Blogmas, day 24

And we are here!  Welcome to the last day of Blogmas, 2025, December 24th, Christmas Eve.  It's turned quite cold here but the chances of a white Christmas are pretty much 0%.  A frost would be nice though.

Yesterday was really lovely.  I enjoyed Groove very much although it did set me off coughing a bit and, again, I did 2/3 of the class which I was pleased I managed.  As Sharon commented yesterday, it can take quite a while for the after effects to go and I get that.  Fortunately, I can take things easy and I will.

I added a couple of things to my Christmas tree.

This lovely little chap was filled with a bag of chocolate coins, no longer in this world.  Chocolate is good for all sorts of things, Madam Pomphrey says so.

The bag is cute and clever and I think I will be working out the pattern and nicking the idea for next Christmas.  Thanks, Pam and Mick.

And then this popped through the door (wrapped, of course), from Lindsey, plus a dear little keyring which I have to find a use for.

Both these will be Christmas tree fixtures from henceforth.  :-)

Later on, Val popped over - she and Mike had to be in town and, as she has been unwell and we couldn't meet up (and anyway, I was unwell too so if she hadn't cancelled, I would have), she brought my Festive pressie and I was able to give her hers too.  One down!

She didn't stay as she had other gifts to distribute and I was about to pop out.

The cake is iced.  I may not use those decorations, given that it is an adults' Christmas; I have a poinsettia flower I could lay over instead and I might very well do that.  The only thing that's fixed is the ribbon.

What else?

Oh, yes.  Sharon came, did the usual, I gave her the little gift Beth and I always like to get for her and my next appointment isn't until February!

John's beer arrived at his.  He has a pretty obscure address without house number or street name and technology always queries it, despite the post code being clear enough.  But they got it right this time so now he has some 'designer' beers to enjoy.

I pootled off to Morrisons again - I decided I wanted to treat myself to my absolute favourite tipple, Campari.  Anyone else remember those old adverts with Lorraine Chase?
Here's one to refresh your memory.

I like it either with prosecco or tonic so I got some slimline tonic too.  It will see me through to New Year and beyond, I am sure.
I like a negroni cocktail but no way was I buying gin and vermouth as well as the Campari!  There are limits!

There's a few things to do today, none of them in any way a hassle!

Chris and I are having an online chat as we won't have it tomorrow.   That will be very nice.  Online, not face to face, because I think she is still not sure how 100% I am (fair enough) and doesn't want to catch anything.   I totally understand that.

This morning, I plan to roast the turkey and boil, glaze and bake the ham.  I'm using a very simple glaze of maple syrup, grain mustard, Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce which should taste great and I am doing the turkey crown in the air fryer because I can!  :-)

This afternoon, I will prep the carrots and the sprouts and that, I think, is the very last thing that needs doing.

Then, this evening is Carols from Kings and Together at Christmas, both of which I love and I don't think they clash.  If they do, they will be recorded anyway so no worries.

I feel very relaxed, very ready for Christmas.  I bet Beth doesn't though!!  I mean, she will be ready but maybe not so relaxed, bless her.

Here's the last stuff.  All the same, the mini jar is apricot jam and the Advent of Change is Baby Lifeline, the mother and baby charity.

The site says:

Baby Lifeline is a unique national charity whose mission is to make care safer and better for every pregnant woman, pregnant person, and newborn baby all over the UK and worldwide. It does this by supporting and working with NHS professionals at the heart of care – buying equipment, developing and providing critical training and conducting research.

The calendar says:

Today you have helped deliver a Christmas baby! by providing the specialist training needed by paramedics to attend an emergency birth.

Very appropriate for the season!

https://www.babylifeline.org.uk/

I've treated myself to a couple of Kindle Christmas reading things.  One is Rickard Coles' Murder under the Mistletoe and the other is Dylan Thomas' A Child's Christmas in Wales which Sue mentioned in her blog a few weeks ago - thanks, Sue.
I will enjoy reading those over the coming days.

I've finished neither the blanket or the cross stitch but that's OK.  Next week is very quiet with loads of time for self indulgent stuff.

Here's a New Year's Eve card for you all.  

https://jlcards.com/Pm3eN3

I haven't mentioned it much but I am loving this year's Jacquie Lawson Advent calendar and have become quite addicted to the Santa Drop game.  I'll look at today's bit once I have send this.  :-)

Today's Advent music has to be this . . . 

Could it be anything else?  xx