Its tough, it will get better and guess what its freezing brrrrr!

Mrs_Veg_Plot

Morning all
Flowertotmum hop little Sam had a good night ((hugs)) please keep us all posted.

Did not do much yesterday after working the extra shift but did manage to finish the laundry, just the cleaning cloths to dry now and of course the never ending ironing.

Because I managed to do all of the housework (very unusual for me) on Friday I am planning on spending most of today cooking.

Cakes and biscuits as usual then Christmas cooking. Will make and then freeze mince pies, sausages wrapped on bacon, toasted hazelnut and pancetta stuffing and chestnut and cranberry roll. The chestnut and cranberry roll recipe makes two. One we have with Christmas dinner and is large enough to have with the buffet at teatime on Christmas day and on boxing day. The second one we actually have as a sunday dinner later in the year. The hazelnut and pancetta stuffing also makes two, one of which is the Christmas present for a friend who loves it. I only ever make these as a special treat at Christmas as they are a bit pricey to make. My friends OH has supplied me with the chestnuts this year and I am going to try using soaked dried cranberries that I got on offer. Will also swap the pancetta for smoked streaky bacon this year. It should bring the cost down.

After tea I will do the online present shop and then tackle the ironing.

Well that’s the plan for today, lets the day commence and I will see what happens in reality.

It’s freeing her but looks beautiful with a light dusting of snow, the sun is shining and all feels good with the world .

jackieglasgow

Flowertotmum, I hope Sam has had a good night, and that his mum is feeling a bit better about herself this morning. Hopefully when he gets better she will continue to see the error of her ways, and be a bit more sensible in future. Hugs for you all.

KIDKAT!

I just wanted to suggest that in case the school are worried about being left with lots of stuff over, you could suggest selling them to the local Brownies/Cubs /Scouts or similar, in my experience, they normally give the children somthing like that at Christmas, I'm sure someone in the school will have connections with them, and could arrange that if you have any leftover they would buy them at cost price. I hope your day is a success.

CRANKY40

Good morning,

FTM Thinking of little Sam and hoping he starts to recover soon.

Well, I made ashet pie for dinner with some friends last night and it was a success. Yay for my slow cooker. People look at me blank when I tell them how wonderful it is, but it's so good just to be able to throw everything in and go back to it hours later without having to remember to stir it/check on it/whatever. I thickened the mix at 4pm, put it in a dish, shoved a pastry lid on it, and hey presto! It was dinner for the people that have looked after me and the house elf since DH died, so it was good to give a little something back.

I managed the ironing while the elf and his friends played shop downstairs. They didn't have any real customers, so they had to eat the crisps for their afternoon snack :rotfl: They were so good and quiet that I didn't mind. We made cookies for them too, which they also didn't sell, so they went the same way.

I think we'll have a decluttering and tidying up day today. The house elf's neck is looking good after his minor surgery on Friday. I peeled the steri-strips off very carefully last night while he was asleep, so no trauma there either :rotfl:

Take care all of you

kidcat

Jackieglasgow - thanks for that suggestion, will mention to head on Monday, my only problem now is that now DS6 has started the sickness bug again, so I can see my involvement being very small.

Well another sickly night here, with DS joining his sister back in sick bay!! It must be Christmas coming as its normal for everyone to be sick in the run up which severely disrupts my preparations. Hoping to get a Christmas cake baked today ready for the fayre on Thursday, as older two kids are here so can sit with littlies while I bake, going to run up some mince pies and mince parcels (filo pastry) , as well as my normal chocolate muffin batch for school lunches, will run an extra batch for the fayre too, and maybe some scones. As the oven will be on for roast I can make use of the extra shelves.

Going to sit tomorrow and make a list of final presents needed and then on thurs will order anything online, rest of stuff will hope to get to shops on Friday and finish, assuming I get kids to school. Then I am planning on making final shopping list and getting decorations from loft to sort through lights and check they work in good time before I buy the tree. Had letter from Ds new school this week with dates for term, it includes a dinner for parents - never heard of that before so must remember to ask about that too.

Its a really busy run up to Christmas this year with three schools (DS12 - has a parents eve on last week of school !!) two sets of plays on two days and church services etc, so its really important I get organised by end of next week. Ideally I would like to wrap all the presents next week too but I hate wrapping stuff so I usually keep putting it off till last minute!

flowertotmum

Hi all... sam had a good night,he has had 3 bottles and they have reduced his oxygen..so thats good..my daughter is relieved as are we...he is happy and smiling this morning more like our little samsam...he might be allowed home tomorrow but we'll have to wait and see...
My life has been on hold for the last few days..so its time to get on ...got big clean to do,another birthday cake to make for my hubby tomorrow,mince-pies and twinks hobnobs...got pressies to wrap and hide...
Now iris is all better i can get on with my pressie hunting in town..got points on my boots card and nectar points to spend too..so will get a few with that..got to empty my xmas penny jar and see how much i have..probably not a lot...
thank you so much for the last few days..it means the world to me..xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
love sara(aka ftm)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

NualaBuala

Morning everyone :wave:

FTM - I hope Sam is doing better today. Hugs for you and your family.
Oh, just saw your post - that's great news!

Katiegizmo, I'm so sorry to hear what a tough time you have had. I reallly hope you get your break, you deserve it.

Kidcat, hope your children get better soon ... for your sake as well as theirs!

We got more snow and it's beautiful! :j I am nice and cosy though as I'm wearing about a hundred layers. I think I'll have to go out for a little play in it.

kidcat

Brilliant news.:)

NualaBuala

I forgot to say - I made quorn fajitas yesterday. Not a great success. I didn't like the quorn so won't be buying that again. Would have been nicer just with the veggies. And they went a bit sloppy, I put tomatoes in and they made it quite wet - they don't look like that on the telly! And I think I added a bit too much chilli ...but I guess that makes them more warming! There's a bit leftover so will probably have it for lunch with some extra grated cheese in the tortilla.

parsonswife8

Woke up to minus 5.4 degrees this morning...no snow but a heavy frost outside.:(

I have made a hot and spicy lamb and potato curry, made with chillies from our garden, to eat with rice and naan bread and loads of fresh chopped coriander, chutney and sambals.:eek:That will keep the cold out.

Traded some curry with my DIL, for a nice milk tart, which is a South African recipe, made like a custard tart, with vanilla added to the custard and dusted with ground cinnamon.:D Very moreish.

Glad to hear that baby Sam is making a good recovery.:T

Keep warm everyone.:)

lilac_lady

Blizzard here, as predicted. Good to know I'm not having to go out. DD has just phoned to see if I need anything but thanks to our MSE ways I've got a full freezer and storecupboard. I hope you are all as snug as possible and manage to have a good day, despite the weather. Safe journey for those who have to go out.