Hogmanae

[rookiemere]

This is an ongoing thread for Scottish mumsnetters - or indeed non Scottish mumsnetters such as myself, to comment on ongoing covid matters pertinent to ourselves, in a hopefully not too partisan and friendly fashion.

We didn't always have turkey when kids were small, we'd have a duck or something. One year DS2 wanted turkey so we just got some carved from the bone stuff from supermarket meat counter and heated that in gravy. A crown doesn't suit us as everyone wants a leg except me.

We've tried both ways plate everything up and the self serve.

Self serve leads to less waste or at least the leftovers can be reused. If that makes sense.

How convinced are we that restraunts/ cafes will reopen in December?
I has a bearing on how we bubble, ie it makes it easier if we can at least get out to lunch with ILs.

Oh, that does sound really worrying waxon - and especially that you can't contact him. As you say, if they think it could be DVT he can't really leave, though. Is the dye thing the same as 15 years ago? It may be a better test these days? A book is probably a sensible thing to drop off just in case.

Yep I offered to go over, be about an hour round trip or probably more by the time I find the ward to hand over. He's said to leave it for now.

He has some money so can hopefully escape to the shop bit and get a paper or something. He took his crossword book and pencil in his bag last night so has something.

There are never any leftovers on wax family plates...

He knows he may not have any reaction or might be new dyes etc but last time he couldn't work for nearly a year so it's not an insignificant risk. But at the same time a dvt, in the arm especially, can be fatal. He needs to decide. I can see both sides obviously.

@WaxOnFeckOff sorry to hear about your DH. How much time has he got to decide re the dye thing? How certain are they it is DVT?

I've no idea on timescales yoda. I think they seem pretty certain as it does fit the symptoms, they gave him an injection of blood thinners last night on the basis that it is. I'm not sure if the treatment plan would be different if they know for sure.

Wax don't want to start armchair diagnosing but that was my first thought. My Grannie had DVT years before scans and such were available. They gave her blood thinners and monitored her to make sure it wasn't moving around rather to somewhere worse rather than dispersing.

It's a real worry sat at home with no contact. Been there several times with my lot so sending you a great big unMN extremely socially distanced hug from one clarty tier 4 to another.

Last time my big bro offered to share the "women's work" and go for a joint Christmas dinner M&S shop he ended up in the QEUH with cellulitis from a scratch on his arm and the sauna. I just get on and do it now to completely suit myself.

I hate being stuck in the kitchen and taking hours for large meals. So we have starters for lunch (something like smoked salmon and crackers) and dinner at teatime just as normal (except the timing depends on the TV). We usually have roast beef rather than turkey. I would have Christmas pudding and all the other nonsense but too much rich food makes my kids sick.

Hope Mr Wax is ok.

The one year I made a stand and DH offered to cook the Christmas dinner - his DB died a few weeks beforehand and it seemed churlish to insist upon it. A bit like the time we were on a shared holiday and I put my foot down about the domestic drudgery, only for the washing machine to fall out of its hinges and garotte DNephews thumb, who then spent the rest of the week being ferried to A&E and the plastic surgery department of the hospital both of which were a good couple of hours away.

I've now decided it's simpler to do things myself , which would be fine except for feckers wandering in and out of my kitchen annoying me - at least covid will provide a good excuse ( if Christmas is at our house) - to keep my well intentioned, but flappy and fluttery DM away.

Thanks dinnyfash. Sorry to hear about all these poorly folks :(

I cook my turkey on Christmas eve so on Christmas day I just put what we'll need in the slow cooker with some stock to keep it moist.

Then I have the oven free to do the sides and roasties and DH does the veg.

Since I have the bones available on Christmas eve, I can make the gravy and stock if we want soup.

We have it down to a fine art now.

Usually means eating a takeaway with a movie on Christmas eve as I'm not keen to cook dinner as well.

I use this recipe which seems to take half the time of the usual. I use a meat thermometer and it definitely cooks

www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/the_perfect_roast_turkey_01155

Me and my dcs are having crispy duck

I must admit the actual cooking of dinner is a team effort. But the ordering if it, and ordering of presents is generally up to me.

Goodness, waxon - yes, a year out of work is quite a consideration, even though the alternative is worse. I second the socially distant vibes. And have some too... I've not quarantined them, sorry.

I confess I'm a bit rubbish at Christmas Dinner, but DH likes doing it so I act as sous chef and prep the vegetables while drinking... I'm vegetarian, and DS has turned the same this year (unexpectedly, I have to say. I think watching Babe in lockdown may have triggered him) so we usually have something stodgy, pastry based and delicious if it's just us, with pigs in blankets for those that want them. Though I think DH quite likes having DPs host, as he can have beef or whatever they are having, guilt free. And cake. So Much Cake.

I will be on my own for Christmas. So I can have anything that I want this year. Haven’t really thought about it yet though.
I usually make the dessert to take with me when I go to family or friends in previous years

Waxon fingers crossed for DH, I hope he is ok.

Running are you not in a bubble with someone?

Thanks all just picked him up and waiting on script. He's going to get a ct without dye as an outpatient so all good. 😊

That’s good @WaxOnFeckOff

Another lurker here,

We are having Venison Brisket from Crombies. A bit worries as I've never cooked it before, and sad not to be seeing my elderly parents, but they're in another country, so it goes.

Glad your DP is home Wax.

Does anyone think Edinburgh might go into tier two at the next announcement? I'd love to be able to meet friends after work outside a restaurant for a pizza and a glass of wine. It feels like such a petty thing to crave, but oh how I do crave it.

Pub on my street is doing takeaway mulled wine, which is lovely, but there is something to be said for going out and seeing a friend in the evening (if careful.) Please don't attack me for wishing for this, I know the virus is real and horrible.

That’s great to hear waxon

@Bikingbear unfortunately not. My parents said I could bubble with them (I’m single/live alone so could have months ago) but bubbling with them wouldn’t have made much difference to my daily life so I declined.
And unfortunately none of my friends have really been in a position to do so. If my best friend had been able to them I would have joined her family in an instant.

And as for bubbling at Christmas I just don’t feel it’s worth it for one day. I have a massive fear of having to isolate rather than actually wanting to follow the rules. So easier to just stay on my own.

Iv been alone for months so won’t make any difference on Christmas Day.

Welcome @theotherfossilsister please don’t lurk any longer it’s a friendly bunch here.

I would give anything for Edinburgh and Midlothian to be loved to level two so I can see friends again even just for a walk. So absolutely understand your craving for meeting for food etc

Hello @theotherfossilsister

Waxon glad you've got him home

Running big hugs I don't know how you are coping with the loneliness, when I lived alone I was out constantly, gym, and swimming and stuff. I hope that everywhere drops a level, level 4 is doing my head in.

I'd be surprised if they knock Edinburgh down a level as West Lothian are still pretty high and testing positivity rate is high. Neighbours can be a problem.

I'm considering just getting a takeaway on Christmas. Never have before. I'll be on my own for dinner. @runningpink I feel the same about isolating.