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

Ruth_honey

freespirit66 wrote: »

Evening everyone, ooh it is quiet on here

CHOCCYMOOSE my DD1 wore her coca cola xmas t shirt today as well
MRSINVISIBLE glad you had a fab and successful shopping trip to York, what a lovely thoughtful present for DS and DDIL
OMO that is the middle of the night for me, oh dear i can just imagine his face haha, DS is funny, mind you it would be funny if mia took it all in hope you are having a great time!!!!
FEISTY Glad you have found some time to relax and do some xmas baking, have a lovely day tomorrow both of you
RUTH_HONEY £10 for 15 mins :eek: they are having a laugh arent they??? I am the same in places like that and i get so hot no matter what i wear as well. OOhh i would love to see what Peter Andre smells like, i bet he smells lush :rotfl:Glad you enjoyed it though
BLOOMINGTASTY have a fab time at the show today
GETTINGTHEREQUICKLY glad your little pest seems to have gone

Apart from being a total rip off, the woman was so rude and snooty to us too. Hope she makes no sales all weekend!

It's so quiet in here today. Maybe everyone is out Christmas shopping? Then curled up in front of a festive film?
As for me, well, you'll think I'm nuts, but this afternoon we had a BBQ! Yesterday was DH birthday and I had made him a BBQ hamper, so we decided to have a BBQ and try some of things I'd bought. It was a bit chilly out, but not too bad. Cooked up some burgers to eat today, plenty of sausages for the next few days (my mum is coming up on Monday) and some meatballs. Oh and yummy baby potatoes on skewers-tasted like mini roasties.

Am off to the Southbank Christmas market tomorrow. Will be delivering my first Christmas presents! My cousin is coming up from Plymouth for the day and I won't see her again before her and her boyfriend go to South Africa for 6 weeks. Alright for some...;)
Have made up a 'Taste of Christmas' mug for my Auntie. Put in some sachets of winter spice hot chocolate, mulled spice tea, gingerbread latte and camomile & spiced apple tea. Thinking about putting chocolates in when I make up similar for other people, but I'm worried the chocolates might take on the flavour of the teas. I had some chocolate coins for Christmas one year and brought them back home in a bag with some scented candles and when I unpacked the bag weeks later the coins tasted odd!

mkgirl1981

FeistyFidget wrote: »

Wowsers, it's quiet in here!

I made my mince pies and they are nestled in the freezer DH wanted to sample them, but I refused. Despite being a huge Christmas nut, I personally don't like to get into the spirit until 1st December as I worry I'll peak too early lol.

I'm exactly the same - love mince pies but I won't let myself have one until 1st December and I usually treat myself to a coffee from Starbucks and a mince pie

craftymummy_2

Ruth-honey - the taste of Xmas is such a fab idea!! I'm going to have to pinch it from you can I just ask where you got the different flavoured bits from? Thanks
Feisty - think your OH is being very sensible, shame the shop isn't working out, but don't give up on the dream, you never know one day you might have the chance to have a bigger and better shop have a great day tomorrow celebrating.
Well, on Friday I've managed to do some wrapping, so feeling a bit more organised re Xmas. Made some flavoured sugar, bath salt and lemon extract and a jar of amaretto is maturing nicely. Also made two different types of coffee syrups, next week I'm gonna make the Xmas cupcakes and gingerbread liquor. Most of the homemade foodie gifts will have to be made last minute-ish. So I'm getting there.
Hope everyone is having a fab weekend!

Ruth_honey

craftymummy wrote: »

Ruth-honey - the taste of Xmas is such a fab idea!! I'm going to have to pinch it from you can I just ask where you got the different flavoured bits from? Thanks
Feisty - think your OH is being very sensible, shame the shop isn't working out, but don't give up on the dream, you never know one day you might have the chance to have a bigger and better shop have a great day tomorrow celebrating.
Well, on Friday I've managed to do some wrapping, so feeling a bit more organised re Xmas. Made some flavoured sugar, bath salt and lemon extract and a jar of amaretto is maturing nicely. Also made two different types of coffee syrups, next week I'm gonna make the Xmas cupcakes and gingerbread liquor. Most of the homemade foodie gifts will have to be made last minute-ish. So I'm getting there.
Hope everyone is having a fab weekend!

The winter spice hot chocolate was from B&M. 8 for £1. It's an Options one. http://www.optionstreats.co.uk/explore-the-range/options-indulgence-range/warming-belgian-chocolate-winter-spice/
Gingerbread latte was on offer recently in the supermarkets. 8 sachets in a box for £1.49. Nescaf! menu range.
The tea was from the Twinings shop. It's the only Christmas tea I found in there that was in bags, not loose tea. It was £6 for a tin with 20 tea bags in. Smells lovely, but not tried it yet. http://shop.twinings.co.uk/shop/christmas-tea-gifts/christmas-teas/twinings-mulled-spiced-tea-caddy.html
The camomile with spiced apple tea was also Twinings-£1.30 for 20 bags. But it's not indivually wrapped bags, so not as easy to separate out.
Whittards have got Christmas tea/coffee/hot choc in too. Bigger tubs, not sachets though.

You could add other Christmassy food bits to it if you wanted to make it a larger hamper. Mince pies, turkey flavour crisps, spiced orange biscuits...

I've bagged my sachets up in some Christmas cellophane bags I bought in poundland last year (20 in a pack-ribbon included), but not sure if they have them this year too.

Feisty-I agree. It's a hard decision to make but you don't want to get further and further into debt and get really stressed out. It might not be the right time for it, that's all. In a few years, the economy could be better and you can try again if you wanted to.

Mint1955

choccymoose wrote: »

Give us some guidance, age, interests, gender ?

Sorry I was just so frustrated earlier I wasn't thinking.

Female 57 not really into anything which sounds sad!!! If pushed in the past I just say tokens!

Bought up not to ask and to do a Christmas list was not considered the done thing so its a bit ingrained and now when I have finally got a by cheesed of with getting stuff I really don't need or want and feeling guilty I thought I would give it a try and now I am stumped.

So I thought if people would post their wish lists I might get some inspiration to start me off.

Nanamia

Sorry being missing since Thursday, did read last night but was too tired to post! Oh my word it is quiet isn't it?

Ruth great minds, I did look on amazon after I'd asked you about the Gavin and Stacey special, for some reason I thought it'd be pricey. I'm delighted it isn't, it's sitting in my wish list now waiting for to be bought. So thanks you. xxx
Nic what a really lovely thing to say xxx
Gettingtherequickly wow you should be very proud of yourself, showing such restraint in ikea What were the decorations like? Glad your you know what has gone! I've had to become ruthless in my clearing out to, just have to do it quickly before I change my mind. xxx
Aliaslotte aww your and your grandmas Christmas preperations are going great. I bet you are so excited for Monday, enjoy it xxx
his missus I agree the adverts do mean that Christmas is on it's way. Woo hooo. I'm not keen on I'm a Celeb but DH loves it, so it'll be on! I'm even a bit bored with Xfactor this year
Msgigglewick congratulations on becoming an auntie to Fletcher, but what a blooming labour xxx
Mrs M you really do say the nicest things. Your posts always make me smile Hope they've managed to sort the problems at DS's winter camp, I'd love to do one of those but I'd need a chalet or motor home ha. Happy birthday to you DD1, how many children have you got (you know by now how nosey I am) have your girls all left home? xxx
Pixtotts it makes me laugh, this crazy country things like the wrong type of snow. Although we were in Oz earlier in the year and they came to a total stand still when it rained, heaven help them if they lived in sunny Manchester X
Lina loving the hamper, looks fab X
Pigpen Oooh Delilah is adorable, such a cutie xxx
Feisty aww such news, a much more positive appointment woo hoo, finally some good news for you both. Belated happy anniversary to you, tomorrow's duvet day and favourite treats sounds perfect. Enjoy. I think I've missed something here, forgive me if I'm mixed up, did you only take a short tenancy agreement on the shop? Did you pay all that money, was it for the stock that the previous tenants left? Bless DH for putting his foot down, it is certainly not through lack of trying that you are not getting the footfall. At least you were brave enough to try xxx
MKGIRL I do love that door mat, I must remember to measure mine. I keep seeing festive ones but have a feeling that mine is a funny size X
Debndot the fair does sound good fun, hope you a great time X
Choccymoose it was such a tonic to read your post It's joy and festivity was contagious, please keep it up. I love it. I'm so very pleased that things are on the up xxx
Princess so glad the bathroom has been sorted. How is DH doing? Are you managing some time together? Another one off to the show, hope you had a great time. Photos please and give that nowty madam on the bed stall a wide berth haha xxx
Mrsinvisible well lady, I do hope you've now paid the sleep bill, and manage to sleep for longer tonight. Your trip sounded good fun. Your preparations are really coming along. Bless you what a darling MiL you are is that the DS that's in china? Whilst gazing at your map of Australia DS is left hand side right near the bottom, give him a wave from me too, I don't have miss my gorgeous boy. xxx
Linky I hope you are having a great time Did chuckle when I read DS's reactions to Mia meeting his Dad. Ha, I really hope she was listening and remembers her masters instructions next time she bumps into any strange man in particular xxx
Mint how you doing with your list, have you got any ideas?
Craftymummy Oooh get you, you are doing well. Can you tell I'm jealous? Ha xxx
Freespirit well I'm glad you've cleared up the ground almond mystery, I thought I was going mad. I've been in a few shops looking, came to the conclusion they must be keeping them somewhere other than the baking section. Well how strange, cos there isn't any shortages of flaked or whole almonds is there? Weird. But least I know now. It's a blooming nuisance cos DH loves frangipane mince pies and they were on my list for this weeks bake! DD has done a click and collect asda order for Monday so she's ordered the ingredients I needed for the baked cheese cake you recommended so will try that
My craft stash finally went yesterday woo hoo. The psychiatric unit were thrilled to receive it too, lady even asked if I fancied volunteering ha if she only knew. You will never believe what I said to her, aww I really shouldn't be allowed out. I looked over at DH and said, "oh I've enough to do looking after him, he's a loon" Oh I wanted the floor to swallow me up. I was stood in the doorway of the kitchen on the unit where the patients were chatting away to me and I came out with that DH was appalled but I'd said it then there was nothing I could do. Anyway the member of staff was fine and laughed with me, DH thought I was lucky to escape alive! DD said if I volunteered I'd only be there half an hour before they realised I should be an inpatient.
Went to the ballet on Thursday night, beautiful, aww absolutely beautiful. It was a Matthew Bourne version of Swan Lake (not traditional) and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Today, DH said we needed to get out so we had a trip to the seaside It was so good, I needed persuading but when we got there I was glad he'd put his foot down. Does you so good to blow the cobwebs away doesn't it. Popped into a home bargains whilst we were out, it was crazy, so busy, full of grumpy shoppers so glad I'm done now. Also passed a lidl so whipped in for a little festive cellophane. Got the joiner in again tomorrow fitting two more doors, then downstairs will be done. xxx

Nanamia

Mint I don't really have a list so am not much help. Get a present from DD and stocking form my BFF, DD usually has her own ideas and BFF gets little thoughtful things she sees that she thinks I will like.
Do you have an amazon wish list that you could share? If you got vouchers what would you treat yourself too?

Do you like to read, listen to music, paint your nails, make up, chocolate, favourite foods, eat out, bake ???????

Nanamia

Almost forgot came back from seaside to a letter from TV Choice mag DH had won £100 woooo

mrsinvisible

Hello sleep bill still outstanding, still, at least I don,t have to get up and scrub floors or have a crying baby to soothe, am not in severe pain, and can just lay and wait for sleep to arrive, or not.
Feisty, I think that DH has a good point and as others have said, it doesn't have to be forever, and you did give it your best go.
Yes Nanamia, it is the Chinese branch of the family I want to buy the hotel night for. And I get the littlies to myself, win win win.
Forgot to say that when I got back from York my DB had put on the two doors I have waited nearly 3 years for him to do, so that's another job off my list.
I love the taste of Christmas mug idea too, and may have to hijack it for my DSILs and grandma sister.
OMO, this weeks tasks 1) book hotel. 2) wrap remaining presents and review, to check no-one is left out and stacks look equal. 3) rectify inequalities. 4) start on food list.

blue_eyed_girl

Nanamia wrote: »

Almost forgot came back from seaside to a letter from TV Choice mag DH had won £100 woooo

_party_ woo hoo _party_