Monday 2 January 2023

Monday. 02-01-23

 Morning, everyone.  It's dull but dry outside at the moment and Beth and Alex are still warm, snug and, hopefully, sleeping peacefully upstairs.  And why not?

Thank you all for such lovely comments yesterday.  I'm so lucky to have such lovely 'commenters' in here and always appreciate what you say.  Thank you again.

Yesterday went pretty much according to plan, thankfully.  Beth and Alex arrived around four and we watched the Festive Pottery Throwdown (I'd already seen it but Beth and Al hadn't).  Then we started playing Yahtzee, had our buffet, played some more and went to bed when we wanted to - me before the other two but that's OK.

Poor light, but you can see what we had (I forgot to take a photo before we attacked the food, sorry).  It pretty much all went apart from the cheese and the Christmas cake, obviously.  The cake will keep longer term, properly wrapped, and I'm hoping Beth will take some of the cheese while I will grate and freeze the ones that will grate and freeze. 
Must remember not to buy so much cheese next time (yeah, sure!!!!)

Rather more seriously, I am considering making a much smaller cake next year, probably half quantities.  That would make a lot more sense.

So now it is Monday.  Circuits class doesn't start until next week because this is a Bank Holiday, but we're back to Groove tomorrow and from then on all is back to normal routine.

Beth and Alex will go home at some point this morning and I am thinking I might drive down to the Tower Gardens car park and have a stroll around the parks, weather permitting.  I think that would be nice.
I've got rather lazy over the last few weeks and am thinking about definitely having some sort of walk the days I don't have a class, all depending on weather, of course.  The problem is motivation so please send the relevant vibes in this direction, if you can spare them.  :-)
I did this during our lockdowns - walked quite a lot, I mean - and it was really rather nice.

Here's today's Twelve Days gift, bought in one of the Crompton Mills shops in Matlock.

The one on the left that looks like a sponge bag unzips into a back pack while the one on the left is a shopping bag.  They're both very pretty and I think I will get good use from them, especially the back pack when I go on these walks I plan to have.  

Once Beth and Al have gone, I will do a bit of housework but this morning I have some washing in the machine that needs redoing (ooop) and I'm going to start dismantling the Christmas clutter.  Not the tree and the bigger things, they will stay until Thursday/Friday, but things like candles, cards, etc, perhaps even the nativities.
By Friday afternoon, I would like everything to be back to normal to give the cleaners a clear run 9of the place.

Have a great day, everyone.  Stay well and be happy.  xx



26 comments:

  1. What a lovely table-cheese is my downfall! Your little bags are very pretty and I keep meaning to try and make one of the fold up shopping bags for myself. It has finally stopped raining here and its a bright and cold day but too slippy underfoot to venture out just yet. Catriona

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    1. I dearly love cheese too. A little is fine but . . . :-)
      We have sunshine here right now - long may it last!
      xx

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  2. Yep, cheese is my favourite thing too! I no longer make a Christmas cake, it's only husband who eats it nowadays. Sunny here today but still very cold. Hope you enjoy a walk if you get there. Oh, and the 2 bags are gorgeous. xx

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    1. I did wonder about not making one at all but we all like it, it's just too big really so I can't see myself not making one at all.
      And Christmas cake and cheese do go well together, I think. xx

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  3. I have started putting Christmas things away today. Not all of it but enough that it wasn't a chore. Not a resolution but I will try and get back to a little more walking as well. Enjoy the rest of your day x

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    1. A bit at a time makes it all very mush easier, I think. I've gathered up the Christmas cards (not many) and sorted out some of the table decorations including the Christmas tablecloths. xx

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  4. We spent a small fortune on cheese this year because we had guests then none of it was eaten - we won't waste it but I'll have the cut back next December!
    I've put all the decorations away today, like most folk I love to see them go up but love to see them cleared away again. Your cake looks beautiful, next Year I'll make one, I'm missing a nice slice of Christmas cake
    Alison in Wales x

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    1. Cheese just shouts 'Christmas' to me - I just don't need to get so very much.
      I was pleased with how the cake turned out, the inside is really delicious and Beth took home a hunk today so there's less than there was. I might pop some slices in the freezer too - I'll see how it goes. It won't go off, not with all that Cointreau in it! :-)
      xx

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  5. I bought some cheese that I thought I'd had before but when we tried it it was so hot chilli that no one could eat it! - annoying.
    Sadly lacking in energy here for walking - ongoing cold virus wont go away - but hopeful for it going ASAP
    Hope you get out and about soon

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    1. That is very annoying. Could you grate it and mix in up 1 part to three with some ordinary cheese and pop it in the freezer for when you make chilli, jacket potato and so on. It might not be so hot that way.
      That post-viral effect is a real drag. Both Beth and I feel quite run down still, she more than I. I'm just going with the flow but she's back at work tomorrow. xx

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  6. I'm a sucker for cheese too. De Christmasifying is under way here then I can give the house a thoroughly good scrub. Lovely bright sunshine here and it's a great motivator. Have a lovely afternoon. X

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    1. I agree - sunshine helps, if only because it shows up all the dust on the furniture. I hope it's all going well. xx

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  7. I, too, need to get back to the walking habit. It helps if I write it down on my daily calendar; seeing the progress motivates me. ~ skye

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    1. Hi, Skye! Wishing you good luck with that. I'm afraid I failed on it today but there are plenty more days this year in which to make it work. xx

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  8. As you know, I am trying to walk every day so we can be walking buddies and encourage each other. I've decided that I will walk every day, outdoors if possible but indoors if the weather is bad ... in other words, no excuses. I walked indoors this morning and listened to a chapter from an audio book while I was doing it so the walk was finished before I had time to really think about it. Good luck with your efforts xx

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    1. Yes, let's Well done for today - I am afraid I didn't succeed but next time . . . xx

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  9. Oh, I wish I had cleaners, like you do. That cake looks amazing. We used to play Yahtzee when I was a kid. It was so fun. Good for you for exercising. It makes all the difference to be consistent.

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    1. I'm very lucky, I know. I started getting housework help when I was teaching and decided to keep them on after retirement. It is a luxury, for sure, and one I value very much.
      xx

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  10. Happy New Years. I am glad that everything went according to plan. I am finally feeling half human and managed to get at least part of my house cleaned before needing an afternoon nap.

    God bless.

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    1. I'm very glad things are looking up for you - you've been so unwell over Christmas. Just keep taking it carefully ((( hugs ))). xx

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  11. Happy New Year! Love the header.

    Glad you had a lovely time. The food looks lovely.

    I love getting out for a walk. I like routines - sometimes I'm too rigid - and now that I usually walk every day it feels really strange not to walk. I'm hoping this year that I will get out to some different places and not get stuck in the groove and keep going to the same place.
    Those bags are lovely. I love the patterns.

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    1. Thanks, Sharon. I can't stay up for long and I need to find something else soon, but it's good to be 'topical'.
      I love seeing photos of your walks - they may be of the same place but they always look different and have given such pleasure; thank you. xx

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  12. Although every step is painful, I finished with over 1600 miles last year…in 2021, I did over 1500…that is when I moved to Florida…packing and the 1000 mile drive…in 2020, living in Indianapolis, I did 1900 miles…even in the snow with my cane…I am aging and slowing down and of course the bone diseases don’t help. However, I walk at least six times a day outside no matter what…during bad weather, windy and icing, in Indy. I put on walking tours of NYC on tv and walked…if it rains here, I do that…walking is supposed to be the best exercise…it is keeping me going. I encourage all to do this.

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    1. Good for you, Brenda. What an inspiration. xx

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  13. I have almost run out of cheese - obviously didn't buy enough! If I delve into the freezer I might find some otherwise we are on rations until we go shopping again. The little bags look very handy - I have been in that mill shop from time to time - they have some nice bits and pieces. enjoy your walk. x

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    1. I could have spent a fortune in there - such delightful things. I bought the same thing for Beth but with cats on - she had then for her birthday end of October. Suzanne also bought several things there and the shop that sells all those cheese introduced us to the Eyam Brewery beers. I'm definitely going back for another visit at some point. xx

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