Grey, chilly, and dull here in Arkland the Dismal, but it is at least dry. Next week is forecast to be much the same (so They say), which is OK by me, as long as rain and snow hold off...
I seem to have got behind with meals, so Dinner (rather than Lunch) will occur later on - LAMB CHOPS with CHIPS today.
Inspired by something I saw from a journaller on YouTube I have written a letter to myself on this, the shortest of days, from 2025 Nen to be read on this day next year by 2026 Nen.
We are having our meal shortly as we are off to the lessons and carols service at our local anglican place this evening. Having had the one carol we sang at Our Place this morning massacred by our worship band I'm looking forward to some Proper Stuff.
Dull and cold here. The weather's not great either.
Our parish church has just reopened today after being closed for over a year for major repairs and refurbishment. The have lessons and carols at 5pm. which is almost worth considering heading out for. On the other hand it is damp and cold and I can't quite believe that they will have sorted out the heating to make it warmer than glacial in the winter. The place is the size of a small cathedral, a left over from the middle ages when this was a very wealthy area.
After being at our respective places of worship this morning we headed off for a walk along the river this afternoon. It is flooded down by the weir towards the end of town, but as long as the river doesn't rise (and it was going down last time I looked), we should be OK where we live. A truly miserable day, but it is forecast to brighten up in time for Christmas.
I abandoned the idea of an Expotition; I had the ingredients for chickie frickie (pace Nen) so made that, because use-by dates, and there's enough for tomorrow (also pace Nen).
I'll be down at the Tessie's end of the street tomorrow anyway, because work, so I may as well get stocked up then. I must check the pâté recipes (my contribution to the Christmas festivities) before I head out, to make sure I get the right ingredients.
Just back from our service of lessons and carols, which went as well as could be expected.
We had some “ extras”: a very good alto, a good tenor ( aka the officiant) a good bass plus a useless bass who didn’t even make the rehearsal. So 4 basses, 4 altos, 2 tenors and 4 sopranos. Sopranos were the weakest link. One had been to no rehearsals, but for once she did not mess up, or kept it quiet if she did. Another who I had the misfortune to sit next to struggles with pitch, especially on the higher notes. My small solo bit was ok, but I am now sung out, after a concert last night as well with all those descants.
Apart from seeing family, that is my last event for a couple of weeks. Phew!
I cooked a proper lunch with lamb steak, so just a sausage roll and a ham sandwich this evening. I expect I will look for some cheese and/or chocolate later.
There was heavy rain while we were in church for this evening's service but it obliging stopped before the end so we walked home in the dry.
I haven't made chick frick for a long time - I think I overdosed on it by having it every week. Mind you, we've had stir fry once a week for years and I never tire of it.
Despite having the heating on I haven't been able to get warm since we arrived home so I plan to crawl into bed shortly.
The Christmas tree was decorated yesterday and the candle bridge put in the window. Our tree lights are web enabled, designed by Mr Heavenly, and every year a new colour or pattern is coded to the selection by him or one of the Master Heavenlys. Last year it was a new rose gold colour by the Younger but this year has a rainbow scheme. We dug out our old discarded lights and decorated the hall staircase with them.
Dry today until half way through the evening service when it poured down, the warehouse roof noisily alerting us to this. It was a nice evening service, starting with a medley of carols and then a baptism of one of the youth. The sermon was on Joseph’s choice to stay with Mary. We were late back as Mr Heavenly helped clear the baptistry away so he could set up for the Christmas service.
Sausage in a bun was served after the service and when we got home I made us cocktails: pomegranate and rose liqueur, orange juice and Prosecco, which was accompanied by a nice multilayered caramel and peanut sponge cake from the corner shop.
I'm dreaming of a grey Christmas
Just like the ones I've always known
When it's dull and damp
And drear and dank
And there's never hide nor hair of snow;
I'm dreaming of a grey Christmas
With every dark and soggy day
May you somehow survive until May
While all your Christmases are grey
If freezers have gunwales, ours is packed to them. I included a number of duplicates in yesterday's grocery delivery - things that we go through daily, like breakfast scones (Mr F) and thin bagels (me), and one inadvertent duplicate (granola). To which the supermarket added another - a second box of battered haddock. So that's tonight's dinner sorted.
In common with everywhere else, it is fairly wet, though forecast to turn colder and brighter through the rest of this week. I may go to the local mall, in search of a cut-price calendar, and discounted Christmas goodies on Boxing Day, but no other call to be out.
Yesterday was quite busy - pop up nativity in the morning, lunch out, then carol service at 6. We. have a late service on Christmas Eve but no service Christmas morning.
Looking up the V60 I found myself on a page that had a story about coffee potentially being banned by the Pope in 1600. The story is** that some clergy heard wild rumours that people were conducting Satanic rituals with it and wanted Pope Clement VIII to denounce it but he had a cup and declared it to be too nice for the infidels to have sole use of it.
I like that story @The Rogue, I'll pass it on to my husband
Our Christmas delivery arrives this afternoon. I've tweaked it loads of times, but I bet there are things I've forgotten. I went out this morning to pick up some more wrapping paper and then later went to Waitrose in a vain attempt to get a couple of things. The place was heaving, and though I fancied some more mince pies or similar the aisle with them on was so rammed I gave up. What I forgot to get was some paper for my husband's birthday presents. That will be tomorrow's task.
Bright and cold here and we've had the Christmas grocery delivery this morning and a Christmas parcel from Nenlet2 (which should have arrived days ago, Royal Mail are really struggling this year). Once I've done the wrapping (which I keep putting off which is silly as I actually don't mind doing it and there isn't that much of it) we are pretty much Good To Go. We are off to some carol singing this evening so early tea for us.
I am starting with a cold. At least all the singing is done. I drove to see my sister this morning before the coughs and sneezes start and now I just want to hunker down, but the neighbours have invited me round. I explained I didn’t want to spread any germs, so will see.
Jigsaw and book await and a nice beef stew in the slow cooker, with probably three more portions for the freezer.
Things are getting quiet in South West London, in the streets anyway. Robins are singing well, parrots are wailing in a nice discordant way, and leaf blowers can be heard in back gardens, I suppose tidying up for guests. What a strange medley, but it's life! I realize wrapping presents kills my back, but press on.
Sorry to hear about the Cold @Puzzler - a wee dram of WHISKY might help see it off...
A lighter and brighter day today in Arkland the Thankful, as the Sun seems to have returned post-Solstice (albeit veiled in Haze).
I tried to get to Tess Coe this morning, and braved the traffic on the bridge leading to TessCoeTown. However, the queue trying to get into the car park was just silly, so I activated Plan B (which should have been Plan A), and went to the village Co-Op. This was OK, but I'll need to make another trip tomorrow to pick up a few more items which I forgot today, as Gravy, Port, and BEER. They've run out of Christmas CAKE, alas.
Meanwhile, Arkland itself is quiet, as many denizens seem to have abandoned ship for the holiday. The Office closes at noon tomorrow, after which the Borders are Closed (well, the security gate is - we locals have pass keys), and the rest of the week should hopefully be peaceful.
The rather damp and dank weather is making me generally Achy, so some Restage is called for after lunch (late, as usual).
After a very mild couple of days, it's suddenly gone much colder and started raining. At least this means I can wear a very fetching woolly hat I have lately knitted with holly leaves on the side. This morning we went to do large scale grocery shopping at Lidl, and completed it this afternoon in the other shops.
Mince pie pastry is currently chilling in the fridge.
I have dusted and polished the sitting room and put up the cards, so it now looks a bit Christmassy.
Bathroom & Kitchen need cleaning tomorrow - bathroom is Mr RoS's job and he says he'll do that first thing. I will do the kitchen, but not until I have prepared the veg for tomorrow's dinner. I am a messy cook and the floor will need sweeping a second time if I clean first.
I think we need to get another bottle (carton) of milk as the drop in temperature will probably give Mr RoS a fancy for frequent mugs of hot chocolate over the next few days.
Then, I think, we might be ready for Christmas with a day to spare.
Our Christmas order came yesterday missing the vegan Christmas cake and vegan cheese I'd ordered. I headed off to Waitrose to see if I could get them as I'd seen them in the shop last week. Obviously a lot of people wanted vegan items as neither item was available. I did get a few things I'd forgotten including some wrapping paper for my husband's birthday present on the 27th. Wrapping birthday things in Christmas paper seems a bit sad.
I'm out at a Town Hall Christmas event this evening. I'm going with a friend as my husband isn't keen on live music. Other than that I don't intend to do much for the rest of the day.
We went to Waitrose yesterday and getting a parking spot was a challenge but the wait to pay wasn’t bad so they had obviously judged the staffing well.
Grey here with a nip in the air on my morning walk. All our shopping is done and we have little planned for today. Mr Heavenly needs to make the pressed tongue and we might do some baking. I might even wrap the presents this evening.
I slept well so popped over to my daughter’s to see her newly decorated rooms. Miscommunication re timings meant she had to go out after ten minutes but granddaughter and her boyfriend were there so that was good.
I am full of cold so have declined an invitation to drinks and buffet for grandson W’s 21st birthday tonight.
I don’t plan to go out at all tomorrow unless I pop over the road to Aldi. Hoping to be well enough for church on 25th then lunch at my daughter’s house.
Another grey and chilly day in Arkland the Closed, where the Gate was shut at noon today - only those with a pass key may now cross the Border...
I was about to try another Expotition to Tess Coe, when Neighbour J told me that the traffic was 'horrendous', so I sensibly went to the village Co-Op instead. The Nice Lady there told me that, although they're closed on Jesus' Birthday, they are open on St Stephen's Day, and on the Feast of the Circumcision. She used the secular terms for those days.
The espresso machine has arrived so Mr Heavenly is a happy bunny. We’ve been out to the local garden centre to buy a pot for a succulent Mr Heavenly wants to pot up as a gift, and we decided to have lunch there. The cafe was revamped this year and has gone from being a large dated canteen to being a nice well laid out bistro style place with the option to order via an app from the table. The garden centre was extended as well and now has a very nice posh butchers and deli within.
Another grey and chilly day in Arkland the Closed, where the Gate was shut at noon today - only those with a pass key may now cross the Border...
Is there a collective sigh of relief in the Arkland community when that happens - "They" can't get in any more? (You. Shall. Not. Pass.)
I've been out to lunch with my usual Tuesday lunch companions and by the time I came to walk home - laden with the inevitable last few bits of necessary Shop Ing - the Frozen Breath of the Ice King was blasting over Nenland. So now I am home in the warm and not intending to go out again for the rest of the day.
Our usual Tuesday watering hole is closing its doors permanently tomorrow so we will have to have a rethink about venue in the new year.
In other news, I have done all my Christmas Wrap Ing, apart from the last parcel for the son-in-law which won't be arduous, being a bottle of Ruby Port that simply needs to be put into a suitably shaped gift bag with a label attached.
Arkland doesn't really suffer from the presence of Undesirables (there are enough of us here already), as the Gate is always closed outside Office hours...
My parents have arrived safely in foie gras land. Unfortunately my Dad's suitcase got left behind in Amsterdam This necessitated a trip into town for the purchasing of pyjamas and unmentionables. They're supposed to be delivering it tomorrow, and it's much to be hoped they do, because it contains the Christmas pudding and WINE.
O dear. I suppose suitable replacement WINE could be obtained in foie gras land, but Christmas pudding? Hmm...
At least your Dad didn't get left behind in Amsterdam, though there are worse places in the world in which to be left behind. One of my three favourite European cities (the other two being Innsbruck and Lisbon).
The trouble with ordering in seasonal goodies is that you tend to overlook the ordinary dinners in between. So I decided, fairly unwisely, to nip along to the big supermarket in the local mall. The queue to pay took longer than the actual shopping. There was a harassed assistant trying to sort the queue for the self-service tills going that way from the ones for staffed tills coming thisway. As normal, I got in the one behind the person with the malfunctioning plastic.
Anyroads, that's the next few days sorted. Pasta carbonara tonight, lamb and dauphinoise tomorrow, out Christmas Day, bearing red cabbage and apple, mussels on Boxing Day.
I’m getting there. Shopped this morning and co-incidentally met some friends at the checkout.
Was rather busier than usual, but more checkouts were open.
Wrapped all my presents this afternoon, on my ironing board which saves my back aching.
Tomorrow I’ll make my mince pies and bottle the sloe gin that’s been steeping all autumn.
Another grey and chilly day in Arkland the Closed, where the Gate was shut at noon today - only those with a pass key may now cross the Border...
Anyone else hearing the bloke in Monty Python and the Holy Grail - NONE SHALL PASS!!!?
Computer is off, with festive greetings on my email, and apart from a few hours on Hogmanay, I'm off work now until 5th January.
I've posted my Christmas cards (I know, I know - this stupid cold I've had has floored me a bit, and I've been rather behind myself). Wrapping-up paper has been purchased, and I'm now going to make the smoked salmon pâté. The mushroom one will be made tomorrow, probably along with a couple of skinny French sticks.
Supper was a STEAK, with MASHED SPUDS, mushrooms and greens.
Unfortunately, the only line I remember clearly from The Holy Grail, because a friend had a poster of it, was "I fart in your general direction". It conveys so much feeling in so few words.
One of my three favourite European cities (the other two being Innsbruck and Lisbon).
I lived in Lisbon for a while (late 70s/early 80s) and loved it although it can be wet in winter. It is now, as we discovered last year, far too full of tourists.
Unfortunately, the only line I remember clearly from The Holy Grail, because a friend had a poster of it, was "I fart in your general direction". It conveys so much feeling in so few words.
"Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries."
The concert in the Town Hall last night was fun. The local concert band has members from the age of eight upwards which was lovely to see, specially the teenagers having fun in the percussion section.
I went out in to town in the hope a market stall was there for a present I'd suddenly thought of for my husband. It was and I got what I wanted and a t-shirt from local branch of one of my favourite clothes shops for my son. I came back via Waitrose where they had the vegan cheese I wanted. That's lunch sorted when our son arrives shortly.
I don't intend to go anywhere near a shop till the middle of the next week. If we run out of anything husband or son can go and get it!
A bright but cold day in Arkland the Forbidden, with a beasterly easterly Wind. Fortunately, my new woolly Hat protects my Head and Ears quite nicely.
I foolishly tried to get to Tess Coe ahead of the anticipated traffic jams, but failed. O well - back to the village Co-Op for the purchase of Crumpets, Mince Pies, Fish Cakes, and BEER. I didn't notice on the pack of MPs that they're gluten- and milk-free, so I hope they still taste OK...
Our Place is all geared up for this evening's Crib Service (5pm) and Midnight Mass (11pm) - no doubt FatherInCharge has put the (very expensive) heating on!
I hied myself to Waitrose shortly before it opened at 7.30. There was a queue but not too bad. By the time I left (7.55) the car park - which isn't really big enough - was nearly full. As we were living in Lisbon for our first married Christmas, my wife is now preparing our usual Christmas Eve meal: Caldo Verde soup, Bacalhau (cod) a Bras, Rice pudding. Wed prefer to eat in the evening but we have an 8pm service.
Ha! I recall eating a very tasty Bacalhau lunch one Sunday in Lisbon, in a busy little restaurant not far from the huge monastery church at Belem...to which, of course, Mrs BF and I had travelled by Tram...
Happy days!
Lunch today is LAMB CHOPS, because eat-by date.
Safe travelling to all of you who are Away, or Visiting, and I hope those of you with Church to attend (or at which to officiate or sing) will see goodly congregations. It's rather chilly and windy here, but Dry.
Mr Nen and I headed out for coffee this morning and inevitably ended up buying a few more edible things that we don't really need. Then home, gritting our teeth against the Frozen Breath of the Ice King, to a port, cheese and crackers lunch. We are out again later to the Christmas Eve service at Our Place and will have to employ thermal undies, scarves, hats and gloves to survive the walk there and back. We were thinking of going to midnight mass at our local anglican place (also walking distance) but I am not good at staying awake after 10pm and I know once I get home this evening I won't want to go out again.
I am also, for the first time in years, planning to do what my Dear Old Mum always did on Christmas Eve - be in the kitchen cooking while Carols from Kings are broadcast live on the radio. In her case it was mince pies and sausage rolls, in mine it will be preparing our evening meal, but the Spirit of Christmas Past will be the same. Lord, I miss my mum .
Son is now home and as he is the main cook at Christmas I showed him what I'd got planned. There was a slight panic when I couldn't find the recipe but it was finally tracked down and approved of. He has now headed off to Waitrose with my husband to get the ingredients to make some mince pies and a few extra bits such as apples for the red cabbage.
I'm tempted to have an afternoon nap, but I've had several bad nights sleep so am trying to stay awake.
I don't have to be up too early tomorrow though I am down to the bidding prayers at the 11.00am Mass. I like the idea of Midnight Mass but though my church is walkable to the quickest way is along the river which is probably not a good idea at 11.30 at night. Like Nen I'm not at all sure I could stay awake either.
Alas no - they went in the 1990s. One of them, complete with clerestory roof, was the very first Lisbon tram in ever rode in (October 1978). Even then they were 70-year old museum pieces.
Comments
I seem to have got behind with meals, so Dinner (rather than Lunch) will occur later on - LAMB CHOPS with CHIPS today.
Happy Solstice, all! The Sun will be back soon...
Apparently not. As I write, it is beginning to Rain.
We are having our meal shortly as we are off to the lessons and carols service at our local anglican place this evening. Having had the one carol we sang at Our Place this morning massacred by our worship band I'm looking forward to some Proper Stuff.
Dull and cold here. The weather's not great either.
After being at our respective places of worship this morning we headed off for a walk along the river this afternoon. It is flooded down by the weir towards the end of town, but as long as the river doesn't rise (and it was going down last time I looked), we should be OK where we live. A truly miserable day, but it is forecast to brighten up in time for Christmas.
I'll be down at the Tessie's end of the street tomorrow anyway, because work, so I may as well get stocked up then. I must check the pâté recipes (my contribution to the Christmas festivities) before I head out, to make sure I get the right ingredients.
We had some “ extras”: a very good alto, a good tenor ( aka the officiant) a good bass plus a useless bass who didn’t even make the rehearsal. So 4 basses, 4 altos, 2 tenors and 4 sopranos. Sopranos were the weakest link. One had been to no rehearsals, but for once she did not mess up, or kept it quiet if she did. Another who I had the misfortune to sit next to struggles with pitch, especially on the higher notes. My small solo bit was ok, but I am now sung out, after a concert last night as well with all those descants.
Apart from seeing family, that is my last event for a couple of weeks. Phew!
I cooked a proper lunch with lamb steak, so just a sausage roll and a ham sandwich this evening. I expect I will look for some cheese and/or chocolate later.
It started raining hard later - just at the wrong time for our service!
I haven't made chick frick for a long time - I think I overdosed on it by having it every week. Mind you, we've had stir fry once a week for years and I never tire of it.
Despite having the heating on I haven't been able to get warm since we arrived home so I plan to crawl into bed shortly.
Dry today until half way through the evening service when it poured down, the warehouse roof noisily alerting us to this. It was a nice evening service, starting with a medley of carols and then a baptism of one of the youth. The sermon was on Joseph’s choice to stay with Mary. We were late back as Mr Heavenly helped clear the baptistry away so he could set up for the Christmas service.
Sausage in a bun was served after the service and when we got home I made us cocktails: pomegranate and rose liqueur, orange juice and Prosecco, which was accompanied by a nice multilayered caramel and peanut sponge cake from the corner shop.
Well, it is December
I'm dreaming of a grey Christmas
Just like the ones I've always known
When it's dull and damp
And drear and dank
And there's never hide nor hair of snow;
I'm dreaming of a grey Christmas
With every dark and soggy day
May you somehow survive until May
While all your Christmases are grey
In common with everywhere else, it is fairly wet, though forecast to turn colder and brighter through the rest of this week. I may go to the local mall, in search of a cut-price calendar, and discounted Christmas goodies on Boxing Day, but no other call to be out.
** Pinch of salt recommended
Our Christmas delivery arrives this afternoon. I've tweaked it loads of times, but I bet there are things I've forgotten. I went out this morning to pick up some more wrapping paper and then later went to Waitrose in a vain attempt to get a couple of things. The place was heaving, and though I fancied some more mince pies or similar the aisle with them on was so rammed I gave up. What I forgot to get was some paper for my husband's birthday presents. That will be tomorrow's task.
Jigsaw and book await and a nice beef stew in the slow cooker, with probably three more portions for the freezer.
A lighter and brighter day today in Arkland the Thankful, as the Sun seems to have returned post-Solstice (albeit veiled in Haze).
I tried to get to Tess Coe this morning, and braved the traffic on the bridge leading to TessCoeTown. However, the queue trying to get into the car park was just silly, so I activated Plan B (which should have been Plan A), and went to the village Co-Op. This was OK, but I'll need to make another trip tomorrow to pick up a few more items which I forgot today, as Gravy, Port, and BEER. They've run out of Christmas CAKE, alas.
Meanwhile, Arkland itself is quiet, as many denizens seem to have abandoned ship for the holiday. The Office closes at noon tomorrow, after which the Borders are Closed (well, the security gate is - we locals have pass keys), and the rest of the week should hopefully be peaceful.
The rather damp and dank weather is making me generally Achy, so some Restage is called for after lunch (late, as usual).
Mince pie pastry is currently chilling in the fridge.
Very quiet day at the office, in the middle of which I braved Tessie's with the Trusty Trolley, and I think I got all the comestibles I'll need.
A taxi has been booked to convey me to my niece's on Christmas Day, so that's another thing off my mind.
Supper was the other half of the chickie frickie.
Bathroom & Kitchen need cleaning tomorrow - bathroom is Mr RoS's job and he says he'll do that first thing. I will do the kitchen, but not until I have prepared the veg for tomorrow's dinner. I am a messy cook and the floor will need sweeping a second time if I clean first.
I think we need to get another bottle (carton) of milk as the drop in temperature will probably give Mr RoS a fancy for frequent mugs of hot chocolate over the next few days.
Then, I think, we might be ready for Christmas with a day to spare.
I'm out at a Town Hall Christmas event this evening. I'm going with a friend as my husband isn't keen on live music. Other than that I don't intend to do much for the rest of the day.
Grey here with a nip in the air on my morning walk. All our shopping is done and we have little planned for today. Mr Heavenly needs to make the pressed tongue and we might do some baking. I might even wrap the presents this evening.
I am full of cold so have declined an invitation to drinks and buffet for grandson W’s 21st birthday tonight.
I don’t plan to go out at all tomorrow unless I pop over the road to Aldi. Hoping to be well enough for church on 25th then lunch at my daughter’s house.
I was about to try another Expotition to Tess Coe, when Neighbour J told me that the traffic was 'horrendous', so I sensibly went to the village Co-Op instead. The Nice Lady there told me that, although they're closed on Jesus' Birthday, they are open on St Stephen's Day, and on the Feast of the Circumcision. She used the secular terms for those days.
I've been out to lunch with my usual Tuesday lunch companions and by the time I came to walk home - laden with the inevitable last few bits of necessary Shop Ing - the Frozen Breath of the Ice King was blasting over Nenland. So now I am home in the warm and not intending to go out again for the rest of the day.
Our usual Tuesday watering hole is closing its doors permanently tomorrow so we will have to have a rethink about venue in the new year.
In other news, I have done all my Christmas Wrap Ing, apart from the last parcel for the son-in-law which won't be arduous, being a bottle of Ruby Port that simply needs to be put into a suitably shaped gift bag with a label attached.
At least your Dad didn't get left behind in Amsterdam, though there are worse places in the world in which to be left behind. One of my three favourite European cities (the other two being Innsbruck and Lisbon).
Anyroads, that's the next few days sorted. Pasta carbonara tonight, lamb and dauphinoise tomorrow, out Christmas Day, bearing red cabbage and apple, mussels on Boxing Day.
Was rather busier than usual, but more checkouts were open.
Wrapped all my presents this afternoon, on my ironing board which saves my back aching.
Tomorrow I’ll make my mince pies and bottle the sloe gin that’s been steeping all autumn.
Anyone else hearing the bloke in Monty Python and the Holy Grail - NONE SHALL PASS!!!?
Computer is off, with festive greetings on my email, and apart from a few hours on Hogmanay, I'm off work now until 5th January.
I've posted my Christmas cards (I know, I know - this stupid cold I've had has floored me a bit, and I've been rather behind myself). Wrapping-up paper has been purchased, and I'm now going to make the smoked salmon pâté. The mushroom one will be made tomorrow, probably along with a couple of skinny French sticks.
Supper was a STEAK, with MASHED SPUDS, mushrooms and greens.
"Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries."
I went out in to town in the hope a market stall was there for a present I'd suddenly thought of for my husband. It was and I got what I wanted and a t-shirt from local branch of one of my favourite clothes shops for my son. I came back via Waitrose where they had the vegan cheese I wanted. That's lunch sorted when our son arrives shortly.
I don't intend to go anywhere near a shop till the middle of the next week. If we run out of anything husband or son can go and get it!
I foolishly tried to get to Tess Coe ahead of the anticipated traffic jams, but failed. O well - back to the village Co-Op for the purchase of Crumpets, Mince Pies, Fish Cakes, and BEER. I didn't notice on the pack of MPs that they're gluten- and milk-free, so I hope they still taste OK...
Our Place is all geared up for this evening's Crib Service (5pm) and Midnight Mass (11pm) - no doubt FatherInCharge has put the (very expensive) heating on!
Happy days!
Lunch today is LAMB CHOPS, because eat-by date.
Safe travelling to all of you who are Away, or Visiting, and I hope those of you with Church to attend (or at which to officiate or sing) will see goodly congregations. It's rather chilly and windy here, but Dry.
I am also, for the first time in years, planning to do what my Dear Old Mum always did on Christmas Eve - be in the kitchen cooking while Carols from Kings are broadcast live on the radio. In her case it was mince pies and sausage rolls, in mine it will be preparing our evening meal, but the Spirit of Christmas Past will be the same. Lord, I miss my mum
I'm tempted to have an afternoon nap, but I've had several bad nights sleep so am trying to stay awake.
I don't have to be up too early tomorrow though I am down to the bidding prayers at the 11.00am Mass. I like the idea of Midnight Mass but though my church is walkable to the quickest way is along the river which is probably not a good idea at 11.30 at night. Like Nen I'm not at all sure I could stay awake either.
Yes, indeed - but do they still run the lovely old US-style bogie cars?
One or two are preserved and get occasional outings: https://youtu.be/qtctX1NZ3Cs