Good Morning Sunday 17th December 2023

Good morning from a still dark but quiet South Lanarkshire, it was very windy yesterday. I wanted to leave today clear for wrapping presents, delivering local cards and visiting two of my ‘old ladies’, so I went to the vigil mass last night and managed to prang my car in the dark rainy car park😳.
It drove home okay but there had been a decided crunch so definitely damage done. No other car involved so that’s something but I’ll see what the garage says tomorrow.
Decision finally made about no more driving in the dark for me, my eyesight just isn’t up to it. Obviously it could have been a lot worse, no one hurt, but it’s not going to be handy.Hey ho.

Lots to keep me occupied today but also much to be thankful for.

I’m also going to try to make beetroot and apple soup, I had it in a small local cafe and it was delicious, the lady kindly gave me the recipe but no quantities for anything so we’ll see!!.

Wishing everyone the best Sunday possible.

This was one of the successful ones

Good morning all and it’s bright here in Essex.

Yesterday little gd went to see Santa and went on the virtual sleigh ride. She said it was amazing ! Thanks for telling me about it GG. A lovely gift and a lovely Santa. 🎅.

Late afternoon Dd, DGD and I went to see Wonka. Thoroughly enjoyed it, colourful, magical and heart warming.

Today we are going to db1’s for coffee, mince pies and a glass of Sherry. It’s his birthday on the 23rd and he’s 10 years older than me. Always been a lovely big brother ❤️.

Mizuna thanks for the ideas of small gifts to hide. I’m desperately trying to think of clues that rhyme now. Any suggestions gratefully received! 😉.

Lovely gingerbread GM . It looks very stable!
Our little wooden church always held a Christingle with lots of children, some quite tiny. It was an accident waiting to happen, but so atmospheric with the lights off singing ‘Away in a Manger’.
We never did have a fire, 🙏.
That little church had been a Nissan hut during the war and was well attended. My mother got married there and my dgd1 was christened there. My children went to cubs/brownies/Sunday school .Such a wonderful church and community.
It was pulled down 10 years ago and a beautiful Swedish type one now stands in its place . Not the same though!

Enjoy the day, everyone and I hope all poorlies are feeling a little bit better 🙏.

Good morning Mick and good morning all. Sunrise isn't until 8.41 so the sky is still dark - no street lights up here. An interesting start to the day. First of all I thought we were in the midst of another power cut and started planning my day around that. When I got up I realised it was warm and the heating was working so put on the light and discovered I had somehow switched the clock alarm off at the socket. So that gave me my power back! Then I came downstairs planning my Monday. When I looked on Gransnet I noticed that Mick had headed the thread as Sunday so I thought Oh dear, he's got his days muddled. Nobody else had mentioned this, so I checked my phone - and Sunday it is! (Sorry Mick for doubting you!). So now I have a much-needed extra day with power! What a lovely bonus.
I love your photos Mizuna - what a lovely life you lead and I'm sure you must be the best granny ever, you're so creative and inventive!
Well done on the conclusion of your run Ash. Time to relax now and enjoy the company of Olddudders.
Today and tomorrow my preoccupation must be with present-wrapping and at last gasp getting parcels in the post. Last week was so hectic it may as well not have existed as far as Christmas went! Now it's catch-up time.
I hope you all enjoy whatever today brings with family and festivities. (And I hope Marydoll will soon feel well enough again to post )

An empty today as there is no local service - our Carol service is tomorrow evening. Must brave Tesco for various items so possibly sooner rather than later, and then plan cooking for next week. Can’t do marathon sessions these days, so need to be organised, but must clear fridge and freezer space first.

No sign of Marydoll so I hope there is good news soon. Otherwise I wish you all a happy and well spent day.

Good morning from aero windy ( but dry) Co Durham.
Been reading your posts but not managed to post myself. By the time I get round to it the afternoon is upon me.
DD2, DSinLaw and dgd are flying off to the sun on Friday for a week, leaving us with th granddogs. We will entertain brother and sister in law on Christmas Day.
Like Karma I’ll will join The Archers this morning while cycling.
Safe travels to those on the move and wish better health to our poorlies.
Hope Marydoll is ok.

Good morning from a bright W Kent. We are going to visit DS and family today for lunch. So pleased for an opportunity to get out of the house they are off to DDIL’s family abroad for Christmas.
Bonnybanko I hope you do get to church today. I have very fond memories of Christingle services with the children and grandchildren.
Best wishes to all

Good morning from a clear bright Suffolk.

I’ve got problems with my iPad so am typing on my phone which I don’t like… fingers too big/ clumsy for the small keyboard.

Thank you grandMattie for the photos of the construction of your gingerbread house. If I ever make another one I’ll know what to do but not if making it with a young child.

About to put cream on the trifle for youngest DGS’s birthday lunch. He is 10 today and thrilled to be in double figures.

Hope today is a good one for all especially those with worries.

Goof morning everyone from south Manchester. It’s dry but seems cold out. Himself has just gone down in the lift to meet L’il Miss who is being dropped off while mum & dad drive the Boy Wonder to his last football match of the season. She hates being in a cold field (don’t blame her), isn’t interested at 6y old in football, so would rather stay in the warm with us. I bought her a new colouring book yesterday in anticipation.

Later when she’s been picked up i will get ready for our book club Christmas lunch. There will be 12 of us (excellent) and we swap places at the table after each course so that we get chance to chat to everyone.

Here’s Matt.
x

Good morning from a very dark and blustery start to the day here on the east coast of Fife.
I’m hoping my carer comes in nice and early so that I’ll get to church this morning. I’ve not been for a few weeks due to having had a fall resulting in a fractured rib which was quite painful, thankfully it’s feeling much better and I’m so looking forward to seeing my friends again.

Take care all my gn friends wrap up warm today

Good morning everyone from a mild and dry Northampton, a fine day forecast, 9°C outside according to Alexa. She is playing Christmas music for me at the moment. Very festive!

Didn't do a lot yesterday, put the winter duvet on my bed and the Christmas duvet set, then packed away my lightweight summer one and the medium autumn/spring one. tidying the bedrooms ready for the family to descend next weekend. Have had to hide younger DGD's Christmas present away as she is staying overnight on Wednesday. It's rather big, but managed to make room in the wardrobe in a spare room.
Watched rugby on tv all afternoon, then in the evening watched a few recorded programmes.

Bacon butty for brunch later, then read the papers. Planning on defrosting the kitchen freezer this morning, packing the contents into big bags and storing in the garage freezer in the meantime.

May watch a film on tv this afternoon, and continue with book 2 of the Cazalet Chronicles.
Steak and home-made chips for dinner tonight.

May your Sunday activities bring contentment and hopefully a smile.

Morning all

Have a wonderful time in Madeira Sar53
Sounds as if your Crawford production was a hit Ashcombe

I used to love the Christingle service, along with the children’s service Christmas Eve.

I didn’t get round to baking yesterday, so that’s what I shall be doing today.

Have a good day folks 🤶🏻🎄

Good morning from North Yorkshire. Another lovely sunrise and a dry day ahead.
Today is another busy day. I have ironing to do, cards to deliver in the village, lunch club to host and a carol service on the village green! I’ll be ready for a sit down later.
Good to hear of lots of plans for the holidays.
Thinking of those who are struggling with health matters.
Have a good day everyone.

Morning Mick, morning All. A heavy sky over our corner of Somerset. A repeat of yesterdays total grey-ness is forecast.

After a quick visit to a blessedly quiet Waitrose we headed along the coast to an always quiet spot for some fresh air. The cloud over the water was quite atmospheric.

Staying out today, I’m sniffly and am determined I have not caught a post covid cold! Not allowed. Gifts to wrap and emails to write will keep me busy.

Hope Sunday is kind to us all.

Good morning all from a calm north Leicestershire.

We had a frantic day yesterday after we decided we did want a Christmas tree after all. After much discussion (!!!!) we decided on a prelit one and hot footed it to John Lewis and got a 7' one reduced to half price. Guess what today's job is.

Have the best day possible everyone.

Good morning all from another dry start to the day here in the Black country.
Ash glad you had a successful run.
Sar it's also our children's Christmas party at the club, so that's my afternoon sorted.
Haven't seen Marydoll posting hope things are ok.
Enjoy your day everyone whatever your plans and may you all find some ☀️

Good morning, Michael and all GNs from South Yorkshire where it is going to be a dry sunny day it seems. Yesterday I waited in for a parcel, and then spent a couple of hours in the afternoon clearing up drifts of dead leaves that had fetched up in various places around the front garden, and generally tidying up. I noticed that my shed roof is letting water in so I might have to consider replacing it next year. Filled half my green bin! DS and DiL are coming down for lunch, calling at IKEA Meadowhall on the way here. Good luck with that, my boy! It will be heaving today. Lunch could be later than planned.
Have the best day you can, folks.

Morning from a mild, dry S Hampshire, another successful run Ashcombe 👏👏
Mizuna my Mum and Dad had a series of notes for our Christmas presents, a present under the tree with a clue, usually to a book reference in their library, where there was another note and so on, it lasted for hours. I did the same, on a smaller scale, for my children.
A quiet day yesterday after the grandchildren went home, today we are visiting my son and family, exchanging gifts, taking the stuffing I made and a gammon we won.
Big Christmas draw in our local later, 🤞it would be nice to win something.
Enjoy your day all.
🦩🦩

Good morning from a dark, dry and mild Colchester.
Up early as we're about to leave for the south coast and our Christmas visit to my parents. They go away for Christmas to a Warners that is 10 minutes from their sheltered accommodation. We are taking DD2 and 5 month old DGD as my Dad has never met her.
Mum was panicking as she couldn't get a table nearby for lunch. We are getting a takeaway instead.
Love to all 🦩 x

Good morning, it’s dry here in south Gloucestershire at the moment.
That gingerbread house brings back memories of many years ago when my lovely godmother would make one, complete with icicles hanging from the roof, lights inside with a fully laden miniature Christmas tree and little figures. All made from sugar paste, a very talented lady.
Have a lovely day everyone 🌹

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Good morning from Cornwall where it's dark and mild and peaceful.

The treasure hunt yesterday ended with a tramp through the wood behind my flat. My grandson found a discarded fishing boat float I had dragged back from a beach years ago and tethered himself to it. He's a one-off, indeed. My son responded to the inside pic with, 'Wow, he's stayed still for 12 minutes!' 😁

Today will be more serene, as my other son and grandson aged 14 (the budding animator) intend to watch the Pixar story on DVD, a fascinating history, after our roast chicken.

(Among the treasure hunt presents were a pouch of olives, screen cleaner wipes, story books, a black sticky rubber insect which my son had to prise off my ceiling where it landed, stickers galore, juggling balls etc. Poundland came in very handy.)

Good morning from the Essex coast. It’s still dark so I’m not sure what the weather is doing.
A visit to DH’s eldest daughter today to deliver Christmas gifts. They are off to Argentina late on Christmas Day and we are going to Madeira tomorrow until the 29th. We have not been abroad for Christmas before so I’m looking forward to a different experience.
This afternoon it’s the Children’s Christmas party at the Rugby club. Lots of noise and very excited children.
Have a peaceful day everyone xx

I for got. This is how I assemble a gingerbread house. But it needs to be done several day ahead!

Good morning from a mild and calm Torbay.

What a proud moment for you, grandMattie, to see your DGD’s participating in their Christingle service! Many years ago, I was at such a service when a member of the Guides caught her hair alight on the little candle! A quick acting curate soon extinguished it!

Cranford at Christmas ended yesterday with two well supported performances. The matinee achieved record numbers of ticket sales for a matinee, totalling 190! It makes a long final day for the cast and crew but we have a number of patrons who are grateful for an afternoon performance.

This morning I’ve agreed to play the piano for the 9.30 service but I’m very tire. Luckily, the hymns are familiar and straightforward.

A blessed Sunday to all. 🦩🎄✝️🎄🦩

Good morning from South Lanarkshire where it seems to have been raining for ever.

Yesterday I watched a couple of old Christmas films while wrapping a load of presents and discovered that I hadn’t bought something which I’d ticked off my list. Very odd.

Mass this morning then more wrapping I think, it’s too miserable outside to think about doing much else.

Have the best day possible everyone.