Good Morning Sunday Christmas Eve 24th December 2023

Good morning from my bit of South Lanarkshire. Forecast is wind again today but after a period yesterday afternoon when it got decidedly gusty, it hasn’t been too bad.

All preparations done, this morning mass, then pack the car for a few days away at DD5’s where youngest DGC are. The ham and, if I say it myself, lovely soup from the stock, are in the fridge ready to go.
DD and SiL are not turkey fans so we’re eating out this afternoon where I can have my traditional Christmas meal and everyone else can choose whatever they want. Tomorrow steak for the adults which will be lovely and whatever the children have chosen. The ham will be part of a relaxed meal on Boxing Day.

BlueSapphire, I was very sorry to read your awful news yesterday, my sincere condolences to your family.

Mizuna, what rotten luck for your DS, good that his dad can help him out a bit.

Everyone’ seems very organised and I hope that all the quiet sadnesses that so many of us carry are a little more bearable over the next couple of days.

As ever I will remember all our needs at church today and tomorrow and I wish everyone the very best Christmas possible 🌲💐💕

Good morning from a breezy Essex.

Yesterday dgd1 and I went round to DD’s with shopping and cheered the poorlies up. We spent a lovely few hours there chatting and the twin boys(17) joined us (very unusual). It was a jolly time with old stories of when they were small , being remembered and told.

Today I’ll make lemon cheesecake which is everyone’s favourite. I’ll make 2, check I’ve got everything and also check the present pile. I always think I’ve forgotten someone/something. 😰.

This afternoon dgd1, Dd and dgd6 and I will go to the Nativity and join in with the Carol service. 🎄.

I hope you all have a joyful Christmas . 🙏.

Good morning everyone from Inverness where it’s wet and windy
I arrived back home yesterday evening, there were a few problems with the journey but nothing too bad. The flight was full and in the arrivals hall it was lovely to see all the extended families meeting up for Christmas with big hugs and kisses. Today I’m going to double check that we’ve got everything sorted for tomorrow, we’re eating at DD2s but will be taking all the prepared veg round plus the wine. I might need a last minute trip to Tesco later.
Hope everyone’s plans go well today and take care 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 on this mild Christmas Eve from S Hampshire, a blow for your son Mizuna hope he recovers swiftly
Gammon cooked yesterday, half staying here, the rest to my daughters tomorrow.
MrJ went to our Tesco express last night, his Saturday lottery ritual, they all know him, as he walked to the till his tickets were ready, ‘this one’s on me’ said the young man, aaah.
A quiet day as for the first time ever we’re at my daughters tomorrow.
Safe travel and a gentle, uneventful day for you all, a big thank you to Mick for this pleasant start to our days.
🦩🦩

Marydoll I'm glad your priest appreciates you! Don't overdo things.

Good morning from Shropshire where it is raining.

The tractor run was a success last night with 170 tractors taking part.

It feels very strange to have nothing to do today.Normally we would be preparing veg for tomorrows dinner and driving over to Cheshire to collect my mum but we are going to DD1’s tomorrow and mum is going to my brothers as it will be a lot quieter there.

I need to make the most of not having to worry about my mum as we know she is safe for four days but my silly mind is still worrying about when she gets home😫

Mizuna sorry to hear your son has broken his foot and hope help can be arranged to get him to his jobs.

Ash glad you are feeling more relaxed.

Grammaretto my husband did the physio exercise course very reluctantly but it was really good and he opted not to have knee replacement surgery afterwards as there was such an improvement.

Have a good day everyone and my thoughts are especially with those who find this a difficult time of year🎄🎅🏼🦩

Good morning all from Polmont where it's currently 10° and dry. mizuna I feel sorry for your son. What a painful and annoying thing to happen. I hope he recovers quickly. Ashcombe another lovely seasonal photo. Cornergran I'm glad the car dash cam was fixed so easily.
Yesterday I had completed the Tesco run before nine. I visited a friend to exchange gifts and blether, then I delivered other gifts. The rest of the day was spent doing housework in between telly watching. I like to pace myself.
Today I shall go and see my brother to exchange gifts. Then this afternoon I'll visit mum. In between I have an ironing to do, cranberry sauce to make and bread sauce to prepare. I shall be at dds tomorrow, firstly for breakfast and to see the boys, then later for dinner. In between I'll visit mum. She gets Christmas dinner at twelve but has instructed dd to bring her turkey and ham. Tonight I'm having fish cakes for dinner. I wish you all a peaceful, happy Christmas tomorrow.

What a lot of early birds on what is obviously a busy day for many people! DS and family, including well behaved dog, due by lunch time so some last minute bits and pieces to do before then. They are doing dinner this evening so will hand over the kitchen and respond to cries of “where do you keep …..” at intervals.

Hope all travellers have good journeys and that the rest of us can go with the flow, though the miserable wet and windy weather won’t help.

Good morning from a dry and slightly breezy N. Bucks.
Yesterday’s Pantomime was probably the best we’ve seen. The little ones loved it and joined in all the fun and ‘big children’ were nearly as noisy.
Last minute bits and Bob to do and DDs1 & 2 will be this afternoon to prep veg and lay up the table.
This evening we are out fora Chinese meal.
Wishing all a good day.

Good morning from the High Peak. I’m still in bed so have no idea of the weather.
Yesterday’s drive was busy but very straight forward. Everything is just about sorted for tomorrow except SIL’s present hasn’t arrived. Perhaps it will come today.
Wishing you all a peaceful day.

Mizuna, I suspected your son had broken his foot, because it sounded exactly like DH's. He tripped over a welcome mat in Cyprus. I put ice packs on it and told him it was fine. He ended up in plaster a week later! I hope your son can get help to get to his jobs.

Good morning from Madeira. Yesterday was lovely and warm, people sunbathing and swimming in the pool.
This evening we have a gala dinner, entry by ticket only. Hopefully everyone will be in their glad rags.
DD2 and family will be leaving shortly to spend Christmas with DD1 and family. I hope the roads are kind to them today (M25/M40).
Wishing you all a lovely day whatever you find yourselves doing xx

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

I'm pretty organised, DS brought the turkey early yesterday and I plan to cook it later. We are having a scaled down Christmas dinner and frankly, ( after forty six years of fuss) I am relieved!

Last night after Mass, (my first visit in a week) we were locking up, every light in the church blew, due to water pouring through the sacristy ceiling. It was pitch black. ⚫ Luckily, I had a torch on my church key ring. # Be ever ready! 😉
What a time to happen. When we reset the fuse box, only certain parts of the church have electricity. The heating has broken down and can't be repaired, it was warmer in the stable at Bethlehem! 🥶
I had planned to take things easy today, but am now going down to church, to help clear up. Mr MD is going to wash the floors etc., when I am out, to take the pressure off me. 💕

The antibiotics seem to have done their job, but they were brutal! I'm still feeling nauseous all the time, but it is all relative. I have been a lot worse, so fingers crossed for tomorrow.

When I got home last night, I dropped a large bag of icing sugar. The walls, floor, worktop and my black trousers were covered in it! 🤬 it looked as if it had been snowing. This is why DH will need to wash the floors again!

I plan to have a nap this afternoon, because I am the duty sacristan at Midnight Mass. No-one else wants to do it. I love midnight Mass and our best choir is singing, with the organ.
DH, who likes to stay low key, will give me a hand because he is worried about me.

As I was leaving last night, the PP handed me an envelope. Inside was a very generous gift voucher for a local restaurant, a personal gift from him, for all I do. And I thought he didn't care!

Good luck with all the preparations and safe journey for all who are travelling to see families.
For those, who find this a sad and lonely time, I wish you a peaceful Christmas.

Damp underfoot here in Sefton. The 'fresh breeze' seems to have abated & it is very mild.
Have had a very slow week as I have caught younger granddaughter's cold. She had a bit of a sniffle, I've had the full works. Hope to be fully recovered by tomorrow as I'm doing Christmas lunch - for the last time. This will definitely be my swan song.
We're off out for breakfast later. Love a full English but can't do it too often. As WWM2 says, one of the penalties of getting older is indigestion. Rest of the day will be spent prepping as much as possible.
Wishing you all a pleasant & peaceful Christmas whatever your plans.

Good morning from a wet and windy hillside in south Gloucestershire, I’m still lazing in bed with a coffee.
Yesterday dh’s sister popped in, she’s the one who knows everything about the family and the village that generations lived in. It was nice seeing her.
Today a few bits and pieces to do, nothing much.
Looking forward to a quiet Christmas to be honest, somehow my enthusiasm and energy are lacking this year!
I hope you all have safe journeys and memorable times over the festivities 🌹

Good morning from a dark, wet and windy Colchester where it's forecast to reach 14° later.
DH and DS have an appointment at the tip after clearing out the garage yesterday.
DD1's in laws are popping over as they feel our mutual DGSs shouldn't wait until Boxing Day for presents.

Spag bol for lunch and then DS will drive us to my Cousin's where we traditionally spend a few hours with family and friends in their local pub on Christmas Eve.
Love to all 🦩 x

Good morning, overcast and windy again in s somerset, it is going to be a sunless day, not pleasant but 6 minutes more daylight every day from now

My cowl was still hanging on by a few strands, I am so glad that I developed a good relationship with my sweep. He is coming to replace it in two weeks.

I don`t have to cater at all this holiday, will be seeing one dd tomorrow and another as soon as it feels safe to travel the motorways to wales. No idea what I am going to do today, it will evolve

Have a good day

Good morning, Michael and all GNs. I think it’s going to be a damp day in South Yorkshire but it’s very mild. I am making sausage rolls this morning, packing a bag to spend two days with DD and the menfolk, and packing the car with presents and food to take. I will call in on my niece on the way to drop off her present and her granddaughter’s, and cards for the family. Overlaying this is my sadness that for the second year, DH is not here to share all this tomfoolery, but he would hate it
to spoil the season he loved so much, so, on with the motley😊!
Mizuna I hope your son manages his broken foot, and has help to manage his work commitments.
Enjoy Christmas Eve folks - a magical time.

Morning Mick, morning All from a very wet and windy corner of Somerset.

Dashcam fixed yesterday by staff at Halfords. Can’t praise them enough. Kind, courteous and efficient, also no charge. It was, as we suspected, something the garage had dislodged on Thursday. Oh dear. Good to have something working!

Had a thoroughly enjoyable lunch at the little garden centre close to home, the weekend waiting staff are all in sixth form, chatty, friendly and know us well now. A friend came for a cuppa in the afternoon, the world put firmly to rights.

Our granddaughters Mum is calling this morning with her own Mum who lives a few hours away. Not sure how it will go, dementia effects vary with her but she wants to see us which can only be a good thing.

Sausage rolls to produce, a curry for our meal later. Looking forward to the day ahead.

With good wishes to all this Christmas Eve.

Good morning all from wet and windy South Lanarkshire.

Yesterday I cooked two hams, one for tomorrow at DD’s, the other for the following day at DS’s. They look great but I must be less dexterous now as I kept dropping the cloves. Trifle is also made.

A fairly busy day ahead. I need to pack up the car with presents, food, dog things, as well as our clothes and bits and bobs we’ll need for a couple of days. We will leave after Mass to collect the turkey from the butcher near DD’s and head to her house where birthday celebrations for one of our DGD’s will be underway.

My poor daft dug isn’t going to be too happy at the prospect of being constantly annoyed by their exuberant puppy and DH will have a job keeping them apart when he stays with them while the rest of us are in town at the Panto. DH declined to join us as his knee pain would make it difficult to sit in the theatre. I’m a little sad that he will miss out.

Warmest wishes to everyone on this lovely thread for a peaceful Christmas whatever you are doing, whether celebrating or not.

Good morning from Glasgow. 10deg. but still stormy.

We had a FaceTime catch up with DD2 and SiL in Australia last night, morning for them. They have declined spending a few days at a coastal villa with SiL’s family preferring to relax and spend time in their new home this year.

With DH’s appetite picking up again I made Chicken Provençal for dinner, a happy occasion for me to see him enjoy his food once more.

Wishing all a pleasant, not too busy a day ahead and comfort to those in difficult times.

Good morning everyone, Happy Christmas Eve!

I'm just having a quiet 10 mins with the cats, and my coffee, before starting on my list of jobs for today. All organised, so no panic, but still a fair bit to do. Will let MrLP sleep for a while longer, then wake him at 7 to help with cats' medicines and food.

We have my DD and fiance for lunch tomorrow, so looking forward to some nice family time.

Wild and windy here in West Yorkshire, but only need to venture out as far as the bins, and to pop a card through a neighbour's door that was delivered to us by mistake.

I wish everyone a peaceful Christmas, and a Happy New Year

Take care xxx

Good morning all from North Leicestershire. I can't hear rain.

I have to cook a gammon, parboil lots of potatoes and set the table. Also pop over to see DS2.

Morning all from a very windy sounding West Oxfordshire.
Younger son and daughter arrived yesterday. They had got the train together. Son was in a mood - he said he was tired. Daughter managed to aggravate him. He had a lie down and by dinner everyone had calmed down. Jeez, anyone would think they were teenagers, but they’re 42 and 38!
Son re-decorated the tree. It always used to be his job.
I have to pop to Waitrose by 11 am to pick up a few things from click and collect including their wonderful chicken, ham and pork pie.
At some point I must take out of the freezer a multitude of things for tomorrow. I will also make a trifle, cook a chicken for the Boxing Day Coronation chicken and the sauce, I hope son is happy to make his fish pie for tonight’s dinner, otherwise I’ll make it. Pudding is an Italian chocolate torte I made a while ago.
I am hoping for a peaceful day and pray that all you Good Morning people have one too.

Good morning from a mild part of La Sarthe.

I took the photo at the shops near my home in Babbacombe as I thought it was a splendid effort for a small community of shops. There were some excellent window displays, too.

Your poor son, Mizuna; I hope he can still fulfil his bookings for photography since he can’t drive his taxi. Frustrating.

Always difficult when you’re a guest with early waking hours, BigBertha1 so I hope you have quenched your thirst now.

What a busy early bird, grandMattie, but with lovely plans for the day!

My BP is much improved since arriving here and being relaxed with fewer worries.

Wishing everyone a peaceful time. 🦩🧑🏻‍🎄⛄️🎄🦩