HI TERRY AND JANET!!

Yeah - I post every day - but no one takes any notice!!

Can't reply to your comment with another comment s my laptop won't let me for some weird reason. Anyway - it's good to hear from you. We had a lovely Christmas and are looking forward to a pretty hectic new year with all the family here. I'm cooking like crazy. had the mad idea of doing a carvery lunch tomorrow and then James threw in a request for beef in red wine with dumplings - so am now up to my eyes in gammon, pork and braising beef - not a pretty sight!

Hope you had a lovely Christmas and that the New year will bring good things for you all. Take care - and keep checking in! xx

DON'T THINK...

... it's even been light today.

Really don't like this time of the year. Too depressing by far.

PAUSE (NEARLY WROTE "PAWS"!) FOR BREATH!

Been non-stop since early this morning. Beginning to think that the idea of a carvery PLUS beef in red wine may just have been a daft one. Trying to work out how I'm going to get a huge piece of gammon and another of pork into the oven(s) along with the beef in red wine, roast potatoes and all the other stuff that accompanies a roast. Never enough room!

Think I've got to the point today where I can relax a little. Nice!

I MAY BE ORNITHOPHOBIC...

... but I found last night's "Earthwatch" absolutely riveting. Such amazingly clever photography! Brilliant!!

HATE TO SAY THIS BUT...

... I'm just the tiniest bit bored this afternoon.

I can't get on with any cooking for the weekend yet. I don't want to read any more of "Edge" as I'm getting too close to the end now. I haven't got anything to do fro the coffee shop and, unlike Charles, I'm not too keen on parking myself in front of the telly to watch Star Wars during the afternoon.

There's nobody on facebook, Twitter is dead quiet...

... and I'm getting edgy.

CHILLY THIS MORNING!

I think we've been a bit spoiled with the mild weather over Christmas as this morning's bitter temperature has come as something of a shock. May have to rethink the clothing situation before venturing out into Morpeth.

Didn't sleep very well last night. I seem to recall devising a recipe for a new cake in my sleep. I woke up at about 4am really excited and determined to make it this morning, but although I can picture it now, I can't remember what was so special about it!! Then I couldn't get back to sleep, so had to resort to reading for about an hour. Finally, after dozing for a while I was ready to be up at about 6.30. Obviously that lazy day yesterday has played havoc with my body clock!

I ALWAYS THINK...

... that these days between Christmas and New Year are a bit strange. It's weird when some people are still on holiday and others are, reluctantly, back at work. There's loads of food to eat up and all you really want is good old cheese on toast. Telly programmes are all over the place. There's still New Year to get out of the way before the decorations can come down...

And yet I LOVED being able to do nothing of any significance yesterday. Nearly finished my book, which I'm regretting now, because I've nearly finished my book!!

I've got a cake going out today and once that's been collected Charles and I need to go and do some shopping - nothing exciting just food and provisions for the family gathering that's coming up at the weekend. Which reminds me, I still need to talk to Helen about their plans.

THERE'S A HOWLING WIND...

... blowing outside, but I don't care because I don't have to go anywhere and am happily spending the day snuggled up with Jeffery Deaver's new thriller "Edge"! It's one of those that you just can't put down, so if you'll excuse me...

ROSE IS...

... frantically barking at the footballing snowmen on SSN.

She HATES them!!

CASSIUS...

... Joseph Barton, now there's a name to live up to!!!

Seriously though congratulations to Joey and his missus.

FEEL A BIT...

... 'flat' now.

Everyone's gone. Santa's Grotto has disappeared from the spare room. There's just us and dozens of boxes of chocolates here now.

NEARLY MIDDAY!!

Where does time go?

Could be something to do with getting up and showered and starting work straightaway I suppose. I've finished the order for tomorrow, so can now relax a little. Expecting James and Claire shortly, so I've got a big pan of chilli bubbling away on the stove just in case they're hungry. Makes a change from turkey anyway!

Need to talk to Helen later about the weekend plans. I'm really looking forward to it. It'll certainly extend Christmas having everyone together for a few days.

I HAVE TO SAY...

... it's been a really lovely Christmas.

James and Christina have been good company, food all turned out well, we had a much needed win today...

Just settling down to watch telly now. Both kids have gone, but are returning tomorrow! I've got a morning in the kitchen getting ready for Wednesday's delivery and then after that need to start thinking about the weekend.

I HAVE, however, negotiated a lie-in for ME in the morning. Bliss!!

CHARLES AND JAMES...

... have both got their laptops on their knees (oh, and a dog each), with streams of Bolton v NUFC.

Half time now, no score. COME ON TOON!!

BOXING DAY!!

Traditional day of rest and relaxation.

So WHY have I been up since 6.00? Everyone else managed to have a nice lie-in, but Rose decided that my day needed to start early, so I'm starting to feel a bit jaded now.

Christina and James stayed last night. This was really lovely and the first time we've all woken up in the same house for years. Had a leisurely breakfast and settled down to watch the Route 66 episode of "An Idiot Abroad" which was hilarious.

James is staying till late this afternoon, but Christina is planning to leave shortly. It's been a lovely Christmas having everyone together again. Really special!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!

It's nearly teatime and here I am making my first post of the day!

It's been a pretty relaxed day so far. Leisurely breakfast and presents this morning - Christmas AND birthday. A pretty good lunch, even if I say so myself. Some mind-numbing TV this afternoon. Now we're just gearing ourselves up for a birthday tea!!

Hope everyone's had a lovely day too.

(Secretly really looking forward to tomorrow, when there's no pressure to do anything at all!!)

CHTISTMAS EVE

Magical isn't it? Even though the kids are all grown up, there's still something really special about it. I actually think it's almost as lovely as the big day itself.

We're relaxing after our huge afternoon tea with Claire and her family at Jesmond Dene House. It was such a lovely way to start Christmas. Now we're enjoying a glass or three of mulled wine.

Lovely!

HAIR DONE!

Last bits of shopping finished.

James and Adam have turned up and are drinking cappucinos and eating chocolate chip cookies straight from the oven.

Christmas has started!

SOUNDS AS THOUGH...

... we're having a houseful (Helen, Bill, Mum and the girls and their partners) over New Year. This is great, because I actually don't like New Years Eve at all, and if we've got family around it'll turn into a fun get together without having to resort to counting down the clock with Jools Holland's flippin Hootanany.

So, in typical fashion, I've moved on from planning the Christmas food and am now starting to think about what I'm going to serve up for the New Year weekend!

BUSY, BUSY...

... BUSY, BUSY, BUSY...

Don't some words look weird when you stop to look at them?

Mind you - haven't got time to do that as I'm FAR too...

...BUSY!

WOKE UP ALL ANXIOUS...

... this morning. Lay awake from about 6.00 waiting to hear stirrings from the girls, but, unusually there was no sound at all by 7.00. By this time I'd convinced myself that Rose was seriously unwell, because she's ALWAYS the first member of the household to wake up, so I went through to check on them and they were absolutely fine.

Both girls greeted me with their usual adoring enthusiasm, Rose scoffed a couple of Bonios and went out to play. She's been out for a walk with her dad and has been okay, so we'll just need to see how she copes with breakfast now.

WITH ALL THE WORRY...

... about Rose, I forgot to mention that we had a lovely evening with James and Claire. Santa arrived early for Claire and, strangely, dropped her presents off here, so she started her Christmas a few days ahead of the rest of us!

We'll meet up with them next on Christmas Eve. James is coming up in the morning and will stay with us till Boxing Day and we'll see Claire and her family at Jesmond Dene. Can't wait.

SHE SEEMS...

... a little bit brighter.

The ominous noises have ceased and there's been no explosion from either end.

She's had a good long drink of water and is watching telly with her dad quite happily.

I haven't tried to feed her again. She can wait till morning and we'll see how that goes.

AM REALLY WORRIED...

... about Rose.

For the first time since we got her she has refused her food and the most disturbing, gurgling noises are coming from her nether regions.

I can't think of anything we've done differently, or anything she could have eaten that might have upset her.

She looks distinctly out or sorts.

Hope she's better in the morning, or we'll be going to the vets.

I HAVE TO SAY...

.. that pretty much everything is done now. A few weeks ago I was panicking about the coffee shop and all the Christmas stuff, imagining that there would be an almighty collision of interests, but things have worked out really well. In fact, I quite impressed myself by turning round that very complicated birthday cake in record time. This time yesterday I was just starting to make the cake!!

We're waiting for James and Claire to come for dinner. It's going to be a mini-Christmas for Claire because we probably won't see her on the Big Day itself. I've been rushing around like a blue-arsed fly, and Charles has been asleep and snoring on the settee. Fab!

ACTUALLY...

... Morrisons wasn't too bad. Didn't have to knock anyone out f the way, and even offered to give my place in the queue to a little old lady who only had a few items in her basket, but she graciously passed up the offer because she had lots of time before her bus came and it was warm inside. She reminded me of my Gran - all twinkly and lovely. And I felt really sad.

IN THE NIGHT GARDEN...

... cake made and decorated. Featuring the Ninky Nonk, Macca Pacca, Upsy Daisy, Iggle Piggle and the Tumbliboos - it is a sight to behold!

(Wow - the spellcheck's just gone crazy!!)

Right - this may be a daft move, but Charles and I are going to attempt to do the last minute food shopping in Morpeth. I reckon he'll just have to keep circling the car park while I do battle inside Morrisons. We'll see...

I KNOW I HAVEN'T...

... blogged much today, but I've been SOOOO busy!!

I won't go into all the tedious detail, but obviously I haven't left the kitchen AT ALL.

DARK AND RAINY...

... but very mild!

I've been up for hours. Charles hasn't!

Just waiting to get the last order before Christmas from Kevin. Hope he sends it through early.

POOOOO!!

Dad's feet...

...have knocked us out!

9.30AM...

... the week before Christmas, loads to do, and Charles is watching films on telly. Is it unreasonable for me to be feeling just a little bit miffed?

ACTUALLY CAN'T THINK...

... of anything to write yet!!

It's Tuesday? It's early? Dark and cold? Going to be baking?

You know it all already!!

I'll come back later when I've got something to say!

YOU'LL NEVER BELIEVE...

... the weather forecast for this week. On Thursday temperatures in the North East are going to reach the dizzy heights of 15 degrees. Positively tropical!

MUST BE PRETTY CLOSE...

... to the shortest day. Tomorrow? Day after? Then we can start looking forward to spring. Ha ha!

NEED SLEEP!!

Went to bed late and then the girls got me up at 6am. Grrrrrrrrrr!!

Mind you, I have plenty to be getting on with, so maybe it's not a bad thing. AND, as I've been the one to get up first today, it should be Charles's turn tomorrow, so I can look forward to a bit of a lie in then. I hope.

Not long till the big day now. I've got one more Christmas cake to do today and then that's them all finished for this year. This one's a madeira cake, so had to wait until the last week, but it's still got all the festive decoration on it.

Charles will be doing the Jesmond run this morning. I think we're expecting some deliveries, so one of us needs to be at home for those.

Bet James and Claire are getting excited. Just three days at work and then off for the hols. Yay!!

THIS TIME NEXT WEEK...

... we'll be having the discussion about whether we REALLY want anything for tea!!!

I always think it's a shame, as James tends to miss out on his birthday tea. But then, he's a big lad now, so I'm sure he can cope with that!

I've just been outside and there was Santa doing his early rounds in the village. It's always been the same. The Sunday before Christmas day, round he goes, presumably reminding the little ones that they'd better behave, or else... ("I Believe" was blaring out of the sleigh speakers. haven't heard that one for years.)

MORNING ALL!!

Hmmm - talking to myself already! Never a good sign!

7.47am - and Charles is watching the Toon match on MOTD - we're on last of course. I stayed up to watch it last night and, actually, the comments weren't too harsh. Watching it on telly, it makes you realise that we were definitely the better team and SHOULD have won that match.

I've given my ticket for Wednesday to James, who in turn has given HIS to Matthew's brother. I reckoned I'd be up to my eyes in Christmas preparations by then, with the last coffee shop delivery going in the next morning, so will just have to listen to it on the radio.

Not sure about the plans for today - other than trying to keep warm! Obviously I'll be making stuff for Jesmond, but as yet I don't know what Kevin wants. We may go into Morpeth later, but I'm not sure about that yet, it could wait till tomorrow I suppose.

THAWING OUT NOW!!

Just settling down to watch Strictly.

Frustrating result today. Let's hope we do better mid-week.

A STEAMING MUG...

... of coffee and a round of toast and marmite. Yum!

Just gearing up for the day ahead, the main event being the match of course, and trying to decide how many layers a human being can actually wear whilst still being able to move.

I am wearing some fab 120 denier tights just in case your interested. These are something of a revelation to me as I hadn't realised there were such things. 60 and 80 denier I am familiar with and wear all the time, but 120 - well they are something else! Very snug. (Mind you I've got a pair of woolly socks on as well so that might be making a difference!)

I'm just watching the girls starting a bit of a play fight on the rug in the livingroom. They always begin the same way, with one of the girls goading the other into a response and then running away resulting into a crazy game of doggy tag up and down the length of the room. Rose madly defends her position as Queen of the sunroon sofa and Lily does her level best to prise her off it! Things calm down intermittently while they get their breath back and lull each other into a false sense of security, only to recommence hostilities a few minutes later. The pattern never varies. How predictable they are!!

MISERABLE, GREY DAY!

Don't actually think it's been daylight today. We've got a mix of hail and sleet now and I suspect that it will all freeze into a pretty nasty skating rink later on.

We're actually having a fairly laidback afternoon, with nothing particularly urgent to attend to. Very unusual, but rather pleasant!

GOOD JOB...

... we had the shed roof repaired yesterday, as we've had some snow in the night. Not a lot, just nuisance snow really, but still, it's good to know that the shed's watertight and weatherproof again.

Charles and I are off to Jesmond in a while, calling in at Morpeth on the way home, before he goes off to school for the end of term knees up.

I, on the other hand, am determined to spend part of the day just sitting and appreciating the beauty of our little Christmas tree. It may not be the biggest tree in the world, but is certainly the nicest shape we've ever managed to find. In fact, if you didn't know better, you'd say it wasn't real!!!

WELL...

... that ended abruptly. Got a Skype message from Richard in the middle of writing the last post, but declined him and handed him over to Charles instead.

Managed to make all of tomorrows (very big) order AND get the freezable stuff ready for the next batch.

Cleaned the house from top to bottom, as you do before putting up the tree, only to find that Charles, somewhat foolishly, decided to saw the bottom off said tree - IN THE LOUNGE - in order to get it to fit in the stand. Needless to say, words were exchanged!!

SITTING DOWN...

... for first time today (apart from the two minutes I took to write the last post!)

Very busy, but good day. Actually feel Christmassy now that the trees up!

ALL BETTER NOW!!

Keith and Steven have been out and have done a brill job getting the shed roof sorted out. They are absolute stars. We first met them when we were having the extension done a couple of years ago. The were the best builders ever - totally reliable, always on time, real grafters. We were so lucky to find them and, even now, it's never too much trouble to come out for even the smallest job.

Thank you boys. You are both stars.

ALREADY...

... busy in the kitchen. Trays of Bakewell tarts in the oven, lovely almondy smell emanating from that direction.

First day of Charles's hols - and he has a list of chores as long as his arm!! Unfortunately, the girls aren't aware of this and are settling down to what they anticipate will be a lovely snuggly time on the sofa with their Dad! Ho ho ho!!

HA HA !!

New poster!!

Glad you managed to get on here.

Keep writing, cos I'm a bit lonely now dannymatt has deserted me. :-(

Yes, I DID find the tree - round the side of the house. With luck, we'll actually get it into the house tomorrow, once all the other chores are done!

Charles has come in from work and gone straight out again to pick up an Indian. Yum yum, am looking forward to this!!

SHED ROOF...

...GONE!

Top of chiminea smashed.

What a mess outside!

CHARLES BREAKS UP TODAY!!

Christmas starts now then!

I was fully expecting to wake up to a foot of snow this morning, but although the wind has howled around all night, there's no sign of the white stuff I'm delighted to say.
Just waiting for it to get light then I can check out any damage in the garden. I honestly can't believe that the boiler kept going all night. It was struggling to fire up since the afternoon and I thought it might give up the attempt, but so far so good.

My plans for today are a little unclear. I will probably do some stuff for the coffee shop, although I have quite a bit in reserve. There's already a batch of mince pies in the oven, so it's smelling pretty Christmassy in here this morning.

The girls had a pretty bad night. They were up a couple of times in the early hours and then up for the day at 6.00. Probably all the noise from the wind, blowing stuff around caused them to be a bit edgy. I'm guessing they'll have a pretty sleepy day today!

WILD WEATHER AGAIN

Lots of light-flickering going on this afternoon and the boiler is really struggling to fire up in this wind.

Actually, this sort of weather really unsettles the girls. They get over-excited and fractious - a bit like kids in school do during windy weather.

Charles is home and snuggled up on the settee with Lily, while Rose is watching a re-run of "Coast"!

As for me, I went into Morpeth after the coffee shop drop. Then set to work on the macaron order for tomorrow. After that I experimented (following a request from Andrew this morning) with making large, Millie-style cookies. And I have to say, that I think I've cracked it. Charles has just sampled a slice and declared it "amazing", so that's good!! I've also made more stocks for the freezer to replace the stuff that went to Jesmond this morning.

Am now ready for a cuppa!!

OFF TO JESMOND...

... in an hour or so. First I was, then I wasn't sure if I was, now I AM sure. Hey ho!

CALMED DOWN NOW!!

Phew! What a day. I started at 8.00 and finished about an hour ago.

My earlier disgruntlement was all about the fact that I was still waiting at 5pm for tomorrow's coffee shop order and was trying to juggle all the other stuff I've got to get done for this week around that.

However, it's all done now. I've said my bit as well, which makes me feel better.

AM FUMING!!

Just thought you should know!

CHILLY MORNING!!

But bright enough - although, listening to the forecast makes me think we'd better make the most of it!!

Today is a day in the kitchen - well, there's a change! No, it's the day before the order goes into the coffee shop (Kevin wants a Tuesday delivery this week) so obviously it gets a little manic getting everything together, especially as this order includes a birthday cake and extra goodies for his daughter's birthday on Wednesday. I'm also going to make a start on a large macaron order that's going out this week. It'll be a nice change to be making macarons as I haven't done them for a few weeks.

Just watching the girls grooming each other. Clearly they think it's time to clean out each other's ears. Actually, they look really sweet!

Right, enough of that, I'm off to lift the bakewells out of the oven.

HOUSE BLITZED!!

Charles has just done an amazing job with the hoover (Dyson) pulling out all the furniture and doing the skirting boards!!

I've got all my tart cases cut out and chilling. Sorted out a load of stuff to make the trip to the tip worthwhile.

Now we're off to Morpeth.

EARLY START...

... this morning, thanks to the girls. Not that I'm too bothered as I have loads to do - and anyway, Lily and Rose have been adorably cuddly and affectionate since about 6am - as they really should be if they expect the day to begin at that hour!!

Just about to start on all the pastry cases for the next coffee shop delivery. I've already of plenty of large cakes, scones and brownies in the freezer, so the really hard work is done. I've got a birthday cake to finish - that's also going to the coffee shop, and then we can start thinking about the rest of the day.

A trip to Morpeth is certainly on the cards. I've got some bits of shopping to do. We need to go to the tip as our bin wasn't emptied last Wednesday due to the strike, and then we're hopefully going to find a lovely little Christmas tree waiting for us at Heighley Gate.

Oh - and I want to blitz the house as well.

So - I'd better get on then!

CHELSEE HEALEY...

... what a fab little dancer. I've been in her corner right from the beginning, just hope she gets through to the final.

Absolutely brilliant tonight!

WE'VE GOT AN EARLY TRIP...

... into Newcastle today.

Hate the thought of it, because no doubt, we'll be battling for car parking spaces with the entire population of the North-East, but it has to be done I'm afraid.

Fortunately, we've only got a couple of things to do, then we'll wend our way home via the coffee shop and James's house.

See you later!

SHOULD HAVE...

... a good laugh next November!! (Hopefully there will be the odd occasion before then as well!)

We've now got tickets for both Michael Macintyre AND Ross Noble both in the same week! Hey hey!!

STILL THINKING ABOUT...

... Helen and Bill and the girls. What a sad day they've had.

CHARLES IS...

.. on a training day in Newcastle today and has dropped off the latest delivery at Radcliffes en route. Still don't know how the inspection went, but presumably okay as still open for business!

The girls are clearly missing having their Dad around and are being very bad tempered today. In fact, I'm looking forward to escaping from their grumpiness when I go to the hairdressers at lunchtime!!

JUST HAD HEARTBREAKING...

... phone call from my sister, one of whose dogs, Digby, died last night in tragic circumstances.

Having had him for 15 years, he's as much a part of the family as any human and he's going to be missed hugely.

Sending hugs and love to everyone in Menston - and to Tex, of course who will be wondering where his best friend's gone.

Very, very sad.

VERY STORMY!!

Forecasters were right. It's certainly blowing a gale this afternoon, although it does feel a little milder. Swings and roundabouts, I suppose.

Have had yet another busy day in the kitchen. Just taken delivery of 25kg bags of flour, sugar and ground almonds - and now have the problem of where to store them. Never thought of that!!

The coffee shop inspection hadn't taken place when I had my order from kevin. I guess it'll be happening about now. Hope all goes well!!!

CAN'T DECIDE...

... whether I should start on what I predict the order will be...

... or wait until I've heard the outcome of the inspection!

WET AND WINDY!

Not a day to be outside!

Even the girls are reluctant to venture out.

I've taken the precaution of arranging a Tesco delivery as I couldn't face going into Morpeth, but now I'm feeling sorry for the delivery man!!

COFFEE SHOP INSPECTION...

... today.

Wonder how that will go?!

NOT GETTING...

... much time for blogging these days.

Not getting much tome for ANYTHING to be honest. I can see why retired people say they don't know how they ever had time to go to work!!

No communication at all from Kevin today, so have texted him to say I assume he's okay for stock for tomorrow. Hopefully a Friday delivery will be possible although listening to the weather forecast makes me wonder if we'll be under a blanket of snow by then.

Charles has gone for a lie-down. He seems to be in a bit more discomfort today, which is a shame as he had been doing pretty well really.

I would also like to have an afternoon nap. A few minutes ago I attempted to lie on the settee in the sunroom with my book, only to be discovered by the girls who proceeded to lick me to bits and then lay on me, having nosed my book well out of my reach. So that was the end of that plan!

Haven't got a clue what to do for our evening meal today. To be honest I feel all cooked out. I ended up making an extra Christmas cake for one of the big North-East food distributors this morning. I was delighted to have the order, but wish it had come a bit earlier than yesterday!! Have done some more prep for Kevin and am now just waiting to know what he wants and when he wants it!!

A CHILLY START TO THE DAY...

... but no frost - or snow. Good!

The strengthening wind isn't too pleasant though and certainly makes it feel bitterly cold out there.

Fortunately, I'm spending the day in the warmth of the kitchen!

ACTUALLY HAD A ...

... very busy day, despite the lack of plans this morning. Sometimes it works that way though. I've done loads of cooking and stashed stuff away in the freezer, either for the coffee shop, or for the family - or both preferably.

The girls are loving having Charles around, especially as he is lounging around while his eye settles down and they can take full advantage of a knee each to curl up on!

MUST BE...

... a major aerial exercise going on as Longfram is we've had wave after wave of low flying jets over Fram this afternoon. Bit scary actually.

CHARLES SEEMS TO BE...

... making reasonable progress after the cataract op yesterday. He has some vision, his pupil is less dilated but the eye is very bloodshot and he has some discomfort this morning. Only to be expected I would imagine.

Am thinking about James today. He's doing the Christmas present delivery to some of the Pentagon clients, so is driving to Manchester, Chesterfield, Sheffield and Rotherham. Wonder if he's wearing his Santa suit? Take care James - there will be some very icy roads today.

My plan for today is pretty fluid. I need to get into Morpeth later and will get started on some coffee shop prep. Other than that I don't have much that I need to do.

BACK HOME!

Charles was actually all done by 10am!

James, Claire and I hadn't even finished our breakfast when we got the call to say he was ready. Pretty impressive really.

He managed to sit and wait in town while we ran round and made a few purchases, then it was home for him to sleep it off.

Meanwhile I'm worrying about Kevin's coffee shop inspection which is scheduled for Thursday, although Charles and James both keep reminding me that it's not my business therefore not for me to worry about!

FIRST SNOW OF THE WINTER!

Not a significant amount, but a covering nevertheless.

Could have done without it on a morning when we've had to be up since the crack of sparras and have to get to Newcastle by 8am.

Hope Charles is okay at the RVI. I'm sure he'll be fine, but it's always a bit of an anxious time when someone's having eye surgery. I guess that, for a few days, we'll be managing with two good eyes between us!!

Not sure what time we'll be back. The girls have been fed and watered, much to Rose's surprise well before the usual time! Normally it gets to 8.00 and she will be looking at me, at the fridge and even at the clock to let me know that breakfast should be served, so this has caught her out today. Not that she minded as she was hoovering up the contents of her bowl!

LOVELY DAY!

Bit of a frantic morning. Made three-tier carrot and chocolate cakes, bakewells, blueberry tarts, mince pies, ginger cupcakes, brownies and cheese scones. Phew!!

Met Helen and co at the Village Inn and had a huge and very enjoyable lunch. We all came back here for coffee and a chat (mostly at James's expense! Sorry Jim - "Warpath Redpath" was at his naughtiest!!)

When they'd gone I got everything crated up ready for tomorrow, as we have a very early start as Charles has to be at the RVI by 9am. The plan, as I understand it, is that I drop Charles of in Gosforth and James drives him into town. I go to Radcliffes to do the delivery. I then go back to James's and we go off for brunch in Jesmond , then into town. We wait to see how long Charles will be, and depending on that he either comes back with me, or James picks him up later and brings him home. I THINK that's what's supposed to be happening.

If I get back reasonably early I'll make a start on the next order, as things certainly seem to be hotting up in the coffee shop and orders are getting pretty serious now!

I'm delighted to say that I can almost see my dining table after weeks of it being covered in Christmas cakes. Just three more to deliver and then we're done.

Oh, forgot to say, we wrapped and be-ribboned all the family and school Christmas presents this afternoon, so that's another good job done.

Time to relax now I think.

I AM HERE!!!

But up to my eyes in the biggest order EVER from the coffee shop!!

Expecting Helen, Rachel, James, Hannah and Jake to pop round in a few minutes and we're going to the Village in for the best carvery Sunday lunch.

Then it's back to the kitchen for me!!!

NO, DANNYMATT...

I didn't see the book show. Tell me about it please.

JUST WONDERING...

... how many layers I can get on without a) looking like Michelin woman and b) still being able to actually move.

Reckon it's going to be pretty chilly in the Gallowgate this afternoon.

17CMS...

... from root to tip - that's what the girls' tails measure.

Absolutely identical in length - to the millimetre.

I noticed this morning, that, whilst eating their breakfast, there was a whole different tail attitude going on. Rose held her tail bolt upright as she hoovered her meal, whereas Lily's tail was much more relaxed, not in a between the legs, "I'm scared" sort of way, but in an "I'm dead cool about this breakfast and I'm going to take my time over it" manner.

This is interesting, as Rose is known for gobbling her food without pausing for breath and then hoping that there will be some left in Lily's bowl for her to polish off. In fact, her latest tactic is to cause a distraction once she's finished with her bowl, knowing full well that Lily is always a slower, more refined eater, with the result that she can part Lily from her meal with relative ease and can get in there quickly to clear up what remains. Works a treat and Lily falls for it every time. Obviously the tail position reflects her alert status!

Lily is far more easy going about her meals and certainly likes to give the impression that she's not really bothered. She will circle her bowl a few times before deigning to settle down to her meal, which she approaches almost daintily, chewing every mouthful carefully and giving some serious consideration to quality of the dish of the day. Once again, her tail is held in a position that reflects this relaxed, pensive approach.

WELL AND TRULY TOLD OFF!!

Sorry dannymatt Sir. I promise to take my studies more seriously in future!!

Despite failing in my tail task, I have had a pretty productive day. Shopping with James was lovely, as always. We both managed to get loads done and still had time for a couple of pleasant coffee/lunch breaks. He's so easy going and nothing is ever too much trouble. Great company. Thank you james.

Got a text from Kevin while we were still in town asking for more stuff for tomorrow, which was a surprise as he had had a very big delivery yesterday that I thought would see him over the weekend. But it appears that blueberry tarts and mince pies are flying off the shelves, as is the chocolate brownie, especially as one customer bought the lot!!

So, since I've been home I've unpacked all the shopping, thrown a Chinese takeaway down my neck and made up the order for tomorrow.

Now I'm feeling really guilty that I haven't given the girls any time at all today, let alone studied their tails!!

THIS MORNING'S...

tail obs is as follows.

Morning greeting tail: Although it's difficult to make an accurate assessment of the tail activity during this process as little frantic paws are busily scrabbling to attract attention, it was noticed this morning that the tails of both girls wag maniacally from side to side, almost at the speed of light, causing a blurring visual effect (although that may be the result of sleepy dust in my eyes) and very nearly enabling both girls to achieve lift off.

A further observation occurred just before they had breakfast, when a bird dared to alight on the fence outside the window. This resulted in crazed barking and tail activity, but the noticeable feature on this occasion was that, while Rose maintained the side to side wiggle, Lily had now moved on to the much more sophisticated circular motion which was carried out at a slightly more leisurely pace.

Fascinating stuff!!

HMMMM!!

That little plan didn't work!

Got myself all ready for a day of tail-observation (dannymatt clearly thinks I'm not paying enough attention to the girls these days!) then suddenly got an obsessive urge to get on with clearing the fridges (Charles wont be happy as we now need a trip to the tip) and then thought I'd make the chocolate Christmas pud that James likes and which will freeze brilliantly (starting to fill the space I've just cleared already!) and after that decided to make a mega-batch of cheese scones which I'm now freezing raw, but ready cut out, to speed things up on Sunday when I'll be getting the next coffee shop delivery ready.

Typically, instead of thinking, "Enough's enough" I'm now considering what I can do next!

I cant do the tail-obs as the girls are fast asleep and lying on them!!

Oh, there goes the pinger! Time to top the pudding up...

TWO DAYS OFF!!!

YAY!

All my celebration cake orders are complete.There's no coffee shop baking to do. Mind you after yesterday's marathon that is something of a relief. Charles has volunteered to do the delivery. Mind you, I suppose I could be preparing stuff to go in the freezer...

No, I will NOT. I am going to try to have a relaxed day at home today, followed by a lovely day with my boy, Christmas shopping tomorrow.

I suppose I could start clearing out the fridges and freezers ready for...

ANOTHER OBSERVATION!

They have one each!

GUIDE ME...

... O thou Great Redeemer (Jehovah)

I think this is a wonderfully poignant way of marking the passing of Gary Speed.

How I'll manage to sing my way through it I have no idea, but I promise to do my best to sing my heart out.

WAGGY TAILS!!

Okay, okay, Dannymatt I'll do some serious tail observation when I get a minute, although I have to say that my two wag their tails frantically, sometimes side to side, but often in an almost circular motion, at the drop of a hat. There have been times whn I have seriously been afraid that they might wag them off completely.
Rose tends to be more of a frantic wagger than Lily, who is always laidback about everything she does, and wouldn't consider it cool to have an out of control tail. Rose, on the other hand, couldn't care less!

GOOD MORNING!

Although it may not be so good for some people, what with all those thoughtless, selfish, inconsiderate teachers going out on strike today!! (Is it ONLY teachers who are striking - it's just about all that's mentioned.) I think we can safely say as a result of this, that our profession has been summed up in one word - "Childcare"!

Anyway, SOME of us are still working today. Doing the big coffee shop order ready for tomorrow. so I'd better go and get started...

(Charles, meanwhile, is still in bed!

DANNYMATT...

... I so want you to be wrong, but I fear you are spot on in your prediction about what the media will come up with.

THAT ONE GOT THROUGH...

... dannymatt.

I would love to read your thoughts about Gary Speed.

I still can't get my head round it and find myself thinking about it all the time.

This weekend's match will be a very emotional occasion I think.

JUST REMEMBERED...

... I dreamt about Ant and Dec last night.

This is not good and is surely an indicator that I'm watching far too much rubbish TV.

Can't remember the details, but I think I was trying to work out which one is which!

WET AND WILD...

... again!

Don't like days like this, especially when I have to go out. It would be much nicer just to be able to batten down the hatches and stay home in the warm!

GREAT DELIVERY THIS MORNING!

Left a few minutes later than I had done last week and just sailed through.

Lots of amazing compliments about the baking - apparently the mince pies re the best in the world!!

One customer mad a point of telling me how brill everything is - and by the looks of her, she's probably tried it all!!

Have spent today packaging all the cakes that are due to go out for Christmas, preparing for the next Radcliffe's order, taxing the car and baking the 'Hello Kitty' cake.

Am now going onto Pet Planet to see what Christmas pressies I can get for the girls!

HAD A LOVELY TIME...

... with Christina last night.She popped round in the early evening and stayed for a while. Had a good chat and a bit of a catch up. Nice to see her.

Still can't get my head round Gary Speed and actually woke up this morning thinking I'd had a nightmare - as I'm sure many other people did. Tragic.

Off to Jesmond in a minute with a huge delivery of mince pies, amongst other things.

Be back later...

GARY SPEED

Oh, this is so sad.

I cannot believe that he has taken his own life.

It makes me wonder why it is that we can show sympathy and support to someone with a broken arm or physical illness, but turn away when someone's mind is broken.

Rest in Peace Gary

HOWLING WIND

been blowing a gale all night and somehow have woken up with Graham Parker and the Rumour going round and round in my head!!

HAVEN'T HEARD FROM YOU IN DAYS...

... Dannymatt - although obviously today's comment got through, so don't go quitting yet.

ACTUALLY DON'T ENVY...

... Charles and James going off to Manchester today. The weather is lousy and I suspect their journey will not be good. They're on a pretty tight timescale as they have to pick up their tickets from sale by midday, get to the match, call in on family in Preston afterwards and then get home. Bit of a rush I think.

On the other hand, apart from the stress associated with the match, I have a fairly relaxed day. I'll be going out shortly to Morpeth for a few supplies and then after that I've got the rest of the day to start preparing goodies for the coffee shop and making another set of Santa decorations for a sponge Christmas cake that goes out just before the big day. Plenty of time for the decorations to harden though.

Right, I'm going to get well wrapped up and venture out into the cold and wet.

HAD A REALLY...

... lovely day!

Met Lynda at 10.30 and we didn't stop talking until 2.00! Even lunch didn't stop us. It was great and just like the Old Days!! Loved it.

I had a good wander around the shops and managed to get a few more pressies, taking full advantage of the 25% discount that some of the shops are offering at the moment.

Have now got everything into gift bags and feeling pretty organised and therefore, unbearably smug!

Feel a bit left out though, as Charles and James are off to Old Trafford tomorrow. It was only decided today, and must have come about through James's work. Mind you, I would probably be past myself with nervous tension, so maybe it's better for all concerned if I just stay here and listen to the radio.

OH WOW!

Have just been outside to swap the cars around...

... and it is FREEZING!

What a shock to the system after all the mild weather we've been having.

Brrrrrrrrr!!

IT'S MY...

... DAY OFF!!

YAAAAYYYYY!!

Looking forward to meeting the very bonkers Lynda in bar Luga, then a bit of shopping.

Bliss!

NOT DOING TOO WELL...

... on the blog these days.

(Just out of interest, why, when you're writing about a blog on a 'BLOG' does the spell-check not recognise it?)

It's been a very productive day though. All my Christmas cake orders are now done and the coffee shop order is boxed and ready to go, so it's been good, but tiring.

Have a nice morning planned tomorrow - am going to meet up with Lynda who was my secretary when I was at Heddon. We're going for coffee and then a mooch round the shops. Just in Morpeth, but it'll be good to catch up.

DANNYMATT!

No I didn't! Where would that be?

And you may be interested to know that last night, whilst shopping for sunglasses (!) not only was I given 20% off BUT a further 10% for being patient while the shop assistant (who doesn't normally work on sunglasses and failed to recognise that the box for the ones I was purchasing was kept in a locked SAFE!!!) faffed around for the best part of half an hour.

Patience has it's rewards it would seem.

BACK HOME!

What a greeting we got from the girls! Almost worth going out, just so we an come back and be greeted with such enthusiasm.

Pretty manic trip to town. Everyone seemed to have the same idea, but as it was 20% off most stuff at Fenwicks and John Lewis it's not surprising really.

We started with pizza as everyone was ready for a meal and then got cracking on present buying. I didn't get much really, but at least I made a start.

Still don't feel in the least bit Christmassy, but Charles reckons that's because I'm not in school any more and don't appreciate the build up in the way that I used to.

KNACKERED!!

Eleven cakes marzipanned, eleven boards covered, six cakes completely finished. Only stopped because I'm waiting for a delivery of red sugarpaste tomorrow.

Feel pretty pleased with myself, but not sure I'll be skipping around the shops this evening!!

WEDNESDAY IS THE NEW FRIDAY...

... as far as Charles is concerned anyway!!

I've got a hectic day today, hopefully covering 14 Christmas cakes and boards and then going off for late night shopping with Charles, Claire and James.

I've let Kevin know that if he needs anything tomorrow, I need to know by mid-morning today so that I can get it done, but hopefully he should have enough to keep going till Friday.

Just hearing about Thomas Cook being in difficulties - hope James and Claire haven't booked their honeymoon with them.

AND JUST TO PROVE IT...

Here's a pic of Lily in her rightful place!!

HOPE YOU'VE NOTICED...

... that I'm now able to publish photos on the blog.

Clever eh?

ROSE KNEW...

... exactly what she was doing when she nicked Lily's usual place next to her dad. Every few minutes she had a good look at her sister to check how she was coping now that she had been usurped!

BIT TARDY TODAY!!

With the blog, I mean, not with anything else as I've had one of those days when I haven't really paused for breath.

Delivery went well this morning, although I hit the rush hour traffic in Gosforth which meant it was about 9.15 by the time I got to the coffee shop.

Called into Morpeth on the way home and stocked up on baby pink ribbon for the Christening cake and tartan ribbon for the Christmas cakes.

Whizzed home ready to get on, but spent an hour on the phone with my Mum, so didn't get as early a start on the Christening cake as I'd hope, but it's all finished now I'm glad to say.

I THINK THE GIRLS...

... must be absolutely shattered after their busy weekend, when they actually stayed up until well after midnight to ensure that they didn't miss out on any of the fun.

In fact, on Saturday night they were out having a midnight walk, star-gazing while Garry identified all the constellations. Very educational it was!

Anyway, they've slept through nearly all of the day today. Haven't heard a peep out of them.

Had a good consultation about the Christening cake, which is going to make a welcome change from coffee shop stuff and Christmas cakes.

Charles will be in late this evening, after the Governors' meeting, so I'm trying to think of something quick to do for our meal - and not coming up with any ideas. May end up being beans on toast!

IT'S 2PM...

...and I'm ready for a bit of a sit down, having been on my feet since 8.00 this morning.

I have, however, managed to complete the order for tomorrow - 2 huge carrot cakes, 2 cheesecakes (one blueberry and the other chocolate), bakewells, brownie and cheese scones.

Just waiting for two customers to come round to discuss a Christening cake then I'll take the girls out for a walk.

Actually, now I've got time to appreciate it, the weather is rather lovely this afternoon. Very mild and still, with some hazy sunshine. It'll be good to get out into the fresh air.

UP TO MY EYES...

... in carrots and buttermilk today!!

having a busy morning in the kitchen getting tomorrows order done. This time it includes two cheesecakes which together contain 1800gms of cream cheese! This is NOT going to be cheap Kevin!!

Right, going to get the carrot cakes out of the oven. Brownies just waiting to go in...

LOVELY WEEKEND!

Had a great time with our friends and family this weekend. Very sociable, easy-going group. Lots of good food and wine and an AMAZING Sunday lunch.

House is very quiet now that everyone's gone!!

Having a quiet evening as I don't need to do a delivery until Tuesday - YAY!! So, Strictly and XFactor it is then!

SLEEP DEPRIVATION!

That's what I feel I'm suffering this morning.

Late night following lots of chat over some fabulous Pommard 2003.

Going up the coast this morning, probably to Newton and, I'm guessing for lunch at the Ship.

Then back home and presumably I'll need to start work on the coffee shop order, although I haven't actually heard anything about that yet!

BACK AGAIN!!

Had a great day, but pretty full-on.

baking first thing, then delivering to Jesmond. Down to the Quayside to the Baltic and the Turner exhibition. Over to Fujiyama's for a delicious lunch. Back home for a good walk around the village, calling into the Village Inn to watch a bit of the match (not so good) and now thinking about what to do for an evening meal.

Having all stayed up chatting (and drinking) till 2am, we're all in surprisingly lively spirits and are looking forward to going over to the coast in the morning, weather permitting!

RICHARD...

... arrived in Morpeth while we were still there, so we met up in Barluga for coffee then made our way home, me with my hair so stiff with hairspray I could barely move my head!

Light lunch, lots of chat and sharing of holiday photos, just waiting for Garry and Wendy to arrive after their journey from Birmingham.

Have just had a phonecall, literally just now, from the coffee shop asking if I can rustle up a big chocolate cake for tomorrow. The answer to that, I'm afraid is, "No, it's too late to be placing an order for big cakes I'm afraid."

LAZY MORNING!

Feel a bit guilty about James, as apparently my mobile decided to ring him all by itself at some Godless hour this morning. Bit of a shame as he's having a day off today!!

Still, he could look at it as making the most of the day I suppose!

Hope Claire's feeling okay today, and that her back pain will ease quickly. There's little worse than a bad back, as I know only too well. It affects every bit of your body and you really don't know how to get comfortable. (I remember the last time mine went, all I had done was to lean across a table at school and I felt (and heard) the click. On my way home, after struggling to get in and out of the car, I called at Tesco to get painkillers and one or two other bits and pieces and discovered that I couldn't even carry a basket without being in agonising pain.)

Charles and I will be going into Morpeth in a while for last minute shopping for the weekend and for me to have a quick tidy up at the hairdressers.

Looks like we may be eating at Fujyamas tomorrow lunchtime. haven't been there for ages, so will make a nice change.

BAD NIGHT!

I couldn't sleep and the girls decided to get me up at 1am for some reason, so went back to reading until about 2.30, up for the day just after 6.00 and feel knackered now.

Not the best start to what is likely to be a pretty busy weekend.

WOW! THAT WORKED OUT WELL!!

Just had a chat with Andrew in the coffee shop, and thanks to the extra delivery this morning, we can get away without doing one tomorrow, but taking ALL the stuff I anticipated they'd need on Saturday. As we were planning a trip there anyway, before going into town, this works extremely well.

Everything's ready, with just the scone dough to defrost and bake before we set off, so I can have a day off tomorrow!!

This means that nothing should get in the way of my hair appointment in the morning and should mean we are nicely relaxed before Richard, Garry and Wendy arrive.

It's great when a plan comes together!

RIGHT THEN!

Just having a five-mi ute break after a pretty full-on morning.

Have made what I HOPE will be the order for tomorrow, even though I haven't heard anything yet. If I've got it hopelessly wrong, there's always our weekend guests - and even David's shop as he has kindly said he will try my products.

The house, cars, and outside area are all sparkly clean and fresh. The table's set for tomorrow's evening meal. Main course and desserts are made. And, as the starter is simply a couple of boxes of baked camembert with salad and crusty bread I don't have to even think about that.

The danger now is, that having got everything done so quickly, I begin to think of other stuff I could make. Lemon posset (which my mother keeps telling me reminds her of baby sick - the name not the pud I hasten to add, cos she actually likes eating it, just not thinking about the name of it) keeps pinging away in my head for some reason. Possibly because I've got a bowlful of lemons and maybe because its the quickest easiest dessert to make.

NO - I will not go into the kitchen again...

Well, not for a while anyway!!

WEY HEY!!

I got a lie in today!!

Nearly 8.00 when I got up - bliss, except I've got a headache, presumably from too much sleep!!!

Busy day today. Charles is taking an emergency order to Jesmond - we're not supposed t be delivering on a Thursday, but they've run out of some stuff.

I'm preparing for our guests who arrive tomorrow afternoon, and waiting with bated breath for the order that needs to go in tomorrow. Hopefully I'll get that at some reasonable time today.

CHARLES THOUGHT...

... I should delete the last post ("Slightly Disconcerted")but I have rad your comment dannymatt, and appreciate it!

BACK FROM THE COFFEE SHOP...

... and things are going well, I think.

I HOPE I've managed to persuade Kevin to invest in a little microwave for freshening up scones and muffins. he certainly seemed willing to give it a try.

Everything's labelled now, which is a great improvement on Monday, when even I didn't know what was what - and I'd made the stuff.

Only annoying thing today - he wants a carrot cake NOW! Obviously Kevin doesn't appreciate that cakes like that aren't just thrown together and take a bit of time and SHOULD have been ordered yesterday.

Stopped off in Morpeth, did a bit of stock replenishing and am now building myself up for another mammoth session in the kitchen. (Interestingly, Andrew, Kevin's photographers assistant and now qualified barrista and sandwich maker!) observed this morning that I must spend ALL my time in the kitchen.

Yes, Andrew - I DO!!

CAR PACKED...

... and I'm ready for the round-trip to Jesmond and Morpeth.

Got an extra busy few days coming up so may not get much time for hanging around the blog until things settle down again at the beginning of next week!!

XXX

AND FINALLY...

... after I had to take the initiative and phone the coffee shop, I got the order for tomorrow.

Not too stressful - bakewells (seem to be the best sellers), brownie, shortbread, ginger buns, blueberry muffins and fruit and cheese scones.

Managed to get it all done within two and a half hours, so not too bad after all.

TWIDDLING...

...THUMBS!

GGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRHHHHHHHHHHHH

Take from that what you will!

ALREADY FEELING...

... a bit frustrated at not knowing what I'm going to be doing today.

I'm absolutely no good at all at this last minute stuff. I like to be totally organised, well-ahead of myself - and that's just not going to happen with this coffee-shop lark.

Either, I've got to have a complete re-think about how I approach stuff, or this is not going to be for me.

I'm already planning for our weekend visitors who are arriving on Friday, one of whom may still be here on Monday. I'm desperate to get on with Christmas orders, but know I can't really until the weekend's out of the way. I have no idea what Kevin want tomorrow - but then HE probably hasn't either.

Only good thing I can say about today so far, is that the girls both appear to be fully recovered from their bug. Eating (albeit homemade food for "convalescent" dogs), is back to normal, as is the poop situation, so this is a great relief all round.

Okay - WHAT CAN I DO NOW???

THOUGHT IT WAS...

... quite mild for the time of year when I as out with the dogs a little while ago. And then we turned round to come home and the wind blowing in from the east is bitter!!

Don't know what to do with myself now to be honest. I can't do much prep for the coffee shop until I've got an order. Don't want to start decorating Christmas cakes because we've got visitors this weekend and I won't have room to store 14 cakes on the livingroom table!!

Hmmmm.

Might end up watching daytime telly. Aaargh!

11.25

Okay - I'm back, having delivered the goodies to Radcliffes, helped to display and label them, had a bit of a chat, navigated my way back through Gosforth, whizzed into Morpeth to replenish stocks and am now enjoying a cuppa with the girls (Who are NOT enjoying a cuppa, but ARE very interested in mine)

So, I reckon that, without the detour into Morpeth, I could have done the delivery round-trip in an hour and a half, which isn't so bad.

7.40...

... Up, showered, house cleaned, had coffee...

... now about to bake two batches of scones before setting off for Jesmond.

Busy day ahead!

TYPICAL SUNDAY EVENING!

Just chilling out and doing very little apart from watching telly.

Had a lovely lunch with James and Claire and,as a result of over-eating then, have had very little to eat this evening.

I've got everything that's ready boxed up for my Monday delivery and just need to bung a couple of batches of scones in the oven first thing in the morning, then I'll be good to go, as they say!

The girls seem to be okay at the moment. Rose has been a little quiet, but they've both eaten a good meal this evening. Just hope it stays in place tonight!

Now looking forward to a mind-numbing evening watching Strictly, X Factor and Garrows Law.

LONG, LONG, LONG MORNING!!

Started at about 5am when Rose needed to go out to be a bit unwell - obviously they've got a bit of a bug as it's no longer confined to Lily, who, happily, seems to be on the mend.

Managed about an hour's kip after that then we were up for the day at 6.00 (Well, I was, but Charles wasn't) and got going with carrot cake, bakewells, shortbread and cupcakes. Also tried some apple crumble tarts that are fab and will be going to Jesmond for sampling.

Got all the cakes frosted, then made a start on Sunday lunch, as we're being joined by James and Claire. Roast chicken and all the trimmings, including Yorkshire and pigs in blankets at James's request and a mountain of stuffing for Claire!!!!

Have written all the labels for Kevin, so that at least people know what's on offer. Yesterday, there were no labels and no prices - on ANYTHING!! Aaaargh!

Right, lunch is getting to that crucial stage, so I'll get back to it...

DON'T BE ANGRY DANNYMATT!

I'll do it!

BEEN BACK...

... from town for a couple of hours now. Wanted to get organised for tomorrows lunch and to make a chocolate refrigerator traybake, which I've now done.

Lovely to see James this morning. We actually managed to get a bit of Christmas shopping started although I don't think any of us were really in the mood!

Called in at Radcliffes on the way home. Business looked a bit slow to me, although I was assured that everyone is saying great things about the cakes. Mind you, the fact that nothing is labelled or priced isn't exactly helpful, so I'm going to sort that out for next week.

They've got an incredibly casual attitude to this project. Hopefully it will take off, but there's so many of the 'finer details' that aren't being attended to I have to say I'm a bit worried about it.

But, it's not my business, so I'll just drip feed suggestions very gently.

Managed to take notice of the route home and think I should manage it okay if I'm delivering on Monday.

Called at David's shop on our way into the village. he's going to take some sample from me and help me to work out a fair price. This will be really useful as I haven't really got a clue!!

LILY SEEMS...

... to be a bit better this morning.

She's scoffed a big breakfast and now we're just waiting to see what emerges at the other end!!

However, she's lively enough, so whatever it is (was?) can't have been too serious.

Since they came back from the groomers, we've been amazed at how chunky Rose looks and were beginning to think she was turning into a podge. However, having taken the tape measure to them both this morning it appears that she is in fact slightly smaller round the waist than Lily and it's obviously her downy, fluffy coat that creates the illusion of chubbiness!

We're hoping to set off to meet James in about half an hour, for a morning's shopping, calling in at the coffee shop on the way home so that I can work out how to get home after making the delivery on Monday!!! AND so I can find out what I'm making as well, of course.

BIT WORRIED...

... about Lily, who has been extremely fussy about her food for the last two days and now has, I hate to say it, some blood in her poop.

Apart from this, she appears to be her usual lively self, but clearly something isn't quite right.

We've given both the girls a worming treatment today and hope that will sort it out, but if she's no better in the morning we may be going to the vets.

WHY DO I TORTURE MYSELF...

... worrying about stuff that might not happen?

I was all worked up and anxious about taking the girls to the hairdressers this morning, based largely on Rose's reluctance last time...

... and lo and behold, they both trotted happily up the path to greet Serena (from Shilbottle) jumped into the holding pen (the doggy equivalent of 'Reception') and didn't even glance my way as I made my exit!!

Just waiting to hear how the coffee shop delivery went, then looking forward to the one day of the week that I won't have to spend preparing for it!

THE GIRLS...

... are off to the hairdressers tomorrow morning. Hope we don't have a repeat of the last time when Rose slipped her collar as soon as she realised where she was.

I'm taking them at 9.00, meanwhile Charles will be taking the delivery to Jesmond and is then going into school, before picking up our pristine pups on the way home.

This means that for a few short hours I will be ALL BY MYSELF in the house tomorrow. WOW!! I could really enjoy it and spend couple of hours curled up with my Kindle and a cuppa (or two), or (and this is the more likely) I could make a start on all the Christmas cake orders I've got.

Mind you, after the nightmare day I've had in the kitchen today, the former option may just be advisable.

OH GREAT!

Now we've got a hedgehog right outside the girls door - and they want to go out, but the hedgehog isn't going anywhere and I don't want them getting too close and ending up covered in fleas!

CHARLES IS HOME...

... from the Christmas Shopping Evening and he's made a nice little profit.

Worth doing really, in spite of all the extra work.

Tomorrow is going to be just as hectic, if not more so as the order from the coffee shop is pretty lengthy and will be quite time consuming.

I'm already beginning to wonder how we're going to cope with the three guests who are coming to stay with us next weekend if I'm up to my eyes in baking! Maybe I need a kitchen assistant (with small feet obviously!)

ALL THIS BAKING...

... certainly gets in the way of blogging!

This isn't good. I've just stopped for a five minute sit down and a cuppa before getting started on the coffee shop goodies. Spent the morning doing cupcakes and getting stuff ready for the stall this evening - could have done without this really and must learn to say "NO"!

Have managed to get the girls out for a walk though. It's pretty dull out there, but still very mild and quite atmospheric with the mist hanging over the valley.

Right - no rest for the wicked, so off I go...

CAKES IN THE OVEN...

... after an early start this morning.

The girls don't seem to appreciate being up so early - well you two, now you know what it's been like for US ever since we got you!!

Be back later when things settle down a bit!

HI DANNYMATT!!!

Can't reply to your comments I'm afraid.

I'm sure you're absolutely right about Canineline but wasn't too sure about the little feet in the kitchen, although it did get me thinking that clown feet would be no good in the kitchen at all.

OUT OF THE KITCHEN NOW!!

Bit of a marathon today. All macarons though, so it was relatively straightforward.

Have got them all boxed up ready for tomorrow night and have done all the labelling and order forms so feel quite well-organised really.

The girls have had zero attention today, but have behaved brilliantly in spite of this. No doubt when Charles gets home they'll have a tale to tell about being ignored by their cruel Mum.

GOING TO...

... the kitchen...

...Where I clearly belong!

NOT MUCH TO REPORT TODAY!

It's been fairly quiet to be honest.

After a flying visit to Morpeth, I spent a bit of time working on ordering supplies for the cakes I've got coming up. Managed to find a local supplier, whose prices are extremely competitive and who will deliver once a fortnight to Fram, so I'm pleased about that.

Just watching Lily and Rose lying on the rug in the lounge, taking turns at cleaning each others ears!! Aaaah, how sweet is that? (Until one of them decides to take a bite, that is!)

FIRST REAL FROST...

... of the season.

Mind you, wasn't it this time last year that we had the first heavy snow? Got to count our blessings I suppose.

I'm having a relatively quiet day today, THINKING about the Christmas shopping evening on Wednesday. Not at all sure what I'm going to do for it yet!!

YOU MAY MOCK, DANNYMATT...

... but I was effectively confined to the house last night as, although the bird DID eventually appear to have gone, it was only after a little girl had walked past, seen it, reported it's ill-health to us and come back with a worm for it.

Charles thinks a cat had caught it.

It DID disappear, although I don't know how. Maybe Craig the Mouseman took pity on it and put it out of it's misery.

However, the fact that it had APPARENTLY disappeared was no consolation to me. I needed PROOF. Consequently, Charles was made to go out and check every few minutes, round the bins, under the cars, in amongst the plant pots, because to me, a dead bird is just as frightening as a live one.

Finally, at about 11pm I began to accept that it really HAD gone. But my question is - Why pick THIS house?

OH BLOODY HELL

It could only happen to me, with my ornithophobia. There's a very sick bird outside out front door. It will not be moved, even when Charles has tried to shoo it away, it kind of shuffles off as it can't fly and then returns to the door.

This means I can't possibly go outside and neither can the girls because they would no doubt tear it to shreds. I think Charles will have to put it out of it's misery - quickly.

VERY CHILLY...

... this morning. But lovely and sunny, so that's good.

The girls seem to have recovered from the firework-induced trauma of last night and are happily back to their usual selves.

I'm going to g to Morpeth to replenish the baking stocks, before working on some celebration cakes this afternoon. Other than that, we have no real plans for the day.

THERE'S MAYHEM...

... in our house tonight.

Lily and Rose are clearly NOT fans of fireworks and have got themselves into a real state of panic.

Hoe it's not going to go on much longer - nearly deafened - by the girls, not the bangers!

WELL...

...I think the coffee shop went really well. Plenty of interest and lots of people dropping in for free cake. Nice comments from everyone. Very happy with that.

The match? Well it was stressful in the second half. I thought we looked a bit tired, but have to say Ryan Taylor's goal was pretty spectacular.

Back home, we found the girls had been perfectly okay in our absence, so I didn't need to get worried about them.

I've now got a lovely lemon madeira cake in the oven ready to decorate with a chocolate labrador for an order tomorrow. Then I need to put my mind to the Christmas shopping evening in Longhorsley on Wednesday, before starting baking for the coffee shop again. Busy times!!

STRESSED!

WILL ANYONE LIKE THE CAKES?

WILL THE GIRLS BE OKAY?

WILL NEWCASTLE WIN?

PROBABLY WON'T...

... have a chance to blog until teatime tomorrow. We've got to get to Jesmond by 10.00, picking James up on the way and then off to town and the match.

I'm already worrying about leaving the girls for so long. It'll be the longest they've been on their own and, although it won't bother Lily one bit, Little Miss Fizzy Knickers will be past herself by the time we return!!

Really hope we have a good day.

AM...

... KNACKERED!

Don't know if this is going to work. The thing is, I've still got celebration cake orders to complete, and yet Kevin's coffee shop has totally monopolised the last few days.

maybe, it'll get easier once regular orders come through, but right now, I just feel as if I want to lie down and sleep right through tomorrow! (Apart from the match)

LIFE IS...

... hectic these days.

Just sat down to have a bit of a blog and am summoned back to the kitchen by the timer...

SITTING DOWN...

... before I fall down!

Been a very long day today - but I have a table full of goodies waiting for finishing touches tomorrow. It's great to look at it all. Quite a sense of achievement!

James is here, much to the delight of the girls, who were pretty much beside themselves when he arrived. Combine his presence with the return of their dad - and they're blissfully happy this evening!

CAN'T BE...

... hanging around on here all day - stuff to do - lots of it!

CHRISTMAS FAIR SEASON!!

Cripes - it's started already.

Just had a call asking if I could do one in Longhorsley next Wednesday. At first I declined because of everything else that's on next week, but after thinking it through I suggested that I just take some of the Christmas cakes along so that people can have a look at them and then, hopefully, place orders.

I may live to regret this, and can only do it if Charles agrees to help man the stall as I won't be able to drive anywhere as it'll be dark - but it MAY be worth doing???!!!

OBVIOUSLY...

... we haven't been out walking all this time!

Instead, I've spent a very pleasant hour or so airbrushing some sugarpaste roses for an order I took yesterday and then I had to take details of another cake - Hello Kitty this time, haven't done one of those before - and decided that I'd get the main pieces for that one done straightaway.

Tomorrow is the start of two pretty manic days as I get organised for the tasting day at Radcliffes on Saturday. This will give me something of an idea of what it will actually be like once the coffee shop opens next Friday. Have to admit to being more than a little apprehensive.

UP EARLY...

... pretty foggy/misty out there this morning. Just going out with the girls.

Back later...

OKAY...

... I've made something that sort of resembles something canine, although whether it would pass as a chocolate labrador is another matter.

The girls are sulking because their Dad's gone and left them. Lily won't know what to do with herself later on, when she doesn't have him to snuggle up to on the settee!

It's a lovely afternoon, so I might take them for a long walk down Villa Lane...

RIGHT...

... we're off to Amble to pick up the merc and then Charles is of to see his Mum and I will be making a chocolate labrador today!!

STILL BUZZING....

... after last night's game!

How hilarious was the towel business? Wonder who thought of that? Whoever t was, it was brilliant.

Can't understand the Stoke fans' animosity towards Demba Ba - didn't THEY reject HIM? All very unnecessary in my opinion, although maybe it spurred him on to make a point - or three!!!

WOW!!!

What a result!

Didn't expect that and, as I said earlier, would have been happy with a draw to be honest.

Great effort from the lads tonight. Proud of them!

NO SOONER SAID...

... that Jim rings!

Good to hear from him. He isn't too hopeful about the result this evening and I have to say, that if we come away with a draw I will be happy with that.

WHERE'S MY SON?

Haven't heard from him for a couple of days, which is very unusual.

Not nagging, just making an observation, that's all.

UP EARLY AGAIN!

Hmmm, not impressed with this, especially as we just seemed to be getting into a very nice routine. Still, it's given me a chance to get on with mundane stuff, leaving the rest of the day for piping practice. Not piping in the musical sense you understand, but in the cake decorating sense. I have always been terrified of this as it's a skill I have yet to master, but I had a go yesterday and discovered that I'm not that bad at it - and now I can't wait to have a go at some more!!

We've got to take Charles's car back to have the work done that it needs to get through it's MOT, but that's not until this afternoon, then he will pick it up in the morning before setting off for Preston where he's going to spend a couple of days with his Mum.

Just remembered - we've got a match tonight. Feel stressed now!!

I DON'T THINK...

... Rose can get her head round the fact that the clocks have gone back! Not only did she get up an hour earlier than usual, but she's been sitting giving me the "I need my tea" eyes for the past half an hour.

Lily, on the other hand, couldn't care less!

CAN ANYTHING BEAT...

... the smell of a large piece of topside roasting on the oven? Mmmmmmmmmm!!

BIT OF A SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM!

The girls, despite going to bed very late last night, decided to start the day well before 7am this morning.

An attempt by Charles to settle them down again failed miserably and I ended up getting up with them while he returned to the Land of Nod for another hour and a half!

Gorgeous sunrise this morning, although what's that they say about "Red sky in the morning..."?

Going to faff around with more Christmas models this morning, then were going to meet James in Morpeth around lunchtime. I shall be taking a Red Cross parcel comprising blueberry pie, ginger shortbread and coffee cake with me, so I hope he and Claire are hungry!

FRIDAY EVENING!

Just had a chat with James - and he certainly sounds ready for the weekend.

Hate the thought of the clocks going back on Saturday night.

Winter's drawing in...

Blah blah, blah

LILY AND ROSE BLOG...

... CHECK!

I'm in the right place this time. Good!

Mind you, I'm not doing too well this morning. Charles has just rung from Amble where his car is being MOT'd and he was asking if I wanted him to stop off at Sainsburys on his way home only for me to give him the list which included "Chicken for the CHILDREN" - these being Lily and Rose of course!!

Am expecting three cakes to be collected this morning ready for the long trip to Birmingham. Hope they travel okay.

Uh oh - Charles has just sent a text saying his merc has failed it's MOT and needs two new coil springs so will have to go back in next week. What a pain.

CAN'T COPE WITH...

... two blogs!

Keep getting mixed up about which one I'm on and the cake blog ends up with all sorts of trivia that really needs to go on here.

Not that anyone reads the cake blog, so it doesn't really matter. (This is a bit of a shame really as Charles has just updated it and it's looking pretty good.)

The girls (well, Rose actually, Lily's too lazy to be bothered) are unsettled this afternoon because the guy next door is outside sawing stuff and they (she) can hear it, but not see what's going on, which is never conducive to relaxed behaviour.

WAITING FOR...

... a delivery of books from Amazon this morning. All baking books. Despite having shelves and shelves of baking books I'm still really excited about getting new ones!!

Had a really relaxed start to the day - the girls are certainly sleeping in for longer these days. It was supposed to be my manic decorating day today, but as I managed to get it all done yesterday I now find I have a bit of spare time on my hands.

It sounds as if there's lots of interest in Christmas cakes at the village shop, so I might do some prep for those later on, after I've made a quick visit to Morpeth for some much needed supplies.


Have to say the match last night was very stressful and ultimately disappointing. The atmosphere at the ground sounded electric and the fans certainly did us proud. It's just a shame that the team didn't play out of their skins for the first eighty minutes.

GOOD GRIEF!

I went out of the room for a minute at 2 - 0 down and came back to find we're 2 - 2!! Gotta LOVE Cabaye!

Don't waste it now lads.

GETTING CONFUSED!!

Completely forgot I was signed into the cake blog and have just posted my thoughts about tonight's diabolical match on there!

Come on Pardew - CHANGE IT!

BAKING!

ALL DAY TODAY!

JUST CHECKED FACEBOOK...

... and found FOUR new cake orders that have appeared today while we've been away!!

GOOD DAY...

... in Yorkshire.

Great to see Helen and Bill and to spend some time with Mum.

The girls were brilliantly behaved. Travelled fine, met their cousins Tex and Digby without any problems and generally settled into life at Auntie Helen's as though they're there all the time.

Have eaten far too much - but have thoroughly enjoyed every mouthful Thank you Helen.

Looks like next year's holiday will be in the UK and may involve a campervan.

This could be interesting!

THIS LAPTOP...

... still won't let me publish my responses to your comments (Dannymatt) - but good effort!!

Are you watching the Brighton v West Ham match?

MIRACULOUS BANANA BREAD!

We had to leave the house in something of a hurry this afternoon and I had a banana loaf (I'm currently experimenting with recipes for the coffee shop) in the oven that was nowhere near cooked, so I just turned he oven off and hoped that it would continue to cook from the residual heat.

And it DID - perfectly! Possibly the best banana loaf I've made. Bet I'll not be able to do that again!!

DIDN'T REALISE...

... that going to SJP to take up the offer of extra Season Tickets at half price would turn out to be SO much fun.

Loads of media interest, this time it was ME who did the interview (forgot to ask which channel it was!!), appearances from Sammy, Leon and Danny to the accompaniment of plenty of singing from the fans, confirmation from Dekka that Maiga is a cert...

... all very exciting stuff!!

FOLLOWING...

... the news that Season Ticket holders are going to be able to buy a further ticket at half price, it looks as if we may be heading to SJP this afternoon. Might be someone's birthday present!

SPOOKS!!

Why, oh why, have I only started watching this series now. I didn't get into the eight (or is it nine?) previous series and now it's all over I really want to know what I've missed!!

Hopefully, (hint, hint) James will let me borrow all his DVDs so I can have a bit of a Spooksfest during some of my quieter days.

Didn't actually leave the sofa during the afternoon and into the late evening yesterday. Two matches, Strictly and X Factor followed by that final episode all conspired to make a couch potato out of me!

CHELSEA V QPR...

... EVEN BETTER!!

HAVE I MADE THIS UP...

... or have I heard it somewhere?

To the tune of 'We'll meet again"

Yohan Cabaye,
Scoring here, scoring there
Il habite en Angleterre
Yohan Cabaye...

MANCHESTER DERBY!!!

Quite enjoying it actually. Bet my brother isn't - he's a Man Utd fan I'm ashamed to admit!

Been really gloomy all day today. One of those days when you have the lights on all the time. Really don't like days like this - quite depressing.

Had a busy morning in the kitchen and am now looking forward to a cuppa. Wonder if anyone is going to make me one???

STEPHEN TAYLOR...

... played on in the match yesterday with a broken nose. Credit to him!

Just watching the match now and trying to spot who it was that Cabaye went to celebrate with in the dugout.

Though Alan pardew's post-match interview was pretty spot on. It wasn't a great match to watch, but another very useful three points.

Actually it's 8.45 and we haven't been up that long. It would appear that the girls are finally beginning to appreciate the benefits of the lie in!

Today we haven't got much planned other than making a few batches of macarons to take to Yorkshire on Tuesday when we go to see Helen and Bill AND my Mum. Looking forward to it actually, it's been a while since we all got together (four weeks) and we always have a good laugh when we get together.

NOT A PRETTY MATCH...

... (apart from Cabaye Dreamboat) but another three points. We'll take that, thank you very much.

Now settling down with the girls for an evening of Strictly and XFactor.

BIT LATE THIS MORNING!!

It was my turn for a lie-in and I haven't really got up to speed yet.

Already getting the pre-match nerves, but looking forward to the game.

Give us a wave dannymatt - we'll be the ones wearing black and white!!

AS THE 'GLASS HALF EMPTY' SORT OF PERSON...

... that I am, I just want to say that I hope all the optimism about tomorrow's game isn't a little premature and misguided and that all those supporters who think we're gonna win by a cricket score aren't going to jinx us.

I really HOPE there is the sort of atmosphere we saw last Sunday when, from what I could see on the telly, SJP was rocking in the second half.

We're going to call in on James and Claire on our way into town, then Landmark for lunch (can't break with tradition at a time like this) then into SJP to watch the warm up and sing along to "Viva la Vida" which always marks the beginning of the match for me.

(By the way - its not too cold today is it?)

DID I...

... have the nap I was so looking forward to this morning?



No chance!

To tell the truth, I forgot all about it, until just now, when I've sat down and suddenly feel tired. Unfortunately I'm in the middle of putting a lemon loaf cake in the oven, so better get back to work.

BAD NIGHT!!

The girls have not had their best night - and consequently neither have I - solely due to the dogs t the big house down the road who started barking at 4.30 and kept it up for about an hour and a half.

Credit to Lily and Rose though, they went out for a wee when the racket first started and didn't join in or make a fuss, went straight back to bed, but then grumbled on while they listened to their chums down the road. This meant that, just as when you've got a baby in the house, I heard every little growl and yap from my two. I didn't need to get up to them again, but was aware that they were wide awake and alert, so I didn't get a lot of sleep until things calmed down along the road, by which time it was pretty much time to get up for real.

May need a little shut-eye later on!!

However, that won't be until this afternoon at the earliest as I'm off to Morpeth in a while to stock up on supplies and cake ingredients. Charles has to stay at home to receive a delivery of decorating stuff - and presumably, to watch over the girls who will no doubt be catching up on their beauty sleep.

BACK TO...

... the taster session on Nov 5th.

I HOPE that all my friends and cake-acquaintances will get themselves along, so that they can sample the goodies and, hopefully, make lots of appreciative comments within hearing of the good people of Jesmond!

(Got to try and persuade some of Willy's stalwarts that there are other coffee shops worth a try!)

JUST BACK...

... from Jesmond, where the coffee shop, Radcliffe's, is coming along absolutely brilliantly. Counter, shelving, white goods, tables, seating - all in. Lots of painting still going on around the front of the shop - but it's looking really good.

There's been a huge amount of work since our last visit - and the premises now resemble a really cool coffee shop.

Lots of great discussion about my input. Kevin's really keen to go for a rustic, homebaked feel to al the products and this suits me fine. Feeling very excited now!

Going to do a taster session on November 5th, with the actual opening being put back a little. This is good news for me really.

SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED EARLIER...

... that when James came round last night after football, he was carrying a nasty injury to his left knee, the result of some seriously dirty hacking.

He could barely move it and spent most of the time with us sitting with a bag of frozen peas on it to try and reduce the swelling. I offered him my "genou" strapping, but we couldn't even get it past his foot, so that didn't help!

Hope it's a little easier today. If not I think he may be needing a little trip to A and E.

HA HA HA

It really IS freezing this morning!!

Boots, thick tights, tee shirt, dress, woolly cardi - ready to go.

We're off to Jesmond this morning, where I will finally find out what I'm going to be baking for the coffee shop. If it's too fiddly and fancy, I may well be backing out!

CHEEKY LITTLE...

... observation there Anonymous!!!

HEY...

... thanks for that dannymatt - makes perfect sense to me.

I was fascinated by the origin of "nostalgia" - I may have been a Latin scholar (No, not 'scholar' that implies a certain studiousness on my part - which I can't honestly claim to have had!) pupil for a time(Ha ha ha!) but I'd never made the connection. Fascinating.

GO ON THEN...

... DANNYMATT, WHAT'S YOUR THEORY?!

I'M HOPING...

... that my order of macaron mats will be winging their way to me from France today. I'm really into these little treats now, but only have one mat which I bought while we were on holiday, and have discovered that this slows me down hence the order for more...

Sorry, I'm getting a little side-tracked by the girls who, unusually, have been allowed into the lounge this morning and are currently play-fighting round my legs! They seem to be playing a game of "Who can bite the other's ears off first" at the moment and it would appear to be a draw in the early stages of the contest. They'll move onto the back legs next, that's when it gets REALLY competitive!

When I say it's unusual for them to be allowed in the lounge, that only applies to the mornings when I'm too busy in the kitchen to be able to check on the havoc they're wreaking. Consequently I keep them in their own room or outside while I'm working, but somehow we appear to have forgotten that today!

...Anyway, macarons - They need to stand and rest once they've been piped for up to an hour and this becomes very frustrating because it means I can't start on the next batch until this lot is out of the oven. Having the extra mats will solve that problem and I'll be able to get three batches piped in quick succession. Good use of time! Can't do with waiting around!

(Little yelp from one of the girls shows it's getting serious. I've now got Rose running up and down the settee in the sunroom like a mad thing, while Lily runs the length of the lounge and back over and over again to try and distract her from her "Queen of the Castle" perch. It's not working!)

DON'T CARE WHAT DANNYMAT SAYS...

... it IS cold, obviously not freezing, but COLD nevertheless.

The thing that has most disappointed me this Autumn is that the leaves on the cherry tree in our front garden have NOT changed colour at all this year. Usually the tree is a joy to behold with glorious red leaves, but all we've got this time are dead looking green leaves that are dropping like crazy without going through their usual final fling of a display. Very poor show this year!

THINK I'M DONE FOR TODAY!

Lots of prep done today - for cake orders AND for samples for the coffee shop. I'm trying to work at the sort of rate I imagine I'm going to have to put in from November! It's been fine today, but how it'll be when it's every other day I'm not sure.

Having said that, there aren't many days when I don't put in a pretty good shift. I may be retired and work from home, but pretty much as soon as Charles sets off for school I get started in the kitchen, usually working until just before he gets home.

I think the key is going to be: ORGANISATION. Fortunately this is something that I like!!

TIME FOR...

... a break, with a frothy coffee and a chocolate orange macaron. Yum!!

IS THIS...

... the start of winter?

It is bitterly cold this morning, not helped by the very gusty wind - and no, Dannymatt, that's nothing to do with last night's paella!

Got a few deliveries due today, so I'm staying in for those. Plenty to do on the cake front though.

I suppose I'm beginning to get my head round the news from yesterday that the coffee shop will be ready to start trading in just over a fortnight. It's going to have huge implications on my time, but hopefully I'll cope okay. It'll be interesting to see how the gallery has changed since I was there about a month ago. I'm actually pretty excited about it all!

STORMY NIGHT!

It's wild out there - and we're going to be in for frost and even snow on the hills this week.

Oh joy!

CRIKEY...

... Charles is home early!

Just gone 5pm - that makes a change.

Timed to perfection in fact, as I've just finished work myself for the day. Quite pleased with the results of my labours actually; the hard work on two cakes pretty much done and only the third to think about now.

Had a phone call this morning about the coffee shop in Jesmond. It's opening for business on 3rd November. Aaaarghhhh! Need to start getting organised for that. Got a meeting with Kevin at the end of this week, so things might be a bit clearer after that.

Looks like busy times ahead.

GOOD MORNING!

Nice day!

Already started work on one of the toppers for the three cakes that are coming up in the next fortnight. Can't go into detail in here, but relatively pleased so far, just a bit anxious that replicating colours that I've only seen in a printed document may not match the original, but I'm doing my best.

Now going to do a bit of painting!

BLOOD PRESSURE...

... returning to normal!

Thank you NUFC - another good point, great second half and STILL unbeaten.

Spurs were supposed to be the team that would show what we're really made of. Well lets hope we get loads more of the same.

TENSION BUILDING!

Would rather be AT the match rather than watching on Sky!

Have finished all my culinary stuff and am now watching the end of the Arsenal game and hoping the girls are going to have a nice little sleep during our match. As they're frantically yapping at something that's going on outside at the moment, I have to say it's looking unlikely.

Don't even need to think about an evening meal, as Charles is bringing an Indian back with him. This is perhaps not a good thing actually, as he's just had Chinese at Landmark. Oh well...

9.30AM

Been up for a couple of hours, housework done, dogs attended to, three different chocolate ganaches chilling in the fridge and the first batch of macarons developing their 'feet' before baking.

Just caught a glimpse of the Samoyed owner as he was whizzed past our house, pulled along by his faithful, and very powerful, dog team. I swear he was shouting, "MUSH" as he disappeared down the lane.

It's a day at home for me - possibly plucking up the courage to watch the match later. Charles, on the other hand, is going to meet James, go for pre-match lunch at Landmark and then they're off to SJP for what I hope is going to be a really good game. Come on Toon - you can do this!

SORRY!!

THE LAST TWO POSTS ARE THE WRONG WAY ROUND. I HAD INDEED BLOGGED THIS MORNING, BUT FORGOT TO PUBLISH IT!

SATURDAY MORNING

Charles is settled in front of the telly waiting for the rugby to start.

I'm catching up on emails, and have just discovered to my disappointment, that I won't be having a barrow in Sanderson Arcade any time soon as the established shops have exclusivity contracts that mean no one else can sell cupcakes, large cakes or celebration cakes - in fact, no bloody cakes at all really.

So, that plan receives a massive blow on the head.

BUT if I continue to work on my latest passion - the little French macaron - and IF I can produce them in sufficient quantity, then I might go back with that idea.

WHAT HAPPENED...

... TO ME TODAY?

No blogging?

This isn't like me at all.

We still haven't heard anything from Christina since she landed at Heathrow yesterday. Her phone seems to be dead. I think we're both pretty anxious and just want to hear SOMETHING from her.

Actually we've had a pretty good day today. After the rugby, we went down to Morpeth where I must have tried on about a dozen different Mother of the Groom outfits. Some of them (well, ALL of them to be honest) were absolutely gorgeous, but the sort of outfit I would only ever wear once.

So, I HAVE chosen one (AND brought it home!!) that I love to bits and that I will be able to wear on more than one occasion. It would need to be a pretty posh do and admittedly we don't go to many of those, but I will get to wear again.

Feel very well organised now!

Got home and did some gardening - well Charles did and then Chris came and staked the Kilmarnock willow so that it now stands upright.

I made a batch of strawberry macarons which are currently standing and firming up before going in the oven later. Also, put in some orders for more baking sheets and packaging as I'm hoping that these little beauties are going to take off in a big way.

Had a long and productive chat about three birthday cakes that are coming up shortly. Complicated stuff, but I think I know what I'm doing now.

Absolutely beautiful day today. Warm and sunny, not in the least like a mid-October day!

HAVE JUST HEARD...

... that she's back safely and travelling home to Newcastle in the morning.

Phew!

STILL DON'T KNOW...

... if Christina is back in the country. The flight from Mumbai that she was supposed to be on landed about an hour ago, but we can't get through to her on her mobile, so we're guessing that her battery's died and are resigned to the fact that we may not hear anything from her this evening.

Really, just want to know that she's back safely.

BACK FROM RVI

Two and a half hours of waiting for...

One blood test, one consultation with an optician who was frustrated that my left eye "isn't doing what she wants it to do" (It doesn't do what I want it to do either, but hey, I live with it) one consultation with yet another doctor who doesn't know my history, no sign of the big man himself, who appears to have been called away suddenly...

...BUT an appointment to have new contact lenses fitted within the month, so that's a good thing.

Still feel as if we've wasted most of the day though, although taking the Kindle was an inspired move and helped to pass the time.

RVI TODAY

Got another appointment with Mr Figueredo, or one of his minions, this morning.

It'll be interesting to see if the eye problem is still under control. I can't actually tell any more, because the virus has destroyed the pain sensors in the cornea, so whilst this may be more comfortable for me, it's also a bit worrying in that I only know I've got a problem if it doesn't look right!

Mid-morning appointment. This isn't good. I normally get the first appointment of the day, thus avoiding the inevitably long wait, but by 10.45 when I'm due in today, no doubt the waiting time will be about an hour - if I'm lucky. I'm taking my Kindle though, so should be able to pass the time quite happily.

NEW HAIR!!

Well, not really, but a bit of a new style and certainly a different colour.

I'm now more of an ash blonde with darker ash streaks and have a much sleeker style which apparently is a bit of a project as it needs to grow a bit on top and in the fringe to really get the look I'm after. Ho hum - means I've got to be patient!!

However, by June it should be looking good!

Also, went to try on outfit and LOVE IT, BUT it does need a fair bit of alteration as I'm quite a small person really. Haven't asked about the price yet and need to go back with Charles and James to get their opinions before I decide - but it felt great and actually I felt a million dollars!

Got back home in time to put another Christmas cake in the oven and to find Charles and the girls watching back episodes of "The Body Farm."

All seems okay in India at the moment.

ANONYMOUS?

Haven't posted comment yet, but thank you for the advice. It's much appreciated.

We've both heard from Christina this morning. She let us know that she'd arrived safely in Mumbai and had reached her hotel. This is good news. Now we just have to hope she's okay with the work she's doing today and that she manages to get her return flight without any difficulty. Long way to go for a business meeting, but hey, what do I know?

I'm off to have my hair done this morning - bit of relaxation under the soothing hands of Andrea, who does an absolutely brilliant head massage in addition to sorting out my currently very untidy barnet! I know that in the grand scheme of things this is neither here nor there, but I'm having a bit of a colour crisis at the moment and am wondering if being blonde is really 'me' or if I should revert to my usual brown. No doubt Andrea will have an opinion!!!

I might also go and try on an outfit that I saw last week and that MAY just be suitable for a June wedding. When I first saw it I was wearing Uggs and didn't really want to try on what appears to be quite a sophisticated bit of kit with such casual footwear, so today I'm going to hobble around Morpeth in 4" heels. Let's hope I manage to do it without breaking an ankle. (Actually, better idea - I'll wear Uggs and just take the heels in a bag - sorted!)