Chitchat thread #24

[bramble]

Good morning all and its freezing here as well.
I had a very early appointment I town with the e ye specialist so had no time to read up on the posts.
Stay warm and catch up later.

[Nicos]

Mornin n’alln’all
cold , misty and drizzle for me. Seems to have warmed up a tad, but only a tad.
There was a break in the clouds last night and what looked like a full moon. Apparently it was , but the cloud cover soon hid it - along with seeing the moon and Mars crossing paths. Not complaining cos with cloud and rain as it keeps away the colder temperatures.

On the bird feeders and table this morning we had two woodpeckers , two jackdaws, along with the smaller birds. The jackdaws were certainly in charge

Interestingly rary, the French are very into opening windows and ventilating the house for about 15 mins every day - whatever the weather. In summer you often see duvets hanging out of bedroom windows airing.
I think I was brought up thinking it was important to keep the heat inside the house. After all, it was expensive to get the heat up and took ages to achieve it in the first place with coal fires. Sausages at the bottoms of doors, curtains hung over doorways, heavy window curtains. Central heating changed all that but with fuel prices being what they are I can see people are going to have to start being aware of ‘the old ways’.
I recall my father saying “were you raised in a barn?” Meaning “shut the door behind you”. Mainly to keep the room temperature up.
Even now when I watch tv it’s interesting to see actors walk in through the front door on a set and just leave it open . Even now I occasionally comment to the actors about shutting the front door!

Yesterday we didn’t get around to decorating the trees so today is definitely the day.

Two nice finds there gf!
I’ve given up trying to hide things in this house - they get totally lost Mainly because of all the decorating and renovations going on. Last year, in the sales, I bought some small beautifully turned wooden Xmas trees to hang on the tree. Can I find then? Funnily enough though, OH found the whisky I’d bought and hidden for him for Xmas. And yep, it’ll need replacing

Hope your knees are OK today Geoff. I hate walking on ice, so much so I’ll avoid it at all costs. Funnily enough I used to ice skate several times a week and passed a certificate in ice dancing…but stand me on an icy patch of ground and I just go ridgid in anticipation of a tumble.

gf…..I’m drooling at the very thought of that cake …mmmmm…the scent of warm Xmas cake filling the house. Doesn’t get much more festive than that!

Right…brew time over - I have soooo much to do today ….

keep warm and safe peeps…no broken bones please!

[greenishfing]

I have had another naughty morning with my phone and debit card. I had wanted to order a hot water bottle like this for my great nephew but it has been out of stock. Yippee! Back in stock this weekend supposedly. I've ordered it on click and collect.

Of course a couple of other bits sneaked into my basket including a "round the neck" hot water bottle for Mr GF.

[Snoop Puss]

^Very cute hot water bottle, GF. And of course I had to look up round-the-neck hot water bottle. This group is great for keeping me up-to-date on all the latest mod cons!

[Nicos]

That’s so sweet gf!
Is it a hot water bottle or a microwaveable one?
Either way he’s going to love it!
I love practical gifts like that. You really can’t have enough hot water bottles! ( I have 3 )

[greenishfing]

^^^ It's a proper hot water bottle. They had similar smaller microwaveable ones called "hotties".

[Bren In Pots]

Afternoon

That's cute hotwater bottle GF, we've got a couple of HW bottles we take camping but just in knitted covers, thinking about it we ought to check them out they're years old.
On the bed at home we use an electric blanket it goes on for 20 to 30 mins just enough to air the bed before we get in.

[greenishfing]

Good morning...another cold one. Yesterday's never defrosted before it froze again. Brrrrrrr!

We got our hair cut yesterday and the hairdresser was very happy with her cake. Mr GF made me laugh telling her she was welcome, etc and then saying to me. "You gave her a WHOLE one!!" He really is getting possessive. We worked out yesterday that she has been cutting our hair for twenty years now.

I can't smell the bread yet but I think the breadmaker only has about ½ an hour to go. I'm trying to think of something that will go well with fresh bread for later.

I need to go get our repeat prescriptions from the chemist's later.

[Snoop Puss]

Morning all.

Nice smile this morning at the story of Mr GF and the whole cake. I haven't had my hair cut in perhaps 25 years (do it myself), but 20 years with the same hairdresser, is that a record on here?

So yesterday turned into a productive day. A busyish morning on the cards today, then lunch up the valley followed, I expect, by a bit of eyelid inspecting.

It's even a bright morning, though more cloud and drizzle forecast for later. The smiles are acting a bit naughty today it has to be said. So watch out for them up to tricks today.

Have a great day, everyone.

[Bren In Pots]

Morning

Just nipped in the the GH to check the overnight temp it was -2.8c just a bit colder then yesterday.

We got our hair cut yesterday and the hairdresser was very happy with her cake. Mr GF made me laugh telling her she was welcome, etc and then saying to me. "You gave her a WHOLE one!!" He really is getting possessive. We worked out yesterday that she has been cutting our hair for twenty years now.
I can't smell the bread yet but I think the breadmaker only has about ½ an hour to go. I'm trying to think of something that will go well with fresh bread for later.

My first laugh of the day 'You gave her a whole one'
GF I baked yesterday and spread raspberry jam on a crust just to check the bread was ok no plans for today apart from house stuff that needs doing.

Wrap up warm and enjoy your day

[Nicos]

Mornin n’alln’all
Late start for me as I crashed out
No frost, fog or wind here. Still chill though. The clouds have that beautiful pale creamy/yellow glow hinting at snow …hmmmm…who is /was the first to have snowflakes?

A whole fruitcake eh?…just tell him Snoop that it’s better on her hips than his belly and you were only perfecting it for his special one(s) Thanks for that chuckle!

We’re waiting for a delivery of a new car battery. This cold snap has almost killed our old one. When I say old, it’s only about 4 years old! Blinking heck though at the cost

Talking of hairdressers, my MIL had a lass starting up her own hairdressing business cycling from one customer to another…I was 17 when I met her for the first time. She was still her hairdresser when MIL died 42 years later. She actually retired but carried on driving over to cut her hair at home!
Speaking of which, I need to chop mine and hubby’s hair soon. Ta for the reminder!

Not quite sure what today has in store - probably sending festive greetings …..

Anyone made mince pies yet?….I’m fancying making some.

[Nicos]

All this chat about Xmas cake…I’ve a dozen mince pies in the oven!…can you smell them?

[greenishfing]

A good productive day so far. I had to defrost and warm the car up before Mr GF would even contemplate stepping outside the front door but it's been a lovely sunny day despite the frost still hanging around in the shade. I made one stop at a pound type shop that is not in the city centre and bought quite a few bits I needed for Christmas. Then I decided to go to a local garden centre to see if they had any Bay Laurel trees. I planned buying a small one for a Christmas present for a niece. I got a lovely specimen about three feet tall for her....now I just have to keep it alive for 2 weeks.

I was back home for 1pm as I had a parcel due between 1pm and 3pm. That has been delivered now.....Damart thermal wear for an in-laws Christmas present and slippers for Mr GF. He had managed to split his last pair. These look better quality.

I actually feel as if I'm getting organised. Only two more presents to buy (as long as the click and collect ones are there to collect tomorrow or on Monday). One for a niece in her early twenties and a small gift for a neighbour.

Please save a mince pie for me Nicos.

[mothhawk]

Afternoon all.

Sunny and bright, but still below 0C in the deep shade.

Ooh, mince pies! Time I made some. I still have a jar of H/M mincemeat from last year - it should be very flavoursome by now, I must dig it out.

The biscuit tin needs refilling too and maybe a fruit cake while the oven is on the go. That's jobs for tomorrow sorted then!

Nipped to the library this morning. The Smart system is back online. Last time I went I couldn't get inside as it wasn't working. The library is only staffed for 3 hours across lunchtime, and gets quite crowded then, so I prefer to go during Smart hours. Enough books now to last over Christmas. All the cards have been sent too, gosh I am SO organised I don't recognise myself.

[Bren In Pots]

Afternoon

House stuff this morning then stacking logs that MrB was splitting. That’s one way to keep warm outside

Back indoors for tea and fruit loaf.

I’ve not heard of Smart system Mothhawk I don’t think it’s available at out library, I do use BorrowBox to read ebooks that’s handy.