Too late @Dovefromabove. Been shopping and it was heaving compared to usual. They've changed the trolley system too.  During lockdown we've been fetching disinfected trolleys from one place then taking them back to another to be sprayed for re-use. Now they have installed an automatic trolley wash - push trolley thru motion activated spray bar, disinfect hands and then pick up trolley on the other side.  So funny, but saves staff standing outside in storms like Bella and trying to gather trolleys.
Despite the hordes - all being well behaved tho some need to re-take their trolley driving permits - the only problem was no vanilla ice cream. None at all.  That's OK tho as I can make some with all those eggs.
Was wondering, what other folks do to put cheer into this time of the year, often, grey,damp,foggy,chilly, thinking of Hygge,(not including Christmas decorations.) I have lots of throws, (one of the unlucky folk who are going to have hot flushes for life) sometime, it's chilly, then a throw, then throwing it off. More throws on the furniture because of the dogs, lots of layering. Rooms grey and white, so cushions, accessories in mustard,pink, fairy lights, Hubby decorated the hall last year, wall paper is grey with sparkly silver birch trees, was looking for a mirror, would know it when I saw it,finally found it, it looks like grey driftwood,with rusty metal fittings, that's got fairy lights round it. The last of my chrysanths picked, I have silk leaves, and berries in golds, candles.
It's been a quiet day here or it was till 4pm. Daughter had driven back this morning to her house in Devon to start packing but found the gas heating had failed, so she's had to turn round and drive straight back. Hopefully she will be here soon. It's been freezing all day but I did manage half an hour outside with her cat who is slowly getting used to being outside here. He's quite timid though, doesn't like the sound of cars, noisy children or dogs. Odd, when he's been used to all three in his previous place.
Thanks @tuikowhai34 but we'll be OK. I've discovered he already has a whole tub of that and some salted caramel too plus the nougatine I bought just in case so he can indulge himself.  Having lost 12 kilos since the first lockdown started I have been virtuous and had 12% cream on my mince pies and chocolate fondants and sticky toffee pudding.  Virtuous is relative, right?
@Lizzie27 Possum moved into her new place in Namur in mid September. We spent 3 nights there before I brought her home for some R&R.  Been here ever since so I sincerely hope the heating has been off but the freezer has been on!  Good job I brought her plants home for re-potting.
Salmon en croute here for new year too. We have had rather a lot of meat over Christmas, though we've had quite a variety, Duck, Lamb, Pheasant & partridge interspersed with our usual fish, but the last order to restock fish was a failure as none of what we ordered was delivered.Â
When our Christmas decorations go up a lot of family photos etc come down. When the docorations come down they go back so it never really looks bare, just different. I usually take them down on New Years day as I like to start the year with a clean slate (and house).Â
Just had a takeaway curry it was really good and gave Hubby a night off cooking. Going to look after Jonah and Gabriel tomorrow afternoon as Secondborn has a lot of school work to do. Don't know when we will see Firstborn, Merri and Mabel again.
Daughter's safely back but very tired after rather a fraught journey, especially around Bristol on the M5 in the rush hour. Gas engineer calling tomorrow so landlady will deal with it. Empty properties are always a bit of a worry, presumably you've had to pay rent on Possum's flat which must be rather annoying @ Obelixx. Hopefully this nightmare will end at some time in 2021.
I also like to take down my decs on New Year's Day @Yviestevie so you're not the only one. I'm not sure many people keep theirs up until Twelfth Night anymore.
Salmon en croute sounds moreish @Allotment Boy. I wonder if I could do the same?
I must admit we have bought ours ready prepared. My wife did so much cooking for the family earlier in the year, we have had a few treats this season, made easier by a few careful shortcuts.Â
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Despite the hordes - all being well behaved tho some need to re-take their trolley driving permits - the only problem was no vanilla ice cream. None at all.  That's OK tho as I can make some with all those eggs.
@Lizzie27 Possum moved into her new place in Namur in mid September. We spent 3 nights there before I brought her home for some R&R.  Been here ever since so I sincerely hope the heating has been off but the freezer has been on!  Good job I brought her plants home for re-potting.
I also like to take down my decs on New Year's Day @Yviestevie so you're not the only one. I'm not sure many people keep theirs up until Twelfth Night anymore.
Salmon en croute sounds moreish @Allotment Boy. I wonder if I could do the same?