Milann’s quest for a new me in 23

milann

Meal out and catch up was lovely. There should have been 7 of us but ended up with a select 3…..everyone else backed out for one reason or another…..there are a lot of bugs about. I do actually prefer smaller gatherings. 

Dh is out later so I’ve got an evening of my choice of tv and crochet and I might just finish with a mulled wine that needs using…shame to waste it 🍷

EssexHebridean

Sounds like you've been getting some nice trips out Milann - and glad you enjoyed Donny too! 

Definitely agree with decluttering the mulled wine - this is after all a money saving forum and it would be just plain wrong to waste it! 

milann

Yesterday we had the merging of the different U3A groups involved in a little Christmas entertainment next week. 😂😂😂😂It was very amusing watching certain personalities that run said groups trying to work together. Lest said the better and pantomime in more than one sense of the word comes to mind.😂😂😂 it’ll all be ok on the day though. I wouldn’t mind but it’s only just over 1/2 hour long. 

From there we went to a shopping mall across the Pennines …it’s a lovely ride, even in the rain…i much prefer it to the shopping mall nearer home as it has ‘normal’ shops rather than the many higher end shops we have. We wanted a children’s learn to play an instrument type of book and wanted to see it in the flesh before buying, as part of gks present. Not only did we find one but found one for a left handed player too. I didn’t know such a book existed 😀 Our music shop has some  instruments but has evolved to selling musical merchandise like t shirts instead of books. Dh treated us to a late dinner early tea and we seemed to spend a long time sitting and chatting and resting.  Much as I love said shopping centre and have been visiting since soon after it was built over 30 years. I still end up going round in circles in there 😂😂 Anyway a couple more presents were bought and Dh deliberated over buying another musical instrument. I did tell him to get it whilst he’s still working as he does enjoy it….he’s probably not a natural musician but it gives him a lot of pleasure. I also bought some flat shoes I’d tried on a couple of weeks ago when I went into town with a friend. They’re not my 1 st choice but I can’t very well go out in a posh frock and trainers when i meet friends next week. 

I’m in the process of finally making my Christmas cakes….all my good intentions of the past week have been thwarted by a better offer of some sort. I’m sitting at the table whilst I do everything though as my ankle has gone really bad again….but it’s getting done. 

Much cash has left my purse and cc over the past couple of days. £24 went toward the cake ingredients from my reward card though so that felt like freebie ingredients 😀

beanielou

Nothing wrong with a dress & trainers! 

milann

I absolutely agree for some dresses Beanie but this particular one needs shoes…..preferably high heels but that isn’t going to happen 👠 I didn’t expect to get into it but it’s a very forgiving dress. It looks like a skirt and top but is a 1 piece. It’s so heavy as it’s completely covered in little black shiny beads. I’m not sure if it’s OTT but I’m wearing it anyway 😂😂 I bought it a few years back in a moment of madness when we were wanting to go on a cruise….my cruise (that never happened 😏) dress. I have worn it several times for Christmas dos.
Cakes are smelling good. A bit of a problem when I remembered I’d got rid of some of my tins and big mixing bowl when we had the kitchen work done 3 years ago. But a clean washing up bowl and plenty of grease proof and brown paper to extend a shallow tins sides did the job 😉 

milann

Been a busy few days. I visited my brother yesterday….I’d done some cooking to take with me as my sil has just had an op. I still find it hard to think she was only in hospital overnight. The first similar op she had about 10 years ago she was in 10 days which was routine. They’ve really struggled as my brother isn’t in good health.  Anyway I got a taxi to the tram station as I didn’t think I’d get parked and I was right and I was loaded up with home made ready meals. That was £7.50. We had a lovely afternoon so it was worth it and they were very appreciative.  Dh met me in the big city nearby on my way home and we had a mooch around the markets which were lively enough to create a Christmas atmosphere but not too crazy. 

I should have been going to aqua today and tomorrow but I’ve cancelled as I just haven’t got the energy. A bit of a lazy day today to recoup. 

foxgloves

Love making the Christmas cake, @milann - best cake of the year. We have a slice with our coffee every morning until it's gone, then we really miss it. Mr F never used to eat it before he met me. He doesn't like the dark traditional ones, but the one I bake is the jewel cake recipe from the WI Christmas recipe book & it has nothing in it darker than sultanas. We both love it. 
F 

EssexHebridean

MrEH made our christmas cake on sunday milann - it's a fantastic smell isn't it! I fear that Mr Foxgloves wouldn't like it at all though - it's got masses of raisins and currants, and a good dollop of gooey black treacle! (And rum - plenty of that!)

foxgloves

Lol, sounds fab, @EH, but you're right, Mr F wouldn't cope with that at all! I on the other hand would love it.
F

beanielou

Am I the only one who does not like Christmas cake?!
I inly like the marzipan & icing~~yum.