Yawn Yawn Wakey Wakey 2025

Hello all. So glad you got sorted with a jacket for Cedric @Busy-Lizzie and I have to agree with you about M&S - how are the mighty fallen? Thank you so much for the heads up about Cotton Traders @lizzie27. Being vertically challenged myself I will now take a look at their trousers. Successful trip to Costco and His Majesty is now supplied with plenty of his favourite meals.
I am going to say good night to everyone now as I am off to Bolton quizzing. Our first match of the new season. Enjoy your evenings and I'll catch up with you all tomorrow.

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Thank you @lizzie27, I've just ordered a pair of dark blue, 29" boot cut jeans from Cotton Traders.

 

Evening all. I've been out at patch club all day. Left at 9am as it's 45 mins away and then helped set up tables. Then a full day learning a new skill - broderie aux fils serrés - which means stitching in linen in the same colour thread and in a way that makes a pattern in the weave and lots of counting to get the right thread count. After 7 hours of that with pauses for lunch, tea and a bit of admin I was starting to feel cross-eyed but it's quite zen to do once you have the hang of it.

@Tui34 I get my belly pork at Leclerc - poitrine de porc avec couenne en bloc. They usually have it available in pre-cut chunks called K7 but not always and not always big enough so I sometimes order it from the butchers' counter, especially if I need enough to have leftovers. They'll do it without bones if I ask.

@Ladybird4 Nigella also does a gluten free carrot cake which is yummy but I have been known to use ground almonds instead of flour in all sorts of recipes to make them gluten free and stevia instead of sugar for the diabetics.

Well done @Busy-Lizzie. Must admit I haven't found anything wearable in M&S for over 20 years. It's very frustrating as I used to find Fair Trade cotton t-shirts and summer dresses there and good summer shorts and shorts for OH. Even their knickers aren't that good anymore.

Good to take it easy today @lizzie27. We've had heavy rain in bursts but it should be fine for the next 3 days so gardening for me then knuckling down to some sewing for the following week.

Have a pleasant evening everyons. Stay cosy if it's nasty out there.

 

A busy day here. I managed to return a cardigan to M and S via the local post office, got some shopping, and then kept my appointment with the Physio re my wrist. Very efficient and helpful. Came away with a diagnosis, and advice on exercises to help. I’ve ordered the recommended splint from a company in Hampshire, free postage! Back home in time for the gas engineer to cap off the redundant cooker pipe. Out to the garden to rake up leaves, one green bin almost full.

Then got very confused about a text that arrived. Earlier today, I’d been looking through last years diary to see when the guy who usually cleans our gutters came last year. Put contacting him on my to do list. Then I got a text from him this evening, saying he could come to us on Friday if that was ok. There was a previous text on my phone to him, asking to book a visit, sent at 11.45am. All very reasonable except that I was certain that I hadn’t written to him yet!
I was beginning to think I was going mad, OH was also thinking the same! It took me ages to press enough of the right buttons to look at the text details, yes it was sent at 11.45am, but 2024! Phew! I think I’d left the message in my inbox, and I now vaguely remember him putting a date in his diary to contact us in a years time. All makes sense now, but I really did think I had either lost the plot or become telepathic! Anyway, the list of jobs is getting ticked off in a very satisfactory manner.
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Good evening all,

Apart from going out this morning to our coffee morning natter group, I’ve been indoors and not done very much apart from read, watch a bit of tv and come on here. I feel very lazy, but find that this wet, grey, miserable weather makes me want to hibernate. I really must try and get out a bit tomorrow though, before I go stir crazy.

Sounds like you’ve got everything very well organised @Ergates.

Glad you managed to find a jacket for Cedric in Next, @Busy-Lizzie. I think M & S has deteriorated considerably in recent years, unfortunately. They have closed a lot of stores including the one in our town (there is an out of town one, but I don’t go there, as it’s awkward to get to).

 

Goodness @Obelix-Vendée, that technique would definitely make me cross-eyed, my eyesight is getting worse for close up sewing, even with glasses.

Hope the jeans from CT are satisfactory @Busy-Lizzie.

Deja vu @Ergates, that must have been quite disconcerting. At least you're now all booked in for a good gutter clean. Good that the problem with your wrist has been diagnosed, hope it gets better soon.

Ignore the cheap offers on CT @Ladybird4, their more expensive trousers are better quality I found. Also check the materials. Enjoy your quiz night.

 

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Good morning everyone. We had a great win last night at the quiz which was really heartening and the questions - apart from the dedicated specialities - were at last, of a good general knowledge standard. I was particularly pleased with rounds on Plants, Food and Drink and the Human Body. I wonder how long it will be for those to turn up again.
Got a dental appointment just after 09:00 this morning and its raining! Deep joy!
Thanks for the tips @Obelix-Vendée and @lizzie27. I am very impressed @Ergates with your gutter cleaning person. He sounds like a good 'un. Right I better get a wriggle on. Catch you all later.

 

Morning. I see that I haven't posted since Saturday, though I have read to keep up!
I have little of interest to post.
Rufus has had an upset tum, which a trip to the vet sorted out yesterday. I didn't wake to a mess this morning.
He (and the other dogs, but particularly him) had a whale of a time with the grandkids yesterday and we didn't hear a peep out of them till gone 8 this morning.
We started watching Mr Burton after University Challenge; I don't think OH was too keen, to start with, but he was soon enthralled; we'll finish it tonight.
I have found the perfect gift for my 'difficult to buy for' secret santa recipient (the woman who has everything!). A racy red pair of Joe Browns gloves with animal print trimming! Very her!
Well done on the win @Ladybird4. My kind of categories, too.

 

Good morning to you all!

Just a pop in this morning. Wish you all a happy day.

 

Today I think of my Uncle Joe Chise who was killed in action in France. My cousin says he's buried in France and has been to his grave.

 

Good morning all.

Well done for the Quiz, @Ladybird4. Those are my favourite three subjects but they are rarely asked.

We went to the service by the village memorial this morning. It was a good chance to talk to some of the other people in this village afterwards.

Cedric has gone to Diss to look for a tie. I've just looked in the wardrobe and found 3 ties and a cravat. One of the ties goes very nicely with his shirt and new jacket. I think he just likes going shopping.

It's a damp grey day. The ash tree leaves need raking up and bagging. Wish I could feel motivated.

 

Good afternoon all. Been to the garden club plant swap this morning, arriving late so i could observe the 2 minutes' silence alon before joining everyone. You'd have thought, having been occupied and/or Vichy'd, that they'd be more conscientious here but no.

Anyway, mulled cider a success again tho some are still suspicious till they taste it. Not adventurous eaters and drinkers the French. Ditto smoked mackerel pâté with carrot sticks or seedy crackers. Recipe please. I didn't stay for lunch as, by the time I'd tried everyone else's nibbles for the apéro I was no lunger hungry. Didn't have any plants to swap either tho i've found homes for some of my eragrostis babies next spring and Alcime gave me a hydrangea Sundae Fraise and a salvia regla.

It is sunny and dry but a bit breezy. I have a sore throat starting so will take a paracetamol and do some quiet gardening, especially checking my seedlings and getting more bulbs planted.

Well done @Ladybird4 and team. Satisfying.

@Busy-Lizzie OH was the only one to turn up in a tie at a supposedly smart gold do a few years ago so doesn't bother any more and the same goes for dance evenings. He had loads of silk ties for work and I have kept all except the boring plain striped ones to use in a project one day. I was in an African fabrics shop in Nates a couple of years ago and he bought a very bright turquoise based cravat and cummerbund. No idea when he thinks he'll wear those!

 

Good afternoon all. I walked up to the village (its only a mile and a bit) to go to my Dental appointment this morning and it was quites mizzly drizzly but I enjoyed the walk. All went well with the check up and the dental hygienist and the good news was that my dentist decided that I could now be registered as a National Health patient for the check ups and only pay for the scale and polish. I was a private patient prior to that. That was nice news as it saved me £45 on my bill. The whole local Primary school all dressed in hi viz jackets so they looked like mini workmen, complete with harassed adults were being led down to the War Memorial for 11:00. I was surrounded by a flowing yellow river of rug rats and ankle biters. They were really cute! They were also very early so I did not envy their 'minders' and teachers keeping them under control.
I decided to catch the bus back to the end of the Lane as the rain had become heavier and it was only after I got in that I remembered I was supposed to be picking up the remainder of my prescription that was in short supply last week. Rats and double rats! Luckily I am not short but I was blowed if I was going to venture out again. Maybe tomorrow. Also, just to annoy me, the guy who covered my car in dust and all sorts last week was back with friends as my neighbours were having new UPVC barge boards, soffits and dry verges fitted. I did point out to him that his white van was obstructing the pavement outside my house and he apologised but didn't do anything about it. I bet they think I'm a right grouch! The new additions look very nice - all clean and white. I did comment to my neighbour that next Spring the little bird squatters will be thwarted as they will not be able to get into their nesting holes. I observed the 2 minutes silence in my living room - watching the various locations around Britain as Big Ben bonged and then went silent. I always get immensely moved.

 

Sorry to hear that Rufus has been under the weather. I hope his system is now clear and you do not get any unwelcome deposits to clear up @Penny_Forthem. I finished the last of your pears today and they were delicious. @Obelix-Vendée what spices and/or herbs do you add to your cider to make it mulled. It always sounds lovely when you write about it. I wonder what Cedric will come home with @Busy-Lizzie? We always kept an eye on Dad when he was getting dressed up for Mess 'dos' and it was purely because he was red/green colour blind and some of his sock choices would be quite bizarre! That affliction was what prevented him from becoming a pilot.

 

Here's the recipe @Ladybird4 Mulled cider It's much lighter and fresher than mulled wine, especially for apéro on an empty tum.

This is the first year I've found proper mucovado sugar so it's always been done with demerara. Before serving I strain out as many of the spices as I can catch with my small sieve and then add a finely chopped Granny Smith apple. I have a corer and slicer that gives me 12 segments then slice those thinly. I didn't have the full measure of Calvados for my 4 bottles of cider and I think it could be left out.