Good morning Boxing Day

NanKate, forgot to say, thanks for starting us off! ?

Good morning.
Still in bed after a lovely day yesterday.
DD1 and family coming here to DD2’s for a buffet lunch today.
Hope you all have a good day

Good morning all from Northampton where it is pouring with rain! Hope it eases by lunchtime as DS and family are walking down and we are going to the pub on the corner near me for lunch.

Had a lovely day yesterday, good food wine and company! And two excited DGDs. Plus three dogs! DD and her husband are off to Mexico today to meet up with son-in-law's brother and wife (who will be flying down from Vancouver where they live), for a two week holiday. I am quite envious...

Thought about DH quite a lot yesterday and how he loved to be with all the family at Christmas. My second without him. I hope he was looking down at us and smiling.

Hoping everyone has a lovely Boxing Day.

Good morning from Shropshire.
Had a nice couple of hours watching DGD open her presents then we managed Christmas lunch and had to come home as DH really unwell.I think I am starting with the same.We have had to cancel the rest of our Christmas plans.
Really don’t know whether to call Drs about DH.Have never known him so ill,don’t know if this is flu or something else.Don’t know what to do

Good morning from east London, where the rain is setting in. Have just spent the last couple of hours catching up on TV from yesterday; well actually I had to do it as DP wanted to get some more sleep and he wouldn’t rest if he knew I was clearing up (?). Good day yesterday, waved the family off after 11pm, hopefully GD crashed out in the car. Must go and do some clearing up in the kitchen, didn’t turn the light on when I made a cup of tea in case I couldn’t resist the mess. Hope to have a walk later on, otherwise a v. quiet day. Hope you have a good one.

Morning All

Like Calpurnia we stayed indoors yesterday when the sun was shining and had planned for a lovely Boxing Day walk as the forecast a couple of days ago was for wall to wall sunshine. But it’s overcast with heavy rain forecast. I don’t think SiL1 is up to a walk anyway, he has a bit of a headache this morning - but has no idea why. I know! All the family were here yesterday and we had a lovely time so I’m not grumbling.

Good morning from the NE coast where I am enjoying my second cup of tea sitting in bed watching DH sleep (very little was had during the night) .

Well we muddled through yesterday in a fashion and all in all it didn’t turn out too bad. I popped along the coast to visit DS, DDiL and the 3 older DGC first thing and spent a little time with them looking at everything Santa Claus had brought them . Then I dashed back home to get DH up out of bed and start the cooking . Turkey was a last minute purchase from Aldi and I have to say was one of the nicest most succulent I have ever tasted . Sod you M&S who could afford £80+ for one of yours?

I then shot across town and picked up my dad and sat him down with a beer and Alexa to keep him amused . My DD arrived with little Evie and surprisingly Evie’s daddy
and I carried on running in and out of the kitchen like a woman possessed. Finally got everything underway and the starters plated up when my sister arrived with her dog saying she couldn’t bear leaving it at home on Christmas Day (oh dear my DH is very allergic) plus little Evie likes to play on the floor ....... give me strength.

Anyway we all eventually enjoyed a Christmas dinner of sorts . Served late, forgot the mashed potatoes (thank you sister for pointing this out at the table) but thankfully I had made more than enough roasties . I think I roasted the potatoes I had prepared for the mash by mistake.

Help ? You have got to be kidding . Drove my dad and sister home at around 7.45pm just so I could be home in time for Gavin and Stacey. Would have loved a nice glass of wine but unfortunately still on those horrible Metronidazole antibiotics so no alcohol allowed.

Still got a face that would scare the horses plus it’s all bruised now too......very attractive

Heading downstairs again now to start with the MASS clear up.

Would I do it all again ? Probably
Do I need to give my head a good swivel? Definitely

Have a good Boxing Day everyone. (The bruises on my face are very appropriate today).

Love to all

Gillybob xx

Good Morning Boxing Day!! All quiet here no visitors DH enjoyed yesterday with it juts being us too and the same today. Off to DD2 tomorrow - thank heaven - longing for company now!!

We had a lovely day yesterday but Boxing day is always my favourite. We can relax and there's plenty to eat with no cooking to do!

Good morning all.
We had a lovely day yesterday. We had a quiet morning and then went off to the pub for our lunch, 5 courses! I was fit to burst by the time we'd finished. We saw our son briefly as he was assisting the chef, and also waiting tables.
Home again for a quiet afternoon/evening.
Today we are going to visit DD and SiL and four grandchildren. They celebrate Yule, so have had extended present giving and receiving, today we take them our gifts.
I haven't mentioned the weather, it is overcast at present with rain forecast later, currently 4 degrees Celsius outside.
I hope everyone has a happy day.

Good Morning all GM readers and posters.
So nice to hear about everyones lovely day yesterday. We too had a lovely family day.
Our ‘bird within a bird’ (duck, turkey, goose) exceeded expectations and the meat juices made lovely gravy.

Nice easy day - just a little bit of cooking this evening and we will probably start on the Christmas cake today.

Have a lovely day all. Sending good thoughts to all who are facing challenges and especially to those (a number in this thread) experiencing Christmas without a significant loved one ...?

Good morning all,

It's very grey and dull today in my part of Yorkshire but for the moment it's still dry.

We had a lovely day yesterday, starting with the short Morning service at church followed by a visit to family for a few hours, then back home to open gifts and prepare dinner. Today will be a not do much kind of day.

Glad your day went well for you gilly but sorry that your family left you to do not only all the cooking, but all the clearing away, too!!

Hope everyone has a good Boxing Day.

Gilly I love your humour despite all that’s going on in your life. I’m glad you had company, especially that of little Evie, but the dog? . Well there is a separate thread about uninvited dogs. You certainly had your hands full by the sound of it but hopefully in a positive way it was a bit of a much-needed distraction.
Finish those antibiotics and enjoy a nice glass (glasses) of wine
Happy Boxing Day x

After glorious weather yesterday the usual Boxing Day walk with the family (ending at the pub) is off as it is pouring with rain again in S Wales. Just DH and me and we will just putter around at home.

gillybob you are a trooper but you need to put your foot down with a firm hand with some of your family. I think I'd have been tempted to feed sister's dinner to her dog.
I hope you can have a more relaxing time today if it is just you and your DH.

Whatever you're all doing, enjoy Boxing Day, the feast of St Stephen, everyone.

Good morning from a very wet Essex. Recovering after a lovely day at DS House. Very excited DGSs with toys and wrapping paper everywhere!! Dinner was enormous and delicious and I'm hosting today, so turkey going into oven shortly. Think there is less pressure with Boxing Day dinner, even though exactly the same recipe and I do enjoy seeing family around the table. DD working today, NHS, but will be home to join us for dinner. I forsee a PJ day tomorrow??xxx

gilly you are a star. But I sense an upbeat feel from your post which is good to hear.
I certainly think you drew the short straw with that sister of yours though.
I hope you have a lovely Boxing Day xx

NanKate I've only just gt my email from GN, I've already been out for newspaper no home delivery today /bread & milk. Very few people stirring here in a very wet & windy Devon. Such a contrast to the beautiful, frosty start yesterday, it was blue skies & sunshine all day, today I'm hibernating

Lovely day yesterday with my family, youngest DGS wasn't well but was such a good boy, he's 32 months & loved opening his presents. Older DGS is 9 & got lots of lovely presents too. We had a change this year & went out for Sunday Lunch as our Christmas Day & yesterday just had a lovely buffet, much more relaxed.

Hope every-one had a good Christmas & enjoy your Boxing Day whatever you're doing, it's just me & the cat today

Good morning everyone from South Manchester where it’s raining. I don’t know the temperature - I’m guessing all of you who do are using Alexa? I will join you next week when I can be bothered to set mine up!

I’m with you cornergran I’m a definite convert to eating out. I missed it all yesterday as I had the most horrid cramping stomach bug. Everyone else had a great time - no shopping for sprouts, queuing up, cooking & timing, clearing up the mess etc! Our youngest daughter said the children really ate well in the festive restaurant and then once home just over two hours later, delighted to play with their toys again!

Ginny42 someone in Malaga told me that their ‘old’ lights (gorgeous) had been sold to Liverpool! The new ones in Malaga were still pretty spectacular when we saw them I have to admit.

I’m achey today. Had some scrambled eggs for my Christmas supper last night and I’ve turned a corner as I actually enjoyed a slice of toast just now!

gillybob you are the absolute saint in your family. Honestly it beggars belief that your sister brought her bluddy dog when surely she must be aware your husband has allergies and is fragile after his surgery? Love me, love my dog comes to mind. Just to turn up like that with it - I would have been seething. When it’s a done deal like that (plus Christmas) what can you do? Some people have NO self awareness.

I hope after doing the sodding clear up (why did they not help?) you can put your feet up. You could make some mashed potatoes today!
?

Hope Boxing Day is kind to us all whether we have plans or none. x

Good Morning All x A pleasant Boxing Day to you.
Blowy this morning ( weatherwise ) damp and dreary after the glorious day yesterday when I was in two minds whether to get the washing done first thing as it would have dried, but I thought twice in case the neighbours thought I'd gone crackers altogether.

Step-daughter arrived here on Christmas Eve for her few days stay and it's been great so far. D was here for her Christmas dinner after work at about 6pm and the meal was done to a turn, one GS came with her so there were 4 of us tucking in, plates loaded !

During the day, phones never stopped with my step-families sending their wishes from various parts of the country. It's heartwarming to be so close-knit and I'd paused for a moment thinking how lucky I was as I realised that not all families have the same bond. Looking forward to seeing the GGC tomorrow when I take their presents, my bedroom resembles a grotto at the moment.

Turkey and fry-up for the two of us today, more trifle and crack open the Christmas cake, so we won't fade away.

I've loved reading about others and how you've all spent your day.
I see Gillybob was working flat out---even after all she's gone through, well done to you girlie. xx

Susan I hope it's nothing serious with H as it's always a worry and pleased that the day went well for Dragonfly, for all of you as well as it's a busy time with its preparations, so you can heave a sigh of relief that the " worst " is over now although it goes so quickly.

Have a good rest today if you can Marydoll and take things easy.
Stay well and if travelling, stay safe.

Hi it's wet and windy in derby been for a run .waiting for Xmas 2 as DGD and DD are arriving soon listening to music

My Christmas Eve was quite eventful! We had beef stroganoff for dinner which necessitated DH using brandy to flambé beef with our culinary blowtorch. When he’d finished he put it back in the drawer it lives in. We ate in the dining room but at first thought the strange smell was just the hot smoked paprika in the meal till we realised we could smell burning. Smoke was pouring out of the middle drawer. Yep, he hadn’t fully turned the blowtorch off. Spent rest of evening washing contents of all 3 drawers and cleaning paintwork. Middle drawer has melted inside so will have to replace some or all of it. Kitchen is only 3 years old. I was NOT impressed. ???

A belated good morning all from a wet South Notts where it's absolutely throwing it down.
A quiet day in store after an enjoyable and noisy visit to sister with various family members.
A healthier regime begins today!
Keep on keeping on to all.

Blowy this morning ( weatherwise ) that made me giggle EV
?

I know I’ve just missed good morning- but I’ve been up and at it for hours! Yoga, tea, maple and bacon pancakes, turkey stripped, stock simmered, turkey & sweet corn chowder made!

Phew! Off to DD for late lunch & champers then home for new worzel gummidge!

Hope all unwell improve and all who dashed around after everyone else yesterday has a looked-after day today - you deserve it!

Late on here but just had to drop by and say Hi while we still have some light here in Aberdeenshire.
The weans are watching a Christmas animation. The delicious food mainly consumed. We were up late playing board games - to much hilarity.
We've had 2 breaksfasts.
So glad that Gilly sounds so upbeat despite her trials. the sister and dog

Onwards and upwards everyone!