CHATTERBOX

[Lusciouslush Profile]

Did you make that wooden tree you were planning Gill?

I'm going to get the stuffing made for tomorrow's capon in a minute - don't want any last minute dramas, then I'm making taramasalata, & cheese gougeres for Boxing Day nibbles - so a Mrs Bridges is me day! Listening to the Kings College carol service of course

[Petronius Profile]

The sun is shining.

Persuaded a SiL to do Christmas gravy.

The house is noisy, the kitchen sounds busy, the fellas are doing a grand job there, one Mum and Nanna are at Tesco, my world is good, sitting in the dining room, peace reigns here - almost.

A Happy Christmas to you all.

[Renée Profile]

I've seen those wooden Christmas trees in a couple of stores, but they would be interesting to make.

I wish everyone a very Happy Christmas!

[Gillthepainter Profile Website]

Never did, no.
I saw a half hearted attempt in a shop that put me off. We have a real tree.

Merry Christmas, Renee.
And Dennis.

[Lusciouslush Profile]

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE - HAVE A GOOD ONE!

[Sakkarin Profile]

We have a real tree.

Which of course is a wooden one. Sorry, I'll get my coat...

[Joanbunting Profile]

That's what my second tree looked like. I refused to let Mum take it down and apparently it stood in the corner of the room looking just like that until Easter.

We've just enjoyed the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. Everything done and a lovely lunch eaten. Apart from the bakers, no chance of shopping here today - bliss.

Has he been yet Hope he brings you everything you wish for when he does come.

Have a lovely evening everyone.

[Renée Profile]

... and what's wrong with that one, Sakkarin? My neighbours threw one out that looked like that!! A few decorations and it will be perfect!

[Gillthepainter Profile Website]

ha ha ha.
We've got loads of pines dropping even if I simply look over at our tree.
But it's still very full and festive.

Non drop next year.

Ooooph, wasn't it filthy weather yesterday. We managed a walk, but it all changed in the afternoon.
Biblical rains.

[Sakkarin Profile]

Interesting award-winning pic, hard to tell where the food ends and the artistically paint-spattered table begins!



Found in this article:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-39578189

[Badger's Mate Profile]

Very pretty.

Wish I could grow radishes like that. I have no problems growing all manner of fruit and veg yet the least successful for me are the easiest, radishes and lettuce.

[Lusciouslush Profile]

Happy New Year Mes Amis..................!

[Petronius Profile]

Thank you and Happy New Year to everyone.

[Pampy Profile]

And from me too! I hope 2018 is happy, healthy, prosperous and peaceful for you all.

[Renée Profile]

And from me too! Have a happy and peaceful New Year!

[Joanbunting Profile]

Very best wishes and especially good health for the year ahead.

[strictlysalsaclare Profile]

Happy New Year to everyone from me too

[Petronius Profile]

Our Christmas pad – 200 years old – Lode Hall, near Downham Market (which does indeed have a 'proper market'). It really is a lovely building and ideal for what we wanted – three large lounges, two with gorgeous open fires, and an even larger dining room with long table. Plenty of bathrooms/en-suites for all with a kitchen with a five burner range with three ovens, warming drawer plus griddle, that ran the full width of the house with windows both ends.

Lode Hall.jpg (109.37 KiB) Viewed 4204 times

But much to irritate!

Our first floor bedroom is the left hand window. Huge with a small en-suite in the corner. I do not understand how anyone can design a shower room that has no heater and nowhere to hang large wet towels, apart from a single ring for a hand towel. A flushing (sometimes) toilet, a modern designer wash basin, measuring about 15” x 9” with no overflow facility.

The hot tub is to the left, in front of the Utility room, fairly cool so wonderful for us to keep lots of fresh food and alcohol. No complaints there.

The lean to on the left is the kitchen with a very useful island unit but drove many of us mad. The Hall does, as advertised, sleep twenty two, but having only one full height domestic two door fridge freezer is totally inadequate for that number – though we were 19.

Here's a photo of a major design fault – DiL is standing between the drawer with a horizontal handle, which houses a secret drawer containing cutlery. The main drawer had to be fully open to access the cutlery drawer, crazy with anyone trying to cook.

poor design.jpg (138.31 KiB) Viewed 4204 times

And loads more minor things, such as the temperatures on the dial for the main oven had worn over the years. The owners Dick and Fran were lovely and helpful, send a text and they were round within a few minutes and to compensate did not charge for logs.

And we still had a wonderful time.

[Petronius Profile]

And I won the Christmas jumper competition,

Christmas jum[er.jpg (268.65 KiB) Viewed 4190 times

[Stokey Sue Profile]

And I won the Christmas jumper competition

Crikey, not surprised!

Happy New Year everyone!

Spent nearly all day sorting out details like contacts and diary so I have some idea of what I am doing in the next couple of months (and who is phoning me)

And buying coach tickets to Brighton, not risking Southern Snail on a weekend when they have planned engineering work with rail replacement buses and in a month whne the strikes are hotting up. Might as well sit on a batter bus all the way