Had to move one of the bird feeders, as a young squirrel had finally worked out how to jump from the top of the dome of one, across to the seed delivery section of the other. There has been a steady stream of little birds visiting since. The woodpecker has just arrived as well. Not much clearing up done yet. We have put some more Christmas lights up and I have got two loads of washing done so far. I’m trying to clear some space in the freezer ready for Christmas food, but not very successfully so far. Got tempted by some goodies on my last supermarket trip, I’d only popped in for some ibuprofen! A pair of jackdaws have just arrived at the feeder. Not so good, they are voracious eaters, haven’t seen them for months. Cute though.
I have had a scan last year with the conclusion of "syndrome facettaire" and arthrosis. No mention of hips. It's in French @Busy-Lizzie, but I think you understand it. So happy you had a great evening. All done in Maastricht pheww. and now on the train to Amsterdam. One ticket one price to travel any time of day. Same price whenever you buy. I am always confused with train tickets in the UK.Â
That looks like a superb evening @Busy-Lizzie! I do love opera (although don't know much about it). We had an accordionist at our do last night. He normally entertains in old folks homes so you can guess what it was like. But people enjoyed it and sang along. I busied myself with collecting up stuff from the tables to feed to the two washer uppers who had escaped to the kitchen and weren't about to relinquish their places.
What a busy birthday for your daughter @AnnaB. Glad your grandson's fiancee was OK.
There is never any room in our freezer @Ergates - it's just the small compartment at the top of the fridge. My OH drinks a lot of water because of the lithium he takes daily. He keeps a bunch of glasses in the freezer as he likes his water ice cold. I've tried to get him to keep it down to just 2 in the freezer, but there were 4 in there the other day and I got quite grumpy about it.
Glad to hear that you don't have that serious condition @Ergates Enjoy watching the birds.
I very much hope that your back and hip trouble settles down @coccinella Chronic pain is very wearing. Have you tried turmeric? (it is allegedly a natural anti-inflammatory)
@AnnaB you have had more socialising in one day that I have in a year Great news that your Grandson's fiancee got surgery and is OK.
Hopefully the oven situation is now sorted out @Dovefromabove
I’m chilly today, even though it’s not particularly cold out. I’ve had 4 layers on!Â
Just waiting on the news that little niece has arrived home after a week of ‘outward bound’ in North Wales! She has been quite homesick apparently but done some amazing adventures. I’ve been worried all week!Â
I’ve done a ‘big’ shop today so will only need fresh bread, chicken and veg next week to top-up. I make room in a kitchen cupboard every year for treats and snacks and buy a few things each week in November-December so I now have plenty of goodies. I’ve bought a Yule Log cake this year as don’t think I’ll have time to make one. I’m not feeling at all festive and doubt I will particularly.Â
I hope everyone is doing ok. I know there are mixed fortunes and mixed levels of energy between us. Take care and have a good weekend.Â
I've been doing much the same @AuntyRach, tucking away goodies in the cupboard but have just realized I haven't yet got a Xmas cake. Not sure I'll bother so it's only us that like it and I usually end up giving half of it to daughter to take home. I need to work out what I could get for a dessert which doesn't need to be kept in a freezer/fridge or be cooked as there's not much room left. I've got a Xmas pudding left over from last year but grandchildren don't like it. Something chocolately perhaps.
Very pleased as I managed over 2 hours in the garden this morning, potting up my bulbs took much longer than I envisaged. All stashed away in the greenhouse.
Not bothering with a Christmas cake, I enjoy making them but not eating them! Not popular in our house.  Good point, @Lizzie27, re desserts that don’t need refrigerating or freezing. I’ll have to buy the ingredients for a trifle, but most can stay in the cupboard until the last minute. Maybe I’ll get some ready made meringue nests to add fruit and cream / ice cream to. The grandsons will like them. I’ve got a frozen Black Forest gateau I can tart up with some cherry liquor and cherry conserve, maybe some extra chocolate curls, and pretend I made it! I’d better add all these things to my shopping list, plus a bottle of cheap red wine ( actually my favourite to drink anyway, I’m a cheap date) and some beef skirt for a slow cooked casserole for alternative evening meals. Sounds like I have more work to do than I thought. I’ve been really laid back so far, and was hoping that I would avoid last minute panic buying. I’d better update all my lists, that might help keep me on an even keel.
I adore opera @Busy-Lizzie  We have some good theatres around us that ....pre-covid... gave about 4 good operas per year.  Plus Pezenas set up a Masterclass every year and there was some amazing new young talent.  Live screenings from Milan, Paris and New York at the cinema about twice a year - we were well serviced!! Since Covid, things have taken a backward step which is a shame.  I have Rossini's IL Barbiere as my alarm clock (on my phone).
@coccinella - Backs!!  We start to lose so much as we get older and the discs get closer and closer.  I had back problems from around 44.  Physio - sore back - lumbar belt for gardening or long haul travelling for many years.  In 2016 - the groin/buttock pain started and got gradually worse.  A friend  told me that his wife worked for a surgeon etc. etc.  I went to see him - x-rays - no cartilage in left hip - operation September 2017.  Marvellous!!!  I was 63 and "too young".  Next the right knee went in 2019 - 3 injections - worked.  A trip to Nepal.  February 2023 my right knee twiddled and the old groin/buttock pain in right hip was back.  Trip to surgeon - x-rays - still some cartilage left - more injections - didn't work - I have an appointment to see surgeon end December.  I know your pain - it is tiring, it is annoying and you get sick of living with it.  I bought turmeric in India and have it on my toast and marmite for breakfast.  I take as few anti inflammatory or pain killers as possible.  I don't walk but take my Border Collie on her run with my electric bike (on gravel paths) - no cars. @punkdoc@Busy-Lizzie and @Lizzie27 have all this at home too.  C'est penible - Mais bon! Quoi faire!
Posts
Not much clearing up done yet. We have put some more Christmas lights up and I have got two loads of washing done so far.Â
I’m trying to clear some space in the freezer ready for Christmas food, but not very successfully so far. Got tempted by some goodies on my last supermarket trip, I’d only popped in for some ibuprofen!
A pair of jackdaws have just arrived at the feeder. Not so good, they are voracious eaters, haven’t seen them for months. Cute though.
So happy you had a great evening.Â
All done in Maastricht pheww. and now on the train to Amsterdam. One ticket one price to travel any time of day. Same price whenever you buy. I am always confused with train tickets in the UK.Â
Luxembourg
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
That looks like a superb evening @Busy-Lizzie! I do love opera (although don't know much about it). We had an accordionist at our do last night. He normally entertains in old folks homes so you can guess what it was like. But people enjoyed it and sang along. I busied myself with collecting up stuff from the tables to feed to the two washer uppers who had escaped to the kitchen and weren't about to relinquish their places.
What a busy birthday for your daughter @AnnaB. Glad your grandson's fiancee was OK.
There is never any room in our freezer @Ergates - it's just the small compartment at the top of the fridge. My OH drinks a lot of water because of the lithium he takes daily. He keeps a bunch of glasses in the freezer as he likes his water ice cold. I've tried to get him to keep it down to just 2 in the freezer, but there were 4 in there the other day and I got quite grumpy about it.
I’m chilly today, even though it’s not particularly cold out. I’ve had 4 layers on!Â
I've been doing much the same @AuntyRach, tucking away goodies in the cupboard but have just realized I haven't yet got a Xmas cake. Not sure I'll bother so it's only us that like it and I usually end up giving half of it to daughter to take home. I need to work out what I could get for a dessert which doesn't need to be kept in a freezer/fridge or be cooked as there's not much room left. I've got a Xmas pudding left over from last year but grandchildren don't like it. Something chocolately perhaps.
Very pleased as I managed over 2 hours in the garden this morning, potting up my bulbs took much longer than I envisaged. All stashed away in the greenhouse.
 Good point, @Lizzie27, re desserts that don’t need refrigerating or freezing. I’ll have to buy the ingredients for a trifle, but most can stay in the cupboard until the last minute. Maybe I’ll get some ready made meringue nests to add fruit and cream / ice cream to. The grandsons will like them. I’ve got a frozen Black Forest gateau I can tart up with some cherry liquor and cherry conserve, maybe some extra chocolate curls, and pretend I made it! I’d better add all these things to my shopping list, plus a bottle of cheap red wine ( actually my favourite to drink anyway, I’m a cheap date) and some beef skirt for a slow cooked casserole for alternative evening meals.Â
Sounds like I have more work to do than I thought. I’ve been really laid back so far, and was hoping that I would avoid last minute panic buying. I’d better update all my lists, that might help keep me on an even keel.
@coccinella - Backs!!  We start to lose so much as we get older and the discs get closer and closer.  I had back problems from around 44.  Physio - sore back - lumbar belt for gardening or long haul travelling for many years.  In 2016 - the groin/buttock pain started and got gradually worse.  A friend  told me that his wife worked for a surgeon etc. etc.  I went to see him - x-rays - no cartilage in left hip - operation September 2017.  Marvellous!!!  I was 63 and "too young".  Next the right knee went in 2019 - 3 injections - worked.  A trip to Nepal.  February 2023 my right knee twiddled and the old groin/buttock pain in right hip was back.  Trip to surgeon - x-rays - still some cartilage left - more injections - didn't work - I have an appointment to see surgeon end December.  I know your pain - it is tiring, it is annoying and you get sick of living with it.  I bought turmeric in India and have it on my toast and marmite for breakfast.  I take as few anti inflammatory or pain killers as possible.  I don't walk but take my Border Collie on her run with my electric bike (on gravel paths) - no cars. @punkdoc @Busy-Lizzie and @Lizzie27 have all this at home too.  C'est penible - Mais bon! Quoi faire!