Blogmas, day 19

 . . . and another very good morning to you all!  Friday already and this time next week, the Big Day will all be over and just a very happy (I hope) memory.  And my Twelve Days of Christmas will begin.

Chris and I managed our chat yesterday.  It was kind of cough-laden but we got there and it was so nice.  Then I drove over to Marriage's Mill Shop because I discovered I was totally out of  plain flour and very low on various bread flours too.  I came back with three strong wholemeals, two strong whites, two dark ryes and a plain.  I use the rye for Bubbles and I also add some to my wholemeal loaves.
As I hoped, the shop was pretty empty and I didn't get too close to anyone.

By the time I got home, I was a bit wiped out so rested up before using the link that Veronica sent to find Paul Hollywood's sweet pastry recipe.  Dead easy and it did seem to make a nice pastry although I didn't make the mince pies, it's been resting in the fridge.  I will make them this morning.

Advent stuff

I got a text from Dave - Anna seems to have gone down with a something similar bug so they wouldn't have been able to come anyway.  Hopefully, she will feel better soon and fingers crossed that Dave will be OK.

And I think Alex will be cancelling today - as he said, he doesn't want to get what I've had and how do you know when you're not bug-ridden any more?

A friend came round with a gift and card.  I didn't have his ready because I've had two weeks put of commission.  If I had known it was going to last this long, I would have done something through Amazon.  I might still do, in fact, as shops will be rammed and I doubt I could cope.  

And, finally, I did get all the joining done.  It will need a bit of a steam - you have to be so careful with cheap acrylic yarn - and I have started the border.  There's going to be just enough gold to finish one round and then it's darker red and darker green and I can make it as wide a border as I want to frame all the little pictures.

That's enough rambling.  On to today's Advent stuff.

It's day 19 - all the usuals; 

candle in a tin, bath bomb, tea bag (it's called Christmas in Ceylon!), freebie Jo Malone sachet (my favourite English pear and freesia hand lotion) , a mini pot of cherry jam which sorts out my breakfast, the puzzle section and . . .

. . . today's Advent of Change is for Well Child, a national charity for sick children.

Today you have helped a seriously ill child enjoy quality time outdoors, by contributing to a garden makeover at their home.
https://www.wellchild.org.uk/

Today, assuming Alex doesn't come round, I will make those mince pies, make the pigs in blankets, stuffing balls and prep the roasties and get them all into the freezer.  Oh, and make Beth's loaf for this week - and maybe start Lindsey's started as it all goes so much more slowly than in summer.
If he does come round, we will do it together!  😊

Finally, today's Advent Calendar music.  I've chosen another by another favourite, the lovely 'The Three Kings' by Peter Cornelius, favourite with choirs everywhere and, here, sung by Kings College choir, of course.  Who else?