Tuesday

Good morning.  It's not so cold this morning and there's no frost whatsoever.  It's predicted to be dry but dull with thick clouds most of the day.  A bit of a contrast to yesterday when it cheered up no end and we had plenty of sunshine.

I got quite a lot done in the morning.
Not too early, I drove into town to pick up a prescription.  There were a lot of shoppers around and the traffic at one roundabout (not the expected one though) was dire.  Unfortunately, I had no choice, I had to go that way.  Once that was sorted and I'd got my meds, I set off out of town to go to Lathcoats as I needed a few belated Christmas pressies for today.  I wish I'd gone there first when I started my present buying; there were some lovely things including a whole area devoted to gluten free stuff, not just bog standard things like crackers and ginger biscuits, but really nice looking stuff.  Next year . . .

While there, I took the opportunity to get four of their lentil and veg burgers which are really nice and also some frozen roasted veg mix.  Both are loose in freezers and you shovel what you want into a bag.  The burgers are for when Beth eats here and the roasting mix is sheer indulgence, far easier than prepping lots of different veg.

Once home and everything away, I set to in the kitchen and did this and that, one thing and another. 
I sorted out some decorations and put them away - just a few at a time as most will stay up until the 6th when, fortunately, I don't need to go into school pm, so I have the time.

Today Dad and brother, John, come over for lunch, so the morning will be spent prepping for that.  Beth's here too so there will be four of us which is a nice number for my size of table which is not big and means I don't have to fuss with the gopak table.
Beth's staying on and overnight although I very much doubt either of us will be up to see the New Year in.

I'm doing a version of Jamie Oliver's turkey and sweet leek pie, without all the fussing over the pastry which I'm sure is lovely but I can't be bothered.  I've just got the puff pastry (bought - of course) out of the freezer so will need to replace that at some point.  I buy a block, cut it into four and wrap each bit separately before freezing.  The bacon and leeks are now slowly sweating away over a very low heat and the rest is dead easy.
Here's the recipe, if you're interested.  Simple enough and easily adapted, reduced, etc, it would be nice under a potato topping too.
https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/turkey-recipes/turkey-and-sweet-leek-pie/

When Dad and John go, as already mentioned, Beth will stay and spend the evening and night here.  I'll be using the last remaining 'nibbley bits' left over from Christmas and we're both happy with that.  We'll chat, maybe play Scrabble and/or Yahtzee and perhaps watch a film or two.
Her bedroom is all ready and waiting so there's nothing to do there.
It should be a really nice day.

I read something somewhere that I will pass on.  Whenever you write the date this year, especially on anything official, make sure you write the year in full as it will be so simple for fraudsters to add to the simple version to change the date to anything from 2000 to 2019.  Best not to take the risk.

All that remains is for me to thank you all for reading my ramblings this year, sticking with me in the tough times and laughing with me in the happier times.  Here's to the coming year; I don't doubt there will be some tough times as well as good and I wish you strength, a determined approach and plenty of laughter and wonderful things.

Cheers.