Tales from The Shire

Cheery_Daff

:rotfl: Yes it's rather soggy here too :eek: Glad you've avoided a bug, although it's never nice that someone else is sick. Good on you having a decent cancellation policy x

Fortune_Smiles

Cheery_Daff wrote: »

:rotfl: Yes it's rather soggy here too :eek: Glad you've avoided a bug, although it's never nice that someone else is sick. Good on you having a decent cancellation policy x

I did feel bad for her Cheery. I hope your cellar stays dry.

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

A little bit of self-indulgence was had yesterday. As I kept on top of the chores during the week, I was able to give myself a little time off this weekend.

I carved one of my pumpkins and donated the other to be carved and sold at a charity event. Also decanted three of the gins I made in the summer; redcurrant, pinkcurrant and raspberry. I've kept some for us (obvs) and put the rest into small gift bottles for Christmas gifts for our neighbours. I still have a blackcurrant vodka to decant and intend to make up some bramley & blackberry vodka and rosehip gin today.

The rest of the day was spent researching Christmas presents and organising social events. It seems we'll have Christmas week to ourselves but the boys and DiL want to visit the weekend after and friends are coming on the 30th to spend the New Year with us. I am planning to do as much in advance as possible this year so I can just relax and enjoy myself. I may even make the cake next weekend

I went slightly off meal plan to use up some sulky veg in the fridge: Turkish Eggs with Spinach & Yoghurt for breakfast, Prawn Fajitas with Avocado Cream for lunch and Baked Lemon Salmon with Buttered Carrots & Leeks for supper. Very satisfying to avoid wasting any food.

There's a lot of standing water about on the lanes but at least the sun is shining and our fields seem to be draining quickly. I'm planning to do some tidying up in the garden this afternoon. I think I'm going to have to get out there while I can from now on.

Hope you all managed to keep your feet dry.

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

Two strange men appeared on our drive at 7.15 this morning :eek: Mr F was all set to drive them off with a pitchfork when we remembered that the sideboard was being delivered today. We must have been first on their job list :rotfl:

So we have a new small sideboard in the dining room. I love it And it will look even better when we have another to match it on the other side :rotfl: We moved the existing record storage cupboard into the barn so that Mr F can play his vinyl in there to his heart's content without disturbing the peace. The board games we've been storing in a display cabinet in the living room have been moved to the new sideboard. Which freed up the display cabinet for two boxes of family glassware and china which have been boxed up in the barn since we moved here. So a productive morning.

I spent the afternoon in the Annex getting things ready for this weekend's guests. The new electric blanket is on the bed now - I think they're going to need it. It's decidedly chilly here in the Shire today. I've still got quite a bit to do in there so that will be the plan for tomorrow.

Lunch was Pumpkin Soup and supper, Marrow Gratin beefed up with lots of chilli and garlic.

Mr F is gradually improving but we've not had an undisturbed night for eight days. I went to bed at 9.30 last night A combination of sleep deprivation and the clocks going back I think. Fingers crossed for tonight.

Hope everyone is warm and cosy tonight.

Fortune x

beanielou

Happy new sideboard

Fortune_Smiles

beanielou wrote: »

Happy new sideboard

Thank you Beanie - it's blue and adding a welcome splash of colour.

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

I spent the day cleaning a very cold Annex. The north wind was blowing right through the front door and the bedroom window :eek: Mr F came to the rescue with some new draught excluder. It made a huge difference and it's now toasty warm in there. Although I do think I'm going to have to keep the heating on low over the winter, guests or no guests. The bones of the house felt cold today and I don't want to encourage the damp.

Lunch was the last of the Pumpkin Soup and I made Cheese & Marmite Scones to vary it a bit. They were delicious I had to put the remainder in the freezer quickly before I ate the whole lot :rotfl: Supper was Cauliflower, Paneer & Pea Curry.

There's no yoga tomorrow as it's half-term but I'm meeting up with two of my yoga friends for a walk instead. We'll be going from my house to a new local restaurant for coffee and cake. It's a 4 mile round trip so I'm hoping that's enough to cancel out the calories :rotfl:

I'm looking forward to my bed again tonight. Mr F is still waking the household in the early hours of the morning with his coughing and our canine alarm clock doesn't understand that the clocks have gone back. It feels like a very long time since I've slept the night through. I could fall asleep right here, right now just thinking about it :rotfl:

Sweet dreams all

Fortune x

Cheery_Daff

Hope you get a decent kip! Good job you discovered the draughts in the annexe, I'm sure your guests will be very appreciative :j

beanielou

A blue sideboard~~how awesome

Fortune_Smiles

Cheery_Daff wrote: »

Hope you get a decent kip! Good job you discovered the draughts in the annexe, I'm sure your guests will be very appreciative :j

I've just got my fingers crossed they'll be warm enough in there. They've got the new electric blanket so that should help.

beanielou wrote: »

A blue sideboard~~how awesome

Navy blue Beanie with an oak top.

Fortune x