Finally I have a mortgage I can start to pay off!

themadvix

Definitely go back Crumpets - it was so lovely. Lots of museums too, but we didn't really have time to visit them (and they charged).

The rolling pin is great in practice but when the biscuits heat up in the oven the pattern just went as they rose (very slightly). All the gingerbread recipes I know have some sort of raising agent in. Just looked them up on pinterest and in the comments on one of the websites you can buy from, someone suggests putting the embossed 'cookies' in the fridge overnight.... what a palaver! Will try that and a plain flour recipe and see what works! DH will be taking lots of biccies into work in the near future, I think! Ooh, and you're right, there's another link to a gingerbread recipe that doesn't have raising agents and talks about embossing them.

Karmacat

On Bake Off, they're always putting things that need to go in the oven into the freezer first

themadvix

Hmm, good idea Karma, hadn't thought of that. And if they do it on Bake Off it won't need to go in for long!

themadvix

Morning all,

We had a lovely meal last night with our friend and the amount of food (with me sharing DH's banquet extras) was just right, so we saved a few pounds there. DH has gone for a breakfast meeting today at a supplier's, taking his car, so the mileage claimed will cover the cost of both trips (it was an hour each way to see our friend).

I don't think I've mentioned this, but DH's lift share came to an end at the end of November. The woman he gave a lift to has moved, so no more additions to the petrol pot. He's considering changing his hours next year, so we'll see what happens with that before he looks for another lift share.

MS things:
* 1P surveys - £24.95 there now; slowly creeping up
* YG survey - 4225 there now, so nearly at pay out
* Clicks etc. done (got my MS rewards streak bonus)
* £2.61 cashback transferred to savings

Gratitudes:
* Lovely meal and catchup last night
* Pretty Christmas lights and villages en route to dinner
* Garage door is fixed! (and man who did it was lovely too)

Have a good day all!

earthgirl

Could he try to get another lift share? I found one on a website and used to pay half of the trip.

themadvix

Morning all,

Yes, Earthie, that's the plan - it depends on what he works out with his boss about hours (he's tempted to give a 4-day week a go with 10-hour days), but at the moment he's in the middle of firefighting some issues, so it'll have to wait until things have improved at work!

I'm utterly exhausted today - I can only think that last week has caught up with me a bit. Still, there's work to get finished as intend to go to Ikea with Mum tomorrow to buy niece's Christmas present (we're getting her the play kitchen )

DH is at his work Christmas party tonight and staying over at his parents as it's nearer to work. His Dad has offered to drive him to the party and to work tomorrow, so only a taxi home from the party is needed. I think I'll do some experimental biscuit baking and have an early night!

MS things:
* clicks etc. done
* 1P survey done
* 500 point Nectar voucher redeemed
* RM survey stuff prepped until New Year and posted. Another one to do today.
* Lentil bolognese for tea - using store cupboard ingredients - enough left for me tonight too
* PA survey

Gratitudes:
* Easy Christmas evening class last night
* My lovely jumper I bought in Ireland in February - it's so warm this is the first outing it's had this winter!
* Sun is out and birds are singing

Have a good day all, hopefully more awake than me!

newgirly

Glad you enjoyed Vienna Vix

themadvix

Morning all,

Mum and I are off to Ikea shortly, and in the meantime I've been working. DH had a good night at his Christmas party last night and I think the office is nice and quiet this morning.

Made a bit of a boo-boo with the RM survey, but have sorted it now. Something else to post shortly (we'll gloss over the run I've just made to the post box, forgetting to take said item!).

Did a bit of shopping yesterday afternoon - got something for mum (which she's asked for) and have researched for cousin secret santa present. Had a bit of a naff hot chocolate in *bucks though (using SBs credit) - not it's usual creamy self. Also had a go with the gingerbread recipe I found for my embossing rolling pin. It worked but unfortunately it makes horrible biscuits! (I now have a large lump of biscuit dough in the freezer that I don't know what to do with!) So back to the drawing board.... At this rate people will just be getting star-shaped biscuits for Christmas, which isn't the end of the world, but I would like to find something I can use my rolling pin on! I'll try the freezer thing next, I think.

MS things:
* Parked in cheaper car park in town
* Found a copy of HP and Chamber of Secrets in CS - ours has long been missing, so please to have got this!
* Clicks etc. done
* IKEA card at the ready for free tea!

Gratitudes:
* Sun is shining and birds are singing again...
* Just another 8 sleeps until the solstice!
* Mum oversleeping this morning (she was meant to be here at 10) - I wouldn't have sorted the RM mess or got as much work done!

Have a good day all!

themadvix

Morning all (just),

Have finally finished the project I was working on and now just waiting in for my bargainous Costco chicken to arrive (bargainous because of a voucher... not generally). Need to catch up on some housework/Brownie prep this afternoon as well as return to the longer-term work project.

Had a good day out with Mum yesterday - got niece's Christmas present and a desk chair for me (which has been under consideration for a long time). Chair is good and meets the cats' approval - it was covered in fur this morning, so I can only assume it makes a good bed! Mum drove and I paid for lunch, so an equitable deal, I think. We made the most of our free tea and coffee.

MS things:
* Lots of YG surveys - at £43.85 now
* Clicks etc.
* 1P surveys

Gratitudes:
* Nice day out with Mum yesterday
* Ikea was quiet!
* It's Friday (it seems like it's been a loooong week)

Have a good afternoon all!

Hazelnutty

Good work Vix. Your chicken has reminded me I really need to fix ordering the turkey crown for Christmas. We are 'practicing' pigs in blankets this Sunday (obviously don't want to risk it for the big day )