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[Will]

Happy Solstice!

From now there will be a little more daylight in which to see the rain...

[Jay-me (Janet)]

Good afternoon
Enjoying my break
Walked the dog this morning
This afternoon went to a little place that makes cheese, sampled quite a few and bought a selection.
There was also a distillery. I didn’t sample there (as I don’t imbibe myself) but took a photo of all the different gins that they make.
The person showing us around said that someone had brought bacon vodka for them to try - but she couldn’t imagine what you would mix with that . I bet Patti would know.

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

I’m imagining some kind of cocktail with maple syrup as an ingredient.

My excitement today is to have received a tweet round of applause and clinking beer emoji from Ian Rankin on Twitter :D

[Gingerlily - The Full Wild]

Rosemary (grooving with the Picts) wrote: "I’m imagining some kind of cocktail with maple syrup as an ingredient.

My excitement today is to have received a tweet round of applause and clinking beer emoji from Ian Rankin on Twitter :D"

Oooh! Thats really exciting!

[Alicia]

Looking forward to seeing eldest daughter for Christmas - and glad that we're trying to find a time for a family vacation in the spring. This time of year brings out the 'competing holidays' aspect of having kids with significant others.

A glass of eggnog would be nice!

Happy last minute preparations for those whose lists are long.

[M.T.]

Lynne (Tigger's Mum) wrote: "My old neighbour worked in Abu Dhabi, said the worst part of his journey was once he landed at Heathrow. Took longer to get to South Wales than the Middle East."

My in laws used to live near Tenby. It used to take us longer to get from home to them, in Tenby than it took to get to McOther's brother in Dallas. I don't envy anyone who has to do that route.

[M.T.]

Oh look I'm miles behind.

Morning all, have spent the day writing Christmas cards. Only 36 to go ... in the home straight.

Happy solstace everyone, tomorrow will be longer! Woot!

Cheers

MTM

[Patti (baconater)]

Bacon gin. Hmmm

Straight over ice, methinks.

I miss eggnog.

They don't do it here, Alicia.

[Patti (baconater)]

I'm loving having access to BBC iplayer.

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

You need to watch Killing Eve :)

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Phew, glad that I am done for 2 weeks. Didn't really achieve much at work today, but one of our Directors decided to make us 2 rounds of brews, was lovely having a cup of tea made for me, it's normally the other way round. Finished just before 1, then went to Morrisons to see if I could get vegi pigs in blankets, which I did (and also came back with cat food!), went to Aldi which was heaving, hopefully got everything, including mince pie yoghurt, and mince pie ice cream! Then took my friend back to the vets to pick up the dog, fortunately the x-ray didn't show anything nasty, they think bronchitis. Had 10 mins talking to my neighbour before walking round to the co-op, for more cat food, and came back with a lovely looking mushroom stuffing wreath, and more cat food! Cleaner has been today, and left a card for me and treats for the cats, bless her. Absolutely shattered now and really sore - pinched some of my neighbours new painkillers to try, as I don't have to drive anywhere tomorrow.

I plan on watching Killing Eve this Christmas. Also happy about a lot of Agatha Christie being on TV. I'm sure I've seen eggnog Patti, well eggnog flavoured bailey's type drink anyway, was on offer in Aldi and M & S. Sounds cool R

[Alicia]

Patti (baconater) wrote: "I miss eggnog.

They don't do it here, Alicia."

In many cultures, especially Asian ones, milk is for babies, and many of the adults are lactose intolerant. Could have something to do with it. And a lack of refrigeration.

For me, it's the memory of a Thanksgiving where I was new to having it as a pre-dinner drink, and had a couple - and no room for dinner! Stuff is positively loaded with tasty calories.

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

I don't believe I have ever tried eggnog.

I don't believe I ever want to!

[Lynne (Tigger's Mum)]

My neighbour who regularly flew home from Abu Dhabi had a ruse to get a peaceful train trip from London to west wales. He was a very big chap, at least 18 stones. He’d buy a bottle of duty free whisky at Heathrow and a 6 pack of beer. He put them on his table and anyone who looked like they wanted to sit near him he generously offered them a drink in his best Glasgow accent. He said he didn’t have any takers so could spread out and enjoy his train ride in peace.

[Patti (baconater)]

You don't know what you're missing, Rosemary.

Thanks I'll check out Killing Eve.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Patti (baconater) wrote: "Bacon gin. Hmmm

Straight over ice, methinks.

I miss eggnog.

They don't do it here, Alicia."

Is it not what we call Advocaat, a yellow creamy drink?

[Jim]

Patti (baconater) wrote: "Bacon gin. Hmmm

Straight over ice, methinks.

I miss eggnog.

They don't do it here, Alicia."

I've made posset which is the precusor of egg flip or egg nog. My Grandmother used to make egg flip, but I think it's just gone out of fashion. Too sweet?

Apparently Advocaat is very different

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

It’s the eggs. Not a big fan of anything eggy. Even a plain sponge cake can make me feel a bit queasy - if it’s not heavily disguised with jam, cream or icing, I can smell those eggs in it....

[Patti (baconater)]

Guess my body clock hasn't reset yet.

I like lemon posset. Make me some Jim?

How are you with meringue Rosemary?

I had an Ozzie friend on the Island who'd make pavlova. Her meringue was disgusting. Tasted like cream and fruit on scrambled eggs.

[Jim]

I looked up lemon posset on google and it's something very different to what I make
Mine consists of milk, sherry, sugar and various spices
It was a drink, not something you had to eat with a spoon :-)

served hot

[Benjamin]

Morning, everyone. I'm not at work again till the new year, but the idea hasn't quite sunk in yet.

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

Morning all, it's raining, how festive. Off out to the butcher shortly to collect my lamb for Christmas dinner. It's not turkey day so the queue shouldn't be too bad!

Not bothered by meringues Patti - I think because there are no yolks in them?

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Urgh, didn't have a great night sleep. Waiting for my neighbour to let me know what the plans are, but as it is wet and windy outside, I'm glad if that is nothing. Do have to do the washing up today.

Ooh, love meringues. That sounds an interesting dessert Jim

[Gingerlily - The Full Wild]

I just had 2 cream eclairs for breakfast. I really know how to live!!

[Loretta]

I used to like eggnog. I might try it again. Hmmm.

Sorry not been around again. That carol service finished me off, lol. Not the mice pies. It was all the clapping and bouncing about. It gave me a full body workout, lol. Once I recovered, it was full steam ahead with the Christmas preparations. Now, I need a couple of days doing nothing so I'm able to put my all into the festivities. I know my all ain't much, but it's better than half my all, lol.

Might not be back this side of Christmas. If I'm not, a very MERRY CHRISTMAS to all. Ho, ho, ho.

[Gingerlily - The Full Wild]

Merry Hohohomas Loretta!

[Loretta]

Gingerlily - The fairy at the bottom of the Christmas tree wrote: "Merry Hohohomas Loretta!"

😘

[Kath]

How do? Dashed up north to take gifts to the junior branch of the family. Returned bearing more gifts for us and the southern branch. Declaring Christmas open!

[Kelly]

Been laid low with nasty cold bug type thing - aching everywhere, runny nose, nasty cough and sick . . . Lovely!

Feel slightly more with it today. Now to work out what I still have to do Christmas-wise.

But that will wait until tomorrow, as am snuggled on the sofa with a fluffy blankie and about to decide what to read.

[Alicia]

Kelly wrote: "Been laid low with nasty cold bug type thing - aching everywhere, runny nose, nasty cough and sick . . . Lovely!..."

Sorry you've been sick. Hope it's over soon - Christmas can wait.

I say that, having done absolutely nothing so far, and no plans to do anything henceforth except to enjoy having our daughter here for Christmas dinner prepared by the dining room staff. If Thanksgiving is any example, it will be great.

There are giant trees everywhere. And elves. And teddybears.

I never thought how much energy I would save by letting others do a much better job of decorating and cooking than I would. It is truly a gift. I do hope they have Christmas cookies!

[Patti (baconater)]

They don't do Christmas cookies here either.

I think I need to go home for Christmas soon.

[Kelly]

Ah Alicia, sounds blissful. x

[Gingerlily - The Full Wild]

Patti (baconater) wrote: "They don't do Christmas cookies here either.

I think I need to go home for Christmas soon."

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Well, between lack of energy and Lucy getting the memo that Christmas holidays mean lots of sitting on the sofa, I've had a lovely lazy day, not even finished the washing up! Can't shake my headache either. Did cook paneer korma for me and the neighbour for tea. We didn't end up going to the wedding she had been invited to, she went for more food, part of which has ended up at my house as her fridge and freezer are full! No idea how we are going to get through it all. Our friend from Malta has finally had his holiday approved, luckily the flights were already booked, he lands about 3.30 on Christmas Eve, so now trying to find somewhere to go for tea with my neighbours family

Sorry you have been ill Kelly, hope a day on the sofa has given you enough energy to do any Christmas things that are important. Sorry the carol service wiped you out Loretta, although at least it was something enjoyable. Glad that being in the new place is making Christmas easy for you Alicia, I did read your latest blog, and do hope your permanent apartment gets sorted soon

[Alicia]

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Well, between lack of energy and Lucy getting the memo that Christmas holidays mean lots of sitting on the sofa, I've had a lovely lazy day, not even finished the washing up! Can't shake my headach..."

May your headache decide to give you a break!

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

Morning all! I've just been watching a beautiful moonset over Treasure Island (Fidra)

Off to collect my mother for Christmas shortly. No ice on roads, thankfully

[Patti (baconater)]

Good morning!

Very foggy here.

[Jim]

Rosemary (grooving with the Picts) wrote: "Morning all! I've just been watching a beautiful moonset over Treasure Island (Fidra)

Off to collect my mother for Christmas shortly. No ice on roads, thankfully"

we've got standing water!

[M.T.]

We are driving to Scotland in the Twilight rain. Lovely.

But ... All Christmas prep done! Just have to do a blog post and were there.

Cheers

MTM

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Urgh, still didn't have a good night sleep, and still got a headache. I have slept in too long as I have loads of stuff to do today - need to do some cleaning (really would like to finish the washing up!), wrap presents and distribute some. Also need to go to ratty neighbours at some point to be shown how to medicate one of them, as I'm rat sitting 24th - 27th. Was also hoping to have time for a bath, but still drained.

Safe travels for everyone

[Lynne (Tigger's Mum)]

I’m making mince pies. Well I was until the management decided he wanted a meat pie for lunch. No problem, meat was cooked and I had a packet of puff pastry but I had to stop the mince pie production line. I fear it won’t restart as I was so cross with him I had a very big gin & tonic and now I can’t be arsed to move. It’s thick mist here but wetter if you know what i mean.

[Kath]

How do? Delivered last presents and got rich fruit cakes in the oven. 2 dozen mince pies sitting waiting for the cakes to come out as I need to turn the oven up. Bread rising ready to cook after the mincies. Getting there. Starting to feel like G&T time.

[Gingerlily - The Full Wild]

Kath wrote: "How do? Delivered last presents and got rich fruit cakes in the oven. 2 dozen mince pies sitting waiting for the cakes to come out as I need to turn the oven up. Bread rising ready to cook after th..."

Maybe you could donate a few of those mince pies to Lynne!

[Kath]

That would be kind, wouldn't it? I wonder if I will? 😄

[Gingerlily - The Full Wild]

I am betting on a no.

[✿Claire✿]

Evening, today has been Christmas Day here, I'm working night shifts starting Christmas Day night so I'm heading north again tomorrow ready for that. We've been to a carol service in a church near the cathedral in Bury, had a lovely time :) Jess came with me this time and she's been a little star :)
Hope everyone's having a great run up to Christmas x

[Lynne (Tigger's Mum)]

Thanks for thinking about me😀. I did get moving and made my mince pies and cleaned up. I’m a really messy baker.

[Patti (baconater)]

Good morning!

Dave did a great job of getting everything we needed for our Christmas dinner.

He wasn't able to get mince pies nor Christmas pudding, but I'm not fussed about that.

So pleased we're having a quiet Christmas together at home this year.

We need this after the year we've had.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Woke up about 7 feeling relatively human, so managed to start my plan of spending the first half hour with the girls! Spent longer than planned at my friends yesterday, so didn't finish the washing up, am determined to do that today. Also didn't get to distribute one of the presents, so need to do that too. Have my usual Christmas Eve tradition of going to the rescue Lucy is from with treats and cuddling the cats. Then we are picking up our friend from the airport, before going for a meal with my neighbours family - we are trying somewhere new so hopefully will be nice. Then need to sort out the rats - being shown was painful last night, I was even shown how to draw up 0.2ml of liquid in a syringe and how to pull a syringe apart and wash one, like I've never medicated an animal before! Have had Lucy for 3 years today, she has had a special breakfast.

Hope you get a nice quiet Christmas Patti, you deserve it. Glad you managed to make some mince pies Lynne, maybe you should send some to Patti! Hope work isn't too hectic Claire, glad you enjoyed the carol service. Hope you got your G & T Kath, I prefer Gin and Lemonade

[G J (Gaff to my friends)]

Morning all. It's amazing how human one can feel when one isn't looking forward to a day of 150 kids to teach and entertain in the run-up to Christmas!

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to make it on tomorrow morning, so just in case, I'll wish everyone a Merry Christmas now. May your stockings be packed with strange new worlds, familiar old ones, and words aplenty!