Gunpowder, Treason and Crepes

[CointreauVersial]

Here we are again.....

Hooray, I have curtains!

I am currently making my version of Nourishing Soup - ham broth. We'll have it tonight for dinner and then the remainder after the football tomorrow. I love recipes which do more than one day. At least if DM is asking you to make soup she must be feeling ok atm, MI.

Have a nice shopping trip, BTM. We're looking for carpet for the guestroom (DGS's words, not mine, I just call it mummy's old room).

I must say I am enjoying The Missing but yes I can imagine that it makes you feel nervous , those of you with small people. I used to make dd carry her address and my mobile number in her pocket at all times. It was especially traumatic putting her on the plane to go to Granny's aged 6-10. No wonder I was a nervous wreck for years.
Even I find Jimmy Nesbit's accent impenetrable at times though. But not quite as much as the Peaky Blinders for which subtitles would help enormously. Cillian Murphy is hypnotising though.

So glad your Dad is on the mend Crem.

Your soup sounds delicious.MI.

I am carving the pumpkin so it's pumpkin soup all round here (for the next week I reckon).

I am doing this whilst listening to a story on Radio 4 about flu transmission which is making me totally neurotic.

DSis points out it's easier for her to make soup as will be in situ

Right. I have been to Aldi (the glamour). It's a lovely day, isn't it? Though rather disconcerting evidence of climate change, I rather suspect.

That's better MI I had the same meal every time when I got home after chemo. Poached salmon, new potatoes and baby veg, prepared by my mother. It was bland but all I could stomach.
I am in a special kind of hell, in the shape of the lovely garden centre I normally stop at on the road at chessington for a driving break. There is a Halloween event on...hundreds of brats in costumes screaming and intermittent thumping music for the zombie dancethon. Make it stop. I am old, I admit it but even DD thinks it's an abomination.

I love that garden centre, Rose! Sorry it's hell today though.

Having ordered a million Naice Fishcakes - essentially salmon and potatoes! - I might take some up to stash in their freezer. Even my dad can shove those in the oven, and possibly manage some microwaved green beans....

Just had a lovely healthy lunch with MrsS - carrot cake and tea, all free

A bit more notice next time, btm - I would've loved to join you both!

Yes, I was a bit lastminute.com! Next weekday shopping will have to wait till Christmas, but I can do coffee/lunch/whatever on a weekend

Trying to get my old phone unlocked for DS to use - O2 are saying £15! Think we'll try getting it done down the lane.

Of lunch and carrot cake.

I have 4 overexcited twelve year olds here for a sleepover. I think it's going to be a long night. I'm waiting for DH to arrive so I can have wine.

It has been a most glorious day here but it feels wrong to be enjoying it in the light of climate change.

It's slightly sinister, isn't it, a warm summery Halloween. The light's all wrong.

I've just spent a lovely few hours carving pumpkins, then having a picnic at our usual spot in Epping Forest. A gang of us bring food, then hide sweets around in the woods and the children go tearing off on a treasure hunt. This has happened every Easter, summer and halloween for the past couple of years. And it's always lovely weather.

But yes - it's adding grist to my climate change apocalypse nightmares.

Another reason The Missing is so horrible - DS's favourite toy is also a stuffed fox.

I would have preferred scoffing carrot cake and coffee rather than buying carpet, two single beds plus mattresses which is what I have been doing, BTM. Carpet should be fitted next Friday, but it will be the end of November before the beds arrive.

Herbs, your afternoon sounds lovely - DS is lucky to have you to organise activities like that.

That sounds like heaven for the kids, Herbs. What a good mummy you are. It's years since I've been to Epping Forest, but I have fond memories of it.

I have just managed to offend DD1 without even meaning to. Again. It's not my fault she's 13.

I love it too Molly…it's my go- to pit stop before braving the 'London' leg of the drive back. It's usually such an oasis of calm…

I too would love empty calories in Selfridges….next time eh?

Any way there's no rest for the truly wicked. My house is being invaded by 14 year old girls wearing black…"getting ready" for a party. DD is wearing my one and only black maxi skirt which has it's (not entirely happy) uses in my wardrobe so I do hope it survives the trick or treating…I want it back!

Just back from Portsmouth, and thank goodness we grabbed a few bags of Misshapes from the Cadbury shop on the way out, because the Trick or Treaters are coming thick and fast. But we had a fabulous day, did nearly all of the Christmas shopping (I get twitchy if it's not done by mid November), and had time for a long lunch in the sunshine under the Spinnaker Tower, watching the ships go by. Utter bliss - it felt like a holiday.

And don't think I was completely self-sacrificing today; I did pick up the odd bargain for myself, including a pair of blue, mid-height heels for work, which I have been fruitlessly searching for for months. And two jumpers and a dress in Gap

I told DD2 not to make herself up excessively to take the bus so what does she do? Apparently she was ment to be a scary doll - DH and I thought it was more a scary prostitute. I have run at her with cotton wool and makeup remover - she is not pleased. Apparently I don't trust her - no I don't when it comes to her safety.

Sounds like a good day CV!

Rose, fingers crossed for your skirt!

Not quite sure what my teens are up to - D'S has gone off to meet his mates, but a party was mentioned
I have just taken DO and her mate to get passport photos - she looks like she has a Halloween disguise on (she didnt!), so I hope they will be OK - and to buy snacks for film viewing tonight. £9.50's worth
DHL has gone out and I daren't have a drink incase I have to taxi around later

My children have gone out; one is going to a sleepover (mixed!) and the other is in some sort of vague neighbourhood gang. That makes me sound slightly more vague than I am...

DD2 and her mate went out Trick or Treating earlier (dolled up in costumes and dripping fake blood; DH skulking in the shadows behind them), and returned with a cauldron of goodies. An obscene amount, in fact. I managed to get some proper food down them, but they have now retired to the playroom to eat themselves sick.

Meanwhile, DD1 is on her way back from a party, tired and moody after last night's sleepover; DS has not taken off his dressing gown all day and is being a bit of a hermit. Situation Normal at Chateau Cointreau.

Forgot to say - Crem, good to hear about DDad - long may the run of health last. And MI, pleased your DM is coping so far..... My DM is currently somewhere over Russia, en route to Tokyo for her competition win holiday. Envious, moi?

LOL! DM just appeared on Google box! Peering round the Russian painting on the Antiques Roadshow clip. Just spat my wine everywhere.