Gran Chat!

[Gemini]

Good morning everyone.

Busy here with GSs 1 and 3 here plus DD3 joining us for lunch later.

I will catch up with you all later

[Oma]

We had a lovely time at the farm shop and of course spent more than we intended but it's amazing in there,
We also had lunch in the new Orangery they have built, it's huge.

Well I ended up with two ornaments and a small nativity scene,
I'm not religious but I have always wanted a nativity scene,
The ones I have looked at are all made of resin and not great or they are too big,
This is sort of pottery I think and just the right size , wasn't too bad a price either, cheaper than I expected out of there.
So I'm happy bunny 😁

[Lizzie48]

Hallo everyone, we have the rain today.
I was lucky enough to get into the work shop at the silver smith! I have been before with GD1 and really enjoyed it, when I saw it on the list of the workshops we could sign in for I hoped I would be in time for a place, I was. I have been this morning, there were 4 of us, only me from the organisation I do the coffee etc for. We managed to make 2 rings each, amazing how good it all went! I made them for GD2, they will share them though as they love their rings. I want to take GD2 to a workshop for her birthday, I will get that organised.

Tomorrow morning at a garden centre we have coffee, show etc as a thank you for all the help. I read that there are 10,000 volunteers in the village alone, all different organisations, there were 2 ladies there this morning from the new hospice here in the village.

Oma, you must have so many decorations for Christmas!

I took an Ibrufen before I went so I would be able to stand to do the the soldering etc, I managed but they make me sleepy!

[WeeGranny]

Been raining here since 6o’clock last night! Glad it wasn’t like this yesterday as I was dog sitting! First time at mine and he seemed to enjoy it. He was in and out most of the afternoon and found that he could stand up at the front gate and watch everyone go past! I got him in before the children came home from school. Didn’t want them to be terrified by a very large dog peering at them from above the gate! Or worse still barking at other dogs!

Art this morning. Time always passes very quickly when I’m there. It’s interesting to see what the others are doing too. We’re a very supportive group and our teacher is great for advice.

Out with DD tomorrow on a sourdough making course. I’ve done it already, but my bread which tastes great, is like a brick! Hopefully the teacher can put me right!

Busy knitting the Christmas topper for one of the postboxes in the village. The theme for this one is the gingerbread house. It’s starting to take shape but it’s a bit fiddly. I’m having to adapt the pattern I have as it’s for a house almost three times bigger! I’ll get there!

Have a good evening and hope you’re all managing to stay dry! X

[Gemini]

Well here I am at last

Fish and chip weather Nan2.

Daisy, your Sainsburys drivers seem to have a habit of arriving early!

That's lovely Oma. My mum loved nativity scenes.

Best to stay inside on such a miserable day Plant, we have ,and will only be venturing out in the car to our friend's house.

Lizzie, I have always fancied having a go at a silver workshop.

WG I love the postbox toppers.

Up early with little E (although I was awake anyway) GS1 arrived this morning. DD3 was swimming and having a sauna with a friend then arrived at ours for a shower and lunch. They are having GS2 overnight, so she and little E stayed here until it was time to collect him. Once they had gone GS1 wanted me to watch Ghosts with him so we watched a few episodes.
He has gone now, we are going to our friends G and A for tea and a catch up later.

This a a change to our original plans for tonight. SIL2's band is performing in pub and we bought tickets back in September. This morning OH and I realised we were actually both dreading it. I was awake last night thinking about it. It's a very small crowded venue, and OH should not be doing it. I only booked to support SIL and didn't really want to go, certainly not enough to go alone. This morning I told DD and SIL and explained and they both totally understood. SIL thought he had buyer for our tickets so I have emailed them to him.
SIL's dad messaged me about where we were thinking of parking etc, so I had to let him know we are not going. He said it is almost all standing which he isn't happy about - he's older than we are. I suggested he ask his DS to save him one of the few seats! So, with standing, the infection risk, a wet night and no place to park we are not sorry we are not going!
G and A had invited us round but we had originally declined due to going out tonight. Once we decided not to go OH messaged them to ask if the invitation still stood, and they said yes. We are looking forward to tonight now rather than dreading it!

[Nanto2girls]

It rained all night and its never stopped today.

Oma, nativity scene looks nice.

Gem, you were right not to go to the gig.

DS1 joined us for dinner and we all enjoyed our fish and chips.

Lizzie, i bet it was interesting at the workshop.

[Daisy]

It seems to have been a wet day all round. We got off relatively lightly, especially this afternoon, but still dull and going dark very early.

Oma, you certainly made the most of your trip to that lovely farm shop, and your nativity scene will look very nice. How is your MIL? Is she still in hospital?

Nanto, I could just do with a fish and chip supper.

WeeGranny, I'm sure you had a lovely day dog-sitting. I can just imagine him with front paws up on the gate greeting passersby. It's surprising how many people are wary of large dogs though. Even Eva spooks some people and she's nowhere near that size. I hope you'll be able to show us a picture of your gingerbread house topper when it's finished. It sounds very complicated, having to adapt the pattern, but I'm sure it will be brilliant when it's finished. Good luck with the sourdough course tomorrow. I hope the teacher can solve your texture problem.

Lizzie, the workshop sounds very interesting and I bet GD2 was thrilled with the rings you made. She'll be delighted with a workshop session for her birthday. What a lot of volunteers in your village. Your art group is just what I need! Friendly advice and support and good company.

Gem, it sounds like a sleepover version of musical chairs for the three cousins, but lots of fun for them making good childhood memories. As much as you like to support your SIL's gigs, you were right to cry off tonight's performance. Even one of those problems would be off putting. It's hard to have to say "no" but I don't think you had any other option, and it was lucky that your friends, G and A, were still free. I hope you've had a lovely evening.

Plant, your poor GD1 doesn't seem to have much luck with jobs. It's all but impossible when you have young children and need school holidays, unless she could get a job in a school.

I didn't get much done today, but quite enjoyed taking it easy. I took Eva for a long walk in the Forest this afternoon. The rain had virtually stopped and the trees sheltered us from the odd brief shower. It was very muddy underfoot though, and all the paths and tracks were covered in leaves so it was hard to pick out where they were. I think I'll have to dig out my wellies before the next walk in that area.

OH is out this evening, and I had saved a portion of cottage pie so I didn't have to cook for myself.

[Oma]

Daisy
Yes still in hospital, her BP is quite low so keeping an eye on her otherwise she is fine ,
We are going in tomorrow to see her.

[Nanto2girls]

Good morning. Still raining but not like it was yesterday.

Day 3 of no cooking.
We are going to the farm shop then onto the garden centre.
I think i only need steak from the farm shop, but we will have coffee there.
From the garden centre i want a few Christmas cards. The ones say son and daughter in law, son, granddaughter and husband, granddaughter and great grandson. I'll look for one for hubby as well.
We will have dinner at the garden centre.

[Oma]

Morning Nanto, ladies

It's a very very wet dark dreary morning rain is lashing down,
We have been to Sainsbury's to get MIL apple turnovers , she likes their's and white bread to make her a sandwich,
She won't eat any other bread,
I just bought a small loaf as we don't use white bread so I will freeze the rest for next time she's in.

Nanto
Our garden centre do lovely cards, not cheap but really nice.

[Gemini]

Good morning everyone.

Good for you with another no cook day Nan2

Daisy,I like it when I have something saved in the freezer when OH is eating out.

Not raining here Oma, but dark and dismal out there. It was so wet yesterday.

We had a very nice evening with our friends. Nice meal, good chat, glass of wine and Rummikubb!
SIL's gig went well too we hear.
The Sky engineer is due this morning. Our broadband is still patchy and below speed, and we have had no landline for over two weeks. They are adjusting the bill accordingly.
No other plans today. Tomorrow we go to the Abba Voyage concert. Train to London at 11.30 and the concert starts at 6.
DD and SIL3 and little E are going to stay here overnight to look after the cats. Not much packing to do for one night, but we will do it today.

[Lizzie48]

Hallo everyone, I have been to the party morning for the volunteers, all very well organised, but, it poured with rain on the way there so I was wet, we were asked not to go in the car because of the parking, so, I was cold, then sat there in a cold hall certainly chilled me out!!! I enjoyed it though and saw a lot of people I know. One of the ladies from the ring making workshop was there so we were showing our creations off!!!

Gem, I hope that you enjoy the Abba voyage concert.

I am just warming up!!!

2d03b900-1d07-4a1b-866b-c95e6a7e6445.jpg 58cfb71d-dfdc-4d98-a3c4-b48965ee3298.jpg

[Daisy]

A rather late Good Saturday morning from me.

Nanto, perhaps you should try for a whole week of no cooking. It would feel like a holiday. Sometimes it's hard to find just the right card, so I hope you're lucky at the garden centre.

Oma, it sounds like another dismal wet day for you. I hope MIL enjoys her apple turnovers. You're very kind getting her the treats she likes.

Lizzie, what a shame you got so cold at what was supposed to be a fun party. Once you get cold like that it's hard to warm up. The hall should have had nice cosy heating on for you all. I love the rings - they look very professional.

Gem, the Abba Voyage concert seems to have come round very quickly. I know it's not your favourite thing, but I think the atmosphere and the sheer cleverness of it will be entertaining. I hope the trains aren't disrupted by the weather. Little E is going to be so proud of looking after P and M for you. I hope Sky get your broadband working properly. It's so frustrating when it drops in and out like that.

It rained hard overnight, but the sun's shining now. If it dries up a bit we'll do some more gardening this afternoon. No other plans.

[Lizzie48]

Daisy, it wasn't in a hall as such, it was in the huge entrance of a garden centre run by mentally handicapped people, they haven't been in this location very long, I must say it is a huge improvement! A friend of mine has his butterfly house there now, I will go and. have a look one day when I have thawed out!!

[Plantaholic]

Rugby about to start, I will pop in later.