New Year's Eve

 Morning, everyone.  More mild, more dull . . . it looks as if it's been dry overnight but it's breezy and some of the plastic waste bags are blowing around the cul de sac.  I usually fasten mine to the waste food bin but they're not collecting that this week so I popped them beside Chris' (I asked) because it is a more sheltered corner the other side.

Well - New Year's Eve, the last day of 2021.  It's been a funny old year, hasn't it.  Plenty of ups and downs for us all, some national or even world wide and some very personal and difficult things.  I'm not going to be too reflective in here, you may be relieved to read, but being positive has sometimes been an act of will, not a natural response.

Yesterday, I got through Festive Blast OK although I did feel some twinges later on.  Nothing like before though so I'm calling that a win!  The last one is today but it clashes with the SW meeting so I can't be there, sadly.  I have enjoyed this week's exercises, even though I've had to miss two of them. 
Circuits starts again on Monday so that's very good.

Because it was fairly mild, I sorted out the last remaining 'black hole in the chest freezer - the fast freeze area.  It had been rather full because Dave and Anna had sort of borrowed the space to keep some of their super-reduced joints of meat.
However, Dave took most of it just before Christmas and it still looked puzzlingly full so I explored and, lo and behold, I found, under the bags of ice, a rolled pork joint, a gammon joint and a rolled turkey breast joint that I thought I had used up quite a while ago - obviously not.  They are now in the right bag and I'm pretty pleased as they are things I can do when I have guests.

I also updated my chest freezer audit.  It was so much easier than the last time when it was such a terrible mess; it was just a case of lifting each bag out, checking and amending the contents and then putting the bags back.  No rubbish to throw away, no 'why on earth did I freeze that' moments this time.
I didn't finish though - I have the beef and lamb bag to do and then the top three trays of the upright freezer, the one with the ready meals, etc.  I might get that done today but more likely tomorrow and ongoing as the turkey leftovers are added.

What is really helpful is that when I do get round to defrosting the freezer, apart from Dave and Anna's remaining stuff and some ice, everything is in baskets that I can just lift out.
It's supposed to be getting colder again next week - that would be an ideal time.  Then everything out there would be just as I want it to be.

I really had totally forgotten about yesterday's Twelve Days gift.  If I had remembered, I might not have bought those slipper socks last week and, actually, that would have been a pity because they are quite a different type and I can use both.  Also, of course, they will be washed regularly so it's nice to have at least one pair on, one in the wash and one in the drawer sort of thing.
Anyway, here they are - three pairs of trainer style fluffy socks with non slip pads underneath.  They're warm and comfy and safe in the kitchen and also might work well as bed socks, should we get any really cold nights.

In the evening I watched the old 'Bernstein conducts West Side Story' on YouTube.  I thought the quality would be terrible but actually, apart from that irritating lag between lips and sounds that you often get in the older clips, it was fine and I enjoyed it very much indeed.

Today, being New Year's Eve, sees Beth and Alex round again for what I have to try to remember is a New Year's Eve dinner, not a Christmas dinner.  It is, of course, that not-particularly-extra-small turkey which is sitting in the fridge waiting for action.  I'll take it out about an hour before oven time to get to room temperature and, being a Kellybronze, it isn't stuffed; I just toss an onion and some citrus in the cavity for flavour.  Pretty much everything else is ready to start cooking at the appointed time.

I'd worked out the timetable and then Beth and I agreed that we would have it an hour later so I will re-write them.  Being off work this week, Beth has stuffed a lot of extra things into her days and I think she's pretty tired.  Not a problem, we can eat at three just as easily as at two.  It just means that we may not want anything later on.  That's no problem either as I am sure Alex will take all the unused stuff home with him.

Apart from the meal, we plan to play board and card games again as we all enjoy them very much.  It should be a very pleasant time.

Well, when I next 'see' you all, it will be a new year.  What will it bring, I wonder.  What will change, what will stay the same, who will come, who will go?
Have a lovely day - are you seeing family, staying home, going out?  Whatever plans you have, be happy and be safe.  xx

Thursday

 Good morning, everyone.  The penultimate day of 2021 and it's been quite a year, one way and another, hasn't it?  Weather wise, it looks as if it will be going out with a whimper - very mild and damp - rather than any meteorological bang.  The same as today, in fact,  And yesterday, when it was pretty dull, damp and warm all day.

The back feels much better today, thanks.  I not only slept on and off through the day, I also slept well all night, going to be early and waking early too.

This was yesterday's Twelve Nights gift - some strawberry bath bombs.,  I's already had my bath before I opened it so will treat myself to one this morning and hope I don't go around smelling too much like a fruit salad!

As my back felt quite a bit better later on, I did get out a bit yesterday.

I saw, on the Lathcoat's Facebook page that they were now selling Spice Queen mixes.  Spice Queen is a local company that sells really good, mostly Indian, spice mixes, sold on their stall in the market and also online.  I don't think the stall has been up during the pandemic although, to be fair, I don't go into town enough to know really.
They sell online but you have to pay postage so I was glad to see that Lathcoat stocks them.
What particularly caught my eye was that their 'Festive Left Over Turkey Curry Mix was available.  They only have it around Christmas and New Year and I've used it before - it makes a gorgeous curry and, as I am likely to have plenty of left over turkey, I drove straight over to get some.

While I was there, I got some other spice mixes and a few other bits and bobs such as some eggs and some of their own Cox's apples, not that I actually needed the latter but they looked so lovely.

I brought in the turkey (very carefully) and it is now thawing slowly and safely.

Eileen, the programme about West Side Story was called 'West Side Stories - the making of a classic'.  It was on BBC 2 and here's the link to iPlayer.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b086kfbb/west-side-stories-the-making-of-a-classic

It was not at all the same as the classic Bernstein/te Kanawa/Carreras programme but I found it very interesting and there's some fine singing and dancing.
The latter is on YouTube although, probably, the quality isn't great.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3SEW63LsaM

Today, I am doing Festive Blast but VERY carefully.  It should be fine as long as I take it easy.  I will be spending some time prepping stuff for tomorrow's New Year's Eve meals, writing my timing plan, some housework and the rest of the washing, drying and ironing.
Not particularly exciting, but necessary.  :-)

What is more exciting is that the new Slimming Eats recipe book should be arriving today and I've also got a freebie version for Kindle too.  I had a good trawl through the Pinch of Nom book yesterday and there are simply loads of recipes I'd like to try so, between both those books and the leftover turkey, I will be eating very healthily and also very well through this winter.

Have a great day, take care and be safe.  Thankfully, this current variant seems to be pretty mild but Delta is still out there too and that is not so mild.

Wednesday

 Good morning, everyone.  It's mild and dry (and still dark) outside.  Yesterday was a real mix of weather.  We had blustery winds, sun, heavy showers . . .  it felt a bit cold in the wind, then it felt warm.  Just one of those days.  Today is supposed to be between nine and fifteen degrees and less variable.  We will see.

Yesterday started off with Festive Blast.  It went fine but maybe a tweaked something because through the day my back started ouching a bit and I've not had a very good night's sleep.  I'm mobile, it's just uncomfortable.  
I've pulled out of  Festive Blast this morning and also out of my weekly personal training I had scheduled for midday.  I'm going to rest up and that should sort it out.

I did a bit more clearing and sorting out, put some washing on and then forgot so I've just started it off again and must remember to actually get it out.

Last night's telly was good.  I watched recordings of My Fair Lady (always enjoyable although I'd like to smack Professor Higgins around his smug chops, especially at the end!!) and then the documentary about West Side Story which really is my most favourite musical ever.  I then started watching the film version but didn't get more than about half way before I decided bed was in order.  I did got to sleep but woke up after a couple of hours with that twingy back.  Most annoying!

The twelve nights gift was three mini bottles of clementine gin which I HAD to deal with as I am going 'dry' on January 1st for at least a month.

Today, I'm taking it gently but should get stiff done.  The washing, for a start!  I need to just have a little sort out in my bedroom too as it's a bit on the messy side.  Downstairs is fine as I've kept on top of it for once.

I've taken the Kellybronze turkey out of the freezer to start thawing in the fridge.  I ordered an extra small one which is supposed to be around 2k in weight.  Before Christmas I got an email from them that said this:

"You will have heard about the Avian Influenza outbreaks throughout the country. Whilst our KellyBronze turkeys were not affected by the two outbreaks in Essex, they were in the surveillance zone the government puts around any outbreaks.
This meant we had to pluck some turkeys a week later than scheduled, which means they have grown a bit bigger than planned.

Please check the weight of the turkey you receive (it`s on the label on end of turkey box), as it may be a bit bigger than you ordered and therefore may need a few extra minutes cooking time."

I didn't look at the box at the time although I realised it was bigger than it should have looked but I wasn't fussed because they don't charge more if the turkey is bigger.
I did weigh it this morning before it went in the fridge though.
'A bit bigger'?
'A few extra minutes.'???

My supposedly 'around 2k' turkey weighs a bit under 5k!?!

It's just as well I like turkey, I have room in the freezer, my daughter has cats who view a few chunks of turkey as the best treat in the whole wide world and a son who will be happy to take plenty home with him.
But more than double weight!!!  I got a bargain there, right enough!

And I am VERY glad it's getting 48 plus hours to thaw.

Well, that's enough for now - have a lovely day, everyone, and enjoy whatever you have planned.  Stay safe and be happy.  xx

Tuesday

Good morning.  It's mild and, for now, dry outside and the forecast is for ridiculously high temperatures for the next few days - in the mid teens and even into double figures overnight.  Bonkers!

Lindsey's Festive Blast yesterday was so good, perked me up, energised me and motivated me.  I'm looking forward to today's now.   I was also going to have personal training today but we've changed back to the usual time and day so I have that to look forward to tomorrow.

I sorted out my recipe folders and they are now all in good nick.  I need to go through the Christmas magazines and copy any recipes that I think will be useful for the future and then they can go on to my friend.  January's magazines should be in the shops by now so I will look out for them in due course.

I did some fridge sorting but there's a bit more to do.  It wasn't all that bad but I couldn't really be bothered.  I did enough to appease my conscience and no more!
I must do it today because I need to move the New Year's Eve turkey out of the freezer tomorrow to give it a sensible time in the fridge for thawing and I need some space for that.

Yesterday's Twelve Days gift was a reed diffuser.  It's in the kitchen at the moment because there's various Christmas smells in the living room but I might take it upstairs, possibly for the bathroom.  I think that will be nice.

Today's gift is sitting under the tree looking inviting.  I will open it later on, when I 'm relaxing after Festive Blast.

In her blog yesterday, Cherie said that she's thinking of doing Twelve Nights gifts, she and her husband, next year.  It's really nice when there's two because you can do each other's so it really is a surprise.  Of course, there's always the risk that they don't get what you would really like but heavy hints should help.

We finally managed the family buffet!  Cheers!  The freezer is definitely emptier now as I had bought in some of those 'party nibbles' boxes.  Very useful and actually quite nice but definitely on the beige side.  I thought I'd put way, way too much on the buffet table but by the time everyone went home there wasn't much left (apart from the Christmas cake - which is delicious) and what was left Alex took home.
We had a good time.  A round of Whot (last to 100 wins), two games of Scrabble (I was slaughtered in both games but it was fun, all the same) and Triple Yahtzee, which I won, mainly because I was lucky enough to get my three Yahtzees.
I'm definitely feeling muggy headed and lethargic this morning but Lindsey will wake me up, I am sure.

Today is an at home day with nothing in the diary but Festive Blast.
However, I would like to :

sort out the fridge properly
rearrange things in the freezer now there's more space again
catch up on more recorded telly

finish my current book and start my new one

Talking of books reminds me that I have a new cookery book arriving on Thursday, with any luck.  Ever since the success of the first Pinch of Nom book, other 'healthy recipe' bloggers have also been given the opportunity to publish, notably the Two Chubby Cubs and, most recently, Siobhan (had to check that spelling) of the Slimming Eats site, which I have found really useful so I was glad to preorder the book.  Between them all, I have a rich source of ideas and recipes that should help me get rid of the Christmas Gain and then keep me at target.
I'm looking forward to that one arriving.

I suppose I really ought to do some washing which means getting out my drying rack and ironing basket and board.  What a shame - but life continues, doesn't it?  How is your life getting back to normal again, now that Christmas is pretty much over?

So that's today - enough to make me feel I am being useful but with plenty of opportunities to R&R.  Stay happy, everyone, be safe and stay positive.  xx

Monday

 Morning, everyone.  Having just been out to the shed, I can confirm that it is really mild, cloudy and dry (for now, anyway).  Yesterday was pretty yuck with rain or drizzle on and off most of the day.  I know that up north they've had some snow but we didn't even get within sniffing distance of any here.

Yesterday ended up a bit of a disappointment.   Dave turned up at about three and then I got a message from Beth that she and Alex are both feeling yucky and achey - not Covid, they both test regularly but Beth thinks it is a slightly delayed reaction to the booster.  It was the same for the first two jabs.
Dave and I played some games and then Dave decided he'd go home and watch the cricket (not my thing at all).
So - fingers crossed for today instead.  We exchanged a few messages earlier and she says she's feeling OK.  However, I have urged her not to push it but to stay home if there's any doubt.  It's her holiday this week and I don't want her to knock herself back trying to do unnecessary stuff.

I had a pleasant evening catching up on programmes recorded over the last week such as the Strictly Special and the programme about the Kanneh-Mason family's Christmas.  I may also have 'caught up' with a few dregs of liquid in a few bottles too, not to mention a few random bits and bobs in the fridge!  Ooops!

This blog may end up a bit random too but never mind.

Now that all the gifts have gone, I have re-cluttered up under (beside) the tree with my Twelve Days of Christmas, an unashamedly exercise in post-festive self indulgence.

Today's gift is in front of the basket and I can't remember what it is - which was the whole idea when I put it all together well before Christmas.

This was yesterday's - and I peeked inside it but didn't actually start reading as I'm in the middle of a Miss Read Thrush Green book and want to finish that first.

It will be all the better for a pleasure deferred, I am sure.

Nothing to do with the Twelve Days, but I'm loving these slipper socks.  I treated myself to them when I did the early morning Last Shop before Christmas.
They are soft and snuggly and anti-slip and, if I need to go out to the shed, my slippers fit on over them.  What more could one ask?

I know it might sound daft, but I have been pondering things and thinking about next Christmas - and before you say anything, it's just that I'm not even going to plan a big buffet on Christmas Day.  I did it because that's what Mum always did so it was sort of expected but you know what - the cheese platter and a few mince pies were as nice as anything, dead easy for me and there for the whole of the evening for picking at.  So no cheese course for Christmas dinner but a platter out later on.  I've written it in next year's diary (on 1-12-22) so I don't forget.

The other ponder is that the micro managing December timetable worked REALLY well and there was no last minute pressure at all.  That's definitely staying for next time!

Today starts with an online Festive Blast with Lindsey and a number of others who have signed up  The last thing I feel like doing is half an hour of aerobic type stuff which probably means I need it very much.  There's a session each morning this week, Monday to Friday.  I will stay in my bed things until just before, get into my work out gear, do the half hour and then have my bath and get dressed.  A nice, regular start to each day.

Then I want to sort out the fridge and also sort out my recipes.  I have sheets all over the place that need to be sorted and filed away for next year and I want to get out recipes that I will want to use through January.  After all, I will have turkey leftovers next week!

Finally, I would like to finish my current book and start my Twelve Days book.

All that before about three when, fingers crossed, the family (minus Anna) is here again for buffet and games (but minimal alcohol as both will be driving).

Have a great day, everyone.  It's a Bank Holiday so I hope everyone is able to take things easy and enjoy the day.    Stay safe and well.  xx

Boxing Day

Morning!  Goodness, I'm weary this morning.  I stayed up really late in the hopes of  sleeping in this morning (and also to start catching up on recorded telly - and a bit more Christmas Campari might have had something to do with it too) but not a chance.  Wide awake just before five.  Not to worry, I am pretty sure I will have a nice snooze this morning and, apart from a bit of reorganising of gifts left behind by Beth and Alex for collection today, everywhere is in a reasonable state and only needs superficial tidying which will take about five minutes.

Thank goodness for dishwashers!

It was a lovely day.  Very busy, especially in the morning, but it stopped me thinking too much which was good.
The Christmas pork, kindly provided by Dave and Anna with very strict instructions about How To Cook It, was absolutely delicious and, for the first time in my life, the crackling was proper crackled.  Who doesn't love a but of pork crackling?  I thought belly pork would be very fatty but it wasn't, it was lovely, melt in the mouth, falling off the ribs stuff.  Definitely having that again at some point.

This is what the table looked like before the hoardes descended!!

A Christmas Day tradition is that Beth and Dave (usually Beth) does something with the wooden nativity set.  For example, one year she substituted a jelly baby for the baby Jesus and it was well into the afternoon before I noticed.
This year, taking inspiration from the current situation, the Holy Family and visitors found their movements very much controlled by some restrictions.

Apologies for the lack of focus . . .

The shepherds.

The wise men.

In the stable.

And on the back of each of the above.


I laughed myself silly over them!

I loved my gifts.  I won't go through them but just focus on this, from Alex.  He knows I love my festive china so gave me a lovely tin, two mugs and two coasters, all in the Spode Christmas Tree design.
What I already had was older designs and don't have the lovely border.
I'm enjoying my first coffee in one of the mugs right now!

I swear that, one of these years, I will shell out a disgracefully large amount on a dinner set of this design (or maybe the Portmerion Holly and Ivy), I love them so much.
Then I will HAVE to have family round very often to get some use from it, won't I?

Today is the First Day of Christmas and my gift from me to me is sitting on my reclining chair.  It's the only one I specifically chose for this day - the others are random so will be a bit more of a surprise.  Today's is the new Richard Osman book.  I've heard mixed reviews so I'll see what I think.

I chose this because I thought I was going to be on my own and something new to read felt very appealing.  However, Beth, Alec and Dave are all coming over again mid afternoon for the Christmas buffet none of us had room for yesterday evening, contenting ourselves with cheeseboard and mince pies.
Really looking forward to it.

So, that's my Christmas.  It was bitter sweet, I can't say I was happy all day, I wasn't, but it was joyful, all the same, despite the two big gaps that used to be filled by Mum and Dad.   I am glad they were missed - it wouldn't have been right not to miss them.

Did you have a lovely day?  I hope your gifts were just what you wanted (even if you didn't realise that until you opened them), your food was absolutely delicious and you felt content and satisfied.  We all spend these times in different ways, don't we, but it's all good (or should be).

Happy Boxing Day to us all  xxx

Christmas Day

 

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David), to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

The very last of the Advent music.  It just has to be that great Christmas Day carol, O Come, All Ye Faithful.

And I can't not have this as well - Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Wishing all my lovely followers a very, very Happy time this Christmas, however you keep it and whoever you keep it with.  Thank you for all your support, lovely comments, help and advice.  You are all wonderful.