From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

Greying_Pilgrim

Right, so we're back.  

We went on a different walk today, although we ended up coming back the way that we normally walk home from Greying town.  

We actually walked - drumroll please - for 5.2 miles today!  1 mile more than yesterday!  Which means in 2 days, LG has walked very nearly 9.5miles, which is absolutely brilliant, but also unprecedented!

Highlights of the walk include seeing a heron flying about - a lone one today.  I spotted some allotments, that whilst i had heard of, had no idea that they were located where they were.  Plus, there are either two sites, or the site is a huge long, wrap, around site.  Wonder if they have vacant plots? 🤔  We also saw a jay, found a new play park that we didn't know existed, and spotted lots and lots of lovely decorations/lights on houses.  Two of the houses were clearly raising funds for local hospices.  We also saw 2 'post box toppers' - the one was really very good - someone was a talented knitter.  Then when we got to the stretch of road that we normally walk out of town, I heard some birds that i thought were goldcrests.  Blow me, a couple of them were in a conifer type tree (don't ask me what sort - but it was very tall), dancing about in the branches above us.  LG had wandered off, so I was trying to hiss at them to 'come see', whilst pointing out the birds, without disturbing them.  Someone came out of the house as I was doing all this - must have frightened them, as I was obscured by their front hedge, and they were wearing earbuds.  Anyway, LG ambled back and we were both treated to not only seeing the birds in the conifer, but blow me, they flew out onto a bare tree beside us and we got an absolutely exquisite view, with the sun highlighting the gold - crest, and 2 more flew out of the tree into the same garden.  4 Goldcrests!!!  Absolutely stunning to see - they are normally so shy - and the fact that LG saw it too, was just the icing on the cake.  There must be plenty of goldcrests in that area, as that is where i heard them (but didn't spot them, as they were too high up in the tree) with the merlin app a few weeks ago.  Oh, and I forgot to say, when we were in the first area of our walk - actually it was formerly a village, but as the way of urbanisation is now sort of integrated into Greying Town - we came across 2 lumps of coal that had obviously been dropped during a delivery.  LG is clearly spoilt, as they claimed to not know of the tradition of a 'lump of coal' for norty boys and girls.........

When we got home we had one of the welshcakes each (the rest are in the freezer), and a foil wrapped biscuit that DH brought home from work yesterday.  Think we've earnt a treat today!

I have yet to make the pasta sauce for tonight's tea, but will get onto that just now.  

LG wasn't such a willing walker today - I can only think yesterday's pleasant time was due to getting out of the house so that old ma didn't notice what had happened to the tree...... But they did accompany me, and I think even they were impressed as to how far we'd walked - and there were things to see, and we've found places that can be explored in the future too. 

Greying X

kayannie

Your walk sounds just what was needed! I feel that you never regret getting out in the fresh air whatever the weather, but what you do regret is not getting out, even on a wet, cold, windy day. It's not a pleasant day here today - fog so thick that it feels as if it's mizzling. Even the birds are in hiding. To add insult to injury, friends who live not that far away say it is warm & sunny there!
I hope you don't fret too much over the tree - I'm sure whatever happened was an unhappy accident on LG's part.
I must admit that I'll be glad when the 'big day' is over & we're into a new year. It always feels like a fresh new start even if it turns out to be a re-run of the old year!  
I've just made some mince pies & made a few cheesy herb biscuits with the bits of left over pastry so there would be a few savoury nibbles (or there will be if I stop eating them!). Shame if there's none left as they look quite festive - I used tree & star shaped cutters.
Have a very happy Christmas & best wishes for 2025.
KA xx

redofromstart

Merry Christmas to you and yours GP.

beanielou

Have a happy Christmas. 

Greying_Pilgrim

Thank you for all your kind wishes, it's so super appreciated.

We managed to all stay in bed until 6am...... 🤣  Apparently Santa was exiting via the gift-re-stocking-shop as DH went down stairs, and the thermal camera showed an image which... disappeared through a locked door.....

LG is currently playing with their gifts, which they seemed strangely knowledgeable about, even before the item was unwrapped .........😉🤣

The usual kind relatives and friends have thought about LG and remembered them at this time of year.  The usual suspects have not thought about/remembered LG.  Blessed families.   

I'm very much afraid I have put a wash on 🙁  Boring I know, but the weather forecast includes little or no breeze for the rest of the week, and I'm not yet caught up.......

Right, well best go and see if the wash has finished and peg out.  

Love Greying X

Cheery_Daff

Merry Christmas Greying! Hope your wash isn't too obtrusive and you manage to have a peaceful and festive rest of the day! How funny LG figured out what some of their gifts were 🙄😂

I only once attempted to find a present. I was rumbled, and was told 'if you find it in advance, you won't get it' 😮 I was a nervous child (and a dreadful liar) and I never looked after that, just in case. I still don't look now - I'm not interested in ruining my own surprises! 😂

(My mum also told me she'd find out if I ever swore, even if it was just in the street 😮 I believed her too and didn't swear til I was 16 - been making up for it ever since though 😂)

Hope you got a lovely present or two yourself xx

Greying_Pilgrim

Aw Cheery - LG could learn a thing or two from you!  Perhaps it is something that comes with the passing years, but I absolutely agree with you that it's beneficial to keep some things as a surprise.  Life holds precious few pleasant surprises these days - we should cultivate those that come our way! 😁

It was a lovely time listening to the garden birds pegging out.  A few moments of stillness and bliss.  Or perhaps I am just weird/easily pleased 🤣

Listening to 'Junior Choice' on R2 with Anneka Rice.  So many songs that we know all the words to 🤣 And Anneka is such a nice human being 😁

Greying X

teapot2

Merry Christmas to you GP and family, may your washing dry well and have a lovely day x 

Greying_Pilgrim

teapot2 said:

Merry Christmas to you GP and family, may your washing dry well and have a lovely day x 

"All I want fer Christmas is fer me washing to be dry, me washing to be dry, me washing. to be. drrryyyyyyy..."

🤣

Thanks love - I really hope everyone is having the best time, whatever the day looks like for them 😊 There seems to be alot of park runs happening (probably over by now), according to folk who were contacting the Rev.  Kate B and now Anneka.  Phew, exhausted at the thought of 5km......  

Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

Well that's Chrimbo Day done and mostly - washed - not dusted.

Our version didn't follow any set guidelines.  We had lentil soup for lunch - with added chipotle marinade for DH and me.  We did all have a slice of 'never fail' fruit cake after lunch. 

Tea was mostly made in the SC, although it got put in a bit later than planned, as "someone" succumbed to a 'nana-nap'........ 😕 It was a sort of chicken Qu0rn fricasse, with celery, onion, garlic and bell peppers, condensed mushroom soup and white wine, stock and herbs.  Served up with boiled lemon basmati, shredded sprouts and steamed cauliflower.  We ate it on us laps watching 'Vengeance most Fowl'.  We're all stuffed and I don't think anyone will be needing pud.   

The washing did OK out on the line.  Considering it wasn't the most breezy of days, I will say that I'm surpirsed it did as well as it did.  Was it bone dry - heck no, but it was worth doing/putting out, as I think I am nearer to being caught up than I was - and I think the weather isn't going to be conducive to drying until the weekend at the earliest 😕  At least school uniform is now washed and nearly ready for the new term, so that is one less thing to worry over.

We've not gone outside, away from the house.  I was thinking of having a walk, but seem to have found jobs to do instead - plus see afore mentioned nap......  Tomorrow I must do will be better.  

LG has played variously off and on with their gifts, alongside watching things on TV with their beloved papa.  

We have had a very 'quiet' time, but our Christmases are typically on this vibe.  And I for one am grateful that we've been able to afford a clutch of presents.  We've been the recipients of some lovely gifts and we've had food, drink and treats a-plenty.  We are stuffed and totally content.  Speaking personally, that's a win in my book.

I realise that our day is pretty pedestrian, but it's our version of Christmas, and I'm not sure what i would change.  I just asked LG had they enjoyed the day - and they said it was 'brilliant'.  I asked if they would change anything, if they were 'in charge', and the only thing they came back with was to have had a bit of help from DH with a new toy they had received, but they did also add that having DH  at home for the day had been brill, so......  

Our day probably doesn't resemble 'the norm', but I for one am grateful for having reached an age where i realise that.really.doesn't.matter.   You do you Boo 🥰

Thank you all for popping by, today and always.  You continue to inspire and support us - and for that I am extremely appreciative.  

Greying X