Weekly Chat, Sunday December 27 2009

AQ: I like George and Robinson; never tried Rebus. Grafton's early books typically show up at book sales.  Oooh. Booze in those puddings - no wonder they went so fast.  Gary:  I'm sure your cholesterol levels are much better as a result of your aversion to cheese! 

Impala, wildebeest, and monkeys at Pete's Pond.   Off to bed - take care all.

Warthogs at PP. Goodnight Annette

Good morning, all!  Been making chocolate log for son’s visit – tradition!

Annette – dark choc kit kat been around a while here – get it most places but not in the bigger bargain packs.  I think it started as a special edition but caught on (one calorie less than milk version!).  There was also a white choc special edition, but that seems to have gone – hope the caramel one stays.  No wine for me due to medications.  Hope the ocean was still there! And that you enjoyed your special Brie.  We have one of those digital photoframes like your sister was given – asked for it for our fortieth anniversary – thought we would have less photos in frames to fall over!  - have to remember to update it with recent pictures!  Would worry about your craving for pickled onions if you were a few years younger!!!

Heron – I think Caramac actually disappeared when MacIntosh merged with Rowntree, before Nestle took them over.  Always used to get it as treat for daughter#2.

AQ – will be thinking of you with the new technology – sil#1 has converted all his – found it quite quick once he had time to sit down and get into a routine – said odd five minute sessions were no good for that job.  Sorry to hear about the laundry flood – at least it didn’t happen when you had people coming!

Gary – I eat it on toast too!

I love Danish Blue cheese with digestive biscuits you get the saltyness of the cheese with the sweetness of the biscuit I also like to have a day without any meat and I usually make a thick veggie soup and have it with some nice crusty bread. Sun is shinning here today but temp has only reached 1C so ice isn't melting much.

Annette you should try the Rebus books if you like an eccentric detective who is always at odds with authority and takes you roundabout some of the seedier parts of Edinburgh. Ian Rankin who is the author comes from Cardenden which isn't far from here and is a Raith Rovers supporter like our Prime Minister.

Wooa.... What a lot I have to catch up on!  Have read some of the previous posts, but not all, so gather that most of us have had a pleasant time:  Sorry to hear that both Margobird & Caerann have had to suffer their colds, what a nuisance.

Welcome to the Osprey Group to Eagle-Eye, who joined us yesterday. I'm sure you'll find this interesting,  & we are a friendly group as you can see.

TerryM:    Thanks for reminder about the stamps: I always save mine as we used to pass them on for Guide Dogs for the Blind, but we no longer have a contact so shall send them to your RSPB address now.  I've always understood that they are carefully sorted according to country & value, and sold in batches to stamp collectors throughout the world.

Blackbird:   Thanks for your Good Wishes, and the same to you & yours.

Don't even mention cheese!  A great weakness of mine, love the stuff & we had an enormous cheeseboard for supper last night with oatcakes & crackers, instead of anything sweet as we were all a bit full! (Son & D.in.law gone back home this morning after enjoying Christmas with us, so now doing all the laundry & tidying things) I remember enjoying Caramac chocolate & sorry when it was no longer available. Do like the new dark choc. KitKats, as love really dark choc. if possible.

AQ:  The mini puds sound great, similar to a recipe I have for a chocolate & fruit pudding which is so rich we no longer make/eat it!  Bought myself one of those converter gadgets a while ago, as I have inherited stacks & stacks of old slides from my parents:  my father enjoyed photography & we have boxes of stuff to sort through after losing my Mother just before Christmas last year. Hope you get to grips with it: I'll let you know how I get on when I get round to it.... (sigh)

Enjoyed our concert yesterday, it was in the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, which is a lovely modern building, & was full of 'oldies' like us!  as it was a Gershwin tribute, with the Manchester Concert Orchestra, & they were accompanied by some very good dancers, who twirled around in appropriate costumes, & a couple of singers:  They played of course "Rhapsody in Blue" & a selection from "Porgy & Bess" as well as many of his famous love songs. Enjoyed it but marred by having to queue for nearly half an hour in the car park afterwards, along with about 80 other people, as the ticket machine for the parking broke down... Finally got home much later than planned, but luckily had prepared a simple meal that evening. (steak & onions, sorry you vegetarians!).

Have enjoyed our Christmas festivities but glad to get back to some sort of normality now, & when we've eaten the last of the nuts, to get back on the usual New Year diet.... { groan }

Morning all:)

That concert sounds fun Lindybird but what a pain getting out of the car park. Sounds like you had a great time. A day or so to recover before New Year:)

Diane, stay warm,

OG, enjoy the visit from your son. The chocolate log sounds lovely

Enjoyed all the other chat but don't think I can add too much:)

Hope they sort out all this security on planes soon as I'm coming back to the UK middle of Jan!!!!!

Hi everyone

Belated Christmas greetings to you all.  I've been busy on various festive missions for the last few weeks and unable to post but have managed to catch up now.  Had a visit from a flock of at least 20 fieldfares in my garden today and a few are still around now. What a treat.  If only I weren't such a techno-dope I could take a picture and upload it for you to share.  Another time perhaps.  Great that you have all kept the blog going during these cold winter days and nights.  Its a beautiful sunny snow-covered scene here in Dundee with the temp still around freezing.  I too have enjoyed a cheese-fest .  Brie de meaux with tomato.  Delicious.  Back to work tomorrow but some Gorgonzola saved for lunch. Yum.

George g – I love cheese and digestives, but no longer blue.  I used to eat it – Mum didn’t like it, but Dad had it as an occasional treat so introduced me to it quite young.  OH wouldn’t touch it till very recently – now he likes it and I can’t stand it any more!  Funny how our tastes change – I sometimes wonder if it’s partly to do with medications.  Staying colder today although very bright – A75 is apparently closed towards Stranraer due to icing.

Lindybird – glad the concert was good, shame about the car park problem – good foresight to have simple meal planned for that evening.

Emma - welcome back.  Presumably only three days back at work before Ne'er Day and some more feasting?

OH has been scraping snow and ice this morning in hopes of getting me out to the car for a Dr appointment tomorrow – but then still have to face the icy road – will tell her it’s not worth measuring my blood pressure!!  Trouble is, got to go twice – monthly blood tests due and the doctor only works morning and the phlebotomist only does afternoon on Tuesdays!

Emma Peel : Thanks for the descriptive beauty of the celestial city.

Lindybird : I am glad you enjoyed the concert but car parks are often a pain.

Welcome to eagle-eye. You will find this a very friendly and interesting forum.

Today Lady P and I went on a shopping mission and then a visit to Notcutts Garden Centre to get a half price calendar with Cocker Spaniels on it. Unfortunately there were none left so got a Golden Retriever puppy one instead. We will have to hide it from Hamish as he wont be happy.

Later we tidied up the front garden now that the snow has gone. Lots of dead geraniums I am afraid.

Weather:

Sunny Intervals , Dry , Temp 2.6c feels like 3c , Cold , Wind ENE calm , Sunrise 08:10 , Sunset 15:53.

FAB