Festive Fun..........

 
Saturday was prep day, unfortunately I woke with a painful neck and Daughter was coughing so she didn't come round with O, so my hero Hubby did lots of prep too.

By bedtime the goodies are out, the table is set and we are ready! 

Sadly on Christmas day both M and Daughter couldn't come, M was getting over this awful flu like bug that's doing the rounds this winter and Daughter had a dreadful cough so wouldn't come in case it was something brewing and she had germs she didn't dare share. So eight of us here. Dinner all went to plan. Both dogs got on well together which meant we all relaxed and enjoyed the day. 

After our main course I plated and packed for E and boyfriendC to deliver two 3-course Christmas dinners with serviettes and crackers to Daughter and M, this gave us a needed gap before dessert. 

I received lots of lovely gifts, including these beautiful macrame stars that E made. They are now proudly hung on the tree. 

We all joined in when E and O suggested we play some games. This one is shown on the TV and we all have to interact with it using our mobile phones. There was no real skill and it caused lots of laughter. 

Boxing day and just the two of us. It included clearing up, cleaning up, sorting leftovers and watching TV. 

27th has always been traditionally our family day, as it was my dad's birthday. It used to bring together my siblings, my children and partners and their children, nieces, nephews and their spouses/ partners and their children, potentially about 35-40ish people! We couldn't do it through the pandemic of course and together with those that now can't travel the distance and those that were unwell and not wanting to spread germs this year's was relatively small, but still lovely (just 14). NephewE's detour to the Jewish bakery&deli on the way was perfect. I was paying so told him to buy loads, he did, and the leftovers made a bag for Daughter and a bag for Son (consolation for being unable to come) and some in the freezer for me too! Nobody took any pics as we were having fun noisily chatting away. 

Now we're clearing up again hahaha! 

Wednesday night just four of us out to eat. Glad we managed it as friendM has two trips planned for January so we may only get one more Wednesday meet up before February! We do, however, now have a Spain holiday booked for the six of us in April to look forward to. 

Hubby and I have both really enjoyed the new BBC series The Traitors, although Hubby does find all the long debates tiresome. I think Claudia Winkleman has been the perfect host. 

There is now lots of media speculation that the next series will be celebrity contestants, I hope not, we have pre-conceived ideas about celebs and it's good to get to know strangers and guess how they will react! 

Biggest challenge this week is making meals out of all the leftovers, plus I had to add quite a bit more to the freezer after I bought our new years eve meal which came in about 10 boxes! 

So from this final post of 2022 all that's left to do is pass on my very best wishes for the year ahead and may it be happy and healthy for you all. xx

Lots to Celebrate.......

 
Sunday was the first of the eight days of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of light. So my best wishes to all who are celebrating it. 

We've had some beautiful sunrise skies, and some mornings I've actually been up in time to see them. 

This year I've made an even bigger effort towards less waste. I've only used the wrapping paper and gift bags I had here already (most of the gift bags were recycled pre-used ones anyway) and for others I've made gift bags from old no longer worn clothing. I'll suggest they can be reused or returned to me. 

Wednesday our new sofa bed was delivered (it should have been here Monday but I refuse to get grumpy this week).

Looks good doesn't it, and hopefully it will be comfy too. 

Thursday evening I finally went to see R performing in Red Rose Theatre's adaptation of Wind in the Willows. We went as a family plus my old friend, Hubby and I, Daughter and O, Son and fiancé and friendKK. 

Have to say none of these photos were mine, I've taken them all from their advertising. I was too busy enjoying the show to take photos. 

It was fantastic and hilarious! So so proud of R. I had to post this review to Facebook...

Wow Wow Wow  what a fantastic show that was tonight, I can't stop smiling 😁 Fantastic set that smoothly became everything they needed it to be. A perfect cast that so enjoy what they are doing it's contagious. Brilliant script delivered with brilliant timing. Wow !!!

Now here it's house cleaning and food prepping and cooking as much in advance as I can. So I'll get on with it and leave you with my wishes for you all to have a great weekend and a very......

Tinsel and Torment........

 
AAARRGGGHHHH!!! Well the week started with a panic. For Sunday night I'd booked a Christmas meal for my old work team. The department was closed down 13 years ago but we still meet for lunches and Christmas. I was office manager so they leave it to me to organise. I'd eventually got everyone to agree on a date and time and I'd booked for 7:30pm as agreed. I booked online, confirmed 7:30pm with my guests and recently gave in our menu choices to the restaurant with 7:30pm written at the top. I got an email reminder with our booking details and it said 17:30 !!! 

Totally my fault with the 24 hour clock format. 
I tried to amend online but no other times were available. I managed to get through on the phone early and obviously they were busy with breakfasts so kept waiting for ages..... but eventually the lovely Kate managed to juggle things around and change us to 19:30 PHEW!!!

Saturday night was the dinner and dance with the Wednesday gang. At The Orwell Hotel in Felixstowe

Have to say the room was cold but thankfully I'd worn sleeves, friendM hadn't and wore my scarf as her shawl all evening. Dinner was barely OK as was the band but not really worth the ticket price.

Sunday during the day Son came over and helped Hubby move the treadmill out into the bike shed waiting for when Son can move it to his home when his building work is finished. As Son was leaving his van here and taking his car, they loaded the dismantled multi-gym into the van and Hubby took that later over to M as it's his now. Another job done. 

Sunday evening and it was lovely having the old work team together. Unfortunately there were quite a few disappointments here too. We have had our Christmas meal here at The Oyster Reach Beefeater for 18+years but this year was not up to their usual standard. Our server was Harry and he was really attentive and helpful and very smiley. However, there were no crackers or anything festive on the table even though we had pre-booked their festive menu. Just nine of us but the bar couldn't provide an alcohol free beer just a larger, no ginger beer and no bottled sparkling water! Think all the starters were good but all the main courses were warm or cold when they should have been hot! Dessert had barely warm custard all round which was a problem when for one dessert it was supposed to melt the chocolaty dome. Two desserts didn't come out until the rest of us had nearly finished. One choice was the black forest cheese cake, which I'm told tasted nothing like black forest flavours it was more like a vanilla cheesecake with a small spoonful of cherry compote. Harry was happy to get something heated up when asked but shouldn't have needed to. When I paid the bill and told Harry of our woes he managed to approve a reasonable discount. However now at home the bill doesn't look right to me, so I'm sending an email to the manager. Wish me luck. 🤞

Tuesday as Hubby was itching to get his new sofa bed for the office now the space is clear, I said let's just go and see what's available (so hard to judge online). First stop DFS, we were served by Richard who showed us the only one they had in the showroom. It had the right measurements and a good thickness mattress and had been reduced in price...... and to tick the final box they can deliver it next Monday! Quickest we've ever bought and paid for a piece of furniture. I'll pop a photo on next week's post. 

Friday lunch we met friendsL&K in a favourite pub which is an hours drive away normally but we knew there was major roadworks on the A12 causing long slow traffic queues plus the further into Essex the deeper the remaining snow so we needed all the extra time we gave ourselves. Lovely seeing them both and we all enjoyed great food..... so that's made up for those others! 

Can't give you an update on the email I sent on Tuesday as I've not had a reply even though Friday morning I sent it again asking for an acknowledgment of receipt. I'll have to take it further. 

Enjoy your weekend and try not to panic about all that's left to do as there's still another week to go! (Also advice to myself).

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Baubles and Blankets.....

 
We don't have to sit outside distanced from each other anymore, so this week we had coffee morning back in our dining room, lovely and warm! Can't really go back to doing it monthly like pre-covid as we've met outside weekly for three years! So we'll be inside weekly from now till it's warm again. 

My lovely friendVS sent me and others the Jacquie Lawson online advent calender.  It has wonderful animation that's beautifully interactive, with a new animated story every day and lots of games to play. I'm really enjoying it. 

My first Christmas Dinner was Tuesday lunchtime with friendL and friendS. It's always quite a long gap between meetups so plenty to talk about. We went to the Belstead Brook Hotel which was so beautifully decorated up for Christmas, I regret not taking any photos. We all had the turkey and trimmings and it was lovely. 

Hubby has found homes for the fitness equipment we now rarely use so he is dismantling. M is taking the multi-gym and Son is having the treadmill. 

Daughter and O were here for a cuppa or three and to watch the football and to collect their dog who had been with us during the day. O was showing us his new clothes and while modelling decided to pose for Daughter to take photos. 

It's been really frosty and so cold these last few days. Do you think there will be a white Christmas this year? Made me laugh when Hubby turned on the TV for cricket from very warm Pakistan and Sky Sports had to put snow over the graphics to make it look Christmassy. Hahaha

Stay warm, have fun and see you next weekend.

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Countdown Begins........

 
Yes I know this blog week started when it was still November, but the grandchildren wanted to put up our decorations as they have for the last 17 years, however R is in the Christmas performance of Wind In the Willows at Red Rose's Avenue Theatre which runs almost every day in December plus she's rehearsing for two other performances, so last weekend was her only opportunity. 

R and O started by sorting and building the big tree. 

O and Hubby then did the lights. 

Then R dressed it beautifully. 

There's also sparkle and garlands around the lounge, hallway and dining room as well as our little tree in the bay window. And all this was magically created with Christmas music on all the time 🎅🤶🎄

Hubby and I were already married with two young-adult children when my great-nephewD was born. As a small boy he'd come for sleepovers like his mum used to many years before. This week together with his 'nearly'husbandK they invited us over to their home. Actually their second home together but my health issues and then covid kept getting in the way but we got there eventually.  Both so hospitable and D had prepared lunch and dinner and had cakes and biscuits ready and he was up making constant tea. D gives the very best hugs too. A really lovely day. 

Having helped daughter prepare and paint all her hallway, this week Hubby has been removing carpet and getting it to the tip, then laying laminate flooring. Looks really good. 

I've still some cards to write (as I ran out and needed to buy some more) and more gifts to buy and just a couple of weeks left, so best get a wriggle on! 

See you next week.

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Lull Before The Storm......

 
There hasn't been much worth telling you about this week. The weather has been cold, wet and windy with very occasional sunny spells so we've mostly stayed inside. We did venture out for coffee morning and needed coats, hats, scarves and lap blankets and still not staying out for long. Our days have been filled with normal stuff punctuated with Daughter and O popping round for an afternoon and I've been out meeting a friend that I haven't seen for ages. 

I've nearly finished writing Christmas cards, only stopped because I need to buy more cards. 

Nowhere near finished the prezzie shopping. 

This weekend the decorations go up because the grandchildren still want to do it like they've done every year since the girls were three. Just R and O this year. They've never been up in November before but R will be so busy from next weekend right through December performing at the theatre that this is her only free time.

So from one of my shortest blog posts ever, I'll wish you a happy weekend. 

TTFN.

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Rollneck Sweater Weather......

 
Opened the curtains to lots of sparkly webs, photos never quite capture their magic.

One of the properties that backs onto our garden was bought at the beginning of the year and has had lots of work done building an extension and obviously lots inside too. Meanwhile the broken fence has been getting worse and Hubby has been wedging bits inside to ensure it's dog proof. 

Without warning a panel slid out and a man appeared, checked with Hubby it was OK for them to replace it and within an hour the old became new. Hubby now needs to make them as dark as the rest of ours. 

Hubby spent two days helping Daughter decorate her hall stairs and landing. I spent one of those days meeting friendM for lunch. Always lovely spending time just the two of us, however just as we'd started dessert her sister phoned to say they were in the area so they called into the hotel and ordered some bar food and when we left the restaurant area we joined them in the bar. 

I'd read on Facebook someone always soaks a banana skin overnight and uses that water for her house plants which are so much healthier for it. Comments underneath showed so many others doing the same. Why had I never heard of that before? So here we go!

I needed to shorten a door curtain and was really pleased that I already had thread that was a good colour match. So good infact that I moved chairs twice to get into the best light or I kept losing sight or where I'd been and where I needed to go hahaha. 

I've had to admit defeat. I try so hard to be sustainable and planet friendly with purchases, upcycling and reusing etc, however I've had to give up with crisp packets. We can't recycle them locally. About three years ago I discovered The Iron Man project where they iron them together to create waterproof blankets for the homeless and for the refugee camps. What a great idea. After a lot of searching I managed to find an address to post mine to after I'd washed them and opened each one to lay flat. At the end of last year they said to stop sending for a while as their storage was overflowing and they were moving it all to somewhere else. They've never published a new address. There is lots of talk of various drop off collection points but never a list of where they are. Plus postage has gone up so much. So for now I've given up and all the ones I'd saved, washed and were ready to go have hit the bin!!!

Hubby needed to pop into town so I went too hoping to get some Christmas prezzies. It was quite depressing to see how many shops have gone and the units are empty. I need to browse for inspiration but that's not so easy now. 

On a happier note we met with friendsL&K for a pub meal in Hatfield Peverel which is about half way between our homes. So lovely having a very long awaited catchup. 

Hope you have a good week. Wrap up warm.

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Supporting Roles.......

 
Hubby likes to get the best deal on all contract renewals. BT broadband just wouldn't budge low enough this time so he swapped to Virgin Media for the broadband and phone line. As we have used Virgin many years ago the cables are all still there, so the swap took their engineer less than half an hour. It will now take us a bit longer than that to change password connections for all our tech that uses the WiFi. 

Out of five ladies, two had had October birthdays but it's not easy finding a night that fits in everyone's diaries, so November and we finally got together for a celebration meal out. Barely a break in conversation to eat hahaha. 

Hubby has had a fun few hours with this IKEA flapjack...

Which eventually became this...

Christmas is starting to creep into my thoughts now. I've booked a Christmas meal for the team I used to work with and I've also taken in to the pub all our menu choices. FriendM has also done the same for our usual gang of six, this year it's a dinner and dance. Daughter and I have even briefly discussed the menu for 11 people which include carnivores, vegetarians, vegans and one that's gluten free! I really must start thinking about shopping for gifts before there's a last minute panic. 

O and the dog were here last night for dinner and when M came to collect them he stayed long enough to tell us all his latest involvement with the Tollywood film industry. Talking of films, O had recently been on a film making course and he directed his groups short film. If you want to see it click Red Glare

I'd better post this now as O and the dog are here again today and they will be here early. So have a good weekend.

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Time Ticks On.......

 
The clocks changed here going back one hour of course. Getting dark by 4pm means it's definitely "get cozy in front of the TV" time of year.

I thought our red alstroemeria had died in the summer drought, but it's obviously a great survivor. 

I mentioned last week that M spent some time on a film set, well this week they featured M in the local paper.

Our Wednesday night pub now has a variety of entertainment. One week it was open mike night, that was a few OK acts and some girls that were definitely not OK doing karaoke so badly it was a struggle for us to work out what they were singing. Another week there has been a quiz, well underway by the time we arrived so we sat in the other bar. This week was a chap singing a good mix of 60s country/ soul/ Irish and he had a great voice. 

I'm sure I take this photo every year but I do love our tulip tree when it's wearing autumn gold. 

Have a good weekend.

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Parties and Paint.....

 
Remember the children's program Mister Ben? Well Liz Truss went into the changing room and came out as Rishi Sunak our new Prime Minister. 

In another seemingly quick change my little nieceL has had her 50th birthday. We went to her celebration party Saturday evening and it was lovely to see her and other family members. 

I've been getting ready for Halloween. Gone are the days of pumpkin carving with the children and cooking a spooky dinner here and heading outside in the dark to catch the sweets the witches keep dropping off of their broomsticks. However the neighbours have young children and I'm happy to wrap sweets for when they trick-or-treat.

Instead of pumpkins I'll put lights in these milk bottles so they can see they are welcome to knock.

I've a happy Hubby now as he has decided to refurbish our bedroom; repair, repaint and recarpet. All prep and paint for now and carpet after Christmas when the sales are on. 

AND at the same time he is giving the office a makeover. Son had said he wants our treadmill and multi-gym but he's having major building works at his house so we won't move those for quite a while. So it's boxing up all the Atari, PlayStation and the Nintendo stuff which includes the SNES and the SNES64 (there's loads) that are no longer played with and sorting out what else can go. Hubby's researching what furniture can go in there to make it more cosy. However no new stuff can go in until old stuff goes and it's clear enough for him to install some underfloor heating as it's always been a cold room. 

Two long term projects, so a very happy Hubby. 😊 

For friendM's birthday eight of us went Turkish. Then back to hers for more drinks (I had coffee) and the birthday cake. A lovely evening. 

We should have had two grandchildren and the dog here all week and sleeping over, however both children ended up with other plans and M was happy being taxi and caterer until he landed two days on a film set so in the end we had just the dog for four of the days and no one sleeping here. 

Have a spooky weekend.

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Spot the Proud Grandma......

 

Still disappointed at not going to see sisterP on Sunday, especially as she keeps telling us all the food she'd bought and the planned menu, cruel eh? She tested positive too of course a day or two later (end of the week update, they are both nearly better apart from the persistent coughs). 

Mmmm I really fancied some rye bread and had caraway seeds in the drawer so made a very quick soda bread. It was yummy. 

There's been some major pruning. 

This lot is for shredding now. 

Apple cinnamon sponge came out well. Wish you could smell it. 

This whole week Daughter has been yet another character to meet and greet and prepare the mood for visitors to Kentwell's Scaresville event. 

Yaay I've already bought our tickets for Red Rose Chain's Christmas performance, so proud that Granddaughter R is a third of the cast. 

This week marked our 49th wedding anniversary. Unfortunately that day had horrid wet and windy weather so all of our outside suggested trips were crossed off the list. We actually drove to Clacton. We had thought some time ago about checking out the factory outlet shops at Clacton Village so went there first. Have to say the discounts weren't great but did buy a few bits. Then onto Clacton-on-Sea and as it had stopped raining we had a walk along the prom before heading into a pub for lunch. The heavens opened while we were eating so we took our time. As soon as it stopped and the sun came out we left and had another walk back along the prom to our car. 

We specially wanted to be home for our usual Thursday night virtual online pub quiz and this week's made us debate and laugh and finally reach an OK score. 

FriendKK and I used to theatre together all the time but haven't for years, I've now booked her ticket for Wind In The Willows with us and for this week she's booked us this....

I'll start by saying how well the four actors took on all the different characters and amazed how word perfect they delivered a huge amount of dialogue. The content was very dark and a bit weird. KK loved it and I enjoyed having our evening out together. 

If you want to read the whole Edgar Allen Poe poem you'll find it here The Raven

Son had been abroad all this week for work. The multi-national company he works for have avoided travel for almost three years. Son got a slightly earlier flight home as he was feeling a little unwell and once home discovered it was covid! Still everywhere grrrrr! 

Of course this blog is mostly my personal historical record but outside stuff which may affect me should be mentioned and as much as I hate talking politics........ Liz Truss has resigned as Prime Minister after a record breaking 45 days, shortest tenure in British history and no doubt a favourite quiz question in the future. 

Keep smiling everyone.

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A Mixed Bag........

 
Daughter came over to sort car stuff, O and the dog came too. O decided he was going to do some filming for a new short movie, so he films lots of brief takes of various ideas (often repeated many times so he can choose the best when editing). He asked Daughter to operate the camera (his phone) occasionally, he asked me to stand in certain places or to say a few words, or to give a certain look. He didn't tell us why or what the end result might be as he seemed to have lots of ideas coming and going but didn't share any with us. 
The strangest bit was when he decided he needed a briefcase full of mugs of tea! 

Tea is a precious product in this house so not wanting to waste that quantity I helped him create fake tea by finding some out-of-date coffee and very out-of-date powdered milk. 

I'm really looking forward to seeing the edited end result. 

I've been chatting to a lovely lady online who needs major surgery similar to what I've had, answering her worries and making suggestions when I can. The process for her has taken far longer than it should have done and it's been very stressful. She really kindly sent me a thank you card and prezzie. 

Two neighbours missed coffee morning this week as they came back from their holiday with covid. Still so much of it around! 

I've only really done  "freestyle" crochet, sort of do whatever stitch makes it fit, but never remember what the stitches are called. I've been a knitter for ever and knitting patterns make total sense, but a crochet pattern is a bit of a foreign language. This little square is totally working from the pattern and there are a few mistakes which I'll hopefully improve on by the time I've made enough squares to join and make into something.  

We've both had flu jabs now, and thankfully no major adverse reactions just the usual achy arm for about 24 hours.

Just heard from SisterP that her hubby tested positive this morning (he's had five jabs so hopefully he'll only have mild symptoms) which means unfortunately we can't visit as planned this weekend. We get to see them rarely, as they live two hours drive away, so we must reschedule as soon as they are germ free. 

Hope you've had a good week, enjoying the mild weather and beautifully emerging autumn colours. See you next week.

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