Weekly Chat, Sunday December 19, 2010

Thanks, george, for the good wishes.  Hope your heating can keep limping on, then.  Our boiler leaks a little occasionally.  It's in the garage & my OH tops it up with water when he sees water appearing in the drip tray we have put underneath it. By the sound of it, a lot of people have had the same problem, which my OH says is caused by the very cold weather.  Glad to hear that you & your sis in law are sharing your Christmas dinner, and hope you enjoy it.

Have made my chocolatey chocolate log and the sage & onion stuffing for tomorrow.  The Christmas mugs were found in a box behind a door, hiding!  Off now to watch 'Shrek the Halls' , which we love & think is hilarious, with a cuppa.

(Morning) Christmas Eve, already! 

Thanks all for poems, photos, greetings etc – and special hugs for Margo.  Minus ten (so thaw is on hold) and sunny, birds by the score.  Not too much prep to do for tomorrow – keeping food fairly low-key this year.  Will make some bread-sauce and prepare vegs while doing some for today.  It will be quite late when Son gets here, not even sure if he’ll make it for this evening’s meal, so preparing extra and prepared to freeze a portion if he is late and has already eaten.  Found out last night, he is staying until 2^nd January.

(Afternoon) Didn’t get this posted, so continuing to read from last night and today – only some washing up for him and ironing for me and then we’ll be ready.  Temp only reached minus 4 today.

Margo – more hugs for you – so sorry that your sister went critical Wednesday night, but good that the surgery is now done.  Praying that they have taken out a good proportion of the tumour.  I believe fitting can be quite usual after brain surgery – but obviously still upsetting for her nearest and dearest.  We pray that she will be kept calm and comfortable, and have some positive time as her care and treatments continue – and that you will manage to see her soon.  Difficult for you to celebrate Christmas and Birthday, but I’m sure your OH and your other sister will do their best for you.

Alan – was only going to reply to Margo, but just had to reply to your photo of Hamish – what a manly coat that is!!

More Seasonal Wishes to everyone else, and thanks for all the messages and cards – will let you know when Son arrives – he was supposed to be phoning updates on the journey but we haven’t heard a squeak all day!!

Hope he has a safe journey, OG.   Thanks for your good wishes.

Thanks Alan, & All the Best to You & Yours!   ( plus a hug for Hamish)  Lovely pic of Phoebe!

A sight for sore eyes at Dunedin:

Alan - thanks for Dunedin pic.  Strange to see green stuff on the ground!

Good to see a post from Kelloggs (Happy Holidays thread).

Son phoned from Perth before dinner and more recently from Abington, so now on the last homeward stretch!

Hello to all - I have looked in again recently, just want to say to Diane and Margo that I am sorry to hear of the sadness that has come to them both. My love and thoughts are with you both. To everyone else on this very special site - have a very happy Christmas xx

Hi everyone.

My warmest and kindest regards to you all for the festive season.  I really wish all of you a happy and peaceful time.  My thoughts are with you all and I could never find the words suitable enough to thank you all for all the great posts, wonderful pictures, and information posted in this group.  Anyway I hope Santa has been good to you, is being good to you, and/ or will be good to you.  Phew!  I think that's all time zones covered.

Behold!  A Christmas Chaffinch. 

Anyway the best Christmas Robin picture wiz fae last year! ;-)

Awra best.

Fae Paul.