Tuesday

 Good morning.  It's another very early start to the day but never mind, I feel fine and can snooze later on if needed.

I've started a new family tradition; I shared it with Dad and he thought it was lovely so here it is.  From now on, October 19th (Mum's birthday) is going to be Christmas Cake Day (start of, anyway!), a bit like Stir Up Sunday is the day for for puddings.  Mum always made such gorgeous Christmas cakes for as long as I can remember, beautifully and traditionally iced with little rosettes, silver baubles, etc, and carefully transported to my grandparents' home where we spent Christmas.  It used to sit out on display and we kids looked and coveted but didn't dare touch!  After Christmases transferred to my home, Beth took over making the cakes and a mighty fine job she did too, bless her.  Now I am retired, I have taken it over and last year was the first time.

I took a photo of the fruit mix I put together yesterday and here it is!  Maybe it will evoke an aroma for you, Sue, because it smells very good!

(I need to add the glace cherries still)

Some of the shelving came but not all.  I ordered it in two 'lots', one of three units and the other of three units and a corner unit and, being Amazon, it didn't all come together.  I have the former and Beth will hopefully be over for lunch and maybe to help me assemble one of them.  I have no idea when the others will arrive but they will come when they come!  They are heavier than I expected but that's OK.  We intend making them up in the house and carrying them to the garage before placing the actual shelves on the frame.

Another parcel arrived.  It was a flat box of flowers, the kind that posts through your letter box and perks up once you get them into  water.  What a treat.  They were from Beth to say thank you . . . aaaaahhhhhh.  Thanks, sweetheart.
(Not a great photo but you get the idea and they have opened out beautifully since this photo was taken yesterday)

Today, having been given a time slot, I'm off to the adult education centre to pick up some pottery.  Because of lockdown in March, pottery finished very suddenly and abruptly while people were in the middle of projects and it hasn't resumed since .  They've arranged for people to go and pick up any finished work (or unfinished, if we want it) at our own specific time and I will also collect Beth's work as well.  I can't see these classes resuming in the near future, can you?  To make it economically viable, the pottery room would need to contain too many people for safe distancing - it's very sad but one of those things.  I wonder if it will ever resume.

As already mentioned, Beth will probably be round and we will have lunch together again.  Nothing as posh as a roast dinner today, just jacket potato and salad.

I'm looking forward to today.  I think it will be good.  xx