Monday

Morning, everyone!

Yesterday's mist cleared and by ten it was lovely and sunny, staying like that all day.  I was able to get out for a walk in the afternoon and it was perfect.  Not too cold for nose and ears!

I walked down to a local garden centre, about fifteen minutes away, Bickerdykes by name.  It's a splendid place and I wanted to look at the Christmas decorations.  Oh, they were lovely.  I didn't buy any decorations but I could have spent a fortune!  There was a lovely artificial tree that looked, and felt, very realistic.  However, at over £200, no thanks!  I will make do with my old, battered one for another year.

What I did buy was some honey for Dad (he loved his honey) and a warm, fleece lines woolly pompom hat for me as I didn't have one and was starting to feel the need.  I can use the sizing to knit a few others without pompoms so I can wear them under a hood, if needed.  It's a sort of dusty pink which will go with my coat and my padded jacket and tones nicely with my gloves too.  An all round Good Find.

Well, I cooked the steaks and all went well this time.  We both like steaks a little more than 'frightened by a hot pan' (as Diane says) but still a bit pink in the middle and I find four minutes on each side with a bit of resting does the job!  I threw together a mushroom sauce and we also had buttery mash, runner beans (frozen from the garden) and gravy.  A very satisfying meal.  As Dad said, we must do it again sometime soon!

Dad had said no cake, etc, so I didn't, but in the afternoon the lovely lady who helps with their housework turned up with a chocolate party cake.  So we did have cake and now there's sight slices in the freezer, a chunk for G (cleaner) to take with her when she comes today and a small chunk for today which is his actual birthday.

Today I'm supposed to be in school but it is an INSET day so, after I drive home, I'm free until tuition time apart from a bit of planning.  There will be washing, of course - isn't there always - but there should be time for me to head off down one of the country walks for a stroll around, assuming today is sunny!  If it's as chilly as they say it will be, I can test run my new hat too!

Well, better go.  I have some packing to do!  Have a lovely day, one and all, and thank you for all the comments recently - that are very encouraging and cheering.