Chitchat thread #24

[Nicos]

Mornin n’alln’all

Wet sploshy stuff over night. Went to bed with a crystal clear sky with stars a-twinkling , so was looking forward to a white crispy start to the day.
Ah well…it’s December…and time to open my advent calendar As usual, it’s a Milka Chocolate one.

I’d love a brew please MH…can’t start the day without a brew!
Speaking of drinks- what did you end up doing last night Gf….I imagine a hot chocolate would be rather yummy in the early hours. Have you thought about making up a small flask of hot chocolate when you go to bed…to save you getting up? You could always drink it the next morning if you slept through? Just a thought. Quite a luxury too…and why not!

Not sure what today will bring.I have to nip out later but as I didn’t get round to making that Dorset apple cake the other day, then maybe today should be the day.

A bit of culinary advice please peeps- I want to make lemon curd soon to have over Xmas/New Year. I only use egg yolks instead of whole eggs and tend to make a few small pots rather than one large one and store them in the fridge. How long would you feel happy leaving an unopened pot in the fridge?…

Right…can’t hold off any longer- the Advent Calendar awaits!
Have a great day peeps…make the most of what you have, and do share those lovely smiles of yours

[Nicos]

Te he GF….I keep thinking now of you tucked up in bed drinking hot chocolate and gingerbread- as opposed to ginger beer and chocolate cake!

[mothhawk]

Lemon curd - I wouldn't keep it, sealed, more than 3 weeks in the fridge, and then use it within a week once opened. The jars and lids need to be well sterilised too. I've never actually managed to make lemon curd last that long.

[greenishfing]

Good morning, a proper good morning this time, even though it doesn't really appear to have got properly light yet.

The heating is on and I'll shortly go make coffee. I never did venture out of bed to grab a glass of milk and eventually did fall asleep. I'm not really a fan of hot chocolate, or any hot milky drink, but chilled milk, fresh from the fridge, I love and it goes together so well with chocolates.

Coffee made, and Mr GF woke up for long enough for me to get him to take a painkiller.

I agree with MH about lemon curd, which is why I only make small amounts.

[Bren In Pots]

Morning

Rain and gusty winds here for the day so we won't be going far.

Think I'll make a few Christmas cards I don't like to leave them any later or I feel rushed.

Enjoy your day

[Florence Fennel]

Good Morning All Raining here. It's a bit warmer at ten degrees already. I agree about the lemon curd. I use the microwave to make it, so it's a quick process but then seal it in jars and use by date is three weeks.
My Advent calendar is from my youngest GG and is about to be opened
Have a good day

[bramble]

Good morning all.dull and wet but very mild.
Some books to return to the library and then some grocery shopping,
I may write my Christmas cards this afternoon if it continues to rain so another task done.
Have a good day all.

[rary]

Good evening, it has been dull but dry today, was just out of bed when the two youngest grandsons phoned to say they had missed the bus for school, so had to take them over to school, I then made breakfast for OH before going for some messages, once I had done the shopping I collected some seaweed, which of course OH doesn't know about, once back home I had to take another sample from OH to the clinic, then after lunch I did some tidying up in the house, the garden has been put on the back burner for now, then as it was reasonably warm, 10c, I decided to cement in the ridge tiles on the roof as I reckon thats where I am getting a little bit of water into the conservatory, once finished that I then preparing things for the tea, when the doctor phoned to talk to OH, who has now been told she has two fractures in her back, so we are now looking to having further treatment, while the doctor was on the phone I asked him for alternative painkillers, as the tramadol isn't easing the pain sufficiently, so now going to try liquid morphine, and as OH might be faced with the possibility of hospital visits I have decided ti cancel my cataract procedure for next week, OH says I should go ahead wirh it as the family are there if needed, but as they all work getting time off at short notice at this time of year isn't always possible, and anyway I wouldnt feel comfortable if she needed someone to take her somewhere,abd irs not as if my eye sight is realy that bad,
Have a pleasant relaxing evening and keep smiling

[greenishfing]

Good morning.

rary, sorry to hear that Mrs rary is still in pain. I hope that the morphine helps her. I actually got Mr GF to take his painkiller last night and he seems to be having a good night's sleep..... no moaning and groaning yet.

I've got a grory hop due this morning, and the district nurse is calling to see Mr GF too today.

It's 7°C and clear here. We're even forecast to have some sunshine today.

I decided to give Mr GF's electric razor a good clean yesterday with an old toothbrush and water. The head fell apart in the sink and I was struggling to get it back together for what felt like an age. I was contemplating treating myself to a jigsaw but I think the shaver has put me off for now. I don't think I've got the patience any more.

I think that I'm actually starting to feel sleepy now. See you later.

[Nicos]

Mornin n’alln’all
Woken up and spotted the outdoor tree lights have come on ok ( using a timer) That brought a smile to my face

So sorry Mrs Rary is still struggling - that sounds very painful….but not as sore as you’ll be if she finds out you’ve been working up ladders again young man Having said that, I hope it’s finally sorted the raining in problem.

Did you get your Xmas cards written Bramble? I used to love doing mine whilst watching a festive film.
Bren- I admire that you make your own!…how many each year?

Nothing specific planned today apart from a quick hospital visit, so we might just take the camper again and a book and park up somewhere pretty for a few hrs and have a picnic. I can look out fir more hawthorn berries whilst we are at it.
Is it a good year for holly berries?

Right- I need a brew, so anyone else fancy one whilst I’m up?

Enjoy your day peeps as best you can , and remember to share those lovely smikes of yours.

[Snoop Puss]

Morning all.

Hope you managed to get a bit more kip, GF.

The sun is just catching the clouds, which are now grey with a hint of pink. Doubtless a fashionable colour these days. Due to be mostly cloud this morning with sunny patches. Could do with it being the other way round. Thick cloud and drizzle later. Not that it'll make much difference to me seeing as I'll be stuck at the computer.

Two fractures are no good, Rary. Hope they manage to find a solution for her other than just painkillers. Must be very frustrating for the pair of you.

Sounds like you've got a nice outing planned, Nicos, bar the hospital visit. Will it be warm enough for an outdoor picnic or will you be cooking in the van?

Have a great day, everyone.

[Nicos]

We’ll just take some butties for lunch . Nowhere special planned - I’ll have a look on goooogle maps to see if anything floats my boat.. ( funny saying that- wonder where that comes from?)

It’s dull and chill here , but at least the wind has dropped- but nope- I’ll be snug in the van with the heating on!
I’m not good with cold and damp tbh.

[Bren In Pots]

Morning

It's looking like being a fine day here, no gardening its to soggy after yesterdays rain.

Nicos I don't as many cards these days just 12 for close family and a couple for friends, then neighbours have store bought cards. I've spotted a fair bit of holly with berries around here we'll collect some later for the mantlepiece.

Rary fingers crossed the morphine works for MrsR. xx

Enjoy your picnic Nicos and I hope the hospital visit goes well.

[mothhawk]

Morning all.

Sunny and fresh here. Grory hop done early, only a dozen or so cars in the supermarket car park. I love being able to park pretty much where I like. I bought some flowers as there are none in the garden to cut now, and this is the second bunch in a row (different flowers too) that I've had a tiny caterpillar or larva drop out of. As they are imported flowers there doesn't seem to be much bio-security going on.

Enjoy your day out, Nicos. I love that you can do a quick hospital visit. No such thing here. After circling for half an hour to find a parking space, you then have to wait at the end of the queue regardless of appointment time, usually at least 30 minutes, and you daren't wander off in case your name is called while you are gone.

This year seems a good one for berries of all kinds, here the hedgerows are so smothered in haws that they glow deep maroon. There is a variegated holly at a house I walk past absolutely loaded with berries, and it looks so pretty as the trunk has been kept clear of branches to about 8 feet, then left to grow, and it has formed a perfect pyramid - a holly christmas tree.

[Florence Fennel]

Good Morning All Sun is out and so is the washing. Nothing planned today. Have a good day