Chitchat thread #24

[Nicos]

Mornin n’alln’all
I know it’s a tad early- but the kettle has boiled if anyone is interested?

Bramble- what jams and preserves are you thinking of making? Some people are going to be rather pleased with their purchases!

I keep fancying making lemon curd …hmmmm….I’ll hunt out some smaller jam jars….just incase , as I know I have several lemons already in the freezer.

I’m fancying a slow day today. No doubt something will crop up though!

Enjoy your day whatever you do…and let’s remember to share those lovely smiles of ours

[greenishfing]

Good morning all.

Coffee please, Nicos. It's a cloudy, miserable 8°C here, and feels quite chilly.

It's very quiet this morning. I can't even hear the faint hum of traffic in the distance or the sound of wind or rain. If the world had ended, how long would it take me to realise?

I think sneak out of bed and turn the thermostat up. Maybe snuggle down for another half hour.

[Nicos]

I’ve just had some lovely news!…my daughter and 4 yr old granddaughter are coming over for Xmas!…A whole week too…yippeeee

I think the smiles just got supercharged!…

[Bren In Pots]

Morning

Lots of overnight rain but its supposed to be dry for the rest of the day. No gardening today so a mix of domestics, hobbies and nipping out to the supermarket at some point.

Enjoy your day

edited to Say Nico you're going to enjoy those Christmas cuddles xx

[greenishfing]

I've given up on the snuggling. I'm wide awake. I've brought my coffee back to bed.

I can even hear noises now. Faint traffic sounds and a bird squawking. The sun is even attempting to show its face, not quite succeeding though.

I wonder if we'll get any snow this year. I remember getting snow on bonfire night once in the 80s in Sheffield. A large group of us had gone to a council bonfire in a park, but ended up retreating to the pub This was in the days when pubs were pubs. I used to enjoy going to the pub in those days. I only know one proper pub now that hasn't turned into a cross between a kindergarten and a restaurant .... and sells good draught beer. Unfortunately it's in quite a remote location and I don't drink and drive.

I noticed a charity bag came through the letterbox last night. An encouragement to start sorting out a chest of drawers?

[greenishfing]

What great news, Nicos.

[Florence Fennel]

Good Morning All Bright blue sky here this morning. What lovely news Nicos, Father Christmas will be with you. Bacon is going on now. Have a lovely Sunday

[bramble]

Good morning all, bright blue sky and the sun is shining,
Off to the church shortly, no other plans,
Nicos what lovely news, having a child in the house makes Christmas so much more magical.
As for jams and preserves, I will do an inventory of the freezer and then decided.
Have a good day all,

[mothhawk]

Afternoon all.

What lovely news, Nicos! Having small children around at Christmas really makes it a festive season, gives you loads of motivation to go overboard on decorations and treats and restores a magical sense of wonder that just a group of adults just doesn't provide, family or no.

Went to give blood today, sunday is a good day since most folk have a lie-in, so plenty of early appointments, plus it was only in the next village. In and out in 30 minutes, 5 minutes more and I was home again. I've indulged myself with a sausage butty and slice of cake for lunch, which will no doubt show up on the scales tomorrow.

[Nicos]

Well done on your blood donation MH
I used to give it when we were in the UK - but the French won’t use any British Blood …..because of potential ongoing problems because of….. wait for it….

…..and a bit more….

….any guesses?…..

Nah…you most probably haven’t….. Cos it’s because of …

Mad cow disease back in the 80’s

Hands up anyone who guessed correctly'

Snoop - is it the same in Spain?

[Snoop Puss]

Afternoon all.

Yes, Nicos, the same here. Makes me feel quite guilty when I see the mobile blood collection unit in the village.

Great news about your daughter and granddaughter, by the way. I guess you won't want snow on their travel days, but some on the big day would be nice!

No idea where today has gone. Better get a move on and try and catch up with it.

Have a great rest of the day, everyone.

[Snoop Puss]

Morning all.

Ridiculous day ahead. I don't know why I agree to things and volunteer for others. You'd have thought that by now I'd have a bit more common sense.

Mr Snoop wants to go out and see an automatic car today. He's sensible enough to know he can't drive now, but he's hoping to in the future and I don't want to thwart him. And while we're out we'll visit a big supermarket that we rarely go to, as it's too far away. But I could do without taking hours out of the day... Then back to cook supper for M and his visitors. And before that, a ton of work. Wish me luck!

Have a great day, everyone.

[greenishfing]

Good morning.

It's a grey morning with rain forecast for most of the day.

Snoop Puss, it sounds as if you really have got a busy day. Is there anything that you can delay until tomorrow to try and lower your stress levels? My advice is to try and enjoy your trip out. Maybe buy some food in the supermarket to make tonight's cooking easier/quicker. I am using all kinds of unmentionable kitchen shortcuts at the moment.

I feel guilty too when people I know go to give blood. Unfortunately not even the NHS wants mine.

I reckon that it is time now to make some coffee.

[Nicos]

Mornin n’alln’all
It’s getting darker by the minute here! The whole sky looks like one massive rain cloud about to dump…
Yesterday there were times where it was bouncing off the ground…almost hypnotic to stop and watch how high they splash!
Yeh…I’ve got too much on to stop and stare but it does calm the soul

Snoop - it’s a grand idea to go looking at automatics. You never know , you might prefer one yourself. Our main car is automatic and it’s so easy to drive. The camper is old, and manual but I honestly prefer the ease of automatic. Hill starts are a breeze in it.
I wouldn’t choose a manual ever again if push came to shove.

Speaking of ‘shove’ ( flat tyres) I forgot to mention that our camper passed its MOT. A few advisories but nothing requiring doing instantly. So that’s a relief as OH will be sleeping in it for a few nights later on this week rather than booking a hotel.

I’ve had my breakfast , but am feeling really hungry again!
OH is cooking the potato skins for the chooks ( to add to oats etc to make them a ‘mash’) and it’s making me fancy a cooked meal already ! Bit like being at junior school when you could smell the food being cooked from scratch throughout the morning….None of that preprepared food the kids seem to be offered these days.

Right - well I should shake a leg or I’ll start snacking , And that doesn’t require much to set me off…

Have a great day everyone, and remember to share those lovely smiles.

[greenishfing]

Nicos, I remember smelling lunch all morning too at school. There were no choices when I was a child .... and no such thing as a packed lunch. No chips, or pizza or turkey twizzlers. Mostly just meat, mash, veg and gravy followed by a stodgy pudding and custard. Proper food on proper pottery plates. We not only survived, but thrived on it. All for five shillings a week. I dread to think how today's children would cope.