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...