Good Morning Friday 22nd December 2023

Good morning from Bristol. It’s the winter solstice - the shortest day of the year; days will lengthen from now on. We are experiencing the max of 10C now, the temperature is due to drop gradually. Most odd!
I had a lovely if exhausting day with my girls yesterday. The gingerbread house stood up to the various inclusions of chocolate buttons, curlywirlies, etc., added to decorate. I forgot to take photos in the busyness.
We also made very small wreaths with pretzels and chocolate, then decorated card crowns that I had prepared, a lot of glue an£glitter was involved!
Lunch was a bit rushed as we were expecting DD at any time. She was late as she had put my address wrong in the satnav!
I spent the rest of the day lazing around as I was so tired!
Today, I have to do a spot of shopping and go to the library; I had already read all three books I’d borrowed last week. 🙁
I hope today brings nothing but sunshine to your lives, that your travel plans go well and life is generally good to you all.
Carpe diem 🦩🦩🦩🦩

Good morning from the NE where we have gale force winds again, actually not again as it never went away all week.
I have been awake since 4.30 so it is going to be a long day.
Today I will wrap the presents for my GDs, I just hope I have sufficient wrapping paper.
I will have to put out the wheelie bin shortly, I am hoping it will stay put until the wagon comes.
Have a good day.

Good morning from a calmer Sarthe after the windy conditions here yesterday.

Shopping at lunchtime for food worked well as everywhere was quiet, eating at home being the rule for many here, even in the run up to Christmas. A quieter day here planned with a few domestic activities necessary.

My DGD enjoyed her first performance in professional pantomime in Hanley last night. She has five shows to attend over the next 10 days, being in one of two teams of children. We look forward to seeing her on NYE.

Wishing you a good day and I hope everyone stayed safe in yesterday's storm. 🦩🎄🧑🏻‍🎄🎄🦩

Morning Mick, morning All. Can’t see what it’s doing out there, our corner of Somerset is forecast to be dull and dry.

Yesterday was mixed. Mr C’s choice of Wells for an outing did indeed cheer me, I’ve been very down in the dumps post covid. It was very windy but remained dry and we enjoyed both a wander and a tasty lunch.

We should have been home by three. Unfortunately the car decided to be a Grinch necessitating two hours in the garage while diagnostics isolated a faulty front camera. This triggers all sorts of error messages accompanied by flashing lights and many intrusive noises. The good news was we can still drive it. The not so good news? The error messages can’t be disabled. Oh well, we can still travel over Christmas and hope a camera can be sourced quickly. Our car-focused son offered the opinion they are not instantly available in the U.K. and shipments are often delayed. Helpful? Not really.

Today? We stay home!

Like the sound of your fish and chips mick. What a fun time grandmattie. Not surprised you were tired.

With special thoughts to all finding life hard going at the moment. Hope Friday is kind to us all.

Good morning, it’s dry here in south Gloucestershire at the moment.
I had a video call from DS and his family first thing, they’re coming down next Wednesday, I really look forward to seeing them again. The DGSs are growing up so quickly.
Yesterday we had a lovely long walk around Westonbirt arboretum with the dog; we joined a couple of months ago. Followed by brunch and coffee it was a lovely morning.
I really enjoyed tea at a friend’s house later too.
Here’s my fabulous birthday cake! It’s absolutely delicious 😋
Have a lovely day everyone 🌹

Morning, dry with a breeze in S Hants, I’m up early to go to the farm shop.
What a lovely day gMattie, you deserved your rest.
Theatre in the blood Ashcombe?
Just what you need corner not, but good she’s drivable.
Bed will be stripped later, when MrJ is out of it, gammon out of the freezer and I’ve one last gift to wrap.
Enjoy your chippy meal Mick.
🦩🦩

Good morning, strong winds again today and some sun. My chimney cowl is hanging off due to the wind, I moved my car as I park by my chimney. Sweep is coming to sort it, eventually but I am not expecting anything for a few weeks. He said it was ok to use the stove. The chimney is high up

I had the best sleep for a very long time, my bed wedge arrived yesterday, the best most comfortable wedge I have ever had, even for side sleeping. No silent awakening reflux and so comfortable with my own pillow on top. A present to myself and I would not trade it for pot of gold

I am tidy, finished the jogging set for dd and cleaned and oiled the machines. I don`t want the sewing mojo to disappear but it will for a while and I will get back to knitting, spinning, tv and reading. All my hibernation hobbies to get through winter. I have deliberately made no appointments for two months, so I can avoid the ice pavements

Have a good day and here is to longer days ahead

Good morning from Cornwall where it's cloudy and mild. A lovely time with my daughter-in-law yesterday. She looked positively pre-Raphaelite with her flame-red hair and quirky clothes. She gave me a cinema voucher for Christmas which I'll have so much fun using. I live two minutes from our small, independent cinema which has a lovely café.

Today I'll pop out first thing and get any last minute bits as I suspect my granddaughter will be asking to spend the day with me. Tomorrow won't be a shopping day as the main street is closed for the massed male voice local choirs to walk through singing carols. It's so moving and brings out the proud-to-be-Cornish in me. 😆

Good morning all from a blustery North Leicestershire.

I have a bit of shopping to do in the village and a present to drop round to a friend this morning.

This afternoon, we have a Sainsbury's collection and then a quick trip to see my brother.

This evening there is a 'decorated' tractor drive coming up our road - I am unreasonably excited.

Good morning, Michael and all GNs. Mick your fish and chips sound delicious😋. More wind and rain today but I absolutely must go out, whatever. With luck it will just be a quick trip to the supermarket down the road. Yesterday I did a pile of ironing, changed my bed, sorted out a cupboard and spent a lot more time than I should have making silly things out of paper!! Today will be a baking day. Mince pies and possibly some gingerbread men for the small children next door, if I can find my cutters.
Have the best day you can, folks.

Not unreasonable at all kittylester, decorated tractors sounds lovely! 😀

Good morning all.

Busy day yesterday with appointments, online supermarket delivery and turkey collection from nearest M&S 8 miles away. They had great trouble finding part of my order so it took a while and the shop was heaving.

DD2 dropped in with the small GC for a couple of hours. Oh boy, what a difference to looking after them individually earlier in the week when they were brilliant. They were over excited and fought constantly. The Christmas tree looked to be in grave peril. I felt I needed to lie down in a dark room when they’d gone.

I think today maybe quieter. I’ll get guest rooms ready for DD1 and co as they are staying over on the 28th. They are driving to Sunderland today. I hope it’s not too windy.

Have the best day you can everyone. 🎄

Good morning from Glasgow. It’s still dark outside, I don’t hear any rain but high winds are still around. Anyhoo, it’s winter solstice and spring is just around the corner.

By the time I was going to the hairdressers yesterday, the rain had stopped. Catching up with regular clients and the friendly staff it’s almost like a social outing filled with blethering and laughter. Just what I needed and I left in high spirits. DD1 phoned to say she was at ours I then returned home for more blethering over coffee and an excited to see me Millie dog. A pleasantly relaxing day.

I do miss those days when our kitchen table was covered with glitter and various crafting paraphernalia when both GDs were younger GM, it kept them occupied for hours letting their imaginations run free.
What a stunning cake Roses. Your day sounds perfect.

I must get around to wrapping gifts today as I am thankfully, for a change, having an at home day.

My best wishes to all for a good day and a better day than of late to those in need of such a day.

Good morning everyone from the east coast of Fife, I’ve no idea what the weathers like as my ring doorbell is on charge and I’m tucked up cosy in my bed. I’m hoping to go to M&S today for some last minute shopping.
I’m getting excited as my daughter is picking me up on Sunday to take me to her house for Christmas, we’re all coming to mine on Boxing Day. I so love Christmas Day with my grandchildren, it will be bittersweet this year without my DH

Happy Christmas everyone and many more of them x

Good morning from a dark, damp and breezy Colchester.
A new charity shop volunteer who is spending her first Christmas in England asked me where the Christmas snow was. I told her to expect it at Easter!
Despite a fridge and freezer bursting with food, DS and DH decided on a Chinese takeaway last night.....
No plans today. DS has left his work bedding by the machine and the boys have a trip to the dump to plan.
Love to all 🦩 x

Good morning everyone from a damp Northampton, with more rain forecast. No need to go out today.

Collected my new glasses yesterday; funnily enough, my next door neighbours were in the opticians doing exactly the same! I also booked a hearing test for the New Year.
Then got the bus to Sainsbury's and M&S Food, where I got the smoked salmon that Sainsbury's failed to deliver, and the free bottle of Christmas liqueur from M&S; there was a choice of three, and I picked the marmalade gin flavoured one.

Present wrapping today, then the cats are being collected this afternoon for their cattery stay. One of them was naughty last time and tried to hide, so it took some time to catch her. I need to grab her first before she realises what is happening!

Must try and start preparing the bedrooms for the family who all arrive on Christmas Eve; need to get the camp bed in from the garage to air and warm up; one of the DGDs will have it. I will need to move a chest of drawers to accommodate it.

Lovely cake, roseandlilac!

Good morning from a much less windy Co Durham. Hope it’s not too breezy at Newcastle airport as dd2, DSinLaw and dgd fly out this morning to the sunshine for Christmas.
Kittylester enjoy the tractors. We had them last weekend, 70+ decorated and sounding their horns. Amazing sight.
Sainsbury’s Christmas delivery late yesterday evening and they had everything I’d ordered bar one substitution (which was acceptable and in my favour).
Rosesandlilac what an awesome cake.
Dgrand-dogs here for the next 10 days, they are still sleeping!!
Must get them up
I’m all ready for the big day, entertaining brother and sister in law . Out tonight for a Christmas drink with a dear friend.
Hope everyone’s plans are successful today and all with worries or health issues have a better day.

Forgot to say, Sainsbury’s order came with a gift of a box of mince pies, and a card saying ‘with love from Sainsbury’s ‘😀

Morning all 👏

We have The Imp and 8 yr old today and they are going to sleepover (DD will join us when she is finished work). As they are both extremely excited about Christening I think the day will be tiring.

Lovely cake Rosesandlilac

Have a great day folks 🤶🏻🎄

Good morning everyone from Cambridge where it looks dry and about 10degrees
What an amazing birthday cake roses sounds like you had a lovely day!
Today we’re having early Christmas celebrations here, exchanging gifts, a Christmas type lunch and a trip to the panto later. I feel so lucky to be able to celebrate here with with my Cambridge family and then again back home on Monday with DD2 and family
Lots of busy people today, hoping all goes well and take care if out and about
Thinking of everyone with worries and struggles, hope today is gentle and take care all whatever the day brings 💐

Good morning all from a wet Glasgow, where its 10°C.

What an amazing cake, Roses! Enjoy your fish and chips, Mick.

Karma I am interested in the bed wedge you mentioned. I need to sleep propped up due to GORD and prevent fluid accumulating in my lungs, but it hurts my neck.

We had a lovely visit with Babydoll, yesterday, she is trying to crawl and was getting so frustrated, when her legs were refusing to do what she was telling them! 😂 Every time I look at her, I see my son. 😍
DIL was upset we didn't stay for lunch, but I was seriously flagging. I try to cover up when I am struggling and just wanted home.

On the way home we popped into the pharmacy, it was a social event, meeting people from church, who had wondered why I was missing in action.
Unfortunately, there is a shortage of anti nausea medication and the pharmacist has been unable to source any. I only have two tablets left in my stash, so will need to save them for Christmas. 🤢

A quiet day for me. For the first time ever, all the pressies are wrapped and I just need to write a few cards for the neighbours.I am determined to be well for Christmas Day.

Have a lovely day folks, whatever your plans. Corner, I hope you get your car fixed, the worst time for a car to break down. 💐

Good morning from still dark South Lanarkshire, a lovely day to look forward to. I’m heading to DD4’s this morning to be joined by DD1 and family for a Christmas walk together then coffee, cake etc before two oldest DGDs go off to meet friends in Edinburgh. In the afternoon we’ll be joined by my nephew who lives contentedly on his own but enjoys being with us for Christmas. He’ll join DDs1 and 2 and their families for the Day itself.

Tomorrow I’ll come home and prepare for going to my youngest daughter and family till the day after Boxing Day when I’m sure I’ll be ready for some quiet recovery time from time spent with totally overexcited youngest DGC.

Wishing everyone a good and peaceful day.

Good morning Mick and All from a cloudy South Bucks.

Thank you *grandMattie” for the info about today being the shortest day, I wrongly thought it was yesterday. Bring on the lighter days 👍

Thoroughly enjoyed WONKA yesterday. There was music, dancing, laughter and a mix of excellent actors. It was over long, but films seem like that now. Can recommend it.

Will you hop on the tractor Kitty 😁?

Morning all from West Oxfordshire.
I iced the Christmas cake and chocolate log yesterday. That’s all the fiddly stuff done.
I have two spare rooms to sort out today as daughter and younger son are arriving tomorrow. Then hoovering, polishing and cleaning. We must make the effort to get a new cleaner after Christmas.
OH and I are having lunch out today at what I think is our favourite restaurant. The next few days will involve a lot of cooking although both sons are very helpful in the kitchen. I’ve thought of one or two things my granddaughter can do. She loves helping her dad.
Have a good day… and relax.