this coming year.

A bit of card delivering and rather shocked to find an old musical acquaintance has turned into Miss Haversham. Now living alone in a large house after her parents passed. I’ve never had a reply after ringing the bell, but this time I went inside and the house gave me the chills. Throw in her appearance, long, wild grey hair and it left a haunting and sad impression. Prone to clutter myself, I now feel like emptying the place!

More Xmas preparations today as an extra guest will be here.
GM I’m sorry you seem to have so many frustrations and thoughts to all with troubles 🎄🌺

Good morning - again in haste - from a sunnyish and windy Angus coast. I shall get the bedding out to dry as soon as I can before the rain returns.
A productive day yesterday in that a hearing test proved what I already suspected - the hearing that remains in my left ear is almost nonexistent and you can't magnify something that isn't there to be magnified! (The right side is a bit better.). I have a gizmo now that can be pointed in the direction of whoever is talking, so we'll see if that helps. It is such an isolating affliction.
Anyway, having totally exhausted myself with all the excitement and associated miles of night driving last week I must find energy from somewhere to finish the preparation for Christmas and be ready to leave for Englandshire with DGD3 on the 21st.
I'm loving reading about everybody's pre-Christmas fun and games - .wonderful treasure hunt idea Mizuna. I hope all of you who are feeling under the weather feel better soon.
Now off I go to perform miracles 😁🎄🎁 🧑‍🎄

Good Morning from a cold breezy Co Armagh ,
There’s a Craft and Memorabilia sale in the Village this am , I might pop round to see what treasures are on offer 🤣
Still not written cards yet ! Must do them this Afternoon
Thinking of Marydoll her Oh and others , ill and / or struggling 🕯️🙏🏼

A late good morning from a very mild Durham. Continuous (almost) coughing has kept me awake most of the night, then I finally nodded off at dawn.
Only a couple of explosive coughing fits yesterday at the Garden Centre, which drew some startled looks! Nail appt later and I’ve gone for a bright, sparkly green - think Oz! A quick look at Fenwicks window later was a disappointment - time to call it a day, if that’s the best they can do?
DD2 saw Santa yesterday - he absolutely loved him and high-fived him numerous times.
No plans for today other than more wrapping - I do it slowly and am easily distracted by tea and Tunnocks!
Speaking of Martian plans, perhaps we should eat them, like that stupid Curry’s advert?
We spent last Christmas in New York (favourite place) Gingster it felt like -22 and was a bit too cold for DGS2, who was only 18months.
Anyway, that’s a bit of a novella today, so I’ll end.
Best wishes to all. X

Cold and grey but not raining so all is well. Not a lot planned for today though I may venture out for some bits and pieces and still haven’t wrapped my few parcels. Hope Marydoll is OK and that the various unwell are improving. Not a good time of year to be ill.

Good morning everyone from south Manchester. Although Alexa says it’s 10°C it’s colder out I think than yesterday! Probably because there are no clouds to keep us warm. Brr!
We are meeting the little family for brunch at 11am.
Happy Days!

Here’s Matt.
x

Ginny enjoy your time at Blenheim I watched Christmas in the Cotswolds yesterday evening the light trail looks amazing.
Thanks for good wishes for DH he is still sleeping so will leave him be.

Good morning from a sunny Eden. What was planned as a quiet day as turned into a busy one. The chicken we ordered on our Friday Sainsbury's delivery had yesterday's date so was sent back.
DH seems keen to go and buy another one, might there be an offer on Fizz or has he forgotten to buy something? I'll know if I am asked if I want to go as well.
A trip to a little market town this afternoon for a look in shop windows and a walk around the river.
Granmatty I gave up on Gingerbread houses when the sides kept falling and GD asked if it belonged to the three little pigs.
Good luck to all who are doing final shopping. x

A late, for me, good morning from a mild S Hampshire, the grandchildren are and helping themselves to breakfast. Their Mum went to an evening of Christmas music by candlelight in an art gallery.
No real plans today other than the newspaper, not a Strictly follower, so we’ll find something else to watch this evening.
🦩🦩

I glue the gingerbread house daysahead. I Royal ice the walls then support them with tins of tomato and hold it all together with string. Allow today and set. Repeat for roof two days later!

Good morning from a dull W Kent. DD2 is very kindly coming today to change our bed and in her words sort us out! Cramp in my shoulders following my fall has made it impossible to do simple tasks yesterday evening. I know it is just a question of sitting it out but patience isn’t one of my strong points.
I hope all the plans for today go ahead.
Best wishes to all

Liberty we’ve had those gingerbread house kits every year and they are a nightmare. 🤣. Frustrating to say the least.
Sticky mess everywhere and collapsing walls and roofs, but they all had fun assembling them .I’ll get little gd one and wait for eldest gd to come round to help her. 🤪.

Good morning all from a very dark and windy start to the day here on the east coast of Fife. Nothing much planned for today, I think it’s going to be a jammy day Susan56 you might be interested to hear I received a Christmas card from my friends in Ludlow yesterday they live in Hucksbarn farm E and L I’ve known them for years I was at their wedding when he got a combined harvestor for a wedding present which he rented out to other local farmers.

Have a good day all keep safe and warm

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

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 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 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 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 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 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