Good Morning Wednesday 27th December 2023

Good morning, Michael and all GNs from a very wet South Yorkshire. The weather yesterday was lovely and we had a long walk which quite frankly left me on my knees. If I make any resolution it will be to build up my stamina this coming year. Today I’m back at home. Shopping, and then making a curry and some other stuff for DS and his family who come down tomorrow. I had a lot of lovely books for Christmas and hope to be able to settle down with them this evening. Mostly poetry and essays, but a wonderful book by Angela Harding with her gorgeous lino cut illustrations of nature through the year. One to relish and get lost in.
Have the best day you can, folks!

Good morning everyone from a very wet Northampton,.Still not properly light yet.

I had a couple of hours peace yesterday while everyone else went out on a long dog walk. Then we had a mid afternoon buffet of left-overs after which DS, family and dog left to return home. DS had an early train this morning, back to his work in London.

The three of us left here cleared up, put the dishwasher on, and settled down to an evening of nibbles, drinks and tv.

DD, her DH and dog will leave later this morning, then a quick turn-around for them as they fly to Belfast tomorrow to spend time with her DH's side of the family.

Will sort out the left-overs today; turkey and ham to be portioned out and frozen, other stuff to sort and put away. The cats return home at some time today, then all will be back to normal.
Don't need a Sainsbury's delivery this week, there is still enough to feed an army!

My Brother messaged yesterday to ask for reminiscences of our dear late brother-in-law, as he has been asked to deliver the eulogy at the funeral. Will settle down and do that over the next couple of days.

Wishing all a peaceful day.

Good morning all from a wet Black country.
Lovely day with the family yesterday plenty of food eaten and games played.
Quiet day today will make a start on my new books.
Ash hope you feel better soon.
Enjoy your day everyone whatever your plans and may you all find some ☀️

Good morning all from South Lanarkshire where it’s lashing down.

We’re back in our own bed after a relaxed, enjoyable couple of days at the homes of each of our offspring.

Today we’re having lunch with my brother and his partner who are on a whistle stop visit from France.

I’m pleased for you gM.

Glad you’re feeling a little better Ash.

Baggs, you are always in my thoughts.

Marydoll enjoy your salon visit.

Have the best day possible everyone.

Good morning everyone from a windy south coast. I’ll be returning home later this morning having had a wonderful Christmas with the family. Yesterday was spent lazing around, watching films (their choice, not mine 😂) and going out for a late and leisurely lunch. I will enjoy my own telly fest over the next few days when I can catch up with all the things I like!!!
Hope everyone has a good day slowly getting back to normal and thoughts for those who have worries. Take care.

Good morning from Durham. It’s dark, cold and lashing down with rain - forecast all day. What a change from yesterday, when I did more leaf raking in the garden and generally pottered inside and out.
DD2 and I have been invited to DD1s today. I’ll go, but DD2 is already back at work. I’ll drop off some bits that she left here on Monday at her house as I pass. Possibly some laundry to collect.
Looking forward to next week and a new year.
Best wishes to all. X

Good morning from the South Downs. I’ve only just woken😮 - I never sleep this late. I guess it is after two or three hectic days.
Yesterday the family came here and we spent the time over dinner chatting, which I enjoyed as we listened to GS and girlfriends plans for their future. I hope fervently that their dreams come true! It is good to hear the young with such optimism.

Today I’m doing nothing.

Left overs for supper

Peace and harmony to the world.

Enjoy your day all.

Good morning all and it’s very dreary but no wind at the moment, here is Essex.

Yesterday went off well with ds2 and family including MIL. She’s very nice and easy company. Dd , twin boys and two gd’s , Also joined us, so a merry gang. DS1 was at in-laws.
Lots of food and fun, everyone in fine form. My cooking skills didn’t go well this year - an overcooked dry Turkey, hard as rocks sausage rolls (usually my best) 🙄. I blame my oven! 😉.
Oh well , there was plenty of other food, so no one went hungry.

An easy day today, clearing up and sorting our presents out.
Looking forward to Agatha Christie tonight.

Liberty that sounds like a lovely gift and I’m sure you’ll both enjoy writing the memories of the past. Your GC will have a family history of their gp. How interesting for them.

Marydoll and Ash - hoping you’re feeling better.

Take care those who are travelling.

Good morning from Glasgow. Back to stormy weather, torrential rain and high winds, such a contrast from the sunny day we had yesterday. I did notice we had a heavy frost when I put the bins out late last night, I suppose rain is the lesser of two evils.

Thankfully we are well stocked up with food and meds. which means I have no reason to venture out. Time to batten down the hatches have a cosy lazy day doing as we wish. Just remembered, I will have to bring the bins in! 😫
My trusty companion has decided she won’t be venturing out either, staying curled up beside me sensible girl.

Such a lovely sentiment from your DD GM
Sorry to read the sad news of your brother and friend kitty💐

Stay safe all who are travelling today and best wishes to all for a good day especially to those with continual worries and struggles, may the day be kind to you.

Good morning all from Polmont where it's currently 2° with torrential rain. I have just got up after a bad night. Too many naps yesterday! Another day of no plans. Looking at the weather, I'm quite glad. If the rain lets up, I'll visit mum this afternoon. The road to her hospital can get badly flooded. Then it will be the last of the turkey for dinner. Have a good day all

Good morning from a wet and windy NE.
This is the third attempt to write and post, son has been sending photos of holiday cottages and asking my opinion on locations. I have never been to Wales so I can't comment on the location but if that is where they want to visit I am happy to join them.
DD and SIL are coming this morning and we will get some
shopping and then have a relaxed afternoon and evening.
We have already planned New Year's day meal, have placed an order with Cote at home.

My sister, in Germany, has just messaged me to say that her closest friend died last night. He was her DH'S cousin and as none of them had children they spent a great deal of time together. My family knew him well too, he was a lovely man.
Thanks for the tip regarding butternut squash Ashcombe,I often opt for veggie meals and have at times been unaccountably ill. I too take beta blockers but stopped the ace inhibitors.
I have now been trying to write this post for an hour.
Take care all and have the best day you can.

Morning all, we had an unexpected full house yesterday for dinner, dishwasher worked overtime.

Some time today we have to retrieve DH’s car from middle son’s drive. I need to organise the fridge 😱😱😱

(((Hugs))) to all 🤶🏻🎄

A late good morning from N. Bucks.
Slept badly as I have developed a cough and feel very tired today.
A quiet day for us with no visitors after two lovely fun days with family.
Wishing everyone a pleasant day.

Good morning all from a wet and dismal looking south Manchester where we’ve only just woken up after 12 hours sleep! Goodness, I think we must be turning into teenagers! Is it possible to sleep too much? We must need it is all I can think.

Our youngest daughter is 43y today. They are all off to the pantomime so we will likely call round at tea time for an hour. I remember the days when pre-Christmas I had to get in everything needed for a birthday party too, as the shops were always closed for the festivities. The piano in our then dining room (the luxury of more space in a house!) was the saved surface for her birthday cards!

No Matt.
x

Good morning Mick, Annie and all. We had a lovely Christmas at DD's and were chauffeur driven there and back.
Seeing my GS and GD with respective other halves, all getting on so well and GGS taking over the floor with a huge Lego.
We came home with a bag full of 'left overs', which were supper last night. Then later, I had an awful nightmare and woke DH with me shouting. I really don't remember much, but it was mainly about finding a body! and I couldn't open the door. (I hope it wasn't the red cabbage, it was too nice).
So today, I shall be cuddled up on the sofa, and have a very lazy, sleepy day.
DS2 will visit on New Year's Day, which used to be my day for hosting all the family, but can't do it now. DS1 will come, as and when, who knows? But so nice to see these big grown men, who were our little boys.
Nice to hear that folk have enjoyed their Christmases.
Wishing all here a Very Happy New Year and health and love and strength to all who are struggling.

Good Morning, it’s wet windy and dark , the lights will be on all day
Nothing planned for today , sofa and tv is maybe the best idea , I’m watching Find it , Fix it , Flog it , I love the imagination but don’t think I’d give any of the makes house room !

Good morning from a very dark, wet and windy East Midlands. An afternoon at the bingo and then making chicken and chips for tea tonight.

Good morning from the Sloshy Brae. The hills across the loch, when we can even see them, are white but there’s no snow on our side. The loch is choppy.

Hope you feel better today, Ash.

karma, I like your “mission of mindful and mind-occupying project” idea. I shall think of my watercolour painting in those terms. Like you with your bag-making, I’m going slowly following an online tutorial by artist Geoff Kersey.

I think warm wishes are in order for those in the grip of Strom Gerrit.

Glad we went for our Xmas walk yesterday!

Good morning Mick and all from a mild wet northwest coast.
DD, DS and DGD here and it’s been cheerful and busy. DS and DGD out last night and DD and I got round to watching the Carol Service from Westminster Abbey. Everything worked out well food wise and everyone mucking in to help.

Sorry you have had your Christmas blighted Ash. My DD arrived from the south with a stinking cold but it’s moving off now and fingers crossed, I haven’t picked it up.
Dreamt last night I was engaged to Earl Spencer, but we thought we would delay the announcement 😁
Thoughts to all with worries as always 🎄💕
Another of my own work Xmas cards, if it comes through.

Good morning from windy West Sussex by the sea.

We had a very lazy day yesterday. My neighbour called over in the afternoon and we had mince pies and sherry and a good chat. She is 13 years older than me and has terminal cancer. She didn’t want to have any treatment unless it was going to make a significant difference to her quality of life. She has become a good friend since we moved here, nearly 10 years ago.

Today I must prepare the veg for a slow cooker ratatouille and pressure cook some chicken wings for stock. We have only one batch of soup left in the freezer which will not do for January!

Lovely words from your DD, Grandmattie.

Your lovely cat looks very cosy, Kalu. I do miss having a cat but it’s really not sensible with our current lifestyle 😕

Thoughts with Baggs, BlueSapphire and others with recent bereavements and family with serious health conditions.

Good afternoon all! So sorry I'm late. I could blame it on the traffic, or the weather, but if I'm honest I'd say I slept until after 10.00am!
Have now loved hearing about all your Christmas doings, good and not so good. Hope you're now feeling better Ash. And have a nice gossipy chat at the hairdresser's Mary - always a great spirit-lifter.
Litterpicker it's sad about your neighbour, but she's doing exactly what I plan to do should that diagnosis come along. (I watched the hell the treatment put my son-in-law through, but in his case - he was only 32 -
it gave him another almost 10 years with his little girls, who were only 6 months and just over 2 yrs when he was diagnosed.)
But onwards and upwards - back to Bonnie Scotland tomorrow, to rain, snow and gale force winds! Poor DGD3 is driving, bless her.
Enjoy this little lull between celebrations everyone until the bells ring out to herald a new year.

Baggs Geoff Kersey is one of our city’s local artists. I have one of his lovely watercolours hanging in my living room. He does some beautiful work.