Winter is coming

cuddlymarm

Hi guys
Well today has been ok. I collected my order from town and while I was there picked up a couple more presents. Another arrived in the post so xmas is growing nicely.
My frozen turkey arrives tomorrow ( I just hope it fits in the freezer ) or it will be a dash to DS2s. He’s in our bubble and we will probably be having Xmas lunch there anyway. I was wondering whether smaller turkeys would be in higher demand this year due to the chance of no big family xmases so I better be organised.
Im disgusted with the way the government is acting at the moment. It’s most unsettling that you can’t tell what’s going to happen next. We were only in tier 2 for a few days, now tier 3 without giving it a chance to see if it would work. Not all our staff are back at work yet and with the changes in the furlough next month I see redundancies looming. I’m 59 and really worry that I’ll never get another job if this one goes, but I can’t draw my state pension until 67.
i must stop being so gloomy. 

On the up side it’s still not cold here yet and the scarf I am knitting is growing nicely. Bid random I know  but positive.
Look after yourselves guys

WinterWarrior

Pensions are always a worry and when we all started off thinking we’d retire with a state pension at 60 and then they keep changing it...it feels like a broken contract and makes my blood boil.
we got a frozen turkey early too...better safe than sorry! 

Good news on the scarf 😊

joedenise

We've decided we're not bothering with turkey - no-one in the family particularly likes it.  The one meat we all like is lamb so I suspect that's what we'll have so I'll be waiting for my butcher to get a good offer on lamb legs - he seems to have them quite regularly!  Even if it's just us we can make good use of a leg of lamb using up the LOs in various other meals.

cuddlymarm

Hi again
i suggested no turkey one year and the family thought I’d gone mad. They like traditions, chocolate pennies, Christmas lists, one son doesn’t like Brussels sprouts but has one with Xmas dinner out of principal, we have takeaway on Xmas eve because we used to cook the turkey on Xmas eve and Xmas breakfast is a democracy, over the years we’ve had bacon butties, toast, croissants, currant tea cakes and the pudding after Xmas lunch is usually pavlova, ice cream or a gateau. Boxing Day is bubble and squeak for breakfast, turkey butties and Xmas cake, mince pies etc for lunch and then sandwiches and Xmas pud for tea. 

Both our sons friends were fascinated that they wouldn’t go out partying on Xmas eve in case they were too hungover to enjoy Xmas day.
Talking about Xmas has cheered me up. 

WinterWarrior

Lamb is always good too! I’m not a huge fan of turkey, but enjoy it at Christmas....my husband thinks it’s the law! Turkey and cranberry baguette sandwiches are always good and any tougher/older cuts of leftovers a few days later get bubbled up in a casserole dish of gravy until it’s falling apart and then spooned into warm part baked rolls mmmm. You are doing it right when your sons don’t want to miss anything ⭐️

joedenise

Yes the kids (over 40s now!) still have to have their chocolate coins!  Also the obligatory Brussel sprout for DD1; DD2 eats them anyway.  So we do have some traditions, just not as many as we used to.

cuddlymarm

Hi guys
Today has been quite a nice day. We went out for lunch (OHs treat ) to our favourite garden centre/restaurant/gift shop. A few more bits toward Xmas and a lovely lunch too.
My shop arrived this morning without the turkey I’d ordered. I’ve put it on next weeks list. I wonder if lots of people have the same idea as me going for a smaller one. If I get into December and I’ve not got one I’ll go into the shop to buy the smallest I can get and put it in DS2s freezer. 

Back to work tomorrow and then it’s my weekend off, normally I work alternate days but having a block of days off is quite nice.
Anyway bye for now

cuddlymarm

Good morning guys 
Its dull and miserable here this morning and I don’t plan on going far. I’ll probably potter about and spread my jobs out in between cups of coffee.
I really need to prune next weeks shopping list down, it’s been creeping up over the last few weeks cos I’ve been stocking up and putting away for Xmas. But my cupboards are full now so I only need a couple of Xmas bits a week extra now up to the big day so I really need to cut it down. The Xmas presents have gone on the credit card, naughty I know but a lot of it has been ordered online and other bits I’ve seen when I’ve not had the money in my current account. I get paid weekly so pay as much off the credit card as I can afford each week and just leave myself the bare minimum.
i also really need to do a menu plan. I’ve slipped into the what do I fancy rather than making sure I’m eating a balanced diet and I could do with stretching what I’ve got to save a few pennies. 

Sad I know but I’m looking forward to Strictly tonight, We’ve got into the habit of zoom calling the set of friends we used to watch it with ( we took turns visiting) on a Saturday evening to keep in touch. It’s not quite the same but better than never seeing them. It’s funny how second nature it has become to work round what we aren’t allowed to do any more.
Anyway better get dressed I supposed 
Bye for now 

cuddlymarm

Hi guys
ive been quite proactive this morning. The Sunday lunch is prepped and I’ve finally had a go at making fridge dough. I determined not to spend another penny on food this week, I’ve slipped into bad habits of buying extras which we dint need and adds up.
I’ve ideas for the fridge dough. I may try adding raisins and then sugaring the top to make a type of currant bun and making a type of garlic naan to go with curry night, as well as buns and loafs. I’ve also mashed the bananas in the fruit bowl that weren’t going to be eaten to make cake or muffins later in the week. 

I do need to spend this week but it will be Xmas presents. All the lists are in ( better have things that the family want) so I can get it all bought and wrapped in case the Tier 3 gets lowered and we can get the presents swapped.We do add sweets and surprises too. 

It’s gone really autumnal here but I’d put the winter duvet on and it’s too hot, so we’ve gone back to the thinner duvet with added blankets so that we can add or remove as needed. We’ve still not needed the heat on and the windows are open, I don’t understand this weather. At least it is saving on people’s fuel bills.
Keep well and safe guys
TTFN

WinterWarrior

What did you think of strictly? There are some to watch and some...not so good 🤣 Anton has been sold a lemon again, but he soldiers on with grace!
we've had the heating on a bit already, so it must be milder by you. I’ve just thrown out some bendy carrots into the garden for the wild bunnies. It doesn’t feel like a waste when I get the enjoyment of seeing the bunnies munching them.
 I’m waiting for pay day on Friday...the home stretch.