The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

We had a lovely festive time yesterday making the truffles.  I had assumed that it would be a fairly child focused event but it was actually very much for adults or older children.  I really felt for the couples that had bought their 2 toddlers with them.  Thankfully my 2 were fine and perfectly aged.  We all came home with 2 boxes full of rich truffles - not actually tried them as yet.  I then went to my wreath making workshop which was harder than I expected.  Even though I had looked for ideas prior to going I just had no creativity and couldn't think what to do.  Eventually after a hot chocolate and piece of cake I figured it out and am happy with the results.  I took some lights and baubles with me so they are on there too.  I wish I had gone with someone as felt quite alone as everyone else was in big groups of friends.  They were friendly though so not completely on my own.

Today DS is off with XH while DD2 has decided she doesn't want to go.  So it will be a girly day decorating, cleaning and doing the washing.  DD1 has got a new job and it will be every Sat and Sun so thought I may get every other Sun to myself as the others go off with XH.  I have a feeling DD2 may decide not to go much longer so it will be her keeping me company instead.

Need to do a food shop at some point today as things are looking a little bare in places.

slm6002

Goodness me another weekend has arrived.  December is flying by.  I've had a few sleepless nights with a poorly stomach but day times have been fine - not sure what is going on there, but thankfully last night was better.

I need to make a bit more of an effort around food shopping for the Christmas holidays.  So far I have very little and the box of treats that we have received for the past 2 years will not be happening this year, so I need to go and buy bits.  I always have a turkey in the freezer too in case we cant get to my sisters for any reason.  I need to see if we ate last years one or if it is still in the freezer in the garage.  As we normally go to my sisters the food we get is a back up, but this year we are at home so I will need to make sure I don't forget anything.  It gets to this time of year and I try to hide away from actual in person shopping as I cant stand the crowds so I need to see if I can pick up a couple of online shopping slots.  Time for a list I think.

Tomorrow I have a craft session to go to and am taking a work friend along.  Then on Sunday I have a stollen making workshop with a good friend.  All very Christmassy and fun.  I have loved trying all of the new crafts and experiences this year.  Fingers crossed that I can sign myself up to some others next year.

Right off to read a few more diaries, get dinner (pulled pork that has been cooking all day in the slow cooker) and then a list of food to buy.

LeighofMar

Pulled pork sounds delicious. Putting it on my list to get next week.  Congrats on your craft workshops. They do sound fun and engaging and glad you are enjoying them. Hope the stomach ailments and poor sleep resolve quickly. And if you did get snow, enjoy. It used to snow at least once or twice regularly here in the South US and now it's a rare sight and gone too soon even when it does fall. Stay warm.

slm6002

@LeighofMar thank you.  I hadn't done any real crafting other than school nativity costumes etc or the odd Christmas tree decorations for the local museum while with XH.  This year I have tried many new things and enjoyed them all.  I am glad I am not alone tomorrow, and hoping that even though we haven't spent time out of work together it wont be awkward.

I love pulled pork because it is so easy, providing I remember to put it in the slow cooker - forgot yesterday!

No snow here as yet but maybe for Christmas day?  We have however had some days where the frost has stayed all day and its been like snow.  That was pretty.

slm6002

A busy week - seems one post has been lost so looks like I've been awol for a while.  Stollen and felting went very well last weekend, and I really enjoyed them both.  Seems like forever ago.  This week has been another full on week.

From celebration breakfasts for DD2 at school (extra early start required), then car service (second early start of the week) then normal clubs all starting to finish for the end of term, Christmas meal out with work, so busy busy busy.

The car service went well but we still don't know why it keeps stopping mid drive.  Hopefully just the change of spark plugs and oil change will help.  Unfortunately that evening when on the way to our work meal the headlight bulb went and when the car was full of friends we had a puncture.  After a lot of working out plan b we were in the pub enjoying ourselves (only 3 min late).  Friends husband kindly came and changed my tire after having to search for the wheel nuts and then DD1 and her mates gave him a lift home.  Down on paper it looks quite simple and straight forward, but it didn't feel like it.

Anyway I am shortly off for a blood test to check some bits out and then I am off to the garage, as they couldn't fit me in yesterday.  I did get the bulb sorted yesterday.  

Tonight is DD2's band concert.  My dad has decided not to come along as doesn't want to get ill just before Christmas - been very cautious since covid.  I am looking forward to a day of nothing tomorrow - well plenty to do, just no appointments lol.  3 days at work to go, including the Christmas  lunch and secret Santa that I seem to be involved in.

Right best get off to the doctors

slm6002

Yesterday was busy but I achieved all that was needing to be done.  I did start to snooze on the sofa just before needing to go out to the concert, but we got there on time and it was a lovely night.  It is the first one with the new band so was a little different to the normal shows that we put on.  Still very good though.

So far today I have had a little lie in - then realised delivery was about to arrive so quick get up and dressed for me.  All delivered and only 1 substitute which was fine by me.  It contained a few boxes of biscuits for gifts so I think that I can get all gifts sorted now apart from my best friend and her family, which I have no ideas for.

That is my plan for today - wrapping, clearing, washing.  DD2 and DS are with XH and DD1 is about to go out with her friends.  I have refixed some lights in the back garden that had fallen down over a week ago and fished out the Christmas table wear bits from the garage.  Slowly ticking things off the list

slm6002

Washing all washed and just the last lot in the dryer. 

Santa has wrapped all of the stocking gifts.  DS's are looking a little spare, but for the last few years he has asked 'shall I open things slowly'.  He knows Santa spends the same amount roughly, its just his are bigger as not so easy to buy for. 

All other presents have been wrapped ready to hand out this week - just waiting on some plants which will finish things off.  Hopefully they will arrive tomorrow and I will only need to keep them alive for a short while.  Even managed a few spare gifts for the unexpected visitor

It looks like the new neighbours are moving in - so far only seen the young lad and his parents.  Sure there was a young girl too with her parents looking, so I guess once DD1 is home and being nosey we will get an update.  She really is terrible and is the local neighbourhood lookout.

slm6002

Last present purchased - yay.  I do apparently need to do some shopping for DD2's friends.  Should be a quick trip to asda for some chocolate

slm6002

DD2's gifts for friends purchased.  Christmas cactus for friends arrived and have been put with the correct boxes of chocs or biscuits - will deliver all very soon so I don't need to take care of them for too long.

Last night I collected some olio food from close by roasted the veggies in the oven.  Will turn them into soup and pasta sauce later today.  Also had some more party food which has gone into the freezer.  I also have 3 vases of roses dotted around the house too.  I have some cabbage in the slow cooker too, which I will freeze ready for Christmas.  The freezer is already full to bursting

DD1 & DS's school had some issues with the water supply yesterday which might mean that they cant open today - we are waiting to see.  A little worried as our school get their dinners from their school so if the school is shut our Christmas meal is not going to happen.  We have been assured the water board are going to work through the night to sort the issue.

Anyway 2 days to go

slm6002

Half a day to go.  The children are all done now due to the school and its water issue (flooded as well as no running water or heating).  They have the dentist this morning so still need to get them up and functioning before I go.  I am so so tired and cant wait for a lie in hopefully tomorrow, but no time for sitting around as still plenty to get done in the next few days.  Right time to get going