Tales from The Shire

beanielou

Awesome. 😻

SandyShores

beanielou said:

Awesome. 😻

Agree, the cat one is inviting a tummy rub!

Beanielou, thank goodness they don't actually come in a box from Amazon - I would be ordering loads prime delivery x

Fortune_Smiles

SandyShores said:

beanielou said:

Awesome. 😻

Agree, the cat one is inviting a tummy rub!

Beanielou, thank goodness they don't actually come in a box from Amazon - I would be ordering loads prime delivery x

Me too @SandyShores, me too 😂

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

Christmas ready?

Not quite but good progress has been made:

• all the presents have been wrapped/delivered bar two.  I've still got a neighbours to sort out which will require the decanting of some pink and redcurrant gins.  And an extra gift to wrap for DS1 so he has something to open when we open ours on Christmas Day evening
• food delivery slots are booked so I just need to finalise the menu plans
• Mr F picked up his beer supplies this morning.  Wine was delivered last week.
• decorations are up.  Just one arrangement still to do for the living room
• I'm up to speed with the housework and still have a few days next week of course to sort out rooms for DS1's visit.

Usually I'd be rushing around by now but the pandemic has slowed things down enormously.  I organised two social outings for me this week (Mr F has had virtual drinks with colleagues).  Both were with just one girlfriend and at an outdoor venue so as safe as they could be - pudding and coffee at my favourite local restaurant and a festive afternoon tea at the hotel we've booked for Christmas lunch.  We had a takeaway roast dinner lunch today from a local deli (to keep Mr F happy).  It was delicious and something we'll consider doing again when he gets meat withdrawal symptoms 😆  It was nice to be able to spend our fun money on having some fun for a change 😁

Christmas is within budget so far.  I haven't spent any less this year than in previous years though.  Although we've done very little in the way of social events we are eating out on Christmas Day so swings and roundabouts.

I've started to review my diary for 2020.  Although the year has been far from the one we expected and hoped, I've been pleasantly surprised at the positives I've encountered so far.  It seems we've achieved almost what we set out to which is amazing considering.  The challenge will be goal setting for next year.  It's going to be hard to plan with so much uncertainty still to come.  I'll put my thinking head on for that one 😆

How strange to think that this time last year we had no idea of what was coming.  I read today that the Oxford vaccine is expected to be approved at the end of the year and that mass vaccination programmes will start in January.  That will certainly feel more like the beginning of the end whereas, at the moment, it feels like the start of the beginning.

Have a great weekend guys - it's the solstice on Monday!  Remember to light your Yule log 😆

Fortune x

Cheery_Daff

Ooh, lovely to see you so prepared Fortune! Very pleased you got a couple of nice little trips out as well

Fortune_Smiles

Hic!

Yesterday was mainly about alcohol 😆  I started the Christmas Pudding Vodka (it's a favourite of DS1s - although he'll be taking it home with him now), decanted one each of Redcurrant and Pinkcurrant Gins and started a Clementine, Bay and Black Peppercorn Gin.  A small bottle of each of the currant gins will be going to a neighbour along with a Christmas decoration I painted for them.  The clementine gin will be ready for adding to champagne on New Year's Eve.

Our plans have, of course, changed due to the new Tier system and they may change again before the day but we'll just make the best of things whatever happens.

I've realised that my veg box delivery is earlier this week and I only have today to make any changes to the order.  So, meal planning is my first job today.  Mr F is planning on going out in the truck to give it a run out.  He'll take FDawg with him which will give me a chance to wash the kitchen floor and keep it clean for more than five minutes 😆 Other than that I'm planning to have a relaxed day.

We have a quiz night planned with the younger Fortunates this evening which we're looking forward to.  These weekly and, latterly, fortnightly calls have been a real highlight for us during the pandemic.

I hope everyone is ok and still able to have a Christmas of sorts after yesterday's news.

Fortune x

The latest Christmas present paintings...

Cheery_Daff

Ooh they're lovely Fortune, you are so very talented! xx

Christmas pudding vodka sounds EXCELLENT. Do you literally just put some Christmas pudding into a bottle of vodka for a while?! Hope so - even I can manage that

Fortune_Smiles

Cheery_Daff said:

Ooh they're lovely Fortune, you are so very talented! xx

Christmas pudding vodka sounds EXCELLENT. Do you literally just put some Christmas pudding into a bottle of vodka for a while?! Hope so - even I can manage that

Thanks Cheery.  Here's the Christmas Pudding Vodka recipe - it only takes 3 days to make so is a brilliant last minute gift or treat.  It's really easy to do and tastes fab with lemonade and ice.

Fortune x

Cheery_Daff

Ooh, brilliant, thank you! Might have to acquire a bottle of vodka at some point

the_cross_rabbit

Love your slate paintings.
CRx