Good Morning Sunday 21st December 2025

Good morning all from Glasgow, where it is 6°C.

Happy Birthday, Rosesandlilac. That's a shame that you had to buy yourself a present and cake. 😪
Your pendant sounds lovely.

Those houses are so cute, GM,

Yesterday was extremely busy and I didn't get a minute to catch my breath, (didn't have any in the first place) between opening up the parcel depot to store all DD's family gifts (at least her home is tidy), and feeding everyone.

D?D always makes up a hamper of goodies for me. She brought it yesterday, to get it out of the way, but couldn't understand why I burst out laughing.
She had bought me a bottle of my favourite Irish cream liqueur, which is hard to source, unaware that that I had made up a hamper fir her, which included the same liqueur. 😉

Today is the joint PTA/ Parish fundraising Coffee morning, where the raffle will be drawn for the signed Dr Who script. I do not plan to attend it, because the film maker is running the show. I do not wish to engage with her.
It looks like we have raised roughly £20,000 since June for the Renovation fund. Not bad for a committee of eight.

The Parish Priest was surprised, when I said I wasn't going to Mass today nor attend the Coffee morning..
He thinks all is well between us, it is not. The curate never said a word to me last night. He owes my family and I an apology for the mess he has contributed to. I'm not holding my breath.
However, the chair of the Parish Council spoke to me. She is a former colleague from our days on the Local Authority IT steering group and an authority on Internet safety.
She commended me for everything I had done and wants it raised at the Parish Council, in the hope of raising awareness disseminating information Safeguarding protocols.

Today, I need to catch up on all the present wrapping, which wasn't done, due to the Safeguarding issues. The P.P. wanted me to come and check the permissions today I declined, it will be on my terms.
Anyway, I am still unwell and want to ve able to enjoy Christmas,
It is a big event in our family, both religious and family, however, last Christmas, I spent a week in bed, I do not want a repeat performance.

The bed will be changed, the freezer delved into for dinner (probably salmon en croute) the spare room is chaotic with gifts and wrapping paper everywhere.
DD and SiL always stay at Christmas, despite living only ten minutes away. 😂 I need to get it cleared.

I wish you all a pleasant Sunday and best wishes to all, who are struggling.

Good morning everyone from Inverness where it’s still dark, I think it’s dry and not windy.
A very Happy Birthday rosesandlilac, enjoy your day today and I hope your son gets to visit
I’ve still got my cough but it’s not sounding quite as bad and much less frequent. I expect it might take a while to go completely. Yesterday we went out for food shopping, called into DD2s and ended up with DGS staying over here last night. It’s all quiet so he must be still asleep as far as I can tell. We’ll drop him home sometime this morning
A warm welcome to Melanie and Icandoit
Thinking of everyone with worries and struggles, hope today is gentle and take care all whatever the day brings 💐

Good morning everyone from a still dark and chilly morning in Northampton. The shortest day, and we shall be on the downward run to summer thank goodness!

A very happy birthday 🎂 to Roses! Enjoy your cake!🍰

Yesterday turned out lovely, and not chilly, I didn't even need my gloves on at the rugby. Sadly the bar had run out of sloe gin toddy, so I had to have mulled wine instead. And what a good match we were treated to! We had a great win against Sale Sharks 47-21. I had recorded the match so watched it again while having my dinner. I can't ever get too much rugby! 🏈🏉

Managed to get the winter duvet and Christmas bedding on my bed yesterday morning, and also found my winter scenes cushion covers to make it look even more festive.

A Sainsbury's delivery over lunchtime and an email this morning to say they have everything in my order.

A quiet day at home until this evening when I have been invited to a neighbours for mulled wine.

Lovely gingerbread houses grandMattie!

Have a peaceful and happy Sunday everyone.

Good morning from a misty S E Essex.

Happy Birthday RosesandLilac 🎂🥂🍾🎉

A lazy day here, I feel rather under the weather 🤶🎄

Good morning all.
Happy Birthday Roses I hope your family can visit.

Indeed they do!😊

Greyduster We probably know each other! They say Sheffield is the largest village

Good Morning everyone from a damp and dark south coast.

Happy birthday Roses - hope you have a lovely family get together. My son and family are coming here today, from the same area, so they may pass on the dreaded M25. We are having lunch at our lovely local pub though - my catering days have retired! So looking forward to seeing them all.

Lovely gingerbread houses Mattie and I hope your "customers" love them.

I need to finish my delivery order, which is due on Tuesday, but keep thinking of something I might need. DH reminds me that there is no need for the siege mentality as the supermarkets will be open again on Friday!

Sending my very best wishes to all in need of them especially those with their own health issues or caring for a loved one with them.

Back to the light after today - it's the solstice. Hurrah!

Happy Birthday Roses.

Melanie61 another Sheffield lass here!

Good morning from a dark Leicestershire.
Today is our 57th Wedding Anniversary and the day DH is coming home.

Great excitement in the street yesterday as our neighbours had to call the fire brigade who stayed at least an hour - not heard yet what happened.

Will go back and read the posts but wishing every one, especially those with mountains to climb, a good day.

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday Roses. Enjoy your cake 🎂🎉🎉

Happy Birthday, Roses; have a super day🎂🎈!

Welcome aboard Melanie61.

Good morning from N. Bucks. Weather is dull and damp but it is December. I’m looking forward to the daylight hours increasing.
Wrapping to finish this morning and then we are off to the Panto with the family.
Happy birthday Roses.
My shoulder pain has been bad the last few days but there are worse problems I could have.
Wishing all a good day especially those struggling in any way.

Morning, dark in S Hants, we’re due showers, I spent 11 hours in bed, probably slept for 8/9, I'm rubbish at daytime naps, so catch up at night.
A very Happy Birthday Roses 🎂🥂 have a lovely time, your cake sounds lush.
So many things I’d planned now off, I shall live through your days out to family and Carol services.
We have friends visiting later, no meat draw for me, MrJ nigh go.
Welcome Melanie61 we’re a cosy group.
Enjoy your day all.
FGT
🦩🦩

I too enjoy Madeleine45’s posts. An inspiring lady !

HelterSkelter1 I live in Sheffield, south of the city.

I am going on a spa day today with my daughter, looking forward to that

I don't normally post on this thread but like many others I enjoy reading everyone's posts each day. It gives me a sense of connection with you all. Love your stories. Giving my best wishes to you all at Christmastime.

Good morning all from a chilly North Leicestershire- I hear no rain.

Not much happening here today apart from a present drop to DS2 then lunch and papers.

Have the best day possibke everyone.

Good morning Mick and everyone from dark, dry Carlisle.

Hooray, hooray, the shortest day! Although my weather app says that was yesterday by a minute.
Onwards to spring now....I have snowdrops in flower and all my bulbs are leaping up even including the tulips.

I went into town early though I didn't have to. We had a Christmas market setting up in our new, remodelled square, all looking good now. I was on the lookout for some pale trousers, not easy amongst all the black stuff, and ended up with two pairs, one smart, one casual and warmer weights too.
I treated myself to coffee and a mince pie in Cafe Nero which was busy although it was early. Probably the last mince pie until next Christmas, those trousets were a size bigger than my usual thanks to the wretched steroids. Guess what my New Year resolution is! (It's the same every year!)
Home via M&S Food Hall which was packed with interesting goodies which I resisted. I watched a program about their christmas preps during the week and was pleased to note one item I fancied was in...Manchego cheese well infused with black garlic. Love Manchego, I'm thinking of trying that one out even though I usually don't like unusual bits added to my food...I'm a fundamentalist.
Today looks dry enough for a walk once daylight arrives, after that just a bit of tidying up and reading the papers.

I hope you all have something to enjoy today. Best wishes.

Good morning from Shropshire.

We had a lovely day yesterday with the children.Father Christmas and his helpers were outside the shop we visited.Frosty the snowman was a lady we knew so she had filled FC in on the children’s names and interests.The children were amazed when FC called them by name and declared him the real Santa!Only disconcerting thing was H saying he wanted a pet bunny for Christmas.First mention ever and not a chance as they are farmers and there are enough wild rabbits around without adding a pet one into the mix!

We were going to visit mum today but are unable too as she is unwell as are a lot of the residents and staff.When we last visited for the Christmas party one staff member seemed very unwell but joining in, hugging everyone and obviously passing her germs round😡So upsetting not to be able to see mum especially at Christmas but too risky as I am immunocompromised.As DH said she won’t want visitors if she is u well and she won’t know it’s Christmas.I still feel sad though😢

Happy birthday Roses🥳🍾🥂I hope your family are able to visit you today.

Hoping Bellasnana is ok.

Thoughts with FGT and Himself, Marydoll and all unwell or with worries.

Wishing everyone the best day possible🌻🦩🎅🏼🎄

Good morning all. A dry dark start in N Surrey.

Where are you in the UK Melanie61?

I post very rarely on this thread, but read it most days with my coffee in bed and save Madeleine45s interesting post to read with my coffee later in the morning.

Now I will do Wordle and then get up, open the back door and see how cold or not it is out there.

Good morning everyone from mid Essex. It’s quite mild out and the road looks damp. No idea what the weather is doing today, but yesterday was lovely and sunny but chilly. My niece and her husband and dog visited yesterday morning, along with both my Dads and families. Presents were exchanged, mince pies and macarons eaten and it was very jolly.

Happy Birthday rosesandlilac I hope you have a happy day and that your DS feels well enough to drive out from London.

kalu I discovered last night that due to the change of password I was unable actually send email on the iPhone or iPad. The pc was ok though, phew! One of my sons in law will attempt to sort it out this morning. I’ll apply for my driving licence by post!

The gingerbread houses look good grandmattie. I hope the carol service will be well attended today.

I’ve no plans for today, it depends on how long it takes my son in law to sort out the email. I need to do some washing & tumble drying to take advantage of half price electricity.

Have a good day everyone.

I read this thread every day but haven’t posted until now.
I just want to say how much I enjoy reading about everyone.
It makes feel connected in a strange way. Even though I will never meet in person, I feel as if I know you all.
I just want to wish everyone the best Christmas they can have and hope that 2026 is a new year full of hope and better things for us all xx

Mattie thank you for the tips. 😀

battie, the recommended “glue” is caramel, but it frightens me too much.
I use icing, then tie the walls with string/thread until the icing dries. Next the roof goes on, ditto. When everything is dry, I decorate.
That system works even with big houses - though with those I use tins and jars to hold everything straight while drying. Imagination and problem solving is useful!