The Lockdown GangSTARS still going

Hello Missedout great to catch up on your news. I had heard you coughing - that's nasty.
You'll be so busy at Christmas or does everyone help? No wonder you are tired.
I spent an hour on the phone chasing up this money again. Apparently it's top of the pile being checked before releasing. Really? How much checking can you do FCS. They could actually come and inspect the loft but that would be too difficult.

So now I'm on Christmas fair duty. People are still pouring in for last minute gifts.
I bought MiL some fingerless mittens for her icy hands
I've left bread rising at home so had better rescue it before it climbs out of the bowl.

Has anyone heard from Nfk, Jan and Missedout?

If you're reading but not up to writing, I hope you all have a restful and joyful Christmas.

That runner is beautiful Mamissimo I've never heard of a bed runner before, does it go across or top to toe - and what's its purpose? Just fancy, like a table runner?
.

My kids have a Super King but Gubbings thinks it's her bed but will graciously allow Mum and Dad to use it occasionally.

Lovely to hear your Dmil is well again and up to partying Gramaretto

Cherry how are you feeling today Sweetie?

Oh Doodle I love your 'merry' posts, long may they continue. May you have an even Merrier Christmas.

Thanks Mamissimo I am feeling on top of the world now and managed to get everything on my baking list finished.
Although I did not think through "butter at room temperature" in the Melting Moments recipe, as a result, instead of having chunky little shortbread biscuits to sandwich together, they've spread almost flat.

'Room temperature' doesn't actually mean 24 degrees as it currently is here, with butter falling languidly from the packet.

So the 2nd batch is waiting in the fridge and I hope to do better with that. I'll experiment with cinnamon butter cream when they're done - my dgs favourite flavour.
I don't suppose he'll care if they're flat as well.

The 2nd experiment will be with quinoa for the salad. Sorry Doodle I forgot to answer: rice is a carb along with pastas, pastries and bread. I avoid all as much as poss as they make me tired.

Quinoa is high carb and, I'm told, temperamental and difficult to cook properly, so that means for sure I'll make a pig's ear of it.

Tomorrow it's salad prep; an easy job and not too enervating.

I shall grate raw beetroot and carrot for one of my favourite salads and toast the sunflower and pumpkin seeds which go with it. With plenty of garlic added, I don't suppose anyone will notice I've grated half my knuckles into it.


Knuckle and Pig's Ear Salad anyone?

High gang, I wanted to say how pleased I am to read Mamissimo's news about her DD2.

I also second the reservations about our DH's wearing of long johns! Narrowboating can be cold, we spend hours standing outside steering the boat in all weathers. The reason for my aversion to DH's long johns is that he looks so hilarious in them (he clowns and struts about in them before covering them up with normal clothing). The trouble is I find him so funny and he knows that he can get away with anything if I'm helpless with laughter. I wear tights under my jeans when it's cold but I don't look ridiculous without the outer layers.

I still keep up with the Lobstars but have been struggling again with my health. I should not complain, nothing has really changed but I seem to have more 'issues'. I also have the cough that is keeping me (and DH) awake at night. I seem to ache more and still get UTIs. We have family (including DGD2 and DGS1) arriving to stay for Christmas tomorrow. DH and I have spent the last week trying to get things ready. My large larder fridge is bulging, the beds are made, the presents are wrapped (and hidden), DH has set up lights in the garden and conservatory (lights reflected all round) and I have made family favourite Christmas fare for them. There will be 12 for Boxing Day. I still have quite a bit to do but I'm so weary tonight.

Despite the NHS strikes and delays, I had a face to face appointment with another 'ologist' last week at very short notice - all arranged by text message and am on so many medications (not permanently) that I now have to use an 'app' to manage them. I had another referral through the post today for yet a different 'ologist' too. I feel I have become a professional patient. I hope I don't seem to be complaining, I am grateful but I think the 'ologists' need co-ordinating a bit - although diligent, my GP is too busy to do that.

It's getting late and tomorrow is going to be really busy - I want everyone to enjoy themselves but wish I had more energy. Perhaps I'd better ask DH to put his long johns on!

Happy Christmas to all the Lobstars.

You sound wonderfully merry Doodle
I'm glad you are the breakout committee. I may need you and Jeeves.

The runner is gorgeous Mamissimo and well done for finishing it with all that's been going on .

The thing is our own children are never going to be as badly behaved as other people's.

They are angels. DMiL said that DS2 was always crying. Was he? I was shocked. I don't remember that at all.

I am not so merry that I wrote shoes instead of shows…….or am I, 🤔

Evening all. Been out for a meal with friends.
Had a lovely time even though all the staff bar the chef and and one waiter were off sick!
Grammaretto I watched your video. Very good. I have the potato but not access to all the greenery so can’t do it but it certainly looked very nice.
Ooh Kaimoana they look delicious and positively seductive.
What a lovely surprise breakfast. What a nice idea. Glad you are feeling a bit better.
Grammaretto you can rely on us. Jeeves is busy baking a cake ready to conceal an emergency breakout weapon within.
What a pain they haven’t replied.
Mamissimo that is a beautiful gift , your dD will love it I’m sure. Hope you have a lovely time in Kent with or without the thermals.
We’ve been put for a meal tonight with neighbours. Had a lovely time but very sleepy now ( 🍷 )
Shoes how much I’ve had to drink I’m repeating myself. 🤣

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202212/medium-567666-1f3ef5eb-ec0c-4b69-beae-4b4f9f508fab.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202212/medium-183319-9bd6acaa-5e9a-4c94-afa5-f47aa7c172fc.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202212/medium-137421-4c2b7bee-4942-46ca-80a4-c5d4a2753eed.jpeg

Good evening 🙂

I've finished the beach bed runner for DD2 for Christmas. Phew! It's only taken four months so I hope she likes it! It's eight foot long as she has a humungous bed. even though she only measures 5' in her socks

I took the DGDs to choose a Christmas bauble each for the tree today - and they were -- overtired, emotional-- horrid little people. Does DD2 really understand what she wants? She's still smiling so I guess so.

Tomorrow we have to pack to go to Kent for Christmas. Mr M wanted to know if he should take his thermal long johns. Worried me on several levels - he looks awful in them......🙃

You sound brighter Kaimoana and Grammaretto can you still buy those play witches teeth? Might be the answer for Christmas lunch!

Peace over....here comes Mr M.....

Lovely photos of a happy occasion Kaimoana. I am glad you have recovered and are enjoying yourself again

DMiL was brought to the community lunch which was very busy and delicious.
Today's cook is American and she made a fabulous traditional Christmas meal from her part of the USA
it seemed Polish to my taste
White borsht, pierogi with chickpeas and lentils and mashed potatoes and prunes. and a very dense fruit tart.

I am trying to desperately chase up my energy loan. I've had another reminder from the engineer and have had no reply at all from the Energy Trust .
I may yet have to go to prison for non payment of debts. Will you visit me?

I'm resigned to being toothless and would fit in quite well.
Funny, I had a job interview to be a pottery teacher at Maidstone jail once. I didn't get the job but it looked interesting. I think they thought me too young and naive. I'm still naive but no longer young.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202212/medium-962861-christmas-2022-005.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202212/medium-586636-sallies-gazebo.jpg

Me again:
Pictures of the Sallies party.

When Artoa came early today, we went off to get vegetables and salads. On the way she said, 'I'd like to treat you to breakfast as a Christmas present.'

So we sat outside on the terrace of a local cafe and ate salmon quiche and drank fruit juice. It was lovely, a very good start to the day.
We've promised ourselves we'll do more of that in the New Year.

The lawn-mowing crew have been here for the past 2 hours with their ear-splittingly noisy machines but the air is now redolent with that wonderful cut-grass fragrance.

I shall ignore the reason why grass does this

The pains I've had in my back and hip seem to have gone with Covid - odd and fortuitous.

I'm off to make the Brandy Butter. It will have to be sampled with an Oaty Mince thingy

The Seductively Boozy Truffles - they will be sprinkled with edible silver snow just before I give them to my ddil.

Congratulations Grandma 🎈

youtu.be/-5p10EcHIfo

Potato wreath video i hope

I'm not going to wear a smile Doodle don't worry.
Infact if I keep my mouth shut noone can see my lack of gnashers.

I made a potato wreath for the front door today. I'm quite pleased with it.

Then I was called to take over the till at the shop and was there for 4 hours. It was really busy.

Truffles are seductive Doodle it wasn't dyslexia at all.

I do like your boxes app. Kaimoana and I am also pleased you are better.

I hope our missing Lobstars are ok.

What wonderful news Mamissimo
I am crying tears of joy so I can only imagine how you are feeling 💗💗💗💗💗

I might just have to open a bottle of wine.

That's absolutely and positively the BEST NEWS EVER!

What a totally marvellous Christmas gift.




I'm so pleased I could dance

Forgot to say those boxes look fun. Might have a go myself.
I like the pillow ones.

Oh Mamissimo that wonderful news. You must be so pleased. Hope all continues well for her.
Grammaretto your post didn’t go off with Mamissimo’s running beans did it?
Hope the tooth came out without a fight and you are feeling better now. My neighbour had one of the masks that Kaimoana mentioned with a big grin on it. Frightened the life out of me 😱. Demonic was the phrase I’d use.
I love the idea of your lucky dip. Could you wrap the goodies in different colour paper one for the oldies and one for the younger ones to find.
Been lovely here today. Went into town to collect some things from M&S but DH is a bit wobbly on his feet so I dragged him around with me held onto him rather than let him do his own thing.
Kaimoana so pleased to hear you are feeling better and managed to enjoy the not BBQ. Where do the carbs come from in sushi, is it the rice? I would have thought it was healthy. Lovely to hear the carols at Christmas. I’ve been listening to some on my iPad but it’s not the same as live music.
What a lovely afternoon and as you say, good news about Ron.

Dyslexia strikes again you wrote “I got the truffles done and they are now sitting sedately in their cases” and I read
“I have got the truffles done and they are now sitting seductively in their cases”. I had this vision of some flirty little chocolates in high heels and feather boas languishing over the edges of the petit four cases 🤣

Good evening 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

DD2 is expecting a single baby in early August xx

What a brilliant idea Grammaretto - "Guess who this gift is for?" Or even, "I'll fight you for the soft toy Granny"

Amazon has a selection of smiling masks from about $10.

I am feeling better, thanks Doodle and today my taste and smell came back, so I was able to enjoy the Sallies not-BBQ.
They decided it was too hot to do that but brought sandwiches, pastries, brownies and sushi. With fruit juices.

I love sushi but eat it rarely because of the carbs. Today I had two tuna/cucumber ones and a most peculiar fusion of Japanese-Kiwi: sausage sushi

The brass band played all the old carols I remember from way back and the only sad note was that only 4 people from our street turned up.

Some are away, one is housebound (Ruth took him a plate of food), some not interested but pedestrians joined us for tea and the Sallies had brought about 15 people, 7 of them elves/children who delivered little Xmas cakes to every house.

So we were a merry band nevertheless. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.

I was unbelievably relieved to see my kind neighbour Ray, had not been infected by my Covi-bug.

Before all that happened I got the truffles done and they are now sitting sedately in their petit four cases, waiting for me to download a box template and make it up.

From here if anyone wants to copy:

www.auntannie.com/BoxesBags

And after all that, I'm bushed so an early night for me.

Yesterday's post ran away but you have all written what I wanted to say anyway although I had imagined the Dude in a bath of cotton wool rather than bubble wrap.

I'm shocked that you could possibly think the alternative words for the carols would be naughty

I had an out of hours appointment dentist and the tooth was gone before his nurse had arrived. I have another predawn appointment on Thursday to have an impression for a denture. This won't be ready until some time in January. Hey Ho. Send me a mask with a smile grimace on it please.
Doodle you could crochet me one.

I hope all your coughs subside now. It's deafening.
I hope Gubbins and her brother enjoy your treasure hunt.
What a lovely idea Kaimoana
I am making hampers/lucky dips.
I have been shredding paper and filling cardboard boxes with it. The idea is to pop all the family gifts inside. But what if the 5 yr old pulls out the wine and grannie gets the stuffed toy?
They can swap

Oh Kiamoana I saw that photo and burst out laughing. I knew exactly what it was meant to be 🤣😊😊
I will show it to DH when he wakes up.
Hope you are feeling better in yourself.
The DGC will love their treasure hunt.
Goodness I hope you get your money soon. That’s a lot to be owing.

I feel so incredibly sorry for you Grammaretto and hope all went well. At least mask-wearing will prevent you getting cold in the extraction site. Feel better soon.

I was up early, with every intentions of getting down to work (folding all the laundry I did yesterday for a start) but here I am, hours later, still stuck in front of the screen having taken snaps and printed out Gubbin's clues.
And trying to chase up $100 someone owes me for an item I sold - and I haven't even had coffee yet.

Cherry I'm glad we're both taking things easy, It's not laziness but self-preservation .
In my case, as preserved as an old prune.

Mr Doodle you look SO cute in this.

Dear Cherry no one could take offence at your post.😊 an alternative to the bubble wrap I thought could be to hire one of those suma outfits people wear or Michelin man outfit.
Your post about wrapping DH in bubble wrap reminded me that I once had to wrap his arm in cling film when he took all the skin off it during a fall. I wonder if I have some deeply psychological desire to make him into a parcel 🤣
That reminds me I do have some extra large wrapping paper………….I’d have trouble getting him in the postbox though. 🤔
Glad you got on well at the hospital. That is good news.
DH is still coughing and sleeping lots too. Are you still on your antibiotics?
Grammaretto hope it wasn’t painful at the dentist. When will you be allowed to eat again? Jeeves is popping round later with his food mixer to purée your dinner for you.
Kaimoana hope you are feeling a bit better today.
Love to all the gang.

I hope you're well enough to enjoy the Sallies bbq today Kaimoana. I am glad you're pacing yourself though, a 2% drop in oxygen level is not insignificant but that's enough of the lecture from me. Ooh, my mouth was watering at the description of your mincemeat, sounds delicious. Love the photo, thanks you for posting that. It's really adorable, as is Gubbins 😍. Yes, I vaguely remember that you do the treasure hunt and I think it's great. I thought the same way as you, to use photos to help Gubbins so that she can take part in it. I hope she finds her treasure 😊.

How did it go at the dentist today Grammaretto? I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that mine doesn't fall out before xmas, but if it does at least I've saved the dentist a job 😁 Sounds like you had a lovely day yesterday, I'm intrigued by the alternative christmas carol lyrics ... I'm wondering along the same lines as Doodle 😯🤣

I hope your DH's elbow is okay now, it's a nasty place to receive a bad knock. Not funny I know but I wish you hadn't said about wrapping him in bubble wrap ... I've been thinking what someone wrapped in bubble wrap would look like, sorry if that sounds mean and unfeeling of me I don't mean it that way.

I had a hospital appointment at the breast centre today, everything is fine thank goodness 😊. I'm still coughing, pretty much the same as yesterday. I'm still sleeping loads too. Got too much to do to be feeling worn out like I do 😤. No matter what I really must get on and do them tomorrow 😁