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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

It's a Leap Year, so we've an extra day to wait until Christmas! Countdown to Christmas 2020, thread 3!

999 replies

NoWordForFluffy · 29/02/2020 07:13

300

Morning!

New thread for our 'bonus' day today.

It's the anniversary of our gran dying today; she was a brilliant lady. Very young at heart. ❤️❤️ Very knowledgeable too.

It's windy today, isn't it? We have a Spanish-named storm coming across.

I think corona is concerning in the sense that any potential pandemic is concerning generally. And, as I said, I'm not that keen on being quarantined for a fortnight or more!

I also don't trust our government to act in our best interests over the whole thing.

Anyway, kids' party with DS today. Wooooo!

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Original poster
NoWordForFluffy · 22/03/2020 08:37

I dunno. We have very little spare money, so if I don't have to spend it I'd prefer not to!

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WreckTangled · 22/03/2020 08:43

Same here but self employed people would have even less if all of their clients stopped paying.

Original poster
NoWordForFluffy · 22/03/2020 08:45

I'll see how it goes! I have to prioritise my family though. Hopefully the government will come up with a better package for SE people this week.

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WreckTangled · 22/03/2020 08:51

Yes they've been awful so far. I would love to stop paying dds piano lessons!

FireflyGirl · 22/03/2020 09:11

DS's swimming lessons are at my gym, which is now closed, but the teacher is employed by the gym, so she'll still be getting a wage. They haven't said yet what they're doing about the rest of the lessons I've already paid for, but there's only a couple left. I assume next term's will be held over until the gym reopens.

There was only one session of his after school club left, and two sessions of Rugbytots, so I don't mind so much about losing those, especially as I think they are self-employed.

We're very fortunate that we are both still working and still bringing in a wage, so we can afford to lose that money.

FireflyGirl · 22/03/2020 09:14

My Mother's Day card and present from DS. Freshly picked from the garden, complete with wildlife Grin

I've just chucked the bugs back out of the window!

It's a Leap Year, so we've an extra day to wait until Christmas! Countdown to Christmas 2020, thread 3!
Original poster
NoWordForFluffy · 22/03/2020 09:59

I've made Yorkshires and cupcakes today. I'm avoiding the allotment! 😂😂

The kids will ice the cakes later on, once cooled.

It's a Leap Year, so we've an extra day to wait until Christmas! Countdown to Christmas 2020, thread 3!
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FireflyGirl · 22/03/2020 10:19

Very proactive, Fluffy.

I've been raiding the freezer, so we have lamb shanks in the slow cooker for tea (bought half price in Aldi a couple of months ago - I'm not so posh I routinely have lamb shanks in the freezer Grin). I will be trying to make Yorkshire puddings this afternoon, but you and Wreck put me to shame. Any tips??

Original poster
NoWordForFluffy · 22/03/2020 10:21

The Lakeland Yorkshire pudding tin is a godsend!

I use a stick blender to get lots of air into the batter too.

This recipe - scaled down to 3/4 - is good too.

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NerosFiddle · 22/03/2020 10:23

Mrs I have voucher codes for matalan if you'd like one.

Dh has had to go out to brave the shops there. We have no bread or milk left.
He's also been put on the emergency rota this evening, so that's even more changes of catching this thing.

WreckTangled · 22/03/2020 10:32

Yes also make sure the oil in the tin is really hot and no peeking before the time is up!

Fluffy I've only just got dressed Grin we can't get any eggs so can't bake. My dad said he will soon have pheasant eggs but not sure how they'll be in Yorkshire's Hmm

Original poster
NoWordForFluffy · 22/03/2020 10:34

Yes! We put the tins into the oven when it's turn on. It's sizzling by the time it's up to temp.

Eggs are eggs, hopefully! We have frozen ones from our Brexit stash, but fresh are better in Yorkshires. Frozen can go in cakes!

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NerosFiddle · 22/03/2020 10:36

Fluffy I might have a go at yorkies today. I've never actually made them, I don't think so anyway.

pussycatinboots · 22/03/2020 10:56

Firefly about the yorkshires: Viagra and a foot pump Grin that should do the trick.

Themostwonderfultimeoftheyear · 22/03/2020 11:23

Hope you are down the allotment now fluffy!

We have been very productive at ours this morning. Built another bed and planted strawberries, onions and garlic.

It's a Leap Year, so we've an extra day to wait until Christmas! Countdown to Christmas 2020, thread 3!
FireflyGirl · 22/03/2020 13:56

I get about an hour before DS gets bored. I've planted potatoes, set up the hoops for the brassicas, and planned out the strawberry bed. Just need to dig it over and relocate the strawberries that are running rampant across the rest of the plot Grin

It's a Leap Year, so we've an extra day to wait until Christmas! Countdown to Christmas 2020, thread 3!
Original poster
NoWordForFluffy · 22/03/2020 14:57

I went, yes! I did about 2.5 hours' work in the end. Digging mares tail heads out rather than where I actually wanted to dig. Getting there though. Finally.

DH brought the kids across for a bit, which was nice.

I'm tired now! I need more sleep tonight!

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PJMasksGhekko · 22/03/2020 15:16

Afternoon, Chicken is in for a roast dinner, I don't normally do them unless I have annual leave, which I have this weekend, Animal Crossing was one of the new Switch games delivered, me and DD2 have been playing it today, it's quite relaxing, until we shook a tree and got stung by bees Grin

Themostwonderfultimeoftheyear · 22/03/2020 15:23

Good work fire and fluffy!

Original poster
NoWordForFluffy · 22/03/2020 17:57

The game sounds amusing, PJ!

Most, you're starting to get somewhere now, aren't you? So are you, Firefly! We were saying how nice it is that we have somewhere to go to which is 'out', but not busy.

It was so lovely there today!

I've loads of grape hyacinth in bloom and some bluebells. And the forget me nots are back too. My fruit trees all have buds on. It's just so nice there.

The birds have been enjoying the food too. The feeders are always empty by the time I get there on a Sunday!

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whydoesitalwayshappentome · 22/03/2020 18:45

Hi folks. One shift to go. Almost there now.

Had a laugh with the on duty social worker as I discovered you can message through the call handling system and tried it out. He nearly had heart failure because his laptop started flashing red and buzzing!!

Hope you have all had a good day. To add to the scenario I had forgotten it was mother's day as well.

Mrsmadevans · 22/03/2020 19:27

Nero thank you for the offer of your Matalan codes but l have some they sent me but thank you so much for the offer so kind of you m'dear Smile
Well done on the allotment work you three ! Looking really good and really coming along , well worth the hard work when you see the progress you have made Smile
Fluffy your cooking is amazing , am drooling at your Yorkies, l didn't know you could freeze eggs but l will try that Smile
'grape hyacinth in bloom and some bluebells. And the forget me nots' these and Snowdrops are my favourite l just love them Smile
Have been to Mum's, had to go anyway so wouldn't have if the circumstances were any different. l mean what am l supposed to do, l can't suddenly stop caring for her , how the hell would she manage she can't do anything for herself. If we do have to isolate then my sister will have to step in then Hmm
I have tried to get her to get Bob to move in with her or vice versa but they are both being really stubborn. I can't make them do anything and l just feel like they are writing their own death certificates. I hope l am wrong Sad what a complete mess this is .
Anyway l did have 2 cards and 2 prs of leggings and 2 prs of earphones so l am more than happy. I told them not to get me anything to keep them from the shops but DD2 had already bought me them bless her Smile
Why you did very well Smile well done to you Smile
PJ my Dh did a lovely roast chicken dinner for us too, it was gorgeous Grin
Ours was from the freezer too Fire A pound from Waitrose a couple of months back Grin l reckon it tastes nicer when it's an oops Grin
Hope everyone is ok , take care all Smile

WreckTangled · 22/03/2020 19:35

I've written up a loose time table for the dc tomorrow. Hopefully it'll mean I can get on with some work without them bothering me! DH has threatened them with detention if they don't comply Grin

Feeling a bit more positive today (as I don't have a feeling of impending doom). Had an afternoon nap which helped!

Mrs you're right to continue to go to your mums, it's not like you're not aware of the infection control measures that need to be taken.

PJMasksGhekko · 22/03/2020 21:34

We have also discovered that spiders bite and make you faint, and we sold rocks that were needed to make an axe, which we need to make to cut down tree's, I don't know about DD2 but I'm enjoying it Grin

I'm loving all these pictures of allotments, I wish I was more green fingered, but it's not to be.

Dh heard a massive argument while in the garden, there was alot of swearing and threatening words, between 2 neighbours.

PJMasksGhekko · 22/03/2020 21:37

Your sister stepping up is a bit like someone expecting a dead beat Dad to pay maintenance, it's not going to happen, but your sister will still want her fair share of money won't she? I hate people like that, can't say too much, but my brother in law now has no relationship with his sister due to his behaviour, which is sad but inevitable.