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

picnmix

Wow - really picking up speed on here, just about managed to catch up.

Hope everyone is well and a big warm welcome to delurkers - you will become slightly addicted to this thread, its great. I echo others points that once in you never leave!

Well had a trip to Primarni at the weekend, got a childs Xmas jumper, but they only had them in boys section, but the one I got for DD is "unisex" IMHO. Didn't see any xmas throws, but will keep my eye out. Need to go in minus kiddies for a proper mooch around.

Got up to £100 in saver stamps with Mr T so really pleased to have got to this amount in September.

After last nights GBBO am also considering to attempt some sort of gingerbread house construction, the last time I tried had a near nervous breakdown.

Have got myself a great crafty xmas mag Handmade Xmas Special, so have been dipping in and out over the last few nights. Have started knitting Xmas tree's for a garland, am quite slow so may have enough by Xmas 2015!

Will have to try to catch up more often as thread moving at speed now, so lovely to hear everyone's news and adventures.

Hugs to you all, keep up the good work everyone.

OMO - I'm sorry Miss, but has taken me nearly all week to think about the list, so haven't done my homework this week x

Thanks to everyone for the heads up on Lego elves - will spend Friday morning feeling Lego bags in Tesco.

And sorry to be dim, but is the Tesco coal black or honeycomb coloured?

x

mrs-moneypenny

tesco coal is black and dusty looking

will have to back read about lego elves @ mrT now, must have missed that

System

funky pigeon have a 50% off offer on cards/mugs and notebooks , Ive just ordered two large leaving cards for work and my sisters Christmas card [to be delivered in December] for under £5 [code is funky0610]

freespirit66

MANDCO thankyou re: DS
CROWDPLEASER oh how annoying about the earrings dont think a 5 year old would like this but we rinse with salt water its magic pain just goes or you could try bonjela
MRSMONEYPENNY mmm your menu sounds lovely
PICNMIX great going on the tesco stamps
CHRISSYG thankyou for code

lazysheep

Countdown to Christmas days on QVC next Weds and Thurs - tv guide is here. I never buy anything but usually have it on in the background for the sparkly lights and Christmas music!

FeistyFidget

stephyt23 wrote: »

Own my Own what about Arthur Christmas?
FiestyFidget I agree about the price of kids toy pushchairs/ prams. I also don’t have children and have been shocked by the prices I’ve seen things like this and toy cars selling for.
Bunbun I’m currently working with years 3 to 6 trying to get experience with the older ones. Spent last week with years 3 and 4 and have been with year 5 this week. Glad to hear your DH has finally got some supply. Is he primary or secondary? I’m still hoping I can get some teaching assistant supply before placement but with only 3 weeks to go it isn’t looking hopefully. Thankfully my parents and BF are happy to help me financially if I need it as my last pay was August and at this rate who knows when me next one will be :eek:

Junior_j sending hugs your way

Murie I’m the same, just can’t seem to get warm at the minute. My hands constantly feel like ice

Freespirit So pleased to hear your DS has a job. Hope it all goes well for him :T

Pinksteps thank you for the cookie recipe, will give them a go
PrincessKitty Sorry to hear about the oven, hope you don’t end up paying too much to replace it

Well after watching the biscuit towers on last night’s Bake off I’ve decided this year to attempt a Gingerbread House for my family. I usually make batches of cupcakes or flapjacks for the family but thought I’d try something different and then maybe make gingerbread men or stars or something for the rest of the family to go with their presents.

I re-watched last years GBBO a few weeks ago and was inspired by their gingerbread sculptures, it was that that inspired me to make mine

nic2075 wrote: »

Thought I would reply before I lost your post in my catch up.
Yes you can put in contact details, so once it swaps who you would be getting , you can view their details.

The wish list is handy to put comments in like - no items with egg, I'm allergic, no chocolate im dieting etc in it xx

I think it is a definite plan then Who would be in for this as it involves swapping personal details OR did you prefer the option of buying something small for yourselves to enjoy?

Pinksteps wrote: »

Request!!

Does anyone have a recipe for big chewy cookies, the type you can buy from supermarket with choc chunks etc in? I want to make some and freeze but would like a fail safe recipe please. X

I'm not sure how well they freeze, but my cookie recipe on my blog is always a hit

MrsHayes wrote: »

Hi

I have been a reader of this thread and it's predecessors for many years and always found it to be heartwarming and inspiring.

I have finally plucked up the courage to try to get involved this year as I would like this Christmas to be special seeing as last year did not really go to plan as I was suffering quite badly with depression (ending with me having a breakdown in the new year) as well as lots of issues with DH's family.

Just starting to get a few bits for Christmas as we have just heard we are getting £4000 back from NRAM due to our old loan be non compliant with the CCA. Whilst this is going to pay for a new boiler and pay a huge chunk off our credit card it will free up some extra money per month which means I can start my shopping a little bit early ( I had budgeted for starting in Oct)

Anyway i will go back and start catching up on previous posts now, Very much looking forward to getting involved. Please be gentle with me!

Welcome to the gang

junior_j wrote: »

Pringles
Butter
Milk
Shortbread/other biscuits
Alcohol
Pop
Plenty of juice

(Am I doing it right?)

Thanks guys - still not had it done day 9 in here struggling with pain and want out , on morphine and 3 anti sickness amongst other drugs including anti sezuire meds xx love reading up passes time and your posts make me smile x

Thank you so much for this! I badly need inspiration

FeistyFidget

msgigglewick wrote: »

Nanamia anytime you need a hand just shout... i've kept it quiet even away from my photo blog which meant i've missed alot of days this year cause i didn't want to bore that side of my life with food photos lol. I've recently taken up walking at least 5 miles a day.. yesterday was 7 so its slowly increasing.. trouble is im now not eating enough to keep my body from losing that last 13lbs lol so i might stay the same weight. we'll see.. my weigh in is on a thursday.

Murie i was going to knit black stockings and place the tescos very plain bag inside, never thought of making the coal as like you said it could be a bit messy. guess until someones tried it we won't know lol

Feisty .. is your new shop in bath? if so i might pop along some time and have a peak oh and to meet you of course i live in yeovil so not too far away and my brother lives in frome and works at bath hospital. Glad to hear your dh is finding something to be excited about and its one of your loves too.. now thats my kind of relationship

We are based down in Poole, so a fair drive down from Bath I am afraid If you did make it down, I would love to see you though

Money_maker

Sorry for the confusion about the tesco coal - all my fault. It IS black, I was just moaning about presentation/cost/not very MSE etc. Sorry about that.

Co-op also have the chocolate orange segment packs for £1. Cadburys Dairy Milk Winter Wonderland bars & 128g Cadburys Wishes packs for £1. DH got all excited when he discovered them in the cupboard. My friend has to store all her Christmas choccies in her car boot or her DH will moan.

Costa have a new Chocolate Orange Mocha Latte (think thats right) which is really sweet and yummy.

pinknfluffy28

MrsHayes wrote: »

Thank you snugglebunny, princesskitty and pinknfluffy for the welcome

I am feeling much more positive about Christmas this year already. I will probably have to work abit on Christmas eve for the first time in a long time although i will get Christmas Day and Boxing Day off however my current job is much less stressful than my previous one so i dont mind too much. We have also agreed we are going to limit contact with DH family and focus on just the 4 of us, then anyone else we see is a bonus!

Could I ask if anyone sees any fairly cheap angry birds bits could they let me know please? I am doing a little hamper for my oldest as he loves them. So far I have a drawstring bag, some socks, a cuddly toy and a little plastic box! Many thanks

My local hb currently have quite a lot of angry birds bits, games, teddies, books etc.

So I did my lego "feel" and managed to get an elf YIPEE, but what I was sure was a gingerbread man (round head & mug) turned out to be yet another bloomin ice cream lady! Not impressed!
My local range have xmas stock, display looks very pretty but nothing very impressive, the gift sets they have out look cheap & tacky, and the decorations etc are very uninspiring and seem expensive.
HB also have an xmas isle, picked up a 1D annual for £2.99 and a little led christmas tree (looks like crystal and changes colour) for £3.99 to go on the window ledge with the led polar bear dh got last year.
Finally, I made some chocolate slabs with the girls after school, they are a trial run for xmas and will be a gift for daddy when he gets home Friday (I'm sure we will all help him eat them though!) one was plain choc with white choc swirls, and the other is milk choc with smarties and m&m's. Turned out pretty weel, and I cant wait to make them for xmas as they were well received last year and make a lovely inexpensive stocking filler. Am hoping lidl do the offer on their choc bars again this year, im sure they were reduced to 19p a bar around oct/nov last year!

MrsHayes

pinknfluffy28 wrote: »

My local hb currently have quite a lot of angry birds bits, games, teddies, books etc.

Am hoping lidl do the offer on their choc bars again this year, im sure they were reduced to 19p a bar around oct/nov last year!

Thank you, I'm going to have a look in HBs and B&M tomorrow if I get chance

Also I work in Lidl so will keep my eye out for the chocolate! And anything anyone else is after...