AS: Tea and biscuits and GIN, the British thread

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  • The Rogue wrote: »
    Piglet wrote: »
    I love your Advent windows - what a splendid idea. Are most of them windows in parishioners' houses?

    We had the shepherds this year so of course we included a washing line with socks on it.

    O! Is Outrage! No self-respecting shepherd would ever wash his socks!

  • There is, apparently, (because I have only seen reports) a set of Advent Windows in Greenwich, that are up until early in the New Year.
  • Piglet wrote: »
    I'm imagining the recipe:
    Peel and slice one medium-sized dragon ... :smiley:

    And for the bits you can't use, call these people.
    :wink:

    (They often have one of their dumpsters in the garage behind our Cathedral. I smile whenever I see it.)
  • Mr S and I set off to walk through the Deep Dark Woods for birthday cake with The Intrepid Grandson, who is 3 today.

    As we reached the valley floor, I heard hoof beats along the path and spotted a very large horse (about 16 hands, or taller than me at the shoulder) padding along sans rider, even sans puffing ex-rider hurrying up behind him.

    I gathered up his reins and blew down my nose at him (I was once told that this reassures horses, and it's never failed me yet) observing that he was steaming so presumably had been galloping along the track. We walked him up and down, hoping to see his ex-rider, but in the end Mr. S had to call the police (the horse was far too big to take home with us!) They were very concerned for the rider and we left them trying to locate a microchip reader and any local stables who might have been able to identify his owner.

    I hope they are all right - shouldn't like to think of them lying injured in the Deep Dark Forest...

    Mrs. S, horse-whisperer

    *sans = French for without (pretentious, moi?)
  • Pigwidgeon wrote: »
    Piglet wrote: »
    I'm imagining the recipe:
    Peel and slice one medium-sized dragon ... :smiley:

    And for the bits you can't use, call these people.
    :wink:
    Love it!

  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    The Rogue wrote: »
    We had the shepherds this year so of course we included a washing line with socks on it.
    Quite right! :mrgreen:

    We're having a quiet sort of day: we're just about to have a pizza for lunch, there's a batch of loaves gestating in the bread-machine and I've made some celery SOUP (with added leftover veggies from yesterday) for supper.

    It's a glorious but cold day, so I think I might go for an amble over the bridge later: we're probably going back to winter weather at the weekend, so I ought to take advantage of it while I can.
  • [...] Happy St. Stephen's Day! Though, given his martyrdom, that's something of an oxymoron. It reminds us, perhaps, of the possible cost of following the Christ of Christmas....
    Although being stoned doesn't necessarily imply this. I've known a few in my time who in doing so truly hit rock-bottom.
  • We had a fab day yesterday. Master S and Lovely Wife, Miss S, SiL and the Intrepid Grandson, SiL and nephew, and Brother and SiL all came to visit. They weren't all here for a meal at the same time, luckily, as even at our dining table that would have been a squash - but four of them stayed over and all in all, it was a great day/evening!

    Today Master S and LW go home,so we'll be down to four, but it just proves my point about changing the personnel over Christmas. (That way you can talk about the people who've just left :naughty: )

    Mrs. S, who clocked up 8.15 km without going beyond the compost heap :smiley:
  • I think I will forget Christmas this year. Next year my daughter and I are threatening to go to Barbados.............

    The rest can do their own thing and cook their own dinner!
  • Curiosity killedCuriosity killed Shipmate
    edited December 2018
    We did several years of going somewhere else (Youth Hostels in Oban, Liverpool, Skye and Cambridge). It did mean that we don't really do proper Christmas meals any more.
  • NenyaNenya Shipmate
    Thomasina wrote: »
    I think I will forget Christmas this year. Next year my daughter and I are threatening to go to Barbados......

    I have a friend who lost her husband just after Christmas three years ago and she and some or all of her grown up children go abroad together for Christmas. It can be a good solution to getting over a very difficult time.
  • Indeed it can. Some folk go on 'luxury' cruises, which is all very well up to a point (but I always have misgivings about the carbon footprint etc. of those immense ships)...

    YMMV.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    After a nice little respite from the sn*w, it's back. Not as badly as it might be, but enough to make the roads a bit unpleasant. It's supposed to get warmer again tomorrow, but probably not enough to shift very much before temperatures start to plummet again.

    There were enough at D's recital today to make it worth our while coming into town, and afterwards we got fish & chips from the First Nation chippy for lunch (v. good).
    D's appetite seems to be back; he was feeling a bit gippy yesterday. Probably just slight overindulgence - he's less tolerant of rich food than I am.
  • I’m still away for Christmas, and on The Day itself visited a Living Nativity (a tableau in a cave) which included a wander through a re-enactment village where a variety of traditional crafts were being demonstrated. Christmas lunch was in a splendid restaurant surrounded by local families (no Mafia this year, unlike the previous year.... apparently) and serenaded by 3 local men who looked to be 3 generations of the same family.
    However, the main distraction has been been the magnificent Mt Etna erupting, with splendid views of it from my hotel room. Just hoping flights home tomorrow are fine.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    Wow - that's quite a "being there" moment, isn't it?
  • That must be very exciting! And quite scary!
    Very mild here, too, doesn’t feel at all cold. Having overindulged for days I’ve decided to do some sorting out today, starting with my teenage sons’ wardrobes. Must go for a long walk first, to remove some excess pounds gained.
  • In other news, I hear Michael Palin is getting a Knighthood in the New Year's Honours! Well deserved, ... especially when keeping in mind his illustrious character(s) in 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'!

    This pleases me! :smiley:
  • Wesley J wrote: »
    In other news, I hear Michael Palin is getting a Knighthood in the New Year's Honours! Well deserved, ... especially when keeping in mind his illustrious character(s) in 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'!

    This pleases me! :smiley:

    This pleases me as well. Great news.
    :smile:
  • la vie en rougela vie en rouge Circus Host, 8th Day Host
    A most pleasant Christmas was had at the Parental Abode. Nine lessons and carols at Birmingham cathedral on Christmas eve and (food poisoning notwithstanding) a very delicious roasted grouse for Christmas dinner. On Boxing day we went to visit my Grandad. At the grand old age of 95, he still has most of his marbles but is unfortunately as deaf as a post. He gets on famously with baby en rouge who is the one member of the family who doesn't try to talk to him :smile:
  • LOL! Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings.....
    :wink:
  • Greetings from Smudgie Towers (North Island pied-a-terre) in this betwixt and between time during which I'm supposed to be doing housework and am actually relaxing with a cuppa and a slice of Christmas cake (my sister's recommendation of recipe, channelling Delia Smith, and a very nice cake it has made too!)

    I have not been aboard for ages and have to admit that I may continue to be really spasmodic in my appearances now that I have myself a man (oh yes) and a fantastic new job (oh yes), both of which cut into my browsing time quite considerably (every silver lining has its cloud). The Smudgelet is a grown man with his own job now and I am enjoying the life of the empty-nester :)

    I have mainly come aboard today to say that I've been chatting with Wodders, who's well and happy and wishes to be remembered to you all, with particular mention of Piglet and Lothlorian. Waves from India :)

  • bassobasso Shipmate
    So good to see you here, Smudgie. Thanks for the news from Wodders.
    Happy New Year to you and yours.
  • MMMMMM Shipmate
    Waving to Smudgie - good to see you here - and thanks for the news of Wodders!

    MMM
  • SarasaSarasa Shipmate
    edited December 2018
    Hi Smudgie, glad to hear things are going well for you, the Smudgelet (a job, wow he is grown up) and to hear news of Wodders.
    Husband, son and I are enjoying the peace and quiet of home after Christmas of seeing nearly every one of our relatives.
    Mrs S, did you find out anything about the rider less horse? That sounds very dramatic, good you knew what to do. While out walking with my brother and his dog on Boxing Day we met a couple whose pointer had gone walk-about. I hope she turned up safe and sound.
  • Please send big waves back to Wodders, @Smudgie - I think about him every time I log on.

    I wish he’d Apple up and get himself a screen reader and voice technology!
  • JapesJapes Shipmate
    Thank you for the update on Wodders, Smudgie, as well the update on Life at Smudgie Towers.

    Smudgelet all grown-up and with a job?! How can this be?! Hope he's enjoying it all!!
  • Thank you for telling us about Wodders, @Smudgie and brilliant to hear that you are still ensconced with the new man and enjoying the new job. Brilliant news about the Smudgelet's job.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    Thanks indeed for the update about Wodders, Smudgie - we all miss him more than enough! Delighted to hear your own news too, re: new job, new man and gainfully-employed Smudgelet!

    There are potatoes baking in the oven for lunch, and what's left of the duck is being turned into stock, with the eventual intention of making duck SOUP.

    It's a good bit less cold here today*, but not enough to shift much of the sn*w; as it's due to go down to -15° tonight, I won't hold my breath.

    Reading that last paragraph makes me think it's almost as well WW isn't reading it - mention of temperatures like that would send him into a tail-spin. :naughty:

    * At this time of year, I tend to judge the coldness on whether or not the bathroom window is frozen shut, and today it wasn't. :mrgreen:
  • How lovely to have some good news for once! Happy New Year to Wodders, and, of course, to Smudgie and Family!
  • Good news all round Smudgie!
  • Thanks Smudgie for your update. Good news all round. Wodders is very much missed on board and backstage too.
  • Thanks for the news from Wodders, @Smudgie, please send him my love.

    Finally back home after the amazing time in the shadow of Signora Etna. My lap is being appreciated by the Moggy, and I’m looking forward to sleeping in my own bed.
  • Wesley J wrote: »
    In other news, I hear Michael Palin is getting a Knighthood in the New Year's Honours! Well deserved, ... especially when keeping in mind his illustrious character(s) in 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'!

    This pleases me! :smiley:

    And pleases our family, especially oldest son who has every documentary in his DVD collection.

    Not just any old knighthood, but a KCMG no less, usually reserved for the higher ranks of the civil service, diplomats and the military. [Nickname from Imperial times Kindly Call Me God].
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    Talking of the New Year honours, I was pleased to hear that five friends or acquaintances have been honoured with MBEs - two in Orkney, two in Northern Ireland and one of D's cathedral organist colleagues. Quite a haul for one session!
  • edited December 2018
    Sarasa wrote: »
    Mrs S, did you find out anything about the rider less horse? That sounds very dramatic, good you knew what to do. While out walking with my brother and his dog on Boxing Day we met a couple whose pointer had gone walk-about. I hope she turned up safe and sound.

    To a certain point, yes we did. Next day Mr S rang the local police station and left a message on their answering machine. They called us back later and left a message, saying that the rider had been found and taken to hospital, but that was all the news they had. I hope he/she was found more promptly because of our involvement - but who knows? At least we stopped the horse doing himself/anyone else any damage!

    Mrs. S, horse-whisperer

  • HeavenlyannieHeavenlyannie Shipmate
    edited December 2018
    Good to see Smudgie and glad Wodders is okay.
    We are due to leave the house for church in the next few minutes (15 minutes drive away) but so far I’m the only one up. I can hear creaking floorboards now so perhaps my husband might actually be getting in the shower? Can’t see us getting to church.
  • Good to hear news from Smudgie and Wodders! Happy New Year to both!
    And good to hear the horseless rider had been found, I was wondering. Hope the horse found its home, wouldn't like to think of a horse pound at the Police Station!

    Nasty grey day here, but not cold, I didn't think, despite everyone going past the window seems to be done up in Christmas woolly hats and scarves!
  • edited December 2018
    Thomasina wrote: »
    And good to hear the horseless rider had been found, I was wondering. Hope the horse found its home, wouldn't like to think of a horse pound at the Police Station!

    Well, I can't see the local copshop having a cell big enough for Bucephalus - he was over 16 hands, I believe!

    Mrs. S, also very relieved
  • **waves to Smudgie and Wodders **
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    It's a very cold, but not unpleasant day here - the snow that fell on Friday is, if not exactly deep or even, certainly crisp and freezing hard.

    As it was a "fifth Sunday" our service today should really have been Matins (of which we're not hugely fond), but D. and the Dean between them decided instead to have "Carols for Christmastide" - a sort of truncated Lessons and Carols (seven lessons) with rather more for the congregation to do than they get in the full 9 L&C - and it was really rather nice, and might become a keeper for the Sunday after Christmas, whether it would normally be a Matins day or not.

    Shortly heading home to make a batch of chicken liver pâté to take to the choir party tomorrow - we're bringing in the new year with a pot-luck at the house of one of the ladies. I'll make some breadsticks to go with it tomorrow.
  • Full marks to Mrs. S (horse-whisperer etc.), and it's good to hear that the unfortunate rider was at least found, and hospitalised.

    It would be satisfying to know more, of course, but with GDPR, and all that, one can understand a certain reticence on the part of TPTB.
  • ION, a grey, cloudy, but still mild day here.

    Much to my surprise, we had a reasonable number at Mass, despite known absences (we keep A Little Black Book in which to note such things - the Faithful are required to fill in a leave-chit in triplicate :wink: ) due to holidays or illness.

    By contrast, other local churches were either fielding a 'Service of the Word', a 'Carol Service' (at 930am :worried: ), or not having a service AT ALL :grimace:
  • We are at home this evening, playing games, watching action films and eating trifle as a snack.
    I hope you are all enjoying your evening.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    I can highly recommend duck SOUP. I found and adapted a recipe in the old Delia Smith books for minestrone soup with rice, and made it with duck stock and fat, and it was really nice - definitely a keeper, especially as I had some tomatoes that were wanting to be used up.

    Just chilling out a bit before donning my glad-rags and applying facial Polyfilla and heading out to the choir party. :smiley:

    As it'll soon be midnight with you, I'll wish you all a happy New Year.
  • Wesley JWesley J Shipmate
    edited December 2018
    A very happy New Year too!

    With 2019 being in existence for over 50 minutes now in these very climes, I'm afraid to report that it's been like a war zone since about 8pm! Intermittent, but heavy shelling seems to occur. It's much worse than in past years, and mightily annoying. Grrr...!

    I wish the authorities banned all of it! :(

    If at least I could fire back with a few well-targeted blasts! Now, that would be a, well...: blast! :smiley:
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    edited January 2019
    I was a bit worried there, Wesley, then I realised you were talking about fireworks ...

    V. enjoyable choir party - not everyone stayed to take in the new year, but a good time was had by all, nonetheless.
  • MMMMMM Shipmate
    Happy new year to all!

    MMM
  • Here in the Deep Dark Forest,the only noise was from the owl!

    Happy New Year, and may God bless every one of us :heart:
  • BoogieBoogie Shipmate
    Happy New Year Shipmates!

    There were crazy fireworks here, the dogs both snoozed and snored through them all. 💤 😴
  • Happy new year, everyone!
    I have a raging sore throat, which has been brewing for a few days, so I think I’ll have a lazy day nursing it (I’m teaching online on Saturday so my voice had better not disappear!). A family walk is also required to get rid of a few extra pounds...
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