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[Oma]

Lesson learned Nana , don't do it in slow cooker

Gem your Mum wont at her age see how things are so much more expensive these days I suspect , but as you say every little helps , at least from next week your freedom is restored

Daisy a early night is a good idea , going to be a busy new years eve for you

Mimi nothing wrong with a slice of porridge it sticks to the sides and fills you up

[Nanto2girls]

Good morning. Another nice forecast weatherwise.

Unfortunately, a bit of a tough time for some members,as we head to the New Year.

Nana,not seen the recipe on Pinterest for mac and cheese. Don't go there much.
As i said earlier,there are loads of recipes on google. I understand about how a bad experience can put you off.

Have a good time tonight,whatever your plans are.

[Gemini]

Good morning and happy New Year's Eve Nan2 and everyone.
One of those wakeful nights last night. Hopefully having people around will keep me awake until 2am tonight!
Nana, in fact she would be able to do that, she is still hot on figures! She may ask me eight times in ten minutes how much she owes me for her shopping, then four more times during the afternoon if she has paid me, when she has, but change and adding are perfect. The value is another matter.

OH is golfing this morning. It's frosty, they must be mad. Not a competition, but four of them decided they needed to get back out there after the Christmas break!

Tonight is our annual New Years Eve bash. Mulled wine, nibbles, takeaways, board games, musical bells (should be hilarious, OH, T and I had a little practice the other night ) Midnight fizz and TV fireworks. I love this night, and no getting cold, no taxis, just up to bed when they have all gone. T is staying the night.

Today for me it is just preparing for tonight. Bringing folding chairs in for extra seating, a bit of dusting and hoovering, preparing mulled wine etc. I may walk down to the village to buy come croissants for breakfast tomorrow.

I hope the last day of 2019 is a good one for you all.

[Enfys]

Good morning. We’ve only just woken up...8.30..... did wake in the night but went straight back to sleep.

I have a mystery 🤔. When we opened the front door yesterday morning to go to the shops I found a plain white plastic carrier bag on the step. In it was a big box of mince pies. No note. My first thought was that DD had been out early to the supermarket and had bought them for us, maybe they were reduced. So I rang her, but no, not from her. Racked my brains and rang a friend...not from her either. Our neighbour has in the past popped round with apples from his tree etc but always rings the bell and has a chat so don’t think it’s him. My other likely friend would do the same, or at least text me or leave a note. So, was it Santa? 🙂. P wanted one at teatime and I said...maybe they weren’t meant for us...his reply..tough ..so he ate one 😀. Will I ever find out? Watch this space.

This morning we are popping out for a coffee and on the way are going to our local community centre in the village as P fancies doing a jigsaw and they always have loads there for sale. He has finished his model car and fancies doing something different he likes to keep busy.

Not doing anything tonight. DD asked me is we wanted to go over there but to be honest we’d rather see them during the day and stay home for the evening.

Have a good day whatever you are doing 🌞

[Daisy]

Good New Year's Eve morning to everyone.

Gem - I'm so glad you found your new car. I don't want to sound mercenary, but did you tell your Mum how much you had to pay for it? Is it feasible to ask her for a bigger contribution? You do use your car a lot for her benefit - visiting, shopping, banking, doctors, etc - without it you wouldn't be able to do all these things. I'm sure as Oma says that your mum has no idea about the cost of buying and running a car. When we came to replace mine a few months ago my OH was surprised how prices had gone up since I last bought one!Enjoy your New Year's Eve bash - it sounds fun.

Nanto - that graphic looks very luxurious!

Mimi - slices of porridge? I suppose you could add some hot milk to them - or spread them with jam! As a child I was always fascinated by the story of the magic porridge pot that just kept making porridge.

I need to get on with preparations for tonight. I always aim to give myself half an hour's relaxing before people start to arrive - but it never works out that way!

Thinking of all our grannies coping with worries and sadness, especially Clover, who should be celebrating her birthday today. xxx



Enfys - our posts crossed. What a mystery. I agree with P - your doorstep, your mincepies. I'm sure it was a thoughtful gesture and was meant for you, so just enjoy.

[Gemini]

Mystery Mince Pies Enfys!!

Daisy, my OH said exactly the same as you did regarding the car. Mum possibly thinks £500 is a big contribution! Without my car she would be lost. I don't feel I can ask though.

I hope you have a lovely time tonight

[Lizzie48]

These are made each New years eve here in Holland, a tradition! I have made them over the years but a lot of work just for a few. They are for sale everywhere if I need them! I did help at the "Olieball" bingo yesterday afternoon so saw enough! I will never forget the first New Year I was here, 50 years ago, we lived in with a cousin of my ex the first few months, they had 5 children then made room for us. The lady of the house spent a few days making these and me not speaking Dutch and her no English I couldn't figure out why she was making so many, she had baths, buckets etc full with them. I thought she was making them for the whole village! They were for the family and the visitors over the New Year.

Gem, pleased you have found a car, I would mention to your mother what the costs are, but, as someone else stated, she won't understand the cost of things. I once went to Holmfirth with Jan, not really heading there but when we stopped for coffee I realised where we were. Have a good time tonight.

Enfys, maybe a neighbour made too many mince pies!!! That is what I used to do with the "balls", it was easier to make a lot than a few and off the boys went delivering them. Lost a few dishes that way though.

Oma, the open house sounds good, enjoy it all.

Hope I haven't missed anyone. Enjoy New Years Eve everyone. I hope you can see the photo's.

[Mimi]

Enfys , what a mystery
It will be interesting to find out who left them on your doorstep.

Daisy my DD loved the story of the magic porridge pot, personally I would like a bank account that acted in the same way !


We don’t have anything planned for today/tonight. You can bet a pound to a penny that this evening will be the only evening in the entire of 2019 that I am ready to fall asleep at about 10ish . Usually I am still wide awake till long after 1 in the morning.
DD is popping by later but he won’t be staying long .

I hope our troubled ladies have managed to get some rest bite with their troubles.

[Enfys]

The min ce pies were in a box, 18, from Chefs Larder! Very fast too. 🙂

[Oma]

Enfys what a mystery but as long as P enjoyed them

Daisy a busy day you can have a good lie in tomorrow

Gem sounds like a hectic fun night too , I can just imagine the laughter playing games

Mimi I bet you do fall asleep hahaha anyway its only another year

Lizzie they look lovely are they spiced ?

Nanto are you at in laws today or can you rest today ?

Been out to Asda for Bread and a few bits it was dead hardly anyone around ,
Now im going to give the house a quick clean while B makes pies etc for tomorrow , I have taken a few decs down and moved the coffee table and side tables into the shed to make room for the mob to move around when they all arrive tomorrow ,
Cant wait till Thursday when I can pack everything away and get back to normal .

I did get sad news yesterday a old friend both I and B grew up with and went to school with died he was only 66 . in fact he was my very first love when I was 8 was taken into Hospital on Christmas day wasn't feeling well and had a temp , found he had Cancer everywhere and gave him a few days. My Brother was only out walking with him last week and said he was looking well and healthy . shows you don't know what life has in store for you .

[Lizzie48]

Oma, no sweet and deep fried, a bit lik donuts with currants etc in them. Then icing sugar over them! Oh dear, your poor friend, so young! So true, we never know what life has in store for us!

[Plantaholic]

As usual lately I am behind everyone else, still not dressed. Nothing planned for NYEve, family will probably be out seeing the New Year in with friends. I have to pop to Dunelm to pick up a parcel. Since I had my bedroom decorated I have changed my bedding as well.

Keep wondering how Clover is managing, especially on her birthday.

Those sweetmeats sound delicious Lizzie.

Enfys, I hope OH finds a puzzle he likes. I wonder if those mince pies were left on the wrong step?

Those of you having a party today, hope you have a lovely time. I wonder what WG will be doing?

Oma, you wonder how your friend could have been that ill without any warning signs.

[Gemini]

Lizzie are those pastries? It's interesting to hear about different traditions (Sorry I have now read your reply to Oma!)
A bit like the American obsession with Christmas cookies. They seem to make hundreds! One friend makes a tableful , in about 5 different flavours! It takes most of a day.
Plant just because we are typing doesn't mean we are all dressed I am now but wasn't earlier.
I too am thinking of Clover, on NYE and her birthday, and wondering if they went away to family as planned.
Oma, so sad about your friend I think I would choose that over a lingering death though.

Must get on!!

[Nana]

Oma I'm so sorry to hear your sad news. Not a good way to end 2019 for his family & friends. What a shock for everyone. How did your visit go with your friends who have just moved? I hope the OH is settling better now.

Plant you're not behind me, as I'm still resting up in bed. What's known as 'payback time' in the M.E community. We don't do NY celebrations in our house, just a toast at midnight (if we've managed to stay up that long 😴). Ha!

I hope everyone's celebrations go well & that you all have a happy & healthy 2020❤

[Nanto2girls]

Enfys,the mince pies could have been left as a random act of kindness. Google it.

Oma,sorry to hear about your friend. So sad.
Not at in laws today,but will be tomorrow.

Gem, i bet you will soon fall in love with your new car.

It's amazing what you can get done when hubby is out.
Bedding changed,washed and even got it out on the line in the sun.
All upstairs cleaned,back porch and downstairs loo done.
Kitchen only needed a quick tidy.
Even tidied both freezers AGAIN.