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

whitesatin

Last Christmas, we were given vouchers for a meal at the Hilton at Green Park, London. We have booked for lunch and are thinking of maybe going to the Christmas market at the South Bank, to make a day of it.

Anyone been to that one?

Ruth_honey

whitesatin wrote: »

Last Christmas, we were given vouchers for a meal at the Hilton at Green Park, London. We have booked for lunch and are thinking of maybe going to the Christmas market at the South Bank, to make a day of it.

Anyone been to that one?

I did today-mentioned it briefly a few posts back. Worth a wander if you're nearby. Covent Garden very festive too. Lights in Regent street are nice. We got a bus from the Strand (few minutes from Covent garden market) to Bond street station, so saw the lights in Regent street, Oxford st & the snow globe over the fountain in Picadilly Circus (not working just yet-still being assembled by the look of it). Enjoy your lunch-lovely treat!

freespirit66

Evening everyone, nothing christmassy been done this weekend but had a lovely, chilled out, relaxing one and DD1 finally told me where we are going for my joint birthday/christmas present, we are going to Birmingham Christmas Market, i am so excited, she has booked a travelodge for the night as well so we get 2 days shopping in the Bull Ring and the xmas market, bless her, i havent had a night away for nearly 2 years :eek: DS has booked a day off holiday to look after the dog so i have nothing to worry about except have a great time, and DD2 did something sweet tonight that brought tears to my eyes, i think we are all in a festive mood now chez freespirit

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.
In other news DH has decided he doesn't want me getting a new shop once the tenancy runs out. He has said that it will be more money, more work and at the best we will be just a few hundred pound more of a month (for double the amount of work) and at worst we will be swamped in debt. Part of me is sad as it is a dream that has never been given a chance to grow, but part of me is relieved that he has said no. I'm just so worried that everyone will accuse us of not trying for long enough it's just we are already a few k in debt because of it, and it would only get worse from January

FEISTY glad you got some baking done, as for the shop, if you feel relieved then enough said, its the right thing to do, its nobodys business to say whether you have given it long enough. Hope you had a good duvet day today

Ruth_honey wrote: »

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!

RUTH_HONEY people like that shouldnt work with the public, hope you had a fab day at Southbank Xmas Market, what is that one like? I have always wanted to go. Your taste of christmas mugs sound lovely.

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!

CRAFTYMUMMY ooh that sounds interesting how do you make your amaretto? Your other makes sound gorgeous

Will have to do a few posts to catch up

freespirit66

PIGPEN Happy Birthday to Moomin, hope she has had a good day
NANAMIA whoa!! congratulations on winning the £100 what a lovely time of year to win some money, ah mystery solved, so its safe to say that tesco and sainburys own ground almonds are made by whitworths then??? I am going to try grinding them for one of this weeks recipes ill let you know how i get on, I did wonder if it would be a bit hard this time of year missing DS, sending you lots of hugs, then DH wont go without. Let me know how cheesecake turns out, omg you have made me howl, i can hardly breathe by what you said, that is typically me, the more you try not to say something the more it comes out :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:i find it even funnier DH being appalled :rotfl::rotfl:i would love to have seen his face, i am so glad you really enjoyed the ballet and had a great night out, and what a lovely treat DH taking you to the seaside, yes it does do you good even if only a few hours to just escape everything, oh dear that is another reason i hate shopping for xmas, grumpy people!!!

PINKLADY aww my lovely what a very horrible and scary time you have had, i hope you dont end up back in hospital this week but at least you will be in a safe place, sending you lots of hugs

WHITESATIN oh that is horrible, it only takes a few stupid people doesnt it to ruin a night out, i am sure it will come back for your wreath making course, that sounds great!

freespirit66

HANLEY25 nice to see you on here sorry you were feeling so down, but what a lovely thing for your friend to do, especially when she isnt a christmas nut, if his dog is used to being at home quite happily then i wouldnt worry too much, just say the kids are going to be hyper, their new toys are going to be everywhere you think it will be too much for the dog and the kids not wanting their toys ruined, hopefully he wont take offence and will just think its a good idea.

Oh NIC its such a let down isnt it when something you look forward to is so disappointing, especially when the kids notice it too, i think £7 is a bit much for just a town hall grotto

MRSINVISIBLE i saw the Famous Grouse ad tonight and immediately thought of you

Own_My_Own

I'm home !!!

Am tired and my feet ache, but it was worth it.

Did Southbank yesterday morning then Oxford Street in the afternoon. Today did the Ideal Christmas Show then Southback again ( to see it all lit up).
Bought loads. .

Dd phoned today and I could hear in her voice she was upset. She wanted to know when I would be home as she was missing me.
I phoned as I was dropping my friend off and she sounded so happy I was round the corner. She was at the kitchen window waiting for me when I pulled up. I open the car and immediately had the dog on my lap :rotfl: That's no mean feat when your in the driving seat.
Oh my girls love me .

I am going to take dd up there in a couple of weeks. We will do Lakeside in the morning then go to London for the afternoon/evening.
(That's as long as we don't get bad snow.)

Off to bed now. Goodnight. xxx

Will update with buys tomorrow.

Nanamia

Hanley see we've all missed you What a lovely thing for you friend to do, she obviously knows you so well and cares enough to find a way to cheer you up. A true friend Ouch the pup and bro dilemma, not easy but I'm sure your brother would understand, men don't think you know that! xxx
Feisty I'm such a dumbo, thanks for explaining, I couldn't understand what the 5K was for, see dumbo I hope today has been everything you hoped for, quality time with DH and noooooo work xxx
Laurajo your plans for next weekend do sound like fun. What colour decorations are you going to have? X
Chrissy yikes no room for the freezer, could you swap it for a stand up one? I've got one in one of my bedroom (weird but it's way too handy to part with) X
b_e_g that's a marathon tv catch up. You'll be up half the night! We recorded xfactor and I'm a celeb to cut out the adverts, they have so many don't they. xxx
Ruth the sound of your sandwich is making my mouth water. Ha, that's healthy eating for you! You are our resident travel guide for London aren't you I certainly know where to come when I sort out a short break. And obviously if you ever fancy Manchester, I love this city xxx
JJ loved your baking, a lady of many talents. Hope the journey is ok for you and that you enjoy your hols. If anybody deserves too it's certainly you. There is a rule tho..... Photos, lots and lots of photos xxx
Nic what a blooming shame. It sounded so perfect this morning. It's bad enough you felt let down but your LO, it's such a shame. Hope something happens tomorrow to restore your festive spirit xxx
Aliaslotte good luck for tomorrow. How exciting, enjoy xxx

Freespirit aww bless DD1, what a sweetie she is. Your mini break sounds like great fun and DS for sorting doggie sitting too (ask him if he fancies cleaning the windows whilst he's off haha)
I think that was the worst thing about it DH, ha he just looked at me and later he's retelling the tale with such shame. Hahah you would really think he'd be used to me by now. But no he reckons I'm getting worse haha and that I'm afraid just made me chuckle more. He's said for a while I'm not safe out alone, now he's thinking maybe I'm just not safe out!!! We will see anyway because before the hiccup nice lady had asked for my address so the patients could make a thank you card. Will we get one hehe remains to be seen! xxx
Do let me know how you get on with grinding the almonds, it shouldn't take them too long to be back on the shelves should it. Bet they are cursing cos it's probably there best selling month of the year isn't it. There was none in Aldi or Lidl either but is that because they are made by whitworths or people are getting them where they can. Who knows.
I need to get baking and cooking this week, soups for the freezer I think and a couple of sweet dishes for the festive season.
We've got an extra day due to Linkys hols so I'm hoping to have caught up on last weeks tasks. Well I'm off now to try and find what they were!
Maybe DH is right!!! Night night xxx

Nanamia

Oho must be quick Linkys back

Sounds like such a good time Linky neeeeed details but will wait till tomorrow. Night night my deeeer friend xxx

Had a message from one of our lovelies today 0462 she's ok, sends her love to all. The poor things epidural didn't go as planned but she said she's ok. Crazy busy with orders but thinking of us all. Promises to return very soon xxx
She said "it's like bedlam here" but in light of events this week I changed it hahah xxx

Ruth_honey

Nanamia-yep, it was yummy! You appreciate treats more when you're trying to behave the rest of the time, don't you?
Hope my London info helps someone. I don't feel like I'm an expert, but my cousin made a comment earlier along those lines too. I guess I'm so used to taking over with map/timetable reading because a lot of my friends either can't or won't do it. They just turn up at a station and follow me, so it helps if I know where I'm going! I still bring an A-Z along though. You never know when you'll need it!
And I like finding unusual things to do in London. On Friday we toured Aldwych station, which has been closed for decades. Something that not too many people have done. We've got several books of Hidden London and when we've got a free day, we'll chose something different to do. I still haven't done the Tower of London, though!

I'd love to come to Manchester one day. We almost visited a couple of years ago, but the hotel wasn't available for the dates we had (think we were using Tesco vouchers to book a mini break) so we ended up in Brighton instead. I'll let you know if we plan anything that way again and you can share your local knowledge.

Nanamia

I'd love to Ruth I did mean it in a good way the more I read the more I fancy an adventure to the big smoke ha. Just got to persuade DH now, Mrsinvisibles Jack the Ripper tour might just do the trick for him.
You are so right, you do appreciate treats more when you are being sensible. Right now I'm craving pastry ha, it's mince pies I think. Weigh day tomorrow so a little treat is in order xxx