*The Holly and the Ivy* and the You Know What 2013 Chatter Thread.

choccymoose

wuvvies wrote: »

that has made wonderful wonderful memories. better than any present that those kids could have. i was reading the descriptions and wondering if you would put photos on. my boy is 9 and he would have loved that.
brilliant. so pleased you enjoyed it.
ive been watching jamies family christmas all day and i just want to bake now. ive had mincemeat cakes and a glass of baileys ( just a mini one) and im really enjoying my morning. is it wrong to feel happy when i have all this going on with my daughter? the happier i am the happier my boy feels as i suppose he feels more secure.
lamb hotpot in the oven today no roast as hubby working til about 3 so i said that would be easier to do. although i cook for a living we always do the roast together! there is something lovely about having hotpot in a bowl with just a fork and eating it on the sofa. i think were going to watch polar express..due to the lady above!!

Wuvvies my youngest is 8 and eldest although v tall was only 12 last mth. We thought it would be the last year we would get away with it as a family due to his age. We are so glad we did it, the chefs, conducter and elves all adapted how they were with the children so with my 2 they were cheeky and involved them in getting the younger ones to join in. Father Christmas asked him if he was too old for the bell and he wasn't sure if he would hear it, lol he replied that he is a christmas nut like his mum and would always hear the bell. My OH has a video of me being picked on by chef Melon and Chef Rio and tgey keep playing it to show everyone
Still talking excitedly about it today to all their friends .
Its not wrong to be happy either especially as you have your young man at home. Your daughter will come round in time, just love and be there for her. As hard as it is you need to show her that your life and that of your sons are not going to be disrupted anymore by her actions. Enjoy the film and have some hot hot hot chocolate.

Aghhh OH just returned with spray snow, I hate spray snow its a nighTmare to clean off , he also I has more tinsel and garlands as he noticed the dining room had escaped him throwing up christmas all over it. I do the lounge he and the boys have free rein over the rest of the house!

We dont have roasts in December so have a joint of gammon in the slow cooker swimming in onions carrots and cocacola, which we will be having with hm sweet potato wedges and veg

pixtotts

kiss_me_now - Ooh yay! Psych is one of those things that gets under your skin isn't it ,haha yes brains are awesome!
Research isn't my cup of tea and I didn't think I wanted to work with patients at all when I finished, I thought I was done with uni and psych the whole lot of it. A year later and I started to want to study more. Then my grandad had a stroke, he's 99% fine, but something went in his speech he can't finish a sentence or find the right words, it fascinates me. Most of my family can't piece enough together to understand what he's saying but I seem to be able to it makes me wonder how many more people there are out there who are in similar situations but noone can understand them... I so hope at some point I can do it, I'm aiming for before I'm 30... we'll see how that goes...
These might be of interest to you... a book by Paul Broks - Into the Silent Land - I've just finished reading...well have 10 pages left... but it's really interesting while remaining in the bed time reading section lol (got mine on ebay for 99p!). And on youtube there is a man called Charles Trippy ( channel - CTFxC) he daily vlogs, but has had a brain tumour and has put on youtube footage from his brain surgery, because he was awake for it he's talking and what not, it is a bit gory though, there is brain, and tumour, and has sugary in it... but it's WOW!

kiss_me_now - I don't know about your GP but I swapped 3 times in 3 years and was always quite simple the form wasn't long at all and didn't have to be done in front of the receptionist, she just gave it to me and told me to take a seat.... But at least once you've done it it's done and if you have to see a dr again you won't have the same delays ... OR... there is no location restrictions on what doctors you can register at now they don't do house calls (thats what used to mean you had to go to local doctors)... maybe there is one closer to your work? or one that is open longer hours? people come from 15miles away to the doctors by me ! They live in town near loads and come out rural I don't know why I did work experience at one of the ones in town and it was lovely... Also might be worth checking if there is a drop in clinic in a near by town, there does tend to be but often isn't known about...
Having said all that I'm a hypocrite I avoid going to the doctors and haven't re registered since moving home from uni 2 years ago! I should really get onto it I'm always in there dropping off and collecting prescriptions for family I just never think while I'm there feel a little bit like it might jinx me though I used to get tonsilitis at least once every 2 months, severe, it nearly hospitalised me a couple of times... but since I've not been registered I haven't had it! lol.

choccymoose - That sounds AMAZING! I am so jealous! (Polar express is my favourite film ). When I was little we went on the Severn valley railways Santa train every year arranged by my aunt and uncle, was a whole family affair parents/grandparents/godparents ! I think the last time we went was when I was about 5, my little sister was born when I was 7 and she never got to go and I have the fondest memories of it and the mugs santa gave me somewhere... nowhere near being on the scale of your day so I think it's safe to say lots of very special memories have been made there!

Nanamia - I'm still not done I fear it will be an all nighter tonight I have stuff I need to do for gran tomorrow, and then house sitting starts tues! ! I shouldn't really be here now but figured I have earnt a break as I have however figured out that my parents are forgiven they do have the same number of present PHEW! Mums are a little more exciting what with the tablet but dads got a more expensive thing that he's been going on about for ages even though it's a bit boring but oh well numbers and £'s add up

Ooh and todays picture .... well yesterdays...
http://distilleryimage1.s3.amazonaws.com/f3e9695264e511e3a1b20a5f90c653b9_8.jpg
CHRISTMAS TREEEE ! I got my way with the white and red and no tinsel yay!
Will share some piccys of my favourite bits later

but for now... I shall return to tidying
x

choccymoose

pixtotts wrote: »

kiss_me_now - Ooh yay! Psych is one of those things that gets under your skin isn't it ,haha yes brains are awesome!
Research isn't my cup of tea and I didn't think I wanted to work with patients at all when I finished, I thought I was done with uni and psych the whole lot of it. A year later and I started to want to study more. Then my grandad had a stroke, he's 99% fine, but something went in his speech he can't finish a sentence or find the right words, it fascinates me. Most of my family can't piece enough together to understand what he's saying but I seem to be able to it makes me wonder how many more people there are out there who are in similar situations but noone can understand them... I so hope at some point I can do it, I'm aiming for before I'm 30... we'll see how that goes...
These might be of interest to you... a book by Paul Broks - Into the Silent Land - I've just finished reading...well have 10 pages left... but it's really interesting while remaining in the bed time reading section lol (got mine on ebay for 99p!). And on youtube there is a man called Charles Trippy ( channel - CTFxC) he daily vlogs, but has had a brain tumour and has put on youtube footage from his brain surgery, because he was awake for it he's talking and what not, it is a bit gory though, there is brain, and tumour, and has sugary in it... but it's WOW!

kiss_me_now - I don't know about your GP but I swapped 3 times in 3 years and was always quite simple the form wasn't long at all and didn't have to be done in front of the receptionist, she just gave it to me and told me to take a seat.... But at least once you've done it it's done and if you have to see a dr again you won't have the same delays ... OR... there is no location restrictions on what doctors you can register at now they don't do house calls (thats what used to mean you had to go to local doctors)... maybe there is one closer to your work? or one that is open longer hours? people come from 15miles away to the doctors by me ! They live in town near loads and come out rural I don't know why I did work experience at one of the ones in town and it was lovely... Also might be worth checking if there is a drop in clinic in a near by town, there does tend to be but often isn't known about...
Having said all that I'm a hypocrite I avoid going to the doctors and haven't re registered since moving home from uni 2 years ago! I should really get onto it I'm always in there dropping off and collecting prescriptions for family I just never think while I'm there feel a little bit like it might jinx me though I used to get tonsilitis at least once every 2 months, severe, it nearly hospitalised me a couple of times... but since I've not been registered I haven't had it! lol.

choccymoose - That sounds AMAZING! I am so jealous! (Polar express is my favourite film ). When I was little we went on the Severn valley railways Santa train every year arranged by my aunt and uncle, was a whole family affair parents/grandparents/godparents ! I think the last time we went was when I was about 5, my little sister was born when I was 7 and she never got to go and I have the fondest memories of it and the mugs santa gave me somewhere... nowhere near being on the scale of your day so I think it's safe to say lots of very special memories have been made there!

Nanamia - I'm still not done I fear it will be an all nighter tonight I have stuff I need to do for gran tomorrow, and then house sitting starts tues! ! I shouldn't really be here now but figured I have earnt a break as I have however figured out that my parents are forgiven they do have the same number of present PHEW! Mums are a little more exciting what with the tablet but dads got a more expensive thing that he's been going on about for ages even though it's a bit boring but oh well numbers and £'s add up

Ooh and todays picture .... well yesterdays...
http://distilleryimage1.s3.amazonaws.com/f3e9695264e511e3a1b20a5f90c653b9_8.jpg
CHRISTMAS TREEEE ! I got my way with the white and red and no tinsel yay!
Will share some piccys of my favourite bits later

but for now... I shall return to tidying
x

Pixtotts we usually to the Paignton to Kingswear Santa Express which is lovely, but have to say Polar Express blew it out the water.

pixtotts

choccymoose wrote: »

Pixtotts we usually to the Paignton to Kingswear Santa Express which is lovely, but have to say Polar Express blew it out the water.

I'm not sure polar express could be topped anywhere... a good finale if it is the last one as a family
Paignton! We go to Brixham every year on holiday x

quidsy

Did someone say shopping list

quidsy wrote: »

Waa, lost the shopping list again, will just post it every few pages or so to keep track

Please all add to it, this isn't my own personal shopping list, it serves as a definitive list of things we all buy. I have filtered out my own personal stuff onto my own list but will be handy for the 2014 thread if most things are already down here. :j

So far;


Meat


Turkey
Beef Joint
Pork Joint
Ham Joint
Sausage meat (to make stuffing)
Sausages wrapped in bacon (or cocktail sausages & bacon)

Fish
Salmon side
Prawns (for prawn salad starter)

Vegetables
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Peas
Carrots
Potatoes (for mash & roast)
Mushrooms
Parsnips
Lettuce for salad starter

Fruit & Nuts
Satsuma’s or tangerines (for stockings)
ChestnutsNuts in shells and shelled nuts
Cranberries for sauce
Lemon to garnish drinks

Condiments
Piccalilli
Branston Pickle
Red Onion Chutney
Cranberry jelly
Bread sauce

Breads & cakes
Bread, loaf, rolls
Mince Pies
Christmas Pudding
Christmas cake

Ingredients & dry goods
Stuffing mix
Crackers for Cheese
Turkey Gravy granules or ready made
Beef Gravy granules or ready made
Mincemeat (to make mince pies)
Puff or filo pastry (for pies tarts etc)
Goose fat
Cooking oil
Bread making ingredients
Glace or maraschino cherries to garnish drinks
icing sugar (to dust mince pies)
marzipan for christmas cake
icing for christmas cake
Ready made yorkshire puddings

Dairy
Cheese selection board
Custard
Single cream
Double cream
Butter
Fresh Milk
UHT long life milk

Confectionary & snacks
Chocolates
Pringles
Shortbread/other biscuits
Chocolate orange
Twiglets

Soft Drinks
PopJuice/Squash
Cranberry Juice
Orange Juice
Tonic
Soda
Shloer (or other grown up non alcoholic drink for any drivers)

Alcoholic drinks
Wine Red & White
Vodka
Whiskey
Gin
Brandy for setting fire to the pudding
sherry (for santa)

Medicine cabinet
headache tablets
calpol (if you have littlies)
antiacid tablets
spare toilet roll
Kitchen roll
Cling film
Foil

choccymoose

pixtotts wrote: »

I'm not sure polar express could be topped anywhere... a good finale if it is the last one as a family
Paignton! We go to Brixham every year on holiday x

We live in Paignton and my youngest is at school in Brixham and eldest is at Churston between Paignton and Brixham

pigpen

off that list I buy maybe a dozen things lol.. of that.. I need 2... and buy a few more on an almost daily basis!


I'm so lazy I have ordered a turkey crown for this year..


I feel like poop and I just can't be bothered making work for myself..

Gettingtherequickly

Well, feel as if I have not done much this weekend, but have managed to do the cleaning, made my last Christmas cake (I tend to tell the recipients not to eat until at least end of Jan, so hopefully it will be matured enough) had my brother for lunch as it will be my last chance to see him before new year, had my hair cut, watched Nativity, but most importantly, especially as it took up quite a part of my Saturday, went to see Aladdin in Wimbledon. Not been to a panto for years so suggested going with a friend and her grandson. It was fantastic, didn't really think that much of the guy playing Aladdin, his voice wasn't that great, but Matthew Kelly was very good as was Jo Brand, still can't work out whether the character was written for her particularly or whether she acted the character well.

I thought that it is an expensive treat for a family, but discovered looking through the programme that it costs about £500,000 to put one on, so that is alot of bums on seats to recover costs in the limited season they run, so if looked at that way, tickets are not that expensive. Little fella really got into it, his toddler brother was not impressed that he was not coming with us, so he was going out for his cheese on toast lunch instead!

Ruth_honey

Evening everybody!

Wow, that Polar Express looks so fun! Might have to borrow someone's kid next year so I can go.

Have had a busy day. Made cupcakes as soon I was awake enough to concentrate this morning. Only a packet mix with festive toppings and they looked like I'd decorated them when I was drunk, but they tasted ok.
Dug out all my Christmas cross stitch pics and hung them up. Found two more little trees to put up too. Still miss my main tree, but I'll sort that for next year.

Had a friend over for pressie exchanging and lunch. Hubby did jacket spuds in the oven with a chilli beef topping. Yum yum! Have scoffed far too much naughty food-cheesecake, mince pies, cupcake, crisps...

Watched Bernard and the Genie as my friend hadn't seen it yet. She loved it. Bought her the Arthur Christmas DVD as part of her present too. She's a right Scrooge at Christmas, so I'm trying to convert her. I think part of her problem is that she doesn't plan ahead, so come December she's mega stressed because there's so much to do and she's not got the money to buy presents. Keep telling her if she buys throughout the year-or at least puts money aside for gifts-then she won't feel so stressed out. At least she got to chill out here for a few hours, watched a film, got fed and had some peace from her family!

FeistyFidget

I have done zero Christmas prep this weekend, but I have made a move to start cleaning out ready for the big move next year