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redofromstart

astrocytic_kitten said:

I’ve been re-reading the Hogfather and was wondering how you were getting on. 

That recipe looks dangerously good!

I am re-reading this week.  Was on 'Unseen Academicals' which is also £1.99 this month  Last night I got two thirds of the way through 'evil under the sun' before my kindle unlimited trial ran out, but I will read the rest in hard copy in the bath tonight.

redofromstart

Also made hazelnuts in white chocolate with coconut as the MrT ones the boy loves have been out of stock for weeks.  Like rice crispy cakes.  Melt cheap white chocolate v slowly so it doesn't burn.  Stir in hazelnuts (Try MrL or MrAl for good value options, skin on is fine) till it feels like it can't take any more, then add some descimated coconut.  Back over a pan to melt again it sets too fast the tip them out onto greaseproof paper.  Break up the clumps with a rolling pin when dry.  Imagining the face of someone who is giving you grief is optional but effective.

redofromstart

Moneywise all is fine.  Still on a debate about re-mortgaging.  I can set a new interest rate on line but am then restricted for OPs.  To shorten mortgage length (reflecting previous OPs) at the same time so the planned OPs are not a problem I will have to speak to a real person.  I hate ringing people.  I also don't have time.
Presents are mostly done. I know what I need to buy for the last couple just haven't sorted it.  May need to buy cards.
Food?  Not great.  Trying to batch cook at weekends,  Confused them tonight with Monday tea on a Tuesday!

redofromstart

Also, my name is (not really) RedoFromStart and it is ten days since I last bought a jumper, cardigan or wrist warmers.
I have a problem, don't I?

Seasidegal58

Good to see you back!😀
The chestnuts sound yum!  Are they what the French call 'marron glacé?' 

The problem with Ringing People is that you end up waiting on the end of a line for 20 minutes!😡
So you're off to Wrist Warmers Anonymous then!🤣

Sun_Addict

I hate ringing people too. Much prefer an email that you can refine until you’re happy with it before pressing send.

HairyHandofDartmoor

I don't mind ringing people once I get through to them as often things get done then, but it's the waiting and going through the automated options that makes me furious 😡. Somehow the list of options they give are not appropriate to me as my circumstances are never typical 🙄 so I have to go for other, or just wait until they give up and put me through to a real human. The whole process does infuriate though 😡 .

redofromstart

I am glad it isn't just me.  Rather predictably I still haven't rung the bank, or the log supplier.  I did ring the butchers to do the order which I may regret when I see the collection queue next week. 

Otherwise I think I am on top of the prep, apart from wrapping (midnight Christmas eve usually), writing and sending cards and actually decorating the tree.  Getting the stand out of the loft and the tree straight is the biggest part of the battle surely?  It has survived the night without any obvious cat damage so I might even get round to adding the lights today.

The huge Christmas cactus is flowering, bought RTC for 15p in MrM a few years ago.  I usually kill house plants so I remain in awe of this one.  I also frittered on a pot of hyacinths in the co-op but I will plant those out in the garden in spring.  The little violas I bought for a few pounds are doing really well and give a welcome splash of colour on the drive wall and the patio.  The winter honeysuckles are flowering and smelling glorious ('winters beauty' and 'fragrantissima', both worth looking out for and planting near a path).  Pretty things and smells to make me smile and encourage me to do something other than tunnel vision work.  When I went for a walk the other day I noticed that the cyclamen that I transplanted to the road side have taken and have spread massively.  Nice to think of the pleasure they will give to me and passers by in Spring.

A very rare visit to a big supermarket as MrM have whole salmon for £5/KG.  They had some in trays that had been cleaned and filleted so I got a couple of those with the intention of hot smoking at least one later.  Its pouring down though so getting the barbecue running might be fun, its a covered one so its the 'Me Man, Me Make Fire' OH who will get wet.  

I hope everyone has a restful Sunday.  I plan to potter, cook and iron - and maybe finish the tree.  It used to go up after we had gone to bed on Christmas eve when I was a child so it feels far too early.
 

redofromstart

The Christmas tree remains incomplete. Time and energy zilch.  Maybe Friday.  I haven't rung about logs, skip or mortgage.  
We did smoke the salmon.  Dry cured third salt to two thirds brown sugar rub for an hour, and then half an hour on very low heat over apple wood chips (Home Bargains last year!)  Do not cook it inside.  It stinks.  The polytunnel still smells.  We greedily ate the first section instead of Sunday roast, the second with horseradish mayo/new potatoes/salad yesterday and the third is in the freezer for a lovely lunch at some point.

greenbee

I haven't even got a tree, so you're further on than I am. I need to find somewhere that has one and can deliver. And I'll have to trust them to pick a decent one.