Back from Waitrose with the last of the Christmas food! Not too stressful, as I’d made careful lists and had done what shopping I could in advance. There was even plenty of parking available. I’m now planning to relax a bit, maybe have a day off tomorrow and have a long walk, before the visitors arrive on Christmas Eve. Very pleased with my efforts on the hanging basket by the front door. I’ve trimmed back the dead petunia and the frostbitten pelargoniums, stuck some holly branches in it, and hung some baubles along the chains. Doesn’t look too bad from a distance. I’ll take a photo when it’s daylight!
Well done @Ergates. Like you, we’ve got the SM shopping out of the way. I’ve a bit of baking to do tomorrow after going to the hairdresser, then it’s feet up time. Your festive baskets sound nice. I’ve got a couple of petunia that I forgot to put in the green recycling bin, and amazingly, even after this freezing spell we’ve had, they are still showing some green leaves. I’m sure they won’t last, though.
Hello folks, really tired tonight as I've at last got the tree up and decorated and various lights/decs etc. Done yet more washing and bedmaking and made 2 dozen mincepies - hope I can keep OH from eating them all. I think I'm now ready for Christmas. My trusty old cookbook published 1963, now rather grubby and worn. Can't bear to get rid of it now, nearly 60 years old now.
Thanks @Busy-Lizzie they were very slow to get going but have turned out OK in the end. They are not usually that long can't remember the variety though, bought as plug plants.
Bank manager was very apologetic, apparently mis-read some figures, but all set up now to continue.... Needs something from accountant, then all will be well.... apparently. Hate them all.
Looking forward to a few days off and some sleep..
“Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
Chin up @D0rdogne_Damsel, over here I can guarantee you that it takes 3 months at least to get a house purchase through (and I used to do them!) so patience is needed. You'll get there in the end and the Spring will be a much better time to move in and perhaps re-decorate.
Was going to say evening all, but think I will say night all as it is almost the witching hour and the dawn of tomorrow. Still without water. It seems as if Welsh Water have really been caught out with this freeze followed by 24 hours of torrential rain. Water pipes have been bursting over a very large area, whereas they normally expect just a few from some well known spots. It has taken them 24 hours to get their act together with bottled water supplies but yesterday we had three pallets piled high with bottled water dropped off in the village in the church car park for folks to help themselves. Last night we were disturbed by a knock on the door at 9.30pm and there stood a lovely man clutching a full pack of litre bottles for me (old and in need!). Not too sure when we will get our water back on, some say not before Christmas (!) the trouble is that there is so much air in the pipes now that there may be more bursts from the pressure once they try turning it back on. I hate the fact that we have to deal with all the noise and thumping (and bouncing taps trying to free themselves from their from their fittings) once the water finally comes back through our pipes. We are ok as we now have enough bottles water for food cooking and drinks etc and supplies are getting through. We also have a huge natural pond which is full up from various springs and all the rain and we are carrying buckets of water from here to flush the loo (well daughter is doing the carrying). Folk in the local area are being brilliant too - those with natural water supplies from springs are offering to fill up containers for those in need, to be collected and even delivered where necessary. So we are all managing for now although I would love some running water to be able to clean my teeth properly, and whereas I am happy to have an economical 'strip wash' I am not prepared to fill the kitchen sink with boiled bottle water to wash my hair - nor do I fancy using the pond water and sharing it with the odd newt that might have quietly slipped into my black carrying bucket! I love seeing all the pictures of the fabulous food you have been producing, really making my mouth water. Daughter has been coming home with extra goodies every day and we now have a fridge and freezer packed to the gills ready for the Christmas visitors who say they are coming water or no water - could be interesting!! I'm noodling around on here waiting for 2am to make sure daughter wakes up for her early start at work, it's the least I can do for her this week and I can catch a snooze late afternoon or early evening once she's home. Well I see it is Friday already, and I see the owls have gone silent at last, been very noisy the last two nights here. Hope you all have a peaceful day.
Posts
Very pleased with my efforts on the hanging basket by the front door. I’ve trimmed back the dead petunia and the frostbitten pelargoniums, stuck some holly branches in it, and hung some baubles along the chains. Doesn’t look too bad from a distance. I’ll take a photo when it’s daylight!
Your festive baskets sound nice. I’ve got a couple of petunia that I forgot to put in the green recycling bin, and amazingly, even after this freezing spell we’ve had, they are still showing some green leaves. I’m sure they won’t last, though.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
My trusty old cookbook published 1963, now rather grubby and worn. Can't bear to get rid of it now, nearly 60 years old now.
Love the sprouts @Allotment Boy, well done.
Dundee cake also looks amazing @Dovefromabove.
Bank manager was very apologetic, apparently mis-read some figures, but all set up now to continue.... Needs something from accountant, then all will be well.... apparently. Hate them all.
Looking forward to a few days off and some sleep..
You'll get there in the end and the Spring will be a much better time to move in and perhaps re-decorate.
It has taken them 24 hours to get their act together with bottled water supplies but yesterday we had three pallets piled high with bottled water dropped off in the village in the church car park for folks to help themselves. Last night we were disturbed by a knock on the door at 9.30pm and there stood a lovely man clutching a full pack of litre bottles for me (old and in need!).
Not too sure when we will get our water back on, some say not before Christmas (!) the trouble is that there is so much air in the pipes now that there may be more bursts from the pressure once they try turning it back on. I hate the fact that we have to deal with all the noise and thumping (and bouncing taps trying to free themselves from their from their fittings) once the water finally comes back through our pipes.
We are ok as we now have enough bottles water for food cooking and drinks etc and supplies are getting through. We also have a huge natural pond which is full up from various springs and all the rain and we are carrying buckets of water from here to flush the loo (well daughter is doing the carrying). Folk in the local area are being brilliant too - those with natural water supplies from springs are offering to fill up containers for those in need, to be collected and even delivered where necessary.
So we are all managing for now although I would love some running water to be able to clean my teeth properly, and whereas I am happy to have an economical 'strip wash' I am not prepared to fill the kitchen sink with boiled bottle water to wash my hair - nor do I fancy using the pond water and sharing it with the odd newt that might have quietly slipped into my black carrying bucket!
I love seeing all the pictures of the fabulous food you have been producing, really making my mouth water. Daughter has been coming home with extra goodies every day and we now have a fridge and freezer packed to the gills ready for the Christmas visitors who say they are coming water or no water - could be interesting!!
I'm noodling around on here waiting for 2am to make sure daughter wakes up for her early start at work, it's the least I can do for her this week and I can catch a snooze late afternoon or early evening once she's home.
Well I see it is Friday already, and I see the owls have gone silent at last, been very noisy the last two nights here. Hope you all have a peaceful day.