Tuesday

 Good morning, everyone.

Well, my culinary efforts turned out well yesterday.  I now have a most delicious looking and smelling rich fruit cake which I will start feeding in a few weeks' time, now wrapped up in parchment and foil until I get around to finding the right sized container.  Now I have to decide how I want to ice it - plenty of time to explore possibilities but I am am umming and ahing about plain icing and some little figures on top.
In the fridge, there is the basics of the cheesecake; the recipe worked really well, it tastes lovely (I had to check, didn't I, before allowing the top and the bottom to meet?) and it's going to be great!

First of all, though, I went into town good and early, to have a meander around my favourite shops before the hearing appointment.  I looked round Wilkinson's and got festive air freshener thingies and  a scanted candle - got to have festive scented candles - before walking on to a few other places, including M&S, where I got a two pack of leggings.  It's getting colder and I find leggings under my jeans helps me keep warm - long johns for the 21st century!
H&M was dreary - all drab beiges and fawns and very few pops of colour.  Disappointing.

At Specsavers, I saw 'my' audiologist chappie who was most apologetic and assured me that all the info was now on the system (about flippin' time, I thought, but just thanked him - oh, the demands of a civilised society) before getting out my right aid, which is new as it wasn't worth repairing the other.  No wonder it wasn't working.  He also got them both tuned to my new prescription.  It's so clever, all done with technology.  He put both my aids next to some gadget that was connected to the computer, clicked a few buttons and it was all done they are now tuned to my latest audiology results and, fair enough, I noticed a positive difference straight away.  

After that, I meandered down Bond Street and into John Lewis where I found something I've been looking for for ages - a small, glass measuring jug.  I get a bit irritated when I need to use my big pyrex jug for small amounts but this one is a maximum of 250 mls and just what I've wanted.  Lovely!

Once home, I checked emails and discovered that Lindsey had cancelled circuits.  I know hardly anyone was able to go as it was half term so fair enough and, to he honest, I was quite glad as there was lots to do.  So I started in on the cake and cheesecake and got it all done.

Today is VERY busy and I am more than glad that I have various supplies in the freezer.  It's Beth's birthday and she and Al, Dave and Anna will be round for dinner this evening - Beth and Al are coming mid afternoon.  She's asked for jacket potatoes with topping so out of the freezer I have dug some bean/tomato mix and some pork mince bolognaise stuff to turn into chilli,  That, with grated cheese, soured cream and a mixed salad, plus the cheesecake and assorted drinks, will do the trick nicely and will provide leftovers for tomorrow.

However, it starts with an hour of tuition, changed from yesterday because of the hearing aid appointment.  It's half term so it's an early morning thing.  Then I will go shopping for last minute stuff, then it's home to get sorted, make sure the guest room is ready and generally tidy up.

Better got going, hadn't I?  It's going to be a good day and I hope yours is as well.  All the best and stay safe and well.  xx