Blogmas, day 6,

Good morning, everyone.
So, here I am at the Waverley Castle Hotel in Melrose, Scotland.  

Chris and Steve both came with me to the coach pick up which was so kind of them.  There were already people waiting so they didn't need to stay and I was glad because it was so, so cold with an unexpected hard frost.

The coach was comfy, I had both seats to myself so I could spread, everyone turned up and off we set.

It was a really good journey.  Obviously, we hit some traffic at times but we were on wide roads (M11, M1, A1(M) ) so it wasn't too bad.  We stopped twice, once for breakfast and once for lunch.  I bought a Festive Sandwich from M&S and had one half for breakfast and the other half for lunch with a nice coffee from Pret - the first of the day and I didn't half enjoy it, sandwich and coffee!  I guess it will be the same on the way home on Monday.

I didn't take any photos of anything yesterday so I will have to take more today to make up!  A shame really because we went through some wonderful scenery; I specially loved the moorlands of Yorkshire and Northumberland because I so love wild, bleak landscapes.

My bedroom is tiny but perfectly adequate.  It has a very comfortable bed (great night's sleep), a cute little ensuite loo and shower, a table, a sink in the bedroom, a wardrobe and a table and chair.  And while I wouldn't want to try to swing a cat (why would I?), there's room enough.  I'll try to remember to take some photos today.

When I entered the room, it was stiflingly warm but there was a good control on the radiator so no worries.

The staff are very friendly here.  They carried my case up to my room with no expectations of a tip (I will leave a general one when I leave) and the dining service was good too.  The food is, from what I can see, conventional but seems to be well cooked.  I had baked brie for starters, followed by salmon pasta and then a rather nice fresh fruit salad with coffee.  Portions weren't too big either.

I mentioned in a comment yesterday that I had a bit of a drama . . . 
When I unpacked my case, I couldn't find my hearing aid charger.

Just to explain, for any newer readers, I have a hearing disability and without my aids I'm pretty deaf.  With my aids, it's fine, I manage OK.  They are rechargeable aids rather than battery powered and I guess a full charge will last me maybe a couple of days, depending on when I put them in and take them out,  In reality, they charge through the night, every night.  This is what it looks like.  Quite small and absolutely essential.

Anyway - panic started to set in.  I turned my bags out, looked and looked again - nothing.
I phoned Beth to see if she could go over to mine, find it and send it by sort of 'emergency delivery' but, when we looked online, there was such a service but . . . over £500!  Oh, my gosh!
I looked on Amazon and, yes, they do have them but not on next day delivery which is fair enough - they are a bit specialist, after all.

I was so upset.  These aids are my social lifeline and here I was, on a social weekend and I was going to be completely cut off.  

But I was absolutely sure I had packed it, together with other leads.  I'm so very careful, knowing how reliant I am on my aids.
So I had another look and, this time, checked the clothes I had unpacked and put away and . . .  there it was, in the folds of my stack of leggings.

So I cried again - but tears of happiness and relief this time.   Crisis over.

When I get home, I am going to find a bag and, in it, put my spare charger and lead, plus my other aids and some batteries and a USB plug, so when I go away, I can be absolutely sure that I have everything together.  And a bag is less likely to get into a pile of clothes.

After a great night's sleep, I was up really early but that's OK.  I have my laptop (obviously) I have my kindle and I have my Advent cross stitch.  I'm currently enjoying yesterday's Earl Grey tea and today's is lemongrass, citrus and ginger which sounds really very nice indeed.
I didn't bring anything else Advent-y with me so I'll catch up next week.

Breakfast is at eight fifteen and the coach leaves for Edinburgh at nine thirty.  I won't be on it though because at ten John will pick me up for a nice family sort of day.  I'm so looking forward to it.  I will definitely take photos!  :-)

***********************

For today's Advent calendar music, I've gone for a song we listen to every year when we watch The Snowman on Christmas Tree Day.

Walking in the Air, sung by Peter Auty (who I reckon had a bit of a raw deal as far as this song is concerned, even if it did launch Aled Jones into the public eye)

I wondered what Peter Auty is doing now.  I Googled and discovered that he is an operatic tenor who has worked with most of the major opera companies in Britain and a number of companies in continental Europe.
So he has done OK too. 

The wonderful Libera also performed this and here is their version.  

Blogmas, day 5

 Welcome to Blogmas day 5.

We had a rather good sunset amidst all the rain yesterday late afternoon.

Here's the puzzle.  It's going OK and I am enjoying it.

Yesterday's Christmas tree squares - I have beads and things to sew on but that will have to wait until next week now.  I'm not taking any crochet with me but I am taking the cross stitch as that can all be packed into a small box.

And here's today's little haul.  The usual tea light in a tin, a little tube of hand cream and the tea is Earl Grey.  One of my favourites.

I'm taking that and the next three with me to enjoy in my room.

The crochet is a snowflake but, again, that will have to  wait until next week now.

The Advent of Change charity is 52 Lives and it says:

Today you have sent a warm blanket and a kind note to and elderly person on their own this Christmas.

https://www.52-lives.org/about/

Yesterday was really nice - as hoped, I got everything done before Chris and I left for our lunch.  We had a fab time - well, I did and I am sure Chris did too.  When we came out, it was pelting with rain and we had to dash for her car - a bit of a rude awakening - and it did feel cold after that comfortable warmth in the pub.

And now all is ready and Chris and Steve will be driving me over to the pick up point shortly.  It's going to be a long day but I have things to read and there are breaks so it could be worse.  

For today's Advent calendar music, I've gone for a blast from the past, the wonderful Bing Crosby singing White Christmas in that clip from Holiday Inn.  What a classic!!

The blurb underneath the video says:
Irving Berlin won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1942 for "White Christmas," which had its film debut in Holiday Inn, performed as a duet by Bing Crosby and Marjorie Reynolds.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

Just like the ones I used to know

Where the treetops glisten and children listen

To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

With every Christmas card I write

May your days be merry and bright

And may all your Christmases be white

Blogmas day 4

Good morning, lovely peoples.  Welcome to Blogmas Day 4.

I forgot to tell you about yesterday's Advent of Change window so that's where I will start.
It supports Woodgreen, a charity that 'helps pets and their people' and says:
Today you helped give food, warmth and care to a pet abandoned this Christmas'

The link is https://woodgreen.org.uk/

Today's window is for the Violet Project and says:

Today you have helped stop a life from ending too soon by keeping vital mental health support alive.

Wow!

Their link is https://violetproject.co.uk/

I post the links in case anyone is interested and want to know more.  There is, of course, always a fund raising appeal as you enter each site, just to let you know.  These smaller charities always need finance.

I am having fun with the blanket squares.  Yesterday's was parcels and, again, I made both because of being away.

I've decided that I need another row of the gold (it's not sparkly but looks more gold in reality than in the photo) around each square.  I did one and yes, definitely better.
Looking at this one, the 'ribbon' is definitely off centre.  It didn't look off centre and I thought I had counted stitches but never mind.  In the whole thing, that will be lost!
This is purely for fun, not for perfection!

Today's squares are both Christmas trees so I will have the fun of sewing beads on.

Here's the main event!  The earrings are Santa hats (cute) the little jar is blackberry jam (lovely!) and the tea bag is green tea and pomegranate (drinking it as I type and it's really nice).

The puzzle is coming on nicely and I am getting better at it.  I'll try to remember a photo later on.  Like the crochet and the cross stitch, I am doing two a day so on Tuesday nothing will be behind.

Tomorrow morning is rushed and early so I will open and post about tomorrow's stuff this evening and schedule the post for tomorrow.

Yesterday was another really pleasant day.  I pottered around, doing this, that and the other - ironing, getting things ready for packing, crochet, cross stitch, etc, before popping over to Lindsey's for personal training and then into school for the governors' meeting.
I now have an invite to the Infants' Christmas Show.  After so many decades of being involved in these shows, producing it in the latter years, it is an absolute joy and delight to be able to sit back and simply enjoy it.

Today I have three main things to do.  

The first is packing.
The second is tidying the house - I don't want to arrive home to a mess and Tuesday is Kay-day!!

The third is Chris and my Christmas lunch.

Tomorrow will be the Shimmy and Groove meal.  In previous years it has been an afternoon tea but this year it is a meal at the White Hart, Little Waltham, tomorrow!  Obviously, I can't go and neither can Chris so we decided to have our Christmas lunch there.
They do a Festive Lunch menu and I'm having a brie, bacon and cranberry festive burger followed by a trio of sorbets.  I ummed and ahed about the traditional Christmas meal that Chris is having but the chances are high that there will be one over the weekend so I passed on that.

If I get all the chores done this morning (I should do), when I get home after lunch I can craft to my heart's content and get an early night!

OK, moving on . . .

Let's go all sentimental for today's Advent calendar music.  Michael Bublé's version of 'It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas'.
Aaahhhh - lovely!

Have a lovely day, everyone!

Blogmas, day 3

Morning, all, and welcome to day three of Blogmas.  It turned quite cold yesterday evening so up went the heating.  We have had rain overnight though so no frost and BBC says today should be dry.

Just to let you know (while I am thinking of it), I'm not sure whether there will be a post on Friday or on Monday, travel days.  There may not be that much time or opportunity.  I will schedule in the music bit and if that's all there is, not to worry.  I will definitely be back on Tuesday.

Here's today's little bundle of Advent goodies.

Two bits of the jigsaw, the candle in a tin, the bath bomb, some cute snowman earrings, the tea bag is 'super berries, the cross stitch which is going nicely now I am in the swing of it all and the square - Christmas tree lights and the granny square - I did two of each.

Today's square is a Christmas parcel.

Ernie was kind again yesterday.  The smallest win possible but every little helps and this year I have been fortunate enough to be a little bit better off in every single month's draw.  Can't grumble at that, can I?

I got most of the things on my list done and dusted.  There's a few things left for today, including ironing as the clothes weren't proper dry yesterday.  I'll get that done this morning! 

Groove was good, the window cleaner came and went, I finished Lindsey's loaf so I can take it when I go to PT and, when I went to Morrisons, sitting there was a turkey crown, just the one, obviously waiting for me to pick it up - so I did.  That's part of my contribution to Christmas Day.  I can roast it at home, slice it and then take the slices over to be reheated and served.  Right now, it is in the freezer!

How are things going for you?  Already December seems to be flying past but in a very nice way.  All the festive decor does add a touch of clutter to the place but that's OK, it's organised clutter and I can live with that!  
I have bits and bobs to do - ironing, reading through some paperwork, personal training and governors' meeting.  Enough to keep me busy, for sure. 

Have a lovely Wednesday!

Music Advent calendar, day 3 is another prophetic one from Handel's Messiah.  It's the wonderful chorus 'For unto us a child is born'.  This is a great one to sing - it has so much energy.

Enjoy.

Blogmas day 2

 Good morning, everyone.  Welcome to day two of Blogmas.

Here's what I did yesterday.  I did two robins (each picture will appear twice in the blanket) because I am away for four days - I'm trying to get ahead.  I know they look a bit - er - 'weird', but once everything is together, they will be OK.
After I'd made this montage, I did another cross stitch picture and another bit of puzzle too; I'll try and remember to photo that for tomorrow. 

There were a few issues with the cross stitch kit.  The needle provided isn't great but, if it really bugs me, I have others, I had already replaced the fabric which was, frankly, terrible and I was already aware that not all the yarns were provided because it had said so in the reviews.  I do, however, have a nice little stash of silks so that was OK.  I needed a thread holder, of course, but a bit of card and a hole punch later - Bob's your uncle!!

Today's little collection!  The bath bomb (yesterday's was nice and they're not enormous like the Lush ones are) and tin with two tea light candles, the tea bag which was white tea, blueberry and elderflower, two bit of the puzzle because of getting ahead, you can see the thread holder I made, a wee pot of 'potting shed pickle' and today's crochet square is some lights.

(I used some bits and bobs I had lying about, hence the random pot of pickle!)

Today's Advent of Change charity is one that I only know about because of past calendars - Surfers against Sewage!! 
It says:
"Today you have helped clear harmful plastic pollution from our coastlines, canal paths, bridleways and city streets."
Here's the link to their site.  https://www.sas.org.uk/

We all do different things with the baby in our cribs.  Some have the baby there all the time while some add the baby on Christmas morning.
This has been the focus for various jokes perpetrated by Beth and Alex over the years.  I remember the day Mary left a letter saying she and Joseph had left early with the baby to avoid Herod and apologising to the Wise Men for missing them - and their gold!  It took me ages to find where she had hidden them. 
One time there were multiple babies of all skin colours because Lambs usually come in multiples.
One year Mary had gone skiing with the baby and had left a pair of skis for Joseph in the manger in case he wanted to come.
The best of all was when the Shepherds brough one tribble for the baby and we know what tribbles do best don't we?  Each time I went into the kitchen out of the way, more tribbles appeared until the crib was covered.  So funny!
(There are three remaining tribbles there now but everyone knows not to feed them so it should be OK!)

I guess there won't be a joke this year as Beth is hosting.  That's a bit sad really.

Today is busy!  So busy that I have a Little List.  It says:
Groove
window cleaner (OK, so not me that's busy here but I need to be in)
washing, etc
Choose clothes for weekend - make list
Write report shopping at Morrisons
M&S - Pinecone (I know what this means!!)
finish loaves
buy flour?  (this can wait)

Actually, when you make a list, it doesn't seem so bad, does it?  I'll be very pleased to get it all done though.

The loaf is Lindsey's sourdough for next week as I won't be around over the weekend to bake it then.  I'm making it today, will slice it and bag it and she can pop it straight in the freezer.
Lindsey's already mentioned me continuing with this after the year is up (next summer) and maybe working on a barter system using her classes as a swap.  Isn't it nice that she likes my baking so much.

Music Advent Calendar:

Today I'm still on the looking forward/prophecy vibe with that wonderful aria-recitative-aria from Handel's Messiah, 'Comfort Ye' and 'Ev'ry Valley'

Blogmas day 1

Good morning, everyone.  Welcome to Blogmas day 1.

Yesterday evening, the Advent calendar thingies were all ready and waiting.  It looked exciting.

And this is the jigsaw for this Blogmas.  It looks a bit harder than last year's but that's OK, it's only one bit at a time.  I have Mum's jigsaw board ready on the table.

The tea bag calendar, which I had forgotten about (ooops) and Beth's cross stitch box.

So here we are - today's little haul.

A cute little tin with a couple of tea lights (the tins will be very useful afterwards), an English breakfast tea bag (going to have it after I've finished this), some cute little gingerbread man earrings (I will wear them today), a bath bomb (I'll let you know, and today's crochet is a robin!

The first Advent of Change door supports Toybox.  It says:
Today you have given a hungry child living on the streets of El Salvador a warm drink and a nourishing meal.

Here's the link:  https://toybox.org.uk/our-work

Yesterday was very pleasant.  Sunny and it felt fairly mild here.  I got on with the maple leaf blanket but now it is away and out of sight.  I'll get on with it in January.

Today, apart from all the advent stuff, it is Circuits at Shimmy Studio and I'll be taking a loaf over.  Once home, I will do the usual Monday housework and then I can chill with my Advent crafting.

I'll post the photos of the creative parts of  my Advent calendar a day behind - i.e. today crochet, cross stitch and puzzle will be posted tomorrow.  That way I can show you them finished.  

Happy first of December, everyone.  Welcome to Advent!  Do you have an Advent calendar - if so, what is it?  xx

Today's Advent calendar music link is the wonderful version of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel from King and Country.  I just love it and we have to have it on the first day, don't we?

A more traditional version from Kings College Choir (which will feature quite a lot in here over the next three weeks or so)

Sunday

Welcome to the last day of November.  Tomorrow will see the start of my Advent blogs but more about that further down.

Thank you for the lovely, kind comments yesterday.  It set me thinking about the wide range of decorations that have to go on that tree.

There are . . .

decorations that I have made, ones that Beth has made, Mum and friends

decorations that I inherited from Mum and Dad's collection, including some beautiful ones they bought in Germany (I think) that are smocked

decorations that were lovely gifts from children in my classes and their parents - the more fragile, paper ones didn't last, sadly, but they had pride of place on my tree that year

decorations from places I have visited - e.g. cities, shows and Center Parcs

three very posh Liberty owls that I splashed out and bought after Beth saw an ad in the Sunday Times colour supplement - yes, they were ouchily expensive but I love them and put them carefully away each year in their original boxes (you can see one of them in the photo below)

decorations that I bought because I like to get one new one each year if, and only if, I see one that I absolutely love

fillers - just shiny red and gold baubles - they go on last

So much happiness and memory . . .

Yesterday was a pretty quiet day.  I finished Beth's loaf and took it and Alex home, went to Morrisons for a few things I had forgotten and then spent the rest of the day doing a bit of tidying up and then crafting and watching stuff on the telly.
I loved the Strictly Instant Dance challenge - it was so funny and so spontaneous.  I hope they keep that for next year.
I know who should go out and I am sad because they are my favourites.  However, it would be unfair if anyone else went - although we know Strictly is not just a dance competition, don't we?
I will know tonight - I always manage to avoid those idiots who think it funny to spoil the surprise and post the results earlier.

Today has a bit more going for it.  I need to just do a bit of tidying up and then Beth, Alex and two friends are over for a light buffet lunch and a good chat.

And then it is tidying up and more crafting. And the strictly results and Game of Wool.

And tomorrow it is the start of the Advent month - in the way of calendars, etc, rather than the Church Advent time.
As always, I will be doing my Christmas Music calendar in here.  Yes, most of them will be repeats because that's the music I love but it is only once a year so, really, that's not so bad, is it?
I will also be starting the Jacquie Lawson Advent Calendar with it always such a joy and delight and so much more than worth what it costs.  I've enjoyed them since the very first one and it's a major part of my December.

And there's the candle, the jigsaw and my own calendar comprising a little cross stitch that Beth gave me as well as my blanket challenge and a few little nick-nacks each day.  I have no idea how the blanket is going to pan out but it will be fun.

Oh - and the Advent of Change calendar.

Ooops - I may, just possibly, have gone overboard a bit this year.

Have a lovely day, everyone, and see you in December.  xx

Saturday

Morning, everyone.  It's mild and rather wet here today and the forecast isn't encouraging for the next few days but, as the 'experts' say, we really need rain so no grumbles - yet.

Yesterday went according to plan.  I did my duty at Slimming World and then came home and chilled until Beth and Alex arrived.  Then it was all hands to the Christmas tree.

And here it is in all its bad taste glory!  Sorry about the lights - this was the best of a bad bunch.
The pressies are under, the Guardians of the Christmas Tree and their Faithful Attendants (don't ask - family history!) are doing their duty on and by the radiator and Santa, Mrs Santa and a snowman are waiting for me to put the advent table the other side of the tree (it's there now).

Silly, isn't it.  Happy-silly though and packed with happy memories.  It's worth keeping it up, just for them.

The buffet was yummy and, for once, I got it about right.  There's bits left over but not all that much really.

Alex is still asleep upstairs and I have a loaf in Thermione that will soon need attention.  It's for Beth and I'd like it to be baked when I take Alex home so I don't have to make two journeys.

I have nothing in the diary today and I think I am just going to chill and relax, do knitting and crochet, wrap up a few pressies and just have a me day.  That sounds really nice.  xx

Friday

I've done it again, folks!!  Overslept and in a rush.
OK, so  most people wouldn't call 7:00 oversleeping but it is for me and I have to be out in about ten minutes so this will be short and sweet.

Christmas Tree Day has landed.  Yay.
I have to dash off to Slimming World first.  I'll do the weigh desk but will leave after that, not staying for the second half.
At some point this morning, Beth and Alex will arrive and we will decorate the Christmas tree which I set up yesterday (it takes ages to spread out the branches and twigs).

Early afternoon, Sharon arrives to do Beth's hair - it was supposed to be another day but Beth double booked.  So they will vanish into the kitchen while Alex and I carry on.

Then we will watch some Christmas films starting with The Snowman (doesn't everyone?) before a buffet meal.

It will be such a lovely day.

But now I must stop and get ready to leave.  Wishing you all the best day, whatever you plan to do.  xx

Later Edit:  a few photos from yesterday . . .

I used to but some wadding under for 'snow' but the trees never stayed up.  I need to get some felt or similar.

Ready and waiting!!  :-)

Thursday

 Good morning, everyone.  It's very much milder this morning.  Not a hint of frost and no iciness in the air whatsoever.  It feels a bit damp though so fingers crossed we will get some sunshine.

First of all, a link and an apology.  I thought the quiet skies pattern was free but it isn't, it costs £6.50 (UK) and it is a download.  Really sorry to mislead accidentally.
Here's the link to the pattern
https://madebyanita.co.uk/shop/p/quiet-sky-uk

Yesterday was a busy old day and I got a lot done.

I . . .
did four loads of washing, dried some and the rest has dried overnight
brought what I need of the Christmas china from the garden room into the house and had my first coffee of the season in one of my Christmas mugs
changed over cushions, throws, etc
brought the Christmas boxes and the Christmas tree into the house
changed the sheets in the blue room so it is now ready for Alex on Friday night
(the sheets I took off made the fourth load of washing)
got out my Christmas jumpers
sorted out one of the Christmas boxes that seemed far too heavy (it was big candles)
made three sourdough batons for Friday's buffet
made a big pot of soup
went to Lindsey's for personal training
did some ironing

Phew!

The living room, super-tidy yesterday morning, now looks as if a bomb has hit.  By the end of today, it will look great but right now I'm trying not to look!

So today starts with a lovely chat over coffee with Chris.  Then I will set to and restore order from chaos.  I will do the rest of the ironing and I will go to Morrisons and get the weekly shop done and put away.  And I have just remembered that I need to change my sheets so there's a bit more washing too.
also, I want to prep anything that can be prepped for tomorrow's buffet.  That won't take too long though.

And that's my day today.  What is yours?  xx

  

Wednesday

 Good morning, everyone.  It's a very chilly, frosty morning with clear skies so we're expected to have a fair bit of sunshine today.  Lovely!

Yesterday was an interesting day.

Groove was, as always, super-good.  Chris couldn't come which was a shame but we're meeting up again, as usual, tomorrow for a good old gossip and laugh over coffee.

The glasses arrived and they are lovely.  Not particularly 'poshly' boxed but I got them out because of checking them over and rewrapped them in nice, festive tartan tissue paper instead of white before re-boxing them and wrapping the box in the same paper (which, by the way, was really cheap from Temu and well worth it).
Another gift ticked off my list.

You may remember that a while ago I mentioned a friend coming round who couldn't make it because she had to pick up her poorly son from school?
Anyway, she is a Slimming World friend and recently she messaged me to say did I know of anyone who was interested in having housework, ironing or gardening done as she has started her own little business?
You know me - housework is not my favourite thing; I do it but would much rather be doing more interesting stuff.  So she came round and we had a chat about it - what she did, cost, timings, etc, and yesterday morning she came round to do an hour and a half which is less than I used to have but, to be honest, the previous cleaners didn't need to spend two hours here, not really.
She did downstairs, the stairs and the landing and made a grand job of it so we have arranged that she will come once a fortnight (for now).  Not ironing though - I know I am odd but I rather enjoy ironing.

And then, in the afternoon, she came back with her husband, and now I have a winter ready garden.  I enjoy my spring and summer gardening, as you know, but am very much less enthusiastic about the autumn haircut - which is why I kept putting it off!
And they did a good job, front and back and I am so relieved.  This will be an occasional thing, I don't need garden help on a regular basis.
To be fair, nor do I need housework help but I can pretend that I'm getting old occasionally, can't I?  And, as always, I don't take this for granted and am super-grateful that I have a decent pension income and can do this.  I'm also glad I can support a friend and a local business, something I always like to do if I can.

So I had plenty of crafting time yesterday and am still messing about with maple leaf patterns.  I think this is how I want it - in different colours, of course.  This is the browny shades; others will be based on red, blue, pink, lilac, and, perhaps, green, although the background is green so I will need to think about that.

I also think a monochrome blanket would be very effective - black, shades of grey (maybe not fifty though!) and white - another time though, not in the near future.  Anita's book is quite inspiring and I have ideas buzzing around my head.

I have subscribed to Naked Wines for a number of years now but have decided to discontinue this now so yesterday I went onto their web site and used up what was in my account getting Christmas wines before closing it.  That's another thing ticked off the presents and food/drink lists.

Today there is nothing in the diary until personal training so . . .

I am making another sourdough loaf, trying the same recipe and the last ones but cutting the water a bit.  It seems to have made a much easier dough to work with and I need to do the first stretch and folds so hang on . . . 
. . . yes, very much easier! 
I am making some batons for Friday.

I need to finish my shopping list as I need extra things in for Friday and want to do my shop tomorrow.  Friday, you see, is Christmas Tree Day.  Beth and Alex are round for the day and Alex is staying overnight.  We put up and decorate the tree, we watch Christmas films starting with The Snowman, and we have a festive buffet!

I want to get the Christmas china in from the garden room.  I won't need everything as Beth is doing Christmas day, but I will need some starting from Friday.
Amazingly, I have a spare shelf for it all!

And, if I can be bothered, I want to bring in the Christmas boxes and the tree (I have an artificial one), ready for Friday.

Rather more boringly, I have three loads of washing to do so fingers crossed that at least one load can dry in the sunshine.  The first load is already in.

It looks like a lot but it isn't really; it won't take that much time and some of it feels exciting!  What a babe I am sometimes - do you get that flutter of excitement as you start the Christmas stuff too?

Right, I seem to have gone on and on and on - sorry.  Have a lovely day, everyone, and stay good and warm.  See you tomorrow.  xx

Tuesday

 Morning everyone.

Yesterday was lovely.  Circuits was great; I handed over the bread and Lindsey got in touch later to say is was delicious so that was a relief. Then I drove off to Diane's and spent the best time catching up, exchanging news and views and generally having the best time over fish and chips and coffee.

Anita's book arrived.  I've glanced through it and it looks really good.

I took a photo of the blanket . . . it's really nice and I am very pleased with it.  The border curls in a bit so I will need to lightly steam that out but the main body sits well without any steaming because I blocked them all as I finished each square.

I've had a play with the maple leaf square.  I won't do a bigger square in the middle.  It doesn't look right and, anyway, I will want to use different shades.  

I have used a photo to work out shades - it looks like four will be best so that's what I'm trying now.   I can use the results to cover a cushion pad or something.

There's time to think about it all, isn't there?

Today I'm off to Groove and then I have someone round.  It should be another really nice day.

Have a lovely day, everyone.  xx

Monday

Good morning, lovely people.  Welcome to Monday and a new week.  And it isn't raining or cold which is a great start!

I got my loaves done and I was right, the sourdough was way too sticky and I ended up using loaf tins.  Right at the end of the recipe, I had written 'try less water' but didn't write that in the ingredients list.  I have now!  I've finished the blanket.  After all those doubts, I am really very happy with the outcome and it's my cosy snuggle of choice at the moment.

In the afternoon, I popped round to Beth's to take her loaf and we had coffee and a good old chat about Christmas which was really nice.

And today, after circuits, I though Diane was coming here but, in fact, I am going to hers so that will be really nice.

As Joanna mentioned in comments, Anita (who created the Quiet Skies blanket) has a book new out.  It was supposed to arrive last Thursday but was delayed until today.  No idea why.

I may fit in a bit of housework but the chances are I won't!!  After all, I will have a new crochet book to be inspired by, won't I?

Have a lovely Monday, everyone.  Take care and see you tomorrow.  xx

Sunday

Hi, everyone, welcome to the Sunday post.  It's much milder this morning and very, very wet at the moment.  Maybe today will be something of a washout; we will see.

Well, I got to the Thermomix Studio just before ten thirty and it was the right time so that was OK.  It was very well attended with more men than usual - sourdough is evidently an OK manly thing to get involved in!  😉

(usually it is mostly ladies plus children and a few random men if partner wants to buy a Thermomix)

It was really good.  I didn't really learn anything new but I did pick up a few tips and tricks that I want to try out when I make a loaf for myself and the buffet table was lovely - several loaves plus some (Thermomix made) hummus, roasted red pepper hummus and whipped feta with spiced hot honey.  And some orange squash and lemon squash, also made in the Thermomix (loaded with sugar but occasionally won't hurt).

On the way back to the bus station, I stopped off in John Lewis but their range of what I was looking for was sadly uninspiring.
I went into Primark and got a couple more pairs of their slightly fluffy lined leggings which are really quite cosy and got lucky - down from £7 to £5 a pair.  No, they aren't super-quality, not at that price, but my lifestyle rarely requires super quality and the ones I got for the cruise two years ago are still going strong.

When I got in, I settled down with my crochet.  I've been focusing on the blanket recently, doing a bit whenever I sit and also through the evenings, so it's come on nicely.  Apologies for the bad light yesterday morning when I took this photo.

I'm on the border now and the 'mistakes' really don't show in context.

I'm loving the style of the squares and am already thinking of looking up some patchwork quilts to see if the designs can be replicated in crochet.  Maybe a maple leaf pattern?

Like this, which is basically a 5x5 plus a border.  I could manage that and it looks like a good way to use up stash/odds and ends . . .  

Ending up something like this, and with a border around each one.

When I have finished the Quiet Skies, I might have a practice before December and the Advent quilt (which I am getting a bit nervous about, to be honest).

(This was on Etsy and can be bought as a project, if anyone's interested.)

Last photo, I promise.

What I was looking for was a pair of champagne flutes, something a bit different but that didn't cost an arm and a leg and just a pair, not four.
It's for a joint wedding and Christmas gift.

I had no luck so I looked online via Google and this came up.  In my price range, different and, when I checked with Beth, she said the recipient (an old friend) would love it.
So I ordered them and will team them up with something sparkly!

I think they're probably a bit Marmite - some will love them and some hate them.  Me - I absolutely love them and was sorely tempted but resisted.
(I'm safe posting in here as the person in question isn't a reader).

And where from?  Well, this is the crunch.

Harrods.   Oooooh, posh!!
(Basement Harrods judging by the price, but J won't care and neither do I).

So that's something else ticked off the list.  Getting there.

Today is bread day - I have two loaves-worth of sourdough in the middle of stretch and folds (very sticky - what have I done wrong?) and one yeasted mixed flours and seeds load just on its second rise (I started it early and it is a quick rise recipe for some reason.
And I've had another go at the nut roast.  Diane is here tomorrow and we can have some for lunch.
I'm going to finish my social media stuff and then I want to finish the quilt in between bread making.

Strictly this evening (a bit different to usual - if you know, you know) and then the Game of Wool which I am enjoying, despite certain differences.  I'd like to see a bit of stitch design (e.g. creating your own Aran pattern/granny square/lace) but I don't think it's heading that way.

Have a lovely Sunday, everyone.  Take care, stay warm and dry and be contented.  xx

Saturday

Phew.  Back again.  Thanks for the nice, understanding comments yesterday and I decided not to redo the post but leave it for today instead.  :-)

Thursday was lovely - chat with Chris, over to Lindsey for Personal Training and we managed to chat a fair bit too between puffs and, finally, Morrisons for a shop.  Small but, as is only to be expected nowadays, not cheap.

I looked inside my purse to get my debit card and there it was - gone!!  Goodness knows where I lost it between the Wednesday shopping around town and the Thursday Morrisons shop.  I paid with my phone instead (so glad I had it with me, I don't always) and when I got home, after a scrabble around my bag, I used the app to cancel my card and order a replacement.  It is such a simple process now, made simpler by the fact that the lost card hadn't been used anywhere else.  Then I went the rounds changing bank details and I expect I will have messages telling me 'your card has been refused, please change your bank details' for a month or so.  Oh, well!!

And while on the subject of money, my electricity bill shot up this past month.  I wondered why until I remembered the Garden Room.  I keep the thermostat low in there but when it's colder it does click on.  If I will go for these luxuries . . .

Yesterday started with Slimming World, really good with a great discussion, and then I picked Alex up for his cooking lesson.

We had a go at making a nut roast from a recipe Beth found with a view to possibly having it Christmas Day.  We made a few mistakes - over chopped the nuts and tried to do the mixing in Thermione so we ended up with a gloopy mixture.  It made LOADS too. 
The resulting loaf was/is quite tasty but the texture is wrong, I think, although it is up to Beth.  I'm going to have another go using third quantities and what we made won't be wasted!

After all that and driving Alex home again, I tidied the kitchen properly and flopped.

Today I am baffled.  I'm booked into a sourdough course at the Thermomix studio this morning.  The ticket and the site says it starts at ten thirty but the reminder message I got yesterday says be there for twelve.  I've fired off an email but I bet it won't be accessed until Monday!
I will get there for ten thirty and hope for the best!

As I'm in town, I will be getting a fee specific festive gifts before bussing home and spending the rest of the day on (and therefore under) the quiet skies blanket.  I'm joining the squares together now and decided to just accept the squares I made in wrong colours.  It's OK, I don't notice them as much in whole blanket context and the border will also help.  I am SO glad I don't have to frog them.

And, of course, it is Strictly in Blackpool.  Yay!

Friday

 Ooops.

Overslept and in a mad rush.  I will be back to write this later, if I can.  If I don't, I will be back tomorrow.
Sorry - and have a great day.  xx

Thursday

Good morning, one and all, and welcome to Thursday's post.  For some reason, I woke super-early this morning, a bit of a nuisance but can't be helped.  I decided that, instead of tossing and turning, I would come down and get on with stuff which is why I'm typing this at quarter to five!

It feels warmer than it ought to feel and I realise that I didn't put the clock back on the thermostat.   It's on the List!   Also, I'm warm and snuggly in my pjs, oodie and fluffy slipper boots so all's well in my little world.

I had the nicest time going round a few shops yesterday.  I did B&M, Lidl, Aldi, M&S and Lathcoats, all of which are out-of-town-centre places and came back with five bags of stuff - but nothing really bad.  The biggest was Anna's birthday present - it's bad luck, I think, to have your birthday at Christmas so I always make sure she gets birthday recognition as well as something for Christmas.
Apart from that, I got some gifts, some foody bits, some festive coffee pods (an indulgence, I know, but I do love my coffee), some decorative bits and some nice, fluffy, warm socks for wearing around the house or (avert your eyes if you are of a sensitive disposition) in bed . . .  😄
I have a tendency to cold feet so they should help a lot.

It took me a while to sort everything out, wrap things that needed wrapping and generally sort things out.

The Teams meeting later on was actually really interesting and I learnt a lot.

On to today:  Thursday is coffee and chat with Chris day and then I'm off to Lindsey's for my PT session which she moved from yesterday because of the meeting.

Then, I think I will write my shopping list and go to Morrisons to get it done rather than tomorrow as usual.  Alex is round for another cooking session tomorrow and, if I have what I need, I can prep some of it before he arrives.  We're trying something out for Christmas.

I've just checked my bank so I can update my spreadsheet and it looks like the winter fuel payment has arrived.  I gather that, if it has to go back, it will be taken in dribs and drabs via monthly tax rather than a demand for a lump sum but I will move it across into savings anyway so it doesn't just 'vanish'.

Have a really good day, everyone.  I hope the weather isn't too unpleasant for you and that you can be warm and cosy.  See you tomorrow!  xx

Wednesday

Good morning, everyone.  How's things?

It's a bit cold here but not as cold as yesterday, judging by the lack of frost on the cars.  OK by me.  Inside, the house smells of coffee because I have just ground a bag of beans in Thermione.  I would love one of those posh coffee machines that noisily grinds the beans needed and presents you with a wonderful drink at the end but this is for the cafetiere.
Maybe, one day - and maybe not!

Yesterday passed very pleasantly.  Groove was good and it was very satisfying to hand over two bags of unwanted fabric items.  Some of the things are still in really good shape, I just don't use them.  C said that they sell really good stuff to raise much needed money so that's really good.
Once home, I got ready to go into school to talk to the SENDCo - a very good meeting and I have plenty of info for my report to the governing body.

Early afternoon K came round and we had a good catch up over coffee as we sorted a few things out - not problem things, just things.  I'll tell you another time, if it works out OK.

And that was it - the house was as OK as it ever is so I sat down with coffee and my crochet and got stuck in to the Quiet Skies blanket.  It's going really well now; in fact, I'm not far off finishing the squares and then there's the challenge of working out where each bit goes.  I think I might have to redo one set of squares because I got the colours wrong - if I have the yarn to do so.  We will see.  It depends what it looks like once they are all laid out really.  If you can't tell, no worries . . .

Today is a day with nothing on at all until late afternoon when I have a Governors' chairs and vice-chairs meeting with the MAT trustees.  I couldn't get to the last one and before then I wasn't a vice-chair so it's a new experience for me.  I will sit quietly and learn!
There's some paperwork to go through and I do have to write up my meeting report which won't take that long really.

I'm thinking of doing a bit more Christmas window shopping - I do enjoy looking around and am usually not that tempted because I have all I need to create a festive vibe at home already.  It is just really nice - a feast for the eyes.

Better be off and doing, I suppose.  Stay warn, everyone, and have a lovely day.  xx

Tuesday

Hi, everyone!  It's still pretty dark here but I just stuck my nose outside the back door and it's not quite frosty -yet - but frost often develops as light dawns so we will see.

(later edit:  yes, we have frost!!)

I got done what I wanted/needed to do yesterday.  The washing basket is now almost empty and one load dried on the line in the breezy sunshine.  The second load didn't really but that made things easy to iron and they're now ready to put away.

When I emptied the airing cupboard before Matt was due to come, I realised quite how much old stuff I had at the back so, yesterday, I sorted the lot out - towels, sheets, duvet covers, the lot - and am taking all the stuff I no longer need down to the hall when I go to Groove to a friend who supports a local animal shelter which, she said, are always on the look out for that sort of stuff.  I was so pleased to get that done and dusted.

I did a bit of housework too, so my halo may shine dimly but at least it still shines.  

Today feels busy.  It isn't really, it just feels it.

There's Groove, of course, although we're not walking today; Chris is driving, because of the bags of stuff.

Then there's just time for a quick breakfast before I am due at school for my termly Governor's meeting with the SENDCo.  I have the paperwork printed out and it shouldn't take all that long although this term's meeting is quite an in-depth one and, with the changes in OFSTED guidelines, there will be plenty to cover, I think.

This afternoon is easier - I have the friend coming round who couldn't come last week so that will be very nice.

If I have time/energy, I will write up my report of the morning meeting - if not, I will do it tomorrow instead.

So that is my day - nothing too out of the ordinary and it will be nice to see everyone - Chris, Groove ladies, the school folk and my friend.  I think I will be all peopled out by the evening but that's OK.  😄

Have a lovely day yourself, everyone.  Stay warm, safe and cosy!  See you!

Monday

Morning, everyone.  As predicted, it has turned pretty cold round here.  Not frosty cold, just cold and with some wind!  Brrrr - definitely I am taking my coat to circuits this morning.

Yesterday was nice and gentle.  I made those loaves, did some washing, cooked, sort of tidied up and generally chilled.

Today starts with circuits at Shimmy Studio.  Then, as it is Monday, it is housework day and I have two piles of washing to deal with plus ironing that I really should have done yesterday but didn't.
That should keep me out of mischief today!

Thank you all very much for your kind comments yesterday - much appreciated.

Short and sweet today.  Have a lovely Monday, everyone, and take care.  xx

Sunday and a ramble

 Morning, everyone.  Happy Sunday.  After a damp, drizzly and rather gloomy day yesterday, this morning seems to be a bit brighter.  Not exactly sunny but thinner, higher clouds.  I haven't been out yet but I bet it is colder too.

Yesterday was, as expected, a slow day.  I was quite weary but managed to hold off from actually having a snooze which resulted in a great night's sleep overnight so no complaints there.  I pottered - you know what I mean by that - but in the afternoon I took a trip to one of the three (why do we need three, I ask myself) Aldis in town and came out with a steak, some vacu packed chestnuts (for Christmas) and some nice smelly things - candles and reed diffusers - destined for December usage.

The other things I was glad to do yesterday was just to schedule in some of the advent/festive prep stuff.  December is pretty clogged in the first two weeks and I don't want to leave everything until the last few weeks.  At least I don't have to worry about The Actual Day!

Today is another day with nothing in the diary but it is a two loaf day, as I mentioned before (one for Lindsey and one for Beth).  I was hoping to get the dough mixed last night for a long overnight cold ferment but the leaven didn't play ball.  It looked beautiful this morning so the dough is mixed and in the middle of its stretch and folds right now.

I had an interesting comment under my Norwich post which started me thinking and you know me, sometimes I like to think out loud - or, rather - through my typing fingers.
This was the comment:

Whatever age I was I'd be very worried if I couldn't remember a place I'd been to just 18 months ago!

First of all, I am not offended and assume the writer meant well.  It was anonymous but I am OK with anonymous as long as they aren't nasty.  Nasty things would get the boot pretty pronto but I am very lucky that my readers are a really nice bunch and your comments are lovely.  Yes, I get spam, although Blogger seems to deal with most of the for me nowadays, but apart from that, yes, I'm lucky.  Thank you all very much.

Anyway, I've always been bad with names.  When I was teaching, I would click faces straight away, no worries, but it took me longer than average to connect names to those faces.  Always.  I wonder if it is associated with my poor hearing, which has been an issue since teenage years, in some way.
(I'm also a bit dyscalculic - number sequences faze me, they really do, and always have done)

Ditto with places so as soon as we got to Norwich I knew and I remembered where I needed to go to do what I wanted to do, etc.  I remembered the place fine.  It was the name and I smile as I type this because that is so very me.

So - worried?  Well, no, not really.  I've lived with poorish auditory type memory for a very long time, long before I knew about auditory/visual memories, etc.
All my friends of a similar age to me talk about not recalling things as well as they used to.  It's not just me!

However, and it is a big however, I do have to bear in mind that my lovely mum had dementia in the last ten-ish years of her life so - who knows, eh?  I keep myself active, mentally alert (sudoku type things, reading, word puzzles, outings, blogging, etc), physically fit with my classes and YouTube videos, I'm as social as a rather introverted and hard of hearing person can manage, I keep the hand/eye coordination going through my crafting . . . and I can certainly still string ideas together into a semi-coherent account/waffle/ramble!
My finances are in order with savings in case I do need care in the future as well as my house, etc.

You do what you can, don't you, and accept that some things can't be avoided/changed?  I don't worry about this particular thing; worry is a waste of mental energy and there's more than enough things in the world to worry about at the moment anyway, but I do what I can and what will come, will come.

Thanks for the comment.  It's good to think about these things from time to time.  And thanks to everyone who has made it through to the end without yawning!  😉

Whatever the weather, have a lovely day, everyone.  See you tomorrow.  xx

Saturday

Morning, all.  Half way through November and all back to normal for a little while.  My goodness, it didn't half rain yesterday!  No wind to speak of though so that was good.  Now they say it will turn a fair bit colder but that's this time of year for you!

Yesterday was a pretty normal Friday.  Slimming World first and then I dodged the raindrops over to Morrisons to get what looked like a fairly small shop - with a big bill as is always the case nowadays.
I went to pick Alex up as it was absolutely chucking it down by then, and together we made some sushi - me first and then he copied.  I'd already made the rice as he can follow the Thermomix instructions for that.  I wish I had taken a photo as he did really, really well and proudly took a plateful home for his and Beth's dinner.

When dropping him back home, I popped in for a coffee with Beth and we started working out the Christmas plans.  Early, I know, but it helps to know who is doing what and when.  Alex and I only have two more sessions before Christmas due to other commitments so we decided than next week we will try the nut roast recipe that Beth rather fancies for Christmas and then the other session can be for prepping - pigs in blankets, stuffing balls, roasties, etc, all of which can go into the freezer.

Today is a day for mopping up all sorts of bits and bobs - bits of ironing, some dusting, some kitchen stuff (it is a two sourdough loaf weekend) - that sort of stuff.  And now I know where we are with Christmas arrangements, I can make a timetable.  That sounds a lot more organised than it really is but I have four - four - coach trips in December and they eat away at the time.

They are:

Kew garden lights
Edinburgh (4 days) 

The Thursford Spectacular
and Harrods/RAH carols

Slight overkill there but I didn't really think when I booked them and I am looking forward to it all.

I was awake at stupid o'clock this morning so I suspect the day will also include a few snoozes here and there - and why not?  I can, after all.

Then in the evening it is Strictly - Saturday and Sunday evenings are nice at the moment.

What are your Saturday plans?  xx

A(nother) visit to Norwich

(It's a bit late, sorry.  The sentences didn't flow very well earlier)

 I really am getting old - I had totally forgotten that I did a trip to Norwich about a year and a half ago.  I wrote about it here. 

As we stopped at the drop off point I thought, I know where we are, and it all came back.  It was nice because I didn't need to spend much time finding my bearings.
I headed straight to the Forum to find the loo and managed to get a tourist map in the library.  I had a very nice coffee before arriving at the Castle Museum.

Going through the Royal Arcade, I had to take photos of these beauties.  Made of some sort of metal - aren't they lovely?

A bit of info about the castle.  It is one of the  finest surviving secular Norman building in Europe, the stone keep was started by William (II) Rufus and completed by his younger brother, Henry I, both sons of William the Conqueror.
It was very important at first but gradually its significance faded and it was used as a county gaol from the 14th century before it opened as a civic museum in 1894.
Since then it has developed and been improved and now, following a major development project with support from the National Lottery, it is a fine museum.
Now, visitors can see and explore the rooms of the royal palace, filled with furniture, textiles and decoration that would have been seen by Henry I.

The basement - this was originally split into two rooms with a stone wall down the length of the space - you can see the foundations under the glass.  In the left corner, there's a screen that plays a video of the history - very interesting and not too long.  

It doesn't show in this photo but the hanging lights outline where the wooden rafters would have been.

This was a hidden staircase, bricked in very early, and it shows the stairs pretty much in their original state rather than the rickety, fairly risky, worn away stairways we usually find in old castles.

It always amazes me how thick castle walls are.

The loos - or garderobes - were huge.  Room for up to sixteen bottoms in four compartments, with showed power and prestige at that time (says the guide).  We do still judge a place by its loos, don't we?  Thing of those posh shops and high end restaurants with really fancy and attended loos.

There was ye olde graffiti all over the place - people have always wanted to make their mark, haven't they?

This is the Virgin Mary (I think) and, over the centuries it has been worn smooth by being touched, stroked by the hands of worshippers.

A fireplace.  This was in the Great Chamber (I think) which also had an elaborate water basin and a well.  Mega luxury!

Being a weekday, there were a number of school groups.  It took me back to when I used to take the Y1s to a Victorian Experience Day at Braintree Museum.
The children were noisy, of course, but extremely well behaved, letting adults pass and being very polite.
Good for them and good for their teachers.

As well as all the history, there's also a museum covering natural history, fine art, decorative arts, the Royal Norfolk, Regimental Museum and other aspect of history such as medieval life, Anglo Saxons, Vikings and Romans.

I rather liked the large collection of teapots!

This also caught my attention.  Wow!

A view from the battlements - not the best picture because the gaps had safety glass and lifting my phone above the glass made it tricky to see what was in the view finder - but you get the idea . . .

By the time I had finished looking around the museum, taking in a diet coke and sausage roll in the cafe half way through (tasty), I headed for the shop where I found the compulsory fridge magnet(s) before leaving.

I took one more photo on the way out - the ancient keep with its Bath limestone facing and a far from ancient and very welcome lift for those who can't manage the hill and steps.

By the time I came out of the castle, there really wasn't time to walk past the Cathedral (which I 'did' very thoroughly last time) up and over the river to find the yarn/fabric shops and my feet were starting to hurt so I just did some gentle window shopping, including look in Jarrolds, a large, family run, department store which, I discovered provided a very refreshing pot of tea and slice of tiffin.  The tea was necessary, the tiffin not.  But it was good, all the same.
I nearly fell in the Jo Malone department but managed to stay firm, contenting my self with a good spray of my favourite perfumes.

I meandered round the market.  One of you said you find the market quite claustrophobic and I know what you mean - it's very - um - closed in and you have very little personal space.
Some of the street food looked and smelt amazing though.

I walked past the Guildhall which is the largest surviving medieval civic building outside of London.   I think it is rather lovely.

We were so lucky with the weather.  The forecasts had ranged from showers and drizzle through to torrential rain but none mentioned dry weather with sunshine.

Never was I more glad to get on the coach and sit down.  My feet and ankles are definitely older than the rest of me!!!

Will I go back?  Yes, I think I probably will.  There's so much more to see and places to explore.  Maybe next year . . .   and maybe next time I will remember beforehand that I already know what's there.  If I don't, please remind me, OK!   :-)