EH - Essex > Hebrides...the next step of the adventure?

beanielou

Stunning photos.

savingholmes

All sounding really well organised. 

EssexHebridean

Morning all - and here we all are in Christmas week!

We had a reasonably productive weekend 
- both cars got their tyres - MrEH's car got tracking done as well
- I made the bread sauce yesterday so that is now in the freezer
- Homeless shelter donations were dropped to them yesterday morning
- Hob (which was filthy!) was cleaned yesterday including removing all the gas burner "bits" and cleaning round them
- Kitchen top unit fronts cleaned over, and the hob glass cover cleaned too
- Beef stew made overnight in the slow cooker on Saturday did sunday lunch yesterday and will do a meal later in the week too
- All MrEH's presents are bought and wrapped - I did a few extra at the same time, too
- Everyone elses were wrapped last night - he wraps, I deal with tags. 
- We've packed some stuff for going away and have started putting clothes together too
- both the kitchen and the front room are looking pretty tidy
- mostly up to date with washing - will need to do a load of dark stuff probably tonight to mop up last stuff to take with us, and towels later in the week

In less positive news, it turns out that at least one member of bar staff from the rugby club tested positive yesterday after working on Saturday night...and where was MrEH for several hours on Saturday evening? Yep - you've guessed it! The person concerned WAS wearing a mask, but allowing for the increased transmissibility of the new variant we have literally no idea how likely MrEH is to be affected - apparently they did have doors to the outside balcony open for ventilation though so fingers crossed that will prove to be enough...I will be FURIOUS if we end up losing out on Christmas or indeed the planned Hebrides trip and it then turns out that the individual responsible hadn't tested ahead of going to work. We have both tested this morning, and are both clear at the moment - this is going to be a stressful week though I think! MrEH has to go into the office today and tomorrow so he'll be on the tube both days too which is far from ideal but needs must - it IS at least a lot quieter now anyway from what he's said, and he's using blue disposable masks rather than his HM ones. 

Lots of stuff going on this week although less to worry about now we have presents sorted - it feels so good to have it all done well ahead! I have meals all planned out as well - and by a miracle also now have some space in the freezer ready to take oddments that need using up from the fridge and larder. 
- Any potatoes remaining we'll just take with us
- MrEH is going to pickle the beetroot
- I finally got round to slicing and roasting the aubergines at the weekend - those are now frozen
- we'll have HM pizza on Friday evening which will use up the dough and pepperoni from the freezer and a ball of mozzarella that is on the end of its date
- I have three eggs that need using - those need thought but possibly hard boiled then use for sandwiches for lunch on friday?
- Remaining parsnips and swede will go into a batch of three root mash for tonight with the balance to get frozen
- carrots - I'll prep what's needed for Christmas lunch then prep and blanch the rest and freeze
- the other half of a small squash will get roasted to go with couscous later in the week

It's all starting to come together... 

milann

I love how organised you are. The more time I have the more last minute I leave it…
I really hope dh and yourself stay safe and get away 🤞🤞

EssexHebridean

Thanks milann - it just feels like we're constantly hearing about people reporting positive tests at the moment doesn't it! 

I'm really far less organised than it appears, I promise - a lot of the time it's that if I don't write things down I'll forget them completely!  

RelievedSheff

There definitely does seem to be a lot of people getting positive tests at the moment. 

We both need to take tests tomorrow before we visit an elderly family member after work to drop off their Christmas and Birthday presents and cards. Just crossing all fingers and toes that they come back negative so close to Christmas 

Cheery_Daff

Urgh EH, fingers crossed that you both stay negative and can get away on your holidays xxx

MrsPorridge

Another one here with her fingers crossed that you both stay negative xx

RosaBernicia

More crossed fingers here! 

beanielou

Positive vibes for Mr EH.