Bringing in some light

[Lidlfix]

It's hard for everyone right now, by varying degrees granted, and sometimes it's nice to blether. I'd like a thread that doesn't turn into political debate. A Chat if you like with a Scottish perspective that has a gentler vibe. I admire the posters with strong political views, knowledge, interests and thick skins - qualities I lack. But it's not for everyone.

My fig and blackberry candle is lit and my nice coloured gin bottles have wee LED lights in. I feel refreshed after my two week hols but worried about the term to come. Come share what you're doing to bring in some light, your wee treats, autumn booze concoctions or just blether.

I'm doing well with my weight: have lost the stone I put on when Glasgow went back into restrictions in August over the last 6 weeks - only have 4 pounds to go to get back to where I got to last Christmas

Had scrambled eggs in Sarti's on Wednesday while dh had their brilliant value breakfast of OJ and Italian bread toast (plus he got my two slices of toast); we had a nice wee wander around town prior to Level 4 last night. Went back in yesterday on my own and got a few things.

Well done @prettybird. I start off each day with such good intentions, but then eat chocolate and undo it all. I’ve been doing loads of exercise too in lockdown, but at my age especially it’s really only the calorie intake that matters.

@S00LA sorry 😂

I’m feeling sorry for myself too as I’m tier 4 but the look of these delights..!

@Lidlfix I’m going to try some festive type gin i got from Asda later. I’m not a big gin fan but it looks nice and was a bargain. Inspired for Mojitos next weekend as will go with the Brazilian meal DP is doing, I think.

Christmas lights: what do you think of outdoor tree lights that twinkle in time to music via a phone app? 😃 I’m thinking I can secretly play the appropriate tunes for neighbours as they stroll past

@rookiemere for the past two months I’ve been really hitting the exercise hard and it’s just starting to make a really difference. That’s why I’m so gutted with this lockdown; it’s not easy to get fitness back at fifty. I’ve been doing two weights sessions a week with a PT and two mental boxing sessions at a boxing club, and yoga. It’s cost a fortune too! Watching calories too, I’d be fine Roth out wine !

Lights that twinkle to music only you can hear? Genius. Please do it .

😂 I’m toying with putting my outdoor speaker out too but might cause offence 😃

They’re from Aldi. I think I must

Well done @WouldBeGood . I'm doing outdoor Metafit classes run by my neighbour and running as well. Probably should do some weights but don't want to trigger my neck/shoulder issue now sorted through Pilates.

I've just bought a couple of posh dresses from the charity shop - one is new from Monsoon pure silk costing £10.25 , couldn't really pass it by. Lord knows where I'm going to wear them I only went in to buy my friend a Christmas cat cushion as very sadly one of her kittens got run over . Anyway if they are too tight I'll need to take serious action- it's difficult to know if I'm pudging up when all I wear is Lycra.

@rookiemere respect, I cannot face outdoors!

I too have bought a fancy dress, and my goal is to be able to wear it at Christmas, though just me and dcs 😃

I’m now inspired by the outdoor meta fit, weights, Pt and running . Ok I’m not but I’m feeling a teeny bit more like starting back running again . I WFH a lot so can run in the few hours of daylight ( if I could get my arse in gear ). So there’s really no excuse except laziness 😳

I did go a long walk this afternoon so probably burned ...oh I dunno...about 25 calories. Last time I worked it out I had to run 8 miles to burn off a latte and a muffin.

@prettybird - how did you lose a stone in 6 weeks??? LCHF?

I’m putting up my first winter tree tonight. Not Christmas obv as it’s way too early. Spent about 3 hours last night compiling two Christmas playlists to accompany this important task.

Dammit I look like a stuffed sausage in both dresses, but if I lost half a stone I think they'd look great - or at least acceptable. So either I accept that due to my age and declining metabolism I need to start buying floaty shifty things from East or the funny boutiques in Bruntsfield (not the ones I like which are Vivaldi and Ooh Ruby Shoes) but C'est Chique with baggy cardigans from Masai warriors.

Think I'll have to stop with the evening Thorntons. Have just got an order in from Cheezee Peaszee with some truffled brie my absolute favourite . Oh well at least the Prosecco I got in for tonights visitors to shiver round the chiminea with is low calorie - only 65 calories a glass apparently.

@S00LA - yes, the MN HFLC Boot Camp. A very big "whoosh" in the first week and thereafter a healthy average of 1-2lb/week.

But wish me luck: I'm currently making a batch of my very good, if I say so myself tablet - literally stirring as I type - so going to need willpower not to sample it (we put a wee bag into the cases of wine that we sell and the last batch has run out).

I need to try that @prettybird . Plus you sell wine - how exciting- how do we buy some maybe without the tablet ?

I'll PM you rookiemere

We specialise in South African wines, which we think are tremendous value for their quality. It's just a wee hobby business.

Ooh..pm me if there’s wine!

Oh please do @prettybird we drink a fair amount of NZ wine, but not really tried much SA, and I'm all for stuffing my face and drinking supporting local businesses.

@tookienere me too. DP and I trying to save hospitality 😂 been out loads and having a hear at home from a nice restaurant tonight.

Our friends have just cancelled due to the unforecast rain. Who'd have thunk that Scotland in November would have such pish poor weather. Next time I'm in lockdown I'm going to try to be in Tenerife.DH brightened up when I said he could eat the crisps from the posh bowl that I was saving for the visitors.

Oh well another episode of The Crown for me whilst DH is pottering in the sodden garden.

Still I've got a fun filled day tomorrow- swim outside at the posh gym then bacon rolls - maybe omelette would be a better idea - with a pal, then meeting another pal for lunch and hopefully squeeze in a coffee with my friend who lost the kitten in the afternoon.Ooh anyone else making the mental connection as to why I'm porky ?

Surely the whole point of exercise is so you can eat bacon rolls? The cold weather I've decided is laphroaig friendly here, delicious.

@anon444877 Laphroaig 😍

I've spent a good hour+ plus this afternoon looking at christmas baking recipes. Probably won't actually make any of them but has cheered me up a bit!

And joiner is due tomorrow to fix window issue in bedroom that will then allow me to chase carpet fitters and hopefully get my house back in some semblance of order ASAP...

Started decorating my classroom today and my ickle firsties spotted the lights on their way out. Gasps of excitement- so infectious (in the nice pre 2020 way) and I am not finished yet! Totally worth it, tomorrow decals, snowflakes and cardboard candy canes

That’s lovely @Lidlfix

@prettybird can you Pm me wine info please? I’m a bit partial to a new world red🙂

Aw, @Lidlfix that’s proper lovely

Can't beat some nice candy canes - that sounds adorable lidl

Hope the room decorating prompts more reaction today Lidl - sounds fab

I'm still waiting for snowflakes to arrive for the house, but crepe paper arrived today and I've watched a youtube video to make sure I really did remember how to do the garlands.

Considering my current obsession with when I'm "allowed" to have a drink or chocolate or toast(!) I'm assuming that Christmas is not going to end well in terms of my diet so have just ordered Women's Health on a £3 for 3 months offer - first issue should be with me 29th December...