The Bluestocking does a late night flit again

[Magpiecomplex]

New thread, you know the drill!

I'm doing bits of outstanding diy on the house and garden today, and then church this evening.
Although I'm currently being sat on by Girlcat, so I may be some time in getting going.

We have long arms?

wouldn't they shrink whenever it rained?

Sloth emulation going on here. I've put a load of washing on and that's about as much movement as I'm prepared to do!

I’ve given myself a gentle morning; some chores at a slow pace and cups of coffee. Going to my neighbour’s for lunch. It’s a bit of an event as two others will be there too and I haven’t seen them for a few months. I’m a bit nervous as I don’t know to what degree they’ll want to talk about things.

Have decided to take a bottle of Prosecco. As a gift for the host as, although she loved flowers, I am sick of flowers (sorry, flowers). I’m drinking coffee, thinking about the social awkwardness of taking a bottle at lunchtime. Could look like I’m expecting us to drink it, which I’m not particularly invested in. I will have to say something like “This is for you” to allow her to put it in the fridge for later, I suppose. I’m not good at hosting etiquette but often feel I’m not good at guesting etiquette either. All thoughts welcome…

Went to my DB for a very boozy BBQ yesterday. Last alcohol before surgery. Feeling fragile today. It’s my own fault so no need for sympathy. I haven’t got dressed, just in my pjs, lounging around. DH says I’m practising for when I’m in a cast for six weeks.

Can't go wrong with a bottle of prosecco, Swashy, and it really doesnt matter if your friend drinks it now or later.
A gift is a gift is a kind thought.

Hope you have as lovely a time as you can
X

Thanks, Fuzzy ❤️.

I imagine it will go that English way. I say it’s a gift for her, she says we must open it, I say there’s no need and she could keep it for another occasion, she insists….yada yada.

If the other two guests come bearing the same gift, this could cover the small talk stage nicely 🙂.

I've had a busy weekend, and have also decided to have a bit of a break from MN.

Except for the thread I'm about to post on Style and Beauty (NOT my usual habitat), I won't be about much.

Will keep all you wins in mind, though, and 💙to Swashy.

Happy break Edith. You'll be missed.

I think the Prosecco sounds like the perfect gift Swashy 💙and it really doesn't matter when it gets drunk. I hope the lunch is nice relaxed get together.

I have had a few days away from MN after the tribunal, I felt a bit wrung out by it all. However bar-gerbils I am in the mood for a cold drink outside in the sunshine. I think a glass of Prosecco will hit the spot. Cheers!

It’s almost 8:30am where I am, and I’m still in bed drinking a cup of tea and reading stuff on my iPad . I don’t propose to do anything other than this for another hour or so. DH has gone downstairs to feed the cats so there are no other demands on me right now.

I can't say I've achieved much this morning, though I was up reasonably early. I got caught up in a couple of other threads. I only read the 'FWR' [actually FS&GD, but that's less catchy] board, and apart from this one, obvs, only interact with the occasional thread. It could take over otherwise, as it often takes me a long time to work out and then compose my posts.
The tribunal threads were exhausting, thank heavens they didn't work long hours!

Myrtle, I hope the BBQ feels more worth it after a few strong coffees! Was that the DB who had the heart-to-heart with your nephew? I hope he is feeling supported and stronger.

I'm glad you let us know you're away for a bit Edith, otherwise I'd be doing my mental census of Stockingers and thinking 'Hmmmm. I don't think Edith has popped in for a while - I hope she's OK..'
So it's nice to know it's just a break - see you later

Swash, if you're having lunch with people who haven't seen you for a while, I think they may be the ones wondering what to do and say, to make it nice for you.
They care about you, and may feel unsure how to show it appropriately.

You don't have to be the perfect guest, you don't have to be anything except there, in their friendly company. Floating not swimming.
I hope you have a nice time with them.💙

And Prosecco? perfetto!

Far to late to be of any use to Swashy, but surely if you take an unchilled bottle of Prosecco then it’s unarguably not for drinking straight away?

I’ve been out for a very pleasant visit to one of my favourite gardens which is only open one Sunday per month and is in Historic Houses so is ‘free’. Currently drinking some Regal blend tea, and will then go and edge the other half of the front lawn, having done half yesterday while it’s still reasonably soft after the deluges earlier last week.

I've done nothing all day, except fight the cat for control of the pistachio chocolate hoard.

Filled up my actual swimming pond in anticipation of it being belting hot tomorrow.

It warms up by 2ish so is grand for cooling off after working outside on other peoples garden.

My real pond is behind and far too small and slimy to share with critters.

sitting outside with a glass of wine and a snowball or three.

Hope your afternoon goes well swashy xx

Are you, as in youse, expecting a heatwave? I must check the forecast, but it looks vaguely October-ish here, so I doubt if we'll be having one.
Your set-up looks lovely, Banned, very 'Club Tropicana, drinks are free...'

@MarieDeGournay Predicted to be 24c by 12 noon up to 28c by 4pm. Tomorrow 31c Tuesday, 29c Wednesday

so hot hot hot

The dragonflies are back, they visit around this time every year. I love watching them zip around and there's plenty of flies for them this year.

Thanks for the reassurance, all.

Love the “floating, not swimming” image, Marie.

It was nice. We sat in the garden initially. Someone else had brought white wine so we drank that, and one of us had red. I put the Prosecco in the fridge and we didn’t drink it. (I had already been chilling it at home, Errol.) Lovely three course meal and nice, easy and gentle company.

Walked the hound later than usual due to the heat.

That’s a cool pool, Banned. Can you really swim in it?

Who won?

@Swashbuckled Well swim would be a bit of a stretch but i can lie on my back and float.

@Bannedontherun I bet you could also sit cross legged and the water would reach your neck. Looks lovely!

It was 55 quid can get a few people in it plus the grand babies who love it.

but i do have to set it up and take it down which is worth it