Good Morning Tuesday 20th January 2026

I’m making the onion gravy - for 97! Caramelising the onions will take time on Saturday. I’ll do it in the church hall, having brought the ready cut (by me) onions and “stuff” in m6 trolley
You know you can buy chopped onions and also shallots (which I prefer for the whisky cream gravy to accompany haggis,neeps and tatties) - fresh or frozen- in the supermarket don’t you?
In my catering days pre-prepped vegetables were not considered a luxury as there was no wastage and it saved having “onion fingers” for days afterwards.
It was good enough for me then and it’s good enough now.
I always have a lb or two in the freezer.

Ash new passport just arrived. Took only 5 days in total. Not fast tracked

Good morning everyone from sunny Lancashire. It’s very windy out and I don’t think the sun is here to stay.

My phlebotomist appointment was cancelled at the last minute so plans for the day went out of the window. We did get out for a walk in the afternoon. Back in my routine today, we’ve enjoyed a walk around the Dock, bacon butties for brunch shortly. Phlebotomist rebooked for next week.

Big hugs to all who are struggling with life at the moment.

Wishing you all a good day, whatever you’re doing.

A late good morning from Northampton as I only woke at 8.45! Looks sunny out, not sure about temperature. Woke up to the sound of my smoke alarm beeping as the batteries need changing - have messaged DS to see if he can come and change them.

Yesterday was certainly not Blue Monday for my DD, as it was her birthday! My baby is now 43, where have those years gone? She was born in Cyprus on a beautiful sunny day, and weighed a hefty 9lb 3oz. She towers over me now at 5ft 10, and size 8/9 feet!

Need to get a move on this morning as I am off to the cinema to see Hamnet again, this time the subtitled version. Am meeting a friend at the cinema, and it's a 1.15 screening so need to be out of the house by 11.30.

Wishing all a pleasant day.

Glammagran that sounds like my dgs1! He's forever leaving items behind.

Have a very painful right wrist and hand (arthritis) after overdoing it sorting out the kitchen following last week’s repainting. Am very frustrated by this and cross that I can’t do what I used to but am being forcibly reminded of how old I am.

Very impressed by the onion chopping, child wrangling and general usefulness demonstrated here this morning and hope when the pain killers kick in that I may join in.

Good morning from a lightly clouded Wiltshire. Yesterday was very dank indeed.

The GC’s were better than last week and actually played together. GD3 said she’d dropped her drinks bottle on the way from school to the pub carpark so I walked back but the school had already locked the gates only to get a call to say it was in her rucksack. Then DH had to come back home to collect her coat when he left to drop them off. Then at 9pm DD2 rang to say GS2 had left his rucksack 8n the car. 🥴

Opticians for me this morning and then will look in Cook to get something for dinner, an occasional ready meal as I nearly always cook from scratch.

Wishing everyone a good day and thinking of those who are unwell or troubled.

Good morning all from the Black country the sun is trying to make an appearance at the moment so will put some washing out.
Not much planned for today a trip to building society put some money in, and into Iceland to see if any offers tempt me on Tuesday discount day.
Lovely photos on here today.
Best wishes for anyone celebrating, safe travels those on the move and virtual hugs where needed.
Have the best day you can everyone whatever your plans ☀️.

Good Morning everyone from a gloomy East Coast.
It’s lovely seeing the photos of the Aurora.

I love reading abut Grandchildren. At school pick up yesterday my Grandson had had a good day but he can’t tell me himself. He has a one to one and she said he’d been fine which was a relief. Today we are looking after DGD2 as our DD is going to a funeral of an old school friend. It’s hit her hard as she was almost the same age. We will pick up GD1 after school.
I’m putting in a beef stew in the slow cooker this morning for later.
grandmattie making gravy for 97 you are a wonder.

We didn’t look after our GDs last night as GD1 at a party on Sunday had a balloon pass close to her face and the static hurt her eye. DD took her to the optician after school as her eye starting hurting her badly. They then sent her to the eye hospital as an emergency as her eyesight was compromised. After a scan nothing was found so they think it will right itself and to go back in a week, just from a balloon.

Wishing everyone celebrating birthdays a great day. Thoughts to those unwell or sad.
Hoping today brings some sparks of joy. 🌺

Good morning from Kent. The sun is trying to break through the cloud here. Should be a pleasant day.

Yesterday I dropped some items at the charity shop and very nearly returned with a china tea set. It was very pretty but I don't really need a tea set although it would be good for church teas. I might go back in a few days and buy it.

Good morning from a dull damp Suffolk where we had cloud all day and evening so no chance of seeing the Northern Lights even if they had been visible here.

For some reason,I was a bit worried about my eye test yesterday even though I didn’t really think my eyesight had changed much. I had a niggling fear that I might be told I would have to stop driving soon which would be disastrous given we are a mile and more from the village which only has 1 bus a day and several miles from our 2 nearest small towns.

But all is well and my worry was dismissed. The gentle optometrist said that,to be fit to drive you only needed to be able to read the top line of a list of 4 and I managed the first 3 easily and half of line 4.

I’m dropping my car into the local garage this morning for them to ‘put it on their machine’! A spanner signal appears randomly on the dashboard display which,apparently,means it is due for a service….but it isn’t. DH thinks the whatever needs resetting but we’ll see. I can sit in the showroom and wait and the coffee they serve is good so a restful half hour with no bad news at the end I hope.

Hope today is a good one for all.

Good morning .
Yesterday was a good clearing out day.
Dd popped in after school drop off for a quick coffee.

6 hours later she left to pick up DGD from school.
She stayed and helped me strip and remake the beds.( Duvet covers so tricky in your own).
We then started a clearing out of DH’s drawers and cupboards. He’s a hoarder.
Lots for the charity shop and tip.

Next stop the toy / childrens craft cupboard, most of which the children have grown out of. 4 more sack loads.
We found a huge sack full of tennis balls.

Off to the tip and charity shop and got rid of it all.
So therapeutic and satisfying.
Lots more to do and she’ll come back and help.
When she’s well, she’s strong , determined and a force to be reckoned with. I hope she hasn’t overdone it 🙏.

Today Dh has his ears cleared AGAIN! After which I will get Specsavers audio in to sort out very expensive hearing aids for him. He’s been down the NHS route but was unsuccessful.
As the stroke nurse told me - her husband was the same until she insisted on these hearing aids and ‘it saved her marriage’. .

Bridge this afternoon .

Take care all and I hope your days are gentle and kind.

Good morning Mick and all GN's on a slowly lightening dry still morning in North Yorkshire. I am feeling more like myself this morning, still coughing but a bit more with it. Am green with envy of those who saw the Aurora Borealis, some lovely pictures and it looks as though it was seen in many places. Still I have been lucky enough to see it on several occasions.

Yesterday was another rather rubbish day. I stayed in bed for much of the day, but by the afternoon did at least feel more myself so my brain did start to think of things that needed doing. Not that I actually felt up to doing them! However I did get round to sorting out the rhubarb and apple and got them stewed and then most of them frozen, for future occasions, so at least not wasted. It is the bin men today, so last night I had to struggle to get all the rubbish together and put out ready for this morning, so however little it is some progress.

Wasnt able to go to my phone class, so this morning I must get the paperwork out, and check through things and practise how to do various things with it. It is definitely worth doing, and I should have been doing this years ago, but when you are given a second hand phone, you dont have instructions , or learn properly, if someone shows you how to do various things and you dont actually understand the mechanism or the correct way to use it. You worry that you will delete something important, sodont experiment as you would with something new if you had the instructions. Better late than never.

Hope you have a good trip today Mick. Hope your busy day goes well GrandMattie, I think you should have handed out two onions to each person at your meeting with instructions to get them peeled and chopped and bring them back in ready today, its about time that they made a bit of an effort. The alternative might be to not make any cake for a week, explaining that your cake making time was taken up by being expected to do all the onion peeling and cutting and that you didnt want to make a sponge tasting of onions!!

Karmalady look forward to seeing the skirt done, as looks as though it will be a day for sewing and keeping warm. Lovely photo Marzipan. I wish I could get in a tardis and arrive in cornwall this morning. We used to come down there so often, as my husband used to play for London Cornish and there were lots of rugby meet ups and so forth. This is definitely the time to be down your way and across to the scilly isles. Cornergranny Hope you get some answers if not all to your questions. Even an answer you do not want is better than endless waffle where nothing gets sorted. Enjoy your lunch reward afterwards.

Well the day has lightened more but only to a miserable grey morning, with a bit of a breeze now. Certainly not beckoning me out with the thought of a pleasant walk. But I am grateful to be feeling a bit better and coughing less. Anything else today will be a bonus. Wishing everyone a positive day today and hope there will be something little that will brighten up your day, whether a job completed or a friend met.

Good morning from Stockport.
I don’t know what the weather is like as I haven’t looked out yet but the CH seems to be burning away.
My GS has overslept so is going to be very late for school. He is Autistic and this will throw his day, and his ability to cope, out dramatically, I feel very sorry for him.
Ihave no plans for today apart from laundry, so thrilling.
Enjoy your day the best way you can.

Good morning from a still but damp N.Bucks
My shoulders are particularly painful this morning but hopefully will improve a bit as the day goes on. Yesterday I had a letter from the diabetic eye clinic asking me to book another appointment and I have a blood test later . Still trying to work out why so much of me is painful .
DH has table tennis and then we are going to visit my Sister in Law for the rest of the day .
Some beautiful photos this morning , I may have to get my paints out.
Thoughts with all in pain or caring for others who are and a good day wished for all.

Good morning from a brightening northwest coast.
A FaceTime with flying DD in San Francisco yesterday, I travel vicariously as she shows me views from her various hotels etc.
She was going for a cycle in lovely weather, unlike here.

A routine day followed that, practised songs for today’s music club, made a couple of cards and started a new book.
Thoughts to all🌺
.

Good morning Mick and everyone.
Yesterday I attended a local group who meet on Mondays. That's two local groups I've been to recently . I'm getting to know people who live in my area.
Today I'm going to a lunch for Clergy Widows.
Thinking of all who are finding life difficult.

Good morning from my bit of South Lanarkshire. Lovely contrasting pictures of the colourful Aurora and the blue sky in Portugal, thank you.

A long day for both of you baubles, certainly not ideal for your DH, good that you both have the stamina to help out though. I hope everything goes smoothly and well today and tomorrow.

I’ve got the podiatrist at 10 o’clock this morning and then a two bus journey to visit my sister and brother in law in East Kilbride, I’ll get my current book finished en route.

That was a bit of faff for you yesterday Brooke but worth it for the family time I’m sure.

I was taken aback when I went for a return visit to my optician yesterday, he wanted to check on a burst blood vessel in my right eye. He is referring me to the hospital where I am being treated for macular degeneration in my left eye, for possible glaucoma in my right. I am trying not to think of the implications.

Wishing everyone the best day possible.

Good morning from Durham.
Lovely photos NannaJ. We were in Porto last year so recognise those pics. We also visited Lisbon but thought Porto the more interesting.
Quiet day today. School pick up later and today we have three, as GD1 will be coming back with us too, before her gym class later. Little lady is a star. She endured two injuries last year, one which prevented her from competing for GB. However, she continues to display such solid determination and dedication. We are all so proud of her.
Have the best day you can everyone.

Good morning from Shropshire.A day of sunshine and showers ahead.

Yesterdays appointment went reasonably well Ash thank you.I was there for an hour, two lovely consultants and quite emotional.I felt tired afterwards and felt on the verge of tears all day.I am fine but it was just a lot and the consultants were so kind.I feel better this morning after a good nights sleep.

We then went to pick DGS1 up from school.His teacher said he’s had a good day so when I said to him Mr M said you have had a good day he said no, I hate school remember.I said well I was told you were laughing and joking with your friends at playtime and worked really hard.He said yes but grandma remember I still hate school🤦🏼‍♀️he’s a love and we really enjoy our time with him.

Today is a visit to mum’s solicitor and then back to Shrewsbury hospital this afternoon.As DH said at least we are getting everything done in one week.

Stay safe Bellasnana and hope the storm isn’t as fierce as forecast.

Thinking of all our mountaineers and our absent friends💐and wishing everyone the best day possible🦩🌻

Good morning Mick and everyone from dark but dry Carlisle.

My trip into town yesterday was brief, I rapidly dealt with my errands including dropping off a bag of trousers in the charity shop. They no longer fit thanks to the effects of steroids and I've had to buy more in a size up, it's depressing! I consoled myself by going into the outdoor clothing shop which still had a sale on and bought myself a new puffer jacket for £14! A lovely bright purple, one of my favourite colours.
Home to the laundry and vacuuming and a bit more of that today. After lunch, if it stays dry, a walk and progressing my book, it's slow going as it's very dense on the info.
I'd like to continue looking through my stock cupboards, there's bound to be somethings I've forgotten about and need using.

Have a good day everyone if possible.

Good morning everyone from mid Essex, where it’s getting light and seems to be dry out. I had a good sleep last night, and only woke up at 7.00, quite late for me.

Lovely photos this morning, thank you nannyjan, marzipan and * baubles*.
grandmattie slicing and cooking onions affects my asthma, so I rarely cook them, and buy frozen prepared onions. I’m in awe of you for caramelising enough for nearly 100 people!

My arthritic ankles are painful at the moment, but I’ll go for my usual walk to loosen them a bit. Apart from that, I’ll potter about, there’s plenty of housework to be done.

Thinking of those who are struggling in any way.

Have the best day you can everyone.

Good morning all from the Scottish Borders.
I missed the Aurora again Baubles but thanks for the photos.

Blackout blinds are still down so not sure what the weather is doing. I slept well for a change.

I went out with the walking group and was given a lift by a couple new to the area.
They have moved to be near their DS and DGC.

Exercise and Gaelic classes on my menu today plus my old chairs are to be collected maybe

Happy birthday to your DH Melanie 🎊🥂
Lovely photos NannyJan and Marzipan
Take care in those storms Bella

I hope everyone is enjoying the longer, brighter days.

Good morning everyone from Inverness where it’s cold and frosty, about 1° only
I arrived home safely last night, there were problems with the direct train to Gatwick which meant changing in London and a trip on the underground, but the flight was easy and on time. We also saw a stunning display of the Northern Lights here last night, really beautiful with lots of red and green. Thank you for the beautiful pictures this morning. Today I should be going back to the gym - will see if I can get motivated enough
Good luck with the fundraising, rosesandlilac a worthy cause
Stay safe in the storm Bellas a pj day sounds good
Thinking of everyone with worries and struggles, hope today is gentle and take care all whatever the day brings 💐

I’m so very envious of those who have seen the Aurora!
I’ve been to N. Canada, Iceland, in an airplane to try and see them. Nada!
Now they are visible around here and a) I didn’t know, b) there is too much light pollution… 😩