So sorry for the lack of a post yesterday.
I was out from 9am until quite late....first in Derby and then in Burton.
The sole reason for going to Derby was fabric shopping as we had decided against going in to Birmingham but in hindsight we should have gone with our first plans to go to Birmingham because fabric shopping in Derby was a bit dire to say the least.
The stall where I usually get all of my fabrics had hardly anything like as much as they normally have and I left with two metres.....yes just two metres of fabric and four zips.
I really wish we had gone to Birmingham now but it's the cost of the train fare that made us think twice.
Oh well...it was what it was.
Today DD is building her wardrobe and I am catching up on laundry, preparing veg for tea and tidying the dining room table ready to get the sewing machine out later.
Once I have sewn what I have to sew I need to get the London gifts down and get them sorted ready to deliver to the Doodles house tomorrow to go down to London at the weekend and will also deliver the Advent calendars ready for Ruby and Marlowe to start on Friday. Poor Marlowe...hers is a bit boring this year as each day just contains a 50p coin but hopefully she can save that up and Mummy will buy her a toy with it. She is too small for anything tiny that will fit in the pockets and I don't think I would be very popular if I filled it with chocolate for every day.
Tomorrow will be another busy day....bringing down the tree and decorations, building the tree, fluffing it and putting the lights on ready for Ruby and Aunty DD to decorate on Saturday morning. We only have Ruby overnight and up until lunchtime Saturday so it's going to be a quick job this year.
Right....back to the tidying, laundry and veg......I could really do with eight arms today....lol.
Hope you are all having a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
Wednesday, 29 November 2017
Monday, 27 November 2017
Not Normal!!!
Good Morning 😊
This week I have not made many plans for anything I need to get done.
DD is home for the week and that means normality goes out of the window.
I know we are going to Derby tomorrow but beyond that I haven't a clue.
Luckily Andy is on afternoons so I don't need to cook big meals. No lunches to cook as he has to be at work early today and tomorrow so won't be here for lunch.
I'm sure DD has a duvet day planned for us.....sofa hugging with dvd's and a very simple meal which is always nice.
Friday we pick Ruby up from school and she is staying here for the night and helping to decorate the tree on Saturday morning before we deliver her home after lunch to spend some time with London Grandma and Grandad.
So.....although the week is mostly unplanned I'm sure it will be busy.
What are you all up to this week?
Have a good one whatever you are doing.
Sheila-x-
This week I have not made many plans for anything I need to get done.
DD is home for the week and that means normality goes out of the window.
I know we are going to Derby tomorrow but beyond that I haven't a clue.
Luckily Andy is on afternoons so I don't need to cook big meals. No lunches to cook as he has to be at work early today and tomorrow so won't be here for lunch.
I'm sure DD has a duvet day planned for us.....sofa hugging with dvd's and a very simple meal which is always nice.
Friday we pick Ruby up from school and she is staying here for the night and helping to decorate the tree on Saturday morning before we deliver her home after lunch to spend some time with London Grandma and Grandad.
So.....although the week is mostly unplanned I'm sure it will be busy.
What are you all up to this week?
Have a good one whatever you are doing.
Sheila-x-
Sunday, 26 November 2017
Feeling Festive!!!
At my age I am usually a little bit ho-hum about experiences for children that winkle rather a lot of pounds from parents and grandparents pockets and don't deliver fully on their promises.
Well the National Forest Adventure Farm at Tatenhill went all out and actually delivered the most amazing Christmas experience ever with their North Pole Adventure. DDIL says it was worth every single penny and I have to agree with her.
From the beautiful entry tickets to the passports which you had to get stamped at various points, the Elf coins that could be spent in the Victorian street to the polar bear that knew all of the children's names it was pure magic from start to finish.
I don't know who the people were who played the parts of the ticket collector, the Elves, Mrs Christmas, Santa and various other characters but they played their parts so well.
The whole trip took just under two hours and the girls didn't get bored at all.
Ruby isn't a fan of fake Santa's but no such qualms for Marlowe who gave him three high fives before we left his cosy little room.
If I had to be picky and point out one thing that was lacking it would have to be that there were no Christmassy smells.
A gentle pine scent as you walked through the forests would have been so nice as would the smell of gingerbread cooking in Mrs Christmas's kitchen....but that is just me....I'm sure nobody else was that bothered.
By the time we came out it was lunchtime so we did that and then it was playtime for the girls at various points around the farm although we decided the best place was animal stroking in the barn during the snow storm that arrived.
By 4:30pm we were all so cold that we decided to head for home full of the joys of Christmas.
I would love to say that I slept like a log last night....but I didn't unfortunately.
So much for excercise and fresh air knocking you out...lol.
A lazy day today. No Sunday lunch to cook. Instead we have had brunch and will have cold meat and salad with some buttered new potatoes at tea time.
DD is shifting furniture around in her room, Andy is sofa hugging but he will have to move shortly as I would like to clean the sofas and run the hoover round to clear up the mess he made with his nuts yesterday......I really hate nuts in the shell when he gets his hands on them.
I hope you are all keeping warm and dry today.
Sheila-x-
Well the National Forest Adventure Farm at Tatenhill went all out and actually delivered the most amazing Christmas experience ever with their North Pole Adventure. DDIL says it was worth every single penny and I have to agree with her.
From the beautiful entry tickets to the passports which you had to get stamped at various points, the Elf coins that could be spent in the Victorian street to the polar bear that knew all of the children's names it was pure magic from start to finish.
I don't know who the people were who played the parts of the ticket collector, the Elves, Mrs Christmas, Santa and various other characters but they played their parts so well.
The whole trip took just under two hours and the girls didn't get bored at all.
Ruby isn't a fan of fake Santa's but no such qualms for Marlowe who gave him three high fives before we left his cosy little room.
If I had to be picky and point out one thing that was lacking it would have to be that there were no Christmassy smells.
A gentle pine scent as you walked through the forests would have been so nice as would the smell of gingerbread cooking in Mrs Christmas's kitchen....but that is just me....I'm sure nobody else was that bothered.
By the time we came out it was lunchtime so we did that and then it was playtime for the girls at various points around the farm although we decided the best place was animal stroking in the barn during the snow storm that arrived.
By 4:30pm we were all so cold that we decided to head for home full of the joys of Christmas.
I would love to say that I slept like a log last night....but I didn't unfortunately.
So much for excercise and fresh air knocking you out...lol.
A lazy day today. No Sunday lunch to cook. Instead we have had brunch and will have cold meat and salad with some buttered new potatoes at tea time.
DD is shifting furniture around in her room, Andy is sofa hugging but he will have to move shortly as I would like to clean the sofas and run the hoover round to clear up the mess he made with his nuts yesterday......I really hate nuts in the shell when he gets his hands on them.
I hope you are all keeping warm and dry today.
Sheila-x-
Saturday, 25 November 2017
How Fitting!!!
This morning we are off to The North Pole and I am absolutely stoked that we woke up to a scattering of snow.
How cool is that?
Unfortunately now it has turned to rain which will be mixed with snowy showers for the day.
Well whatever it throws at us we'll have a fun day.
I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.
Stay warm and dry and have a fab weekend.
Sheila-x-
How cool is that?
Unfortunately now it has turned to rain which will be mixed with snowy showers for the day.
Well whatever it throws at us we'll have a fun day.
I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.
Stay warm and dry and have a fab weekend.
Sheila-x-
Friday, 24 November 2017
A Very Slow Start!!!
I have woken up in a whole heap of pain this morning and have been very slow getting started on anything.
Most of it I think is related to all the pushing and shoving round of furniture yesterday in the dining room but that is all done now except for a bit of tweaking.
There is no way I want to be moving it all again for Christmas Day when The Doodles come for lunch so I have hit on the fabulous idea of bringing the summer dining table in from outside and temporarily scooting one of the sofas out of the way to use it in the lounge. Moving a sofa rather than emptying a whole room is a bit of a no brainer really.
Well the bedding didn't stay long on the line yesterday. I had to keep going down every five minutes to unwrap it from around the line which I soon got fed of and it went in the drier. I should have done that in the first place.
Today is totally different.....very still but sunny and bright.
I'm trying to catch up on bits of jobs today as I will be out for the whole day tomorrow visiting The North Pole with all my favourite girls....DDIL, DD, Ruby and Marlowe. The weather forecast is for rain so I think wellies and waterproofs will be needed. I haven't fetched out scarves, hats and gloves yet but it might also be a good idea to locate those......oooh and I must also charge the camera.
Andy will think he has gone to heaven with just him and his doggy boy in the house.
No idea what is for tea tonight. I'm not in the mood for cooking so maybe cheese and crackers with pickles for a change. I have just remembered a jar of piccalilli in the outside stores so yes.....definitely cheese and pickles.
Right...I shall go and carry on with shuffling about and getting me jobs done.
Hope you all have a fabulous weekend.
Sheila-x-
Most of it I think is related to all the pushing and shoving round of furniture yesterday in the dining room but that is all done now except for a bit of tweaking.
There is no way I want to be moving it all again for Christmas Day when The Doodles come for lunch so I have hit on the fabulous idea of bringing the summer dining table in from outside and temporarily scooting one of the sofas out of the way to use it in the lounge. Moving a sofa rather than emptying a whole room is a bit of a no brainer really.
Well the bedding didn't stay long on the line yesterday. I had to keep going down every five minutes to unwrap it from around the line which I soon got fed of and it went in the drier. I should have done that in the first place.
Today is totally different.....very still but sunny and bright.
I'm trying to catch up on bits of jobs today as I will be out for the whole day tomorrow visiting The North Pole with all my favourite girls....DDIL, DD, Ruby and Marlowe. The weather forecast is for rain so I think wellies and waterproofs will be needed. I haven't fetched out scarves, hats and gloves yet but it might also be a good idea to locate those......oooh and I must also charge the camera.
Andy will think he has gone to heaven with just him and his doggy boy in the house.
No idea what is for tea tonight. I'm not in the mood for cooking so maybe cheese and crackers with pickles for a change. I have just remembered a jar of piccalilli in the outside stores so yes.....definitely cheese and pickles.
Right...I shall go and carry on with shuffling about and getting me jobs done.
Hope you all have a fabulous weekend.
Sheila-x-
Thursday, 23 November 2017
Not Quite Toad In The Hole!!!
More like Toad On A Skyscraper.......
.......and I'm not even sure what I did right...lol.
It was the same recipe I always use so all I can put it down to is my new oven because it never looked like this when it came out of my old one.
Nothing quite so spectacular for tea tonight as Andy has requested 'something with chips' so I might just do good old fashioned egg and chips.
The heating has had to go on for an hour this morning just to take the chill off the house. It looks really nice outside with it's sunshine and blue sky but the wind is absolutely wicked.
Good for drying though so I shall be pegging some sheets out shortly.
Once that is done I'll get on with the dining room....obviously after a coffee to gee me up a bit....lol.
Hope it's sunny where you are.
Sheila-x-
.......and I'm not even sure what I did right...lol.
It was the same recipe I always use so all I can put it down to is my new oven because it never looked like this when it came out of my old one.
Nothing quite so spectacular for tea tonight as Andy has requested 'something with chips' so I might just do good old fashioned egg and chips.
The heating has had to go on for an hour this morning just to take the chill off the house. It looks really nice outside with it's sunshine and blue sky but the wind is absolutely wicked.
Good for drying though so I shall be pegging some sheets out shortly.
Once that is done I'll get on with the dining room....obviously after a coffee to gee me up a bit....lol.
Hope it's sunny where you are.
Sheila-x-
Wednesday, 22 November 2017
What Was I Thinking?!!!
I must have been quite mad yesterday to start on the dining room. It is going to take longer than I thought.
Still at least there will be a break from it later today as Ruby will be here after school and I have to cram in as many cuddles as I can in the two hours or so that she'll be here.
She doesn't know yet that I will be spending the day with her on Saturday. Mummy is keeping it a secret so I have to be careful that I don't let it slip today.
It's another dark and miserable day....which I wouldn't mind if I had time for a bit of sofa snuggling but I haven't so it will be an extra jumper and fluffy socks instead.
I managed to eat the curry last night but only I think because my taste buds are still not right after the horrible cold. I can't understand why I love the smell of it cooking but don't like eating it.
A good old fashioned rib sticker for our evening meal today....Toad In The Hole with plenty of veg and lots of gravy.
This is another Ruby favourite which saves me having to do two meals although this is yet another meal that I am funny about....I don't like sausage and Yorkshire pudding together so I do without the sausage and just have mash and veg with a bit of Yorkshire pudding and some horseradish sauce.
Ooooh I have sat still for too long and I am shivering.
Time for hot coffee and my morning toast which is very late today as I didn't feel like eating when I first got up.
Hope you are all nice and cosy today.
Sheila-x-
Still at least there will be a break from it later today as Ruby will be here after school and I have to cram in as many cuddles as I can in the two hours or so that she'll be here.
She doesn't know yet that I will be spending the day with her on Saturday. Mummy is keeping it a secret so I have to be careful that I don't let it slip today.
It's another dark and miserable day....which I wouldn't mind if I had time for a bit of sofa snuggling but I haven't so it will be an extra jumper and fluffy socks instead.
I managed to eat the curry last night but only I think because my taste buds are still not right after the horrible cold. I can't understand why I love the smell of it cooking but don't like eating it.
A good old fashioned rib sticker for our evening meal today....Toad In The Hole with plenty of veg and lots of gravy.
This is another Ruby favourite which saves me having to do two meals although this is yet another meal that I am funny about....I don't like sausage and Yorkshire pudding together so I do without the sausage and just have mash and veg with a bit of Yorkshire pudding and some horseradish sauce.
Ooooh I have sat still for too long and I am shivering.
Time for hot coffee and my morning toast which is very late today as I didn't feel like eating when I first got up.
Hope you are all nice and cosy today.
Sheila-x-
Tuesday, 21 November 2017
In The Mood For Moving!!!
Some months ago I had a bit of a change around in the dining room and I find I am really not liking it so it's time to find a better way to set everything out and I am in the mood so I will be going for it and getting it done. I will clean all the windows as I move stuff round and hoover in all the corners that haven't seen daylight in some time.
My free afternoon was spent.....tidying out a kitchen cupboard. It wasn't on my job lists but it had been driving me mad for a while....and now it's not. It wasn't what I intended to be doing but never mind...it's done.
There is a rather nice smell coming from the kitchen....I have just taken a tea brack out of the oven. It needs cooling, wrapping and hiding before Andy gets up as it needs to stand for a couple of days before cutting it and he will wade straight into it if I don't hide it.
Later there will be more nice smells as I cook a curry. I don't usually eat it but I have decided to try some. If I don't like it I shall have egg on toast and DD can take mine to work for her lunch tomorrow.
The heating thermometer is such a liar this morning. It is saying that the temperature is quite reasonable and yet I am freezing. I will resist putting the heating on though and go and find a job to do which will keep me warm.
Have a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
My free afternoon was spent.....tidying out a kitchen cupboard. It wasn't on my job lists but it had been driving me mad for a while....and now it's not. It wasn't what I intended to be doing but never mind...it's done.
There is a rather nice smell coming from the kitchen....I have just taken a tea brack out of the oven. It needs cooling, wrapping and hiding before Andy gets up as it needs to stand for a couple of days before cutting it and he will wade straight into it if I don't hide it.
Later there will be more nice smells as I cook a curry. I don't usually eat it but I have decided to try some. If I don't like it I shall have egg on toast and DD can take mine to work for her lunch tomorrow.
The heating thermometer is such a liar this morning. It is saying that the temperature is quite reasonable and yet I am freezing. I will resist putting the heating on though and go and find a job to do which will keep me warm.
Have a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
Monday, 20 November 2017
Another New Week!!!
I love the start of a new week. Full of possibilities.
It's bed changing day today which I will have to go and get done shortly as Andy will be off to bed to catch up on some sleep ready for his night shift.
No chance of drying the bedding on the line though as it is very damp outside.
DD wanted a new wardrobe for her Christmas present so that has been bought and delivered and is currently awaiting assembly while she empties her old one and has a bit of a cull on the t shirt mountain she has.
I was chuffed to inherit a good stack of about fifteen of them which will come in handy as I was ready for some new tops and now I shan't have to buy any. I only wear them around the house while I am doing jobs so luckily nobody is going to see me wearing one with a pumpkin face on it....lol.
Bedding is done, hoovering is done and there is not a lot more on my list for today so I have a whole afternoon to do whatever I want and I haven't the faintest idea what it will be yet. I'll have a coffee while I read the papers and then decide.
Hope you all have a wonderful day whatever you are doing.
Sheila-x-
It's bed changing day today which I will have to go and get done shortly as Andy will be off to bed to catch up on some sleep ready for his night shift.
No chance of drying the bedding on the line though as it is very damp outside.
DD wanted a new wardrobe for her Christmas present so that has been bought and delivered and is currently awaiting assembly while she empties her old one and has a bit of a cull on the t shirt mountain she has.
I was chuffed to inherit a good stack of about fifteen of them which will come in handy as I was ready for some new tops and now I shan't have to buy any. I only wear them around the house while I am doing jobs so luckily nobody is going to see me wearing one with a pumpkin face on it....lol.
Bedding is done, hoovering is done and there is not a lot more on my list for today so I have a whole afternoon to do whatever I want and I haven't the faintest idea what it will be yet. I'll have a coffee while I read the papers and then decide.
Hope you all have a wonderful day whatever you are doing.
Sheila-x-
Sunday, 19 November 2017
The Last Sunday Roast Of 2017!!!
Today we will be having the last Sunday roast of the year.
I always have a cut off point for doing big Sunday lunches in the run up to Christmas but at least we are going out with a bang. Andy picked up a beautiful piece of beef while he was at the butchers yesterday so that is what we will be having with all the trimmings and hopefully there will be enough leftover to freeze some in gravy to have with mash and veg for another meal.
No going out today.....instead I am going to make a start on the laundry and get as much done as I can so that I can spend some time finishing off the Christmas wrapping next week.
I'd like all of the wrapping stuff put away by the end of the week if possible and then I can get this dining room tidied up. It looks like the wreck of the flippin' Hesperus at the moment and I still have sewing I need to get done.
DD has a week at work and then will be off for week of annual leave and with a bit of luck we will have the tree up and decorated before she goes back.
We have our first Christmas thing next weekend when DD and I are going to The North Pole at the local adventure farm with DDIL, Ruby and Marlowe. It looks like it's going to be a fabulous day and I am hoping for a bit of snow....lol.....or at least a good frost to give everything a lovely winter sparkle.
The roast potatoes have just gone in so lunch won't be too long now. Plenty of time to have a cup of coffee before the veg goes on.
Hope you are all having a lovely weekend.
Sheila-x-
I always have a cut off point for doing big Sunday lunches in the run up to Christmas but at least we are going out with a bang. Andy picked up a beautiful piece of beef while he was at the butchers yesterday so that is what we will be having with all the trimmings and hopefully there will be enough leftover to freeze some in gravy to have with mash and veg for another meal.
No going out today.....instead I am going to make a start on the laundry and get as much done as I can so that I can spend some time finishing off the Christmas wrapping next week.
I'd like all of the wrapping stuff put away by the end of the week if possible and then I can get this dining room tidied up. It looks like the wreck of the flippin' Hesperus at the moment and I still have sewing I need to get done.
DD has a week at work and then will be off for week of annual leave and with a bit of luck we will have the tree up and decorated before she goes back.
We have our first Christmas thing next weekend when DD and I are going to The North Pole at the local adventure farm with DDIL, Ruby and Marlowe. It looks like it's going to be a fabulous day and I am hoping for a bit of snow....lol.....or at least a good frost to give everything a lovely winter sparkle.
The roast potatoes have just gone in so lunch won't be too long now. Plenty of time to have a cup of coffee before the veg goes on.
Hope you are all having a lovely weekend.
Sheila-x-
Saturday, 18 November 2017
A Saturday Slug!!!
I would love to say that I was up bright and early this morning....but that would be such a lie....lol.
I was awake early but I was so warm and comfortable that I just didn't want to get out of bed.
Never mind I am now caught up with what I wanted to get up early for....a huge bag of sausages to be separated and bagged up.
We have to order the particular ones that we like and Andy collected them this morning so they are now all snugged up in the freezer.
Once they were done DD and I got off into town and got a big freezer shop done so both freezers are now full and the outside store is looking pretty healthy again.....I even have the turkey crown ready for Christmas Day.
For some unknown reason Andy has asked for corn dogs for tea tonight so that is what I will be making. I am quaking in my slippers at the thought of eating Frankfurters so I may have to do myself something else. They are not my most favourite thing ever.
Well I shall get off and make this corn batter so that it can rest a while and then look and see if there anything remotely interesting to watch on tv tonight.
Hope you are all having a good weekend.
Sheila-x-
I was awake early but I was so warm and comfortable that I just didn't want to get out of bed.
Never mind I am now caught up with what I wanted to get up early for....a huge bag of sausages to be separated and bagged up.
We have to order the particular ones that we like and Andy collected them this morning so they are now all snugged up in the freezer.
Once they were done DD and I got off into town and got a big freezer shop done so both freezers are now full and the outside store is looking pretty healthy again.....I even have the turkey crown ready for Christmas Day.
For some unknown reason Andy has asked for corn dogs for tea tonight so that is what I will be making. I am quaking in my slippers at the thought of eating Frankfurters so I may have to do myself something else. They are not my most favourite thing ever.
Well I shall get off and make this corn batter so that it can rest a while and then look and see if there anything remotely interesting to watch on tv tonight.
Hope you are all having a good weekend.
Sheila-x-
Friday, 17 November 2017
Brighter!!!
Thank you all so much for your kind comments yesterday I think those and a lazy afternoon have certainly helped as I feel much brighter today and able to have a bit of a potter about.
All I need to do really is run the hoover over so that the delivery men dropping off DD's Christmas present don't think I am a total slut....lol.
After that I shall get back to the Christmas wrapping until DD comes home and then I really must go and do a bit of shopping. The cupboards aren't exactly bare but there are some things we need to top up on.
Before I do anything else I need to test a little Marlowe sized dishwasher to make sure it works before I wrap it. We had trouble with the little washing machine and had to exchange it so I don't want her getting something that doesn't work on Christmas Day.
.....and that is just about all for today.
Hope you are all managing to keep away from these nasty bugs and if you have one I hope you get well soon.
Sheila-x-
All I need to do really is run the hoover over so that the delivery men dropping off DD's Christmas present don't think I am a total slut....lol.
After that I shall get back to the Christmas wrapping until DD comes home and then I really must go and do a bit of shopping. The cupboards aren't exactly bare but there are some things we need to top up on.
Before I do anything else I need to test a little Marlowe sized dishwasher to make sure it works before I wrap it. We had trouble with the little washing machine and had to exchange it so I don't want her getting something that doesn't work on Christmas Day.
.....and that is just about all for today.
Hope you are all managing to keep away from these nasty bugs and if you have one I hope you get well soon.
Sheila-x-
Thursday, 16 November 2017
A Be Kind to Me Day!!!
This cold is really getting me down now. I don't feel any better than when it first started and it looks like it is one that hangs about because Ruby and Marlowe still have the cough and it must be nearly a month since they started with it.
This morning I woke up with dreadful earache so I have decided that there will be no housework, no Christmas wrapping and not much cooking....just me, the sofa, a blanket and a nice hot cup of tea.
I shall close the curtains, switch the fake candles on and probably watch a Christmas film now that the Christmas channel is back on Freeview.
There is bread in the bread bin and beans in the store cupboard and I'm sure I will be able to muster up enough energy to do beans on toast so that will be tea for today.
I hope you are all keeping cosy on this wet and miserable day.
Sheila-x-
This morning I woke up with dreadful earache so I have decided that there will be no housework, no Christmas wrapping and not much cooking....just me, the sofa, a blanket and a nice hot cup of tea.
I shall close the curtains, switch the fake candles on and probably watch a Christmas film now that the Christmas channel is back on Freeview.
There is bread in the bread bin and beans in the store cupboard and I'm sure I will be able to muster up enough energy to do beans on toast so that will be tea for today.
I hope you are all keeping cosy on this wet and miserable day.
Sheila-x-
Wednesday, 15 November 2017
Hawk Eyes!!!
Today I have to have a sweep through all of the downstairs and hide away anything to do with Christmas.
There is a little person with eyes like a hawk visiting today after school and there are a couple of bags with things in them which still need wrapping plus one filled Advent calendar which needs to be hidden else she will be poking about in the pockets.
Tea today....as ordered by Ruby.....will be crispy chicken and salad in a roll with potato pops and corn on the cob.
DD and I had chicken and salad last night but I always say you can never have enough chicken....or salad for that matter.
It's a miserable damp day here today but it does seem a little warmer than it has done lately so the heating can stay off for now.
Well I had best go and get on as I want to try and sneak in a quick bath before Miss Doodle arrives.
Thanks so much for dropping by.
Have a good day.
Sheila-x-
There is a little person with eyes like a hawk visiting today after school and there are a couple of bags with things in them which still need wrapping plus one filled Advent calendar which needs to be hidden else she will be poking about in the pockets.
Tea today....as ordered by Ruby.....will be crispy chicken and salad in a roll with potato pops and corn on the cob.
DD and I had chicken and salad last night but I always say you can never have enough chicken....or salad for that matter.
It's a miserable damp day here today but it does seem a little warmer than it has done lately so the heating can stay off for now.
Well I had best go and get on as I want to try and sneak in a quick bath before Miss Doodle arrives.
Thanks so much for dropping by.
Have a good day.
Sheila-x-
Tuesday, 14 November 2017
Wrap, Eat, Sleep, Repeat!!!
Today will be a repeat of yesterday but without the pea soup as we are having salad instead.
I found the gift wrapping so soothing yesterday and it relaxed me so much that I slept like a brick last night and didn't wake up until gone 9am this morning.
All of Ruby's and Marlowe's smaller gifts are done. I left the bigger things until last and if you had ever seen me wrestle with a roll of wrapping paper you would know why....lol.
The cold is still hanging around and the cough in particular is really nasty. I shall be so glad when it finally goes.
So nothing overly exciting going on here which is good.
Hope you are all having a good day either exciting or not.
Sheila-x-
I found the gift wrapping so soothing yesterday and it relaxed me so much that I slept like a brick last night and didn't wake up until gone 9am this morning.
All of Ruby's and Marlowe's smaller gifts are done. I left the bigger things until last and if you had ever seen me wrestle with a roll of wrapping paper you would know why....lol.
The cold is still hanging around and the cough in particular is really nasty. I shall be so glad when it finally goes.
So nothing overly exciting going on here which is good.
Hope you are all having a good day either exciting or not.
Sheila-x-
Monday, 13 November 2017
Channeling Me Inner Santa!!!
Today I need to turn a bowl of soaked peas and some ham stock into a minted pea soup, sort Andy out with some lunch and wave him off to work and then I shall be immersing myself in paper of the Christmas kind, bags, tags and boxes. I'm thinking that the Christmas CD might be a step too far in mid November so I'll resist that and I will go with a cup of coffee rather than hot chocolate as if I drink that every time I sit down to wrap presents I will end up looking like the man himself.....minus the beard of course....ho, ho, ho....lol.
Tea tonight will be a bowl of the soup before I freeze the rest in portions for Andy and DD to take to work for their lunches. Now it's getting cold they both like to take something warming to eat rather than sandwiches.
I'm just going to have a quick coffee before I start the soup as it is very cold here today. When my hands are cold I get a bit clumsy so it's a good idea to warm them up before I start chopping onions.
Have a wonderful day....whatever you are doing.
Sheila-x-
Tea tonight will be a bowl of the soup before I freeze the rest in portions for Andy and DD to take to work for their lunches. Now it's getting cold they both like to take something warming to eat rather than sandwiches.
I'm just going to have a quick coffee before I start the soup as it is very cold here today. When my hands are cold I get a bit clumsy so it's a good idea to warm them up before I start chopping onions.
Have a wonderful day....whatever you are doing.
Sheila-x-
Sunday, 12 November 2017
Lovely Sunday!!!
The last of the pork chops from the freezer are sizzling away in the oven along with a tray of roast potatoes, some roasting sprouts and some stuffing. Carrots and peas are bubbling on the stove top and there is a pan of gravy waiting to be thickened for our very early Sunday lunch.
Normally we don't eat until around 1pm but I have discovered that I have forgotten a couple of vital elements for Ruby's Christmas box and need to nip up to the craft shop at the garden centre to get them.
Once we get home the wrapping will commence... although it won't all get done today.
Gosh that lunch is smelling good and my tummy is rumbling as I didn't eat breakfast with us having an early lunch.
I had best go and see if it's nearly ready.
Hope you are having a lovely Sunday. We have bright sunshine and blue skies today.
Sheila-x-
Normally we don't eat until around 1pm but I have discovered that I have forgotten a couple of vital elements for Ruby's Christmas box and need to nip up to the craft shop at the garden centre to get them.
Once we get home the wrapping will commence... although it won't all get done today.
Gosh that lunch is smelling good and my tummy is rumbling as I didn't eat breakfast with us having an early lunch.
I had best go and see if it's nearly ready.
Hope you are having a lovely Sunday. We have bright sunshine and blue skies today.
Sheila-x-
Saturday, 11 November 2017
Eyes Wide Shut!!!
I'm getting worse with these eye exams.
This morning I have had to actually hold my eyes open with my fingers for both the puffer test and the retinopathy photographs. So glad it's only once a year.
I don't know where DD has got to. She has done my stint of looking after the girls this morning and I was sure she would be back before we were.
No sign of her so she is either having too much fun with them or she has gone shopping and I am not going to bother trying to phone her as she never takes her mobile out with her.
We are supposed to be sorting the Christmas gifts out now that we have all the wrapping paraphenalia downstairs.
Oh well she'll turn up when she's hungry.
Another comfort food day today. Spicy Pork 'n' Beans with roasted maple glazed sweet potatoes and braised cabbage.
It seems ages since I did a proper cooked meal on a Saturday as we usually have something quick to cook and we eat in front of the tv but it's cold again today.
Right I am off to take a painkiller for this damned headache and put my feet up while it does it's thing.
Hope you are all having a good weekend.
Sheila-x-
This morning I have had to actually hold my eyes open with my fingers for both the puffer test and the retinopathy photographs. So glad it's only once a year.
I don't know where DD has got to. She has done my stint of looking after the girls this morning and I was sure she would be back before we were.
No sign of her so she is either having too much fun with them or she has gone shopping and I am not going to bother trying to phone her as she never takes her mobile out with her.
We are supposed to be sorting the Christmas gifts out now that we have all the wrapping paraphenalia downstairs.
Oh well she'll turn up when she's hungry.
Another comfort food day today. Spicy Pork 'n' Beans with roasted maple glazed sweet potatoes and braised cabbage.
It seems ages since I did a proper cooked meal on a Saturday as we usually have something quick to cook and we eat in front of the tv but it's cold again today.
Right I am off to take a painkiller for this damned headache and put my feet up while it does it's thing.
Hope you are all having a good weekend.
Sheila-x-
Friday, 10 November 2017
Is Your Journey Really Necessary?!!!
That was the question I asked myself this morning as DD and I got up and prepared for our trip to Ikea.
In the end I looked at my list and wondered if I could maybe find the things on there in the little town, decided that yes I probably could and the trip to Nottingham was cancelled as neither of us really felt like going.
Pretty much everything was found plus a few little bits besides. Grocery shopping was also done and we were home way earlier than we would have been if we'd stuck to our original plans.
The rest of the day will be spent sorting out all of the Christmas packaging and getting ready to start the wrapping sessions in the evenings next week.
It was pretty windy and cold in town so we picked up some baking potatoes for tea and we'll have those with some cheese and beans....yummy....we've not had those for ages.
......and on that note I shall love and leave you as I can hear the kettle boiling and I'm hoping it's for a nice cup of tea.
Hope you are all nice and cosy.
Have a lovely weekend.
Sheila-x-
In the end I looked at my list and wondered if I could maybe find the things on there in the little town, decided that yes I probably could and the trip to Nottingham was cancelled as neither of us really felt like going.
Pretty much everything was found plus a few little bits besides. Grocery shopping was also done and we were home way earlier than we would have been if we'd stuck to our original plans.
The rest of the day will be spent sorting out all of the Christmas packaging and getting ready to start the wrapping sessions in the evenings next week.
It was pretty windy and cold in town so we picked up some baking potatoes for tea and we'll have those with some cheese and beans....yummy....we've not had those for ages.
......and on that note I shall love and leave you as I can hear the kettle boiling and I'm hoping it's for a nice cup of tea.
Hope you are all nice and cosy.
Have a lovely weekend.
Sheila-x-
Thursday, 9 November 2017
OK Cold.....You Can Go Now!!!
I can thoroughly understand why Ruby is so fed up with her cold. I've not had mine as long as she has and I am totally fed up with mine now. It seems to have settled in my sinuses and I feel like I have been kicked in the face.
I was very happy though to send my gorgeous girl home with a tummy full of chicken pie and these..........
I was very happy though to send my gorgeous girl home with a tummy full of chicken pie and these..........
The two on the left were already made up and just needed their clips attaching and the two on the right were made while I was waiting for Ruby to arrive......they don't take long to make at all.
Since I took the photo the orange one has had a daisy cabochon glued into the centre as it didn't seem to want to sit right but then it has been sat wilting in a box for over four years waiting to be finished and I know that because I bought the clips from Michael's in New York in 2013 and the orange and blue ones were already made up by then.
Anyway....Ruby loved them and has asked for more different colours so I can see a ribbon stash busting session coming on.
Today I want to decide on the fabric for the other set of mug rugs so that I can get them cut out and hopefully get both sets sewn and finished by tonight as I have remembered that DD is on an annual leave day tomorrow and she wants to go to Ikea so that is another busy day to add to Saturday and Sunday.
Roll on Monday I say......lol.
I can't cut out with cold hands so I think I had better have a cup of coffee to hug first.
Have a fabulous day.
Sheila-x-
Wednesday, 8 November 2017
A Chicken Pie Kind Of Day!!!
DD bumped into DS at work yesterday and she enquired as to how the girls are. Ruby is still in the grip of this rotten cold and is very grumpy and fed up. I think I will do a bit of what Ganmas are best at.......and spoil her with some chicken pie, mashed potatoes and lots and lots of gravy which is by far her most favourite meal.
Despite the sun this morning it is very cold so Andy and DD should like it too.
Yesterday I got one set of mug rugs cut out, layered and pinned. I can't decide on the fabric for the other set so will leave that until tomorrow.
I also....finally got Ruby's JoJo Siwa hair bow mended. The clip had broken and I knew I had some hairclips somewhere which I could use to mend it and so that is off my list of things to do now.
When I found the box of clips there were two puffball hair bows that I had made which just needed clips adding. They will be finished today and she can take those home with her then I just have to make and finish the other four that I had cut the ribbon for.
I'm hoping to finish everything before the weekend as Saturday and Sunday will be a bit mad this week. I have my retinapathy appointment at the opticians at 11:10am on Saturday which clashes with my looking after the girls while DDIL works from home so DD is going to do that for me and then I shall look after them on Sunday while DD cooks the lunch.
I always get a bad headache after the retinapathy test so I'll not be fit for doing any sewing or much else on Saturday.
Well I had best go and get the filling made for the chicken pie so that it can cool down before I make the pastry.
Have a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
Despite the sun this morning it is very cold so Andy and DD should like it too.
Yesterday I got one set of mug rugs cut out, layered and pinned. I can't decide on the fabric for the other set so will leave that until tomorrow.
I also....finally got Ruby's JoJo Siwa hair bow mended. The clip had broken and I knew I had some hairclips somewhere which I could use to mend it and so that is off my list of things to do now.
When I found the box of clips there were two puffball hair bows that I had made which just needed clips adding. They will be finished today and she can take those home with her then I just have to make and finish the other four that I had cut the ribbon for.
I'm hoping to finish everything before the weekend as Saturday and Sunday will be a bit mad this week. I have my retinapathy appointment at the opticians at 11:10am on Saturday which clashes with my looking after the girls while DDIL works from home so DD is going to do that for me and then I shall look after them on Sunday while DD cooks the lunch.
I always get a bad headache after the retinapathy test so I'll not be fit for doing any sewing or much else on Saturday.
Well I had best go and get the filling made for the chicken pie so that it can cool down before I make the pastry.
Have a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
Tuesday, 7 November 2017
What's On The Job List Today?!!!
Every night before I go to bed I tidy the kitchen and every morning before I can even start on my job list I have to wash up and tidy it again.
DD will have made toast and tea so there will be crumbs on one worktop and spilt tea on another.
Andy will have dumped his milk bottle, squash bottle and his disgusting tin mug which will need bleaching and there will be the dogs breakfast bowl and a few mugs.
I would love to come down one morning and find it just as I left it.
Today there isn't an awful lot on the job list....just some laundry to finish off and a tidy up in the dining room which makes me very happy as it means I can do some fabric cutting for a couple of Christmas gifts and then have a look to see if I have a piece of suitable fabric to make a small tablecloth for the table the Christmas tree stands on.
The spicy turkey meatballs I made the other day have been taken out of the freezer so all I have to do in the way of cooking is a pan of spaghetti to go with them so today should be a lovely day.
No frost this morning and no blue sky and sunshine either....just endless grey clouds and a very stiff breeze which means I might be able to hang some laundry out as long as it doesn't rain before it's finished in the washer.
So the computer is going off for a while so that I can make use of the dining table and once the bits of jobs are done it will be play time....yay!!!
Hope you all have a fabulous day too.
Sheila-x-
DD will have made toast and tea so there will be crumbs on one worktop and spilt tea on another.
Andy will have dumped his milk bottle, squash bottle and his disgusting tin mug which will need bleaching and there will be the dogs breakfast bowl and a few mugs.
I would love to come down one morning and find it just as I left it.
Today there isn't an awful lot on the job list....just some laundry to finish off and a tidy up in the dining room which makes me very happy as it means I can do some fabric cutting for a couple of Christmas gifts and then have a look to see if I have a piece of suitable fabric to make a small tablecloth for the table the Christmas tree stands on.
The spicy turkey meatballs I made the other day have been taken out of the freezer so all I have to do in the way of cooking is a pan of spaghetti to go with them so today should be a lovely day.
No frost this morning and no blue sky and sunshine either....just endless grey clouds and a very stiff breeze which means I might be able to hang some laundry out as long as it doesn't rain before it's finished in the washer.
So the computer is going off for a while so that I can make use of the dining table and once the bits of jobs are done it will be play time....yay!!!
Hope you all have a fabulous day too.
Sheila-x-
Monday, 6 November 2017
I Need Matchsticks Today!!!
It was a waste of time going to bed last night. I think I have managed about an hour of sleep and my eyes just don't want to stay open now when I have a job list to get through.
Best get some matchsticks to prop them open....lol.
Got up to a lovely frosty morning. It's very hazy up to tree top level but above that is a clear blue sky and some sunshine.
My most favourite kind of morning and I would love to go for a walk but I have barely enough energy to drag myself back upstairs to change the beds and clean the bathroom.
Oh well.....hopefully there will be a few more like it when I am feeling more like myself.
I am hoping that by the end of this week the inside freezer will be empty and I have deliberately kept the fridge reasonably clear so that it can be switched off and thoroughly cleaned. Once that is done I can go off to Iceland and restock both freezers.
Yesterday I pulled out the last two pork fillets and they are now marinating in lime juice with garlic and chilli. I'll roast them tonight to have with some salad and Charlotte potatoes and there will be enough to slice up for pack up rolls....well if they don't shrink too much that is.
I suppose I ought to go and crack on upstairs. Andy is on nights this week and he will be wanting to get into a nice clean bed for his afternoon nap. he will be going up a little earlier this week as he has to get up to pick Ruby up from school.
Coffee first though....can't even contemplate housework without me coffee 😀
Thanks for dropping by today.
Hope you have a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
Best get some matchsticks to prop them open....lol.
Got up to a lovely frosty morning. It's very hazy up to tree top level but above that is a clear blue sky and some sunshine.
My most favourite kind of morning and I would love to go for a walk but I have barely enough energy to drag myself back upstairs to change the beds and clean the bathroom.
Oh well.....hopefully there will be a few more like it when I am feeling more like myself.
I am hoping that by the end of this week the inside freezer will be empty and I have deliberately kept the fridge reasonably clear so that it can be switched off and thoroughly cleaned. Once that is done I can go off to Iceland and restock both freezers.
Yesterday I pulled out the last two pork fillets and they are now marinating in lime juice with garlic and chilli. I'll roast them tonight to have with some salad and Charlotte potatoes and there will be enough to slice up for pack up rolls....well if they don't shrink too much that is.
I suppose I ought to go and crack on upstairs. Andy is on nights this week and he will be wanting to get into a nice clean bed for his afternoon nap. he will be going up a little earlier this week as he has to get up to pick Ruby up from school.
Coffee first though....can't even contemplate housework without me coffee 😀
Thanks for dropping by today.
Hope you have a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
Sunday, 5 November 2017
Peaceful...But Not Quiet!!!
We are having our usual lazy Sunday and although this one is peaceful it definitely isn't quiet.
Lots of coughing and noisy nose blowing going on from all three of us...yuck.
It's DS and DDIL's wedding anniversary today and I would love to go down and see them but really don't want to pass these germs back to Ruby or make Marlowe any worse than she is so I am best staying away sadly.
I shall be glad when the local yobs have got over themselves with their damn fireworks. It was nearly 1am this morning before they finished letting off some really loud ones. It's a good job Smudge is going deaf or he would have been petrified.
The Christmas shopping is very nearly done now. DD and I went out yesterday.....despite not feeling quite top notch...and pretty much finished off the list except for a couple of small things and something for my BIL's daughter.
We went back to Bridgemere as they have both a Lakeland and a Hobbycraft which saved having to faff about going to two different places in Derby. They also have a farm shop and a veg stall so some Scotch Eggs and salad were bought home for a quick tea as we had left home at 8:30am and didn't get back until nearly 5pm....it was a long day.
Now I am about to eat a lovely lunch cooked by DD. Roast chicken and all the trimmings.
I just hope I can taste it.
Hope you are having a lovely peaceful Sunday.
Sheila-x-
Lots of coughing and noisy nose blowing going on from all three of us...yuck.
It's DS and DDIL's wedding anniversary today and I would love to go down and see them but really don't want to pass these germs back to Ruby or make Marlowe any worse than she is so I am best staying away sadly.
I shall be glad when the local yobs have got over themselves with their damn fireworks. It was nearly 1am this morning before they finished letting off some really loud ones. It's a good job Smudge is going deaf or he would have been petrified.
The Christmas shopping is very nearly done now. DD and I went out yesterday.....despite not feeling quite top notch...and pretty much finished off the list except for a couple of small things and something for my BIL's daughter.
We went back to Bridgemere as they have both a Lakeland and a Hobbycraft which saved having to faff about going to two different places in Derby. They also have a farm shop and a veg stall so some Scotch Eggs and salad were bought home for a quick tea as we had left home at 8:30am and didn't get back until nearly 5pm....it was a long day.
Now I am about to eat a lovely lunch cooked by DD. Roast chicken and all the trimmings.
I just hope I can taste it.
Hope you are having a lovely peaceful Sunday.
Sheila-x-
Friday, 3 November 2017
The Day Off That Wasn't!!!
I promised myself an afternoon on the sofa yesterday but then realised that I taken meat out of the freezer with the intention of turning it into meals for next week.
So one pack of turkey mince is now turkey meatballs in a spicy sriracha tomato sauce and one pack of pork mince is now spicy pork and beans. Gawd knows what they taste like as my senses of smell and taste have gone off together somewhere.
There will be very little cooking to do next week as along with those two meals I have other things in the freezer which will make up a week of meals and by then the freezer inside should be almost empty.
As Andy leaves for work at 11:20 today this will be my day off.
A nice glass of cold lemonade, a snuggly blanket and either the food channel or a Christmas film on the telly box and I will let nothing stand in my way...lol.
Rightio.....I need a cuppa and there are a couple of slices of three cheese bloomer left which are going in the toaster for my breakfast.....I hope I can taste it today as it is just so delicious.
Hope you all have a good day.
Sheila-x-
So one pack of turkey mince is now turkey meatballs in a spicy sriracha tomato sauce and one pack of pork mince is now spicy pork and beans. Gawd knows what they taste like as my senses of smell and taste have gone off together somewhere.
There will be very little cooking to do next week as along with those two meals I have other things in the freezer which will make up a week of meals and by then the freezer inside should be almost empty.
As Andy leaves for work at 11:20 today this will be my day off.
A nice glass of cold lemonade, a snuggly blanket and either the food channel or a Christmas film on the telly box and I will let nothing stand in my way...lol.
Rightio.....I need a cuppa and there are a couple of slices of three cheese bloomer left which are going in the toaster for my breakfast.....I hope I can taste it today as it is just so delicious.
Hope you all have a good day.
Sheila-x-
Thursday, 2 November 2017
......And We're Dropping like Flies!!!
Two more casualties of the nasty cold/virus.
My sore nose and throat has turned into the nasty cough that Ruby still has and Marlowe is poorly with an upper respiratory tract infection so that is five of us coughing and hacking at the moment.....lovely 😟
I am going to spend the day doing absolutely b****r all in an attempt to conserve my energy as I have to go out shopping tonight. We have no milk and not much veg so it has to be done even though all I want to do is lie down and go to sleep.
Tea may well be tomato soup.....my go to comfort food when I have a cold.
Hope you are all managing to keep germ free but if you already have it then take care of yourselves.
Sheila-x-
My sore nose and throat has turned into the nasty cough that Ruby still has and Marlowe is poorly with an upper respiratory tract infection so that is five of us coughing and hacking at the moment.....lovely 😟
I am going to spend the day doing absolutely b****r all in an attempt to conserve my energy as I have to go out shopping tonight. We have no milk and not much veg so it has to be done even though all I want to do is lie down and go to sleep.
Tea may well be tomato soup.....my go to comfort food when I have a cold.
Hope you are all managing to keep germ free but if you already have it then take care of yourselves.
Sheila-x-
Wednesday, 1 November 2017
Going Down Like Ninepins!!!
The Christmas shopping still needs to be finished.
DD came home on Monday evening fit for nothing but snuggling up on the sofa with a hot drink. Last night we went to see DDIL as it was her birthday and tonight Ruby is coming for tea after all so we will need to take her home.
We are hoping for tomorrow but Andy has gone down with the cold today and my nose and throat are twitching very suspiciously so we will have to see.
Couldn't be bothered with sewing yesterday although I did get the calendar out of it's bag and re-ironed the pieces.....and it won't get done today as I can now empty what is left in the outside freezer and put it inside while I clean the outside one.
Once they are both clean I can make my list and go and do a freezer shop.
On Monday the postie delivered the T***o vouchers which I only have once a year. Since I started shopping around more and not doing my whole shop every week there I don't get as many vouchers as I used to so opted to have them just before Christmas and the lump sum of £75.50 is more useful than smaller dribs and drabs through the year.
Last year I used them for stocking up on meat but this year I think I will use them to stock up the store cupboard with useful things that can be used way beyond Christmas and I am making a list accordingly.
I haven't the faintest idea what we will be having for tea tonight. Ruby will want tomato soup as she still has her sore throat. There may be some salad left in the drawer and there is a pack of Chicken Kievs in the freezer so it may well be that. I'll see what DD fancies when she comes in.
Right....into the freezer I go.
Hope you are all having a good day.
Sheila-x-
DD came home on Monday evening fit for nothing but snuggling up on the sofa with a hot drink. Last night we went to see DDIL as it was her birthday and tonight Ruby is coming for tea after all so we will need to take her home.
We are hoping for tomorrow but Andy has gone down with the cold today and my nose and throat are twitching very suspiciously so we will have to see.
Couldn't be bothered with sewing yesterday although I did get the calendar out of it's bag and re-ironed the pieces.....and it won't get done today as I can now empty what is left in the outside freezer and put it inside while I clean the outside one.
Once they are both clean I can make my list and go and do a freezer shop.
On Monday the postie delivered the T***o vouchers which I only have once a year. Since I started shopping around more and not doing my whole shop every week there I don't get as many vouchers as I used to so opted to have them just before Christmas and the lump sum of £75.50 is more useful than smaller dribs and drabs through the year.
Last year I used them for stocking up on meat but this year I think I will use them to stock up the store cupboard with useful things that can be used way beyond Christmas and I am making a list accordingly.
I haven't the faintest idea what we will be having for tea tonight. Ruby will want tomato soup as she still has her sore throat. There may be some salad left in the drawer and there is a pack of Chicken Kievs in the freezer so it may well be that. I'll see what DD fancies when she comes in.
Right....into the freezer I go.
Hope you are all having a good day.
Sheila-x-