THIS WILL BE A FIRST!

My cousin, Anne, quite a bit older than me, is coming to stay overnight with us today. She lives in Lancashire and is the daughter of my Dad's older brother. We haven't had a huge amount to do with each other really, although we've always exchanged Christmas cards and have passed a sociable hour or two at family events, but it will be the first time she's stayed over.

James, Claire and Christina are coming to join us for dinner this evening. I thought it would be nice for them to meet her and for her to catch up with them.

The reason she's going to be over here, is that she's doing to a funeral in Alnwick tomorrow, so it really is a flying visit to us. But hopefully she will be able to shed some light on parts of the family tree that I'm stuck on!! She's already said that she'd like to see how far I've got. Could be an interesting evening...

MISERABLE AFTERNOON!

Charles is currently losing the plot over the match. I'm staying well away, with just a couple of minutes left he's yelling loudly enough for the players to hear him down at West Ham I'm sure.

Clearly it's been a bad day for Newcastle. It would appear that they couldn't really be bothered today, although Charles says that West Ham are just thugs.

So no Sissokho for the next match - brilliant. And what's up with Tim Krul all of a sudden?

Feel really disappointed, although it had to happen didn't it?

It's all over now and Charles is absolutely ranting about it. Apparently we've got Burnley on Tuesday. It may well be lucky for them then, because it looks like half our squad will either be ineligible or unfit.

And then it's Chelsea. Oh Happy Days.

UP EARLY!!

i need to get into Morpeth pretty smartish this morning. Consequently, I've been up for hours!!

Trying desperately to get on to the John Lewis website, but it's Black Friday so everything's ground to a retail halt.

Woke up to chronically low water pressure. Charles rang the water board and discovered that there had been a massive leak overnight and that was the reason. Also told to expect yucky brown water as they clear the pipes. Ugh.

Rose has been licking her rear,left paw like mad. I've checked it over and can't find anything wrong. She's not limping -yet - although she soon will if she carries on worrying at it. So I'm smearing aloe Vera gel on it every few minutes in an attempt to soothe, heal and deter her from licking.

Right - busy day ahead, need to get on.

Only problem is, it's still too dark for me to drive!!!! Will have to wait a while...

TODAY, I'VE BEEN MOSTLY MAKING...

... MACARONS.

Absolutely love these little treats, although they are a bit of a pain to make. However, the sense of satisfaction that I get when I look at two full trays of perfect little almondy, chewy macarons makes up for all the faffiness.

They are mostly for a baby shower, although I've done some for a friend who has been asking about them for ages. And the rest can go in the freezer for one of our Christmas treats!!

I've also had a go at making a chocolate loaf cake with a red heart baked all the way through it. Absolutely cannot wait to cut into it to see if it's worked, because, if it has, I'm going to have a go at all sorts of surprise cakes!!

Right, need to get on with dinner preparations. James and Claire are coming round and I still have much to do!!

COUPLE OF HOURS OFF...

... this morning, to meet up with a friend for coffee.

Okay, not earth shatteringly exciting, but it'll do me!!

CHRISTINA'S...

... Appointment has come through, or at least the preparatory appointment has, for next week. I think we'll all be relieved to get on with it, but I'm still dreading the process.

I'm talking to her on the phone while I'm typing this and she sounds lively enough and in good spirits. Hopefully, we'll catch up with her at the weekend and then we can gauge how she really is.

Right, I've baked all day, got two massive orders ready to go out tomorrow and have only had the energy to warm up a Morrison's curry for our dinner. But it smells divine, so I'm off to enjoy that now!

CAN'T...

... sleep!

Typical. I've struggled to stay awake all evening and now I'm wide awake.

AND THERE WE GO!

 Villa take the lead.

Charles has just pointed out that Villa are so far down the table they are insignificant, and it would be much better for NUFC if Southampton were to lose.

Okay, so now I don't really mind either way!

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL!!

Looking forward to watching Southampton SMASH Villa to bits!!

Sadly, now that I've come out with that we all know what's going to happen!!

CAN ANYTHING...

... beat the smell of topside of beef roasting in the oven?

I'm SO hungry now, and it'll be another hour before it's ready.

Aaaargh!!

Better distract myself by writing the blog then, not that there's much of any consequence to blog about today, as I seem to have spent the entire day either at the shops or decorating Christmas cakes. I'm a little disappointed to be honest, because I've only managed to complete three today and had set myself a target of six. Never mind, I've got all the pieces made, so it should be a relatively straightforward assembly job tomorrow.

Need to just mention that while I was in M and S this morning, queueing in a ridiculously long queue because there was only ONE till open (bonkers!) the woman in front of me, turned round and offered me a voucher for 20% off because she couldn't use it for some reason. Of course I was very grateful as it did indeed make a significant difference to what I was spending and not only that, I can continue to use it until tomorrow evening!! So , I might need to go on the M and S website to see if there's anything else I need!!

( Might do that to take my mind of the roast beef!)

BACK FROM THE MATCH!

See Facebook for more about that!

Not hugely enjoyable, although there were times when the football was quite good to watch, and the result was fine.

Have come home with a sore left eye though. Not sure why, although it IS my bad eye, so I will need to keep a close check on it.

CAN'T STOP...

... thinking about Christina. Every time I woke in the night, and that was frequently, she was on my mind.

If tests need to be done I hope they will be organised quickly, so that we know what she has to deal with.

I just wish she could have a happy, settled period in her life, when nothing major is worrying her.

It's all any parent wishes for their child, of course, but I just think she has had so much to deal with over the last few years and now she has a health scare on top of all of that. Life is never fair.

WORRIED ABOUT...

... Christina. Not in a mental health way, but in a physical way. She seems to be having some strange stomach issues and has been checked out by the GP, but is being referred for further tests.

Please God, let her be alright.

GROUNDHOG DAY!

Basically, shopping, baking all day and collapsing on a heap!
I've stocked the freezer up with quiche and mince pies, marzipanned lots of Christmas cakes and got some of them covered with sugar paste.
Feet are killing me now. Just looking forward to an evening in front of the telly!

AND HERE I AM...

... at 7.15pm, having spent the entire day on my feet, collapsed on the settee, having managed to persuade the girls to budge up a bit. I have to say, I've stared at this screen for about ten minutes and almost fallen asleep already!

Apparently there's an England match tonight. Not sure that's going to keep me awake either!

DONT ACTUALLY THINK...

... that it's been properly light today at all. Really gloomy and miserable, the sort of day that makes you realise why Autumn is the most depressing month.

I'm waiting around anxiously for a parcel to be delivered. This will be a second attempt, it needs a signature and I can pretty much guarantee that, as we have to go out later, it won't arrive until we have left. Sod's Law was written for me!

On the up side though, the house is smelling wonderfully Christmassy, thanks to the Christmas tray bake that's been in the oven for the past couple of hours. AND - I'm going to spend an evening with James and Claire - Christmas shopping. And I'm really looking forward to it!!

NEEDLESS TO SAY...

... (following from last post) ...

... Kevin decided to wait until this afternoon to present me with a massive order for tomorrow, when I'd already decided to make all the quiche for Centurion, AND needed to take time out to help Charles with his Mum's expedition to the shops.

Am now collapsed on the sofa with Lily and Rose, hoping I stay awake through Strictly and War Horse.

WHEN I WAS A GIRL...

... Yes, many years, nay decades, ago...

... Sunday was a Day of Rest.

Okay, we were pretty much MADE to go to church, but apart from that it was a quiet, contemplative day - boring perhaps to a child/ teenager, but distinctive in its calm and almost soporific difference.

Those Sunday afternoon naps, following the joint of beef and my Mum's fab rice pudding, while a black and white film played on the TV - in the front room of course.

Oh for those days.

Just to let everything slow down for a while. To be different from the rest of our days. Wouldn't necessarily have to be about God and church, but it would be so lovely to be able to say, without guilt or regret, "Sorry, I'm having a Day of Rest."

WAITED...

... till midday.

No one turned up.

No explanation. Nothing.

What a waste of time.

However, we met up with James and Claire. Had an Indian tapas lunch (and a migraine!), then did a little bit of Christmas shopping in Jesmond. Nice!

Now watching the England match and looking forward to an evening in front of the telly, hopefully shaking off the remainder of this migraine.

SHAME IT'S SUCH...

... a miserable, grey day. We've got people coming to view the house in about half an hour and it certainly doesn't look at its best when it's so gloomy outside.

Not holding out any hope for this viewing. Apparently the couple who are coming are from Morpeth and haven't even got their property on the market yet, so clearly, they're doing a bit of fact finding first.

Still, at least it IS another viewing.

When they're done, we're off to Gosforth to meet up with James and Claire. Hopefully, we'll have a little trip to Jesmond and a very LIGHT lunch.

Sadly, after that, I have to return to the kitchen and need to get started on dozens of quiche.

WE'VE CERTAINLY GOT...

... a couple of fair weather Westies.

It's a thoroughly unpleasant day, I get that, whereas Lily will tolerate it and will rush outside to do what she needs to do before scampering back in, Rose is refusing to set foot outside the door and into the rain, even though she must be bursting to go for a wee!!

Really hope it dries up soon, otherwise I can see an accident happening.

FEELING ANXIOUS!

Christina has been dreading the post coming because she has convinced herself that she has been caught speeding.

I know how carefully she drives these days. I've been in the car with her and I've seen her out and about when she's been behind the wheel. Her driving has been absolutely fine.

But, like all of us I'm sure, she just happened to slip up a couple of weeks ago - and the letter that she has been dreading has arrived today.

We're going to meet her later to hand the letter over. We saw her yesterday and she was great. She looked fit, healthy, glowing and happy, she was smiley and chatty and lovely.

I only hope that today's news doesn't set her back.

That's why I'm anxious.

AND THE TROUBLE WITH COMFORT FOOD...

... is that it leaves you absolutely stuffed!

THE ULTIMATE COMFORT FOOD!

Thats what this evening's meal is all bout!,

James and Claire are coming round and the menu tonight is mince and dumplings with creamy mash and veg, followed by apple crunch ( my invention comprising a Bradley apple purée, whipped cream and sticky cornflakes coated in butter and golden syrup), or gorgeously fragrant homemade rice pudding with raspberry couli - again homemade, so much nicer than jam! (I know I made one last week, but Claire loved it so much, I thought I'd have another go!)

Okay so calorific values will be through the roof, but sometimes that really doesn't matter.

And tonight is one of those occasions!

ITS BEEN ANOTHER...

.... "Too busy to blog" day.

I really know what it is to be run off my feet today! ( Quite literally actually, as I got to the checkout in Morrisons, actually bagging stuff up when I discovered I'd forgotten leeks, so left the cashier to finish packing, apologised to the lady behind and sprinted through the store to the veg section, grabbed five packs of leeks and raced back to discover that she was still bagging up, so I hadn't really kept anyone waiting very long!)

I've surprised myself with my efficiency today actually. I already had a big order to do for Centurion and woke to discover another order, from Radcliffes this time, and by 1pm was able to send Charles out with most of their stuff, even allowing for the 20 mile round trip to Morrisons. Centurion order so much that they have it delivered in two batches anyway, so I now have a couple of days to get the rest of it completed.

BUT tomorrow morning there are two priorities...

1) work on the 18 birthday cake

2) TRY to order Take That tickets!

And after that I  have an appointment at SAKs and then James and Claire are coming for tea!

Happy Days'

AM BORED NOW!

I've been out to do the shopping, feeling my way cautiously through the fog. I've been to the wholesaler to stock up on dry ingredients. I've stripped the beds, washed, ironed and replaced the bedding. I've done the cleaning - including the oven. And that is where the problem lies.

The oven is effectively out of action for the rest of the afternoon. Fortunately there's no order to be delivered tomorrow. (That's why I decided to clean it today) But, it does mean that I cannot do anything at all that requires baking today.

I hadn't realised how irritating I would actually find that. A huge part of me wants to be making more Christmas cakes and getting stocked up on tray bakes, and once I've made up my mind that I want to do something, that's it! I need to do it there and then.

So I'm feeling a little irritable and might have to have a little lie down with my Kindle for a while!!

MATCH DAY!

On TV.

Aaaaaaargh!

Won't actually ge able to watch it live. Will need to see what the outcome is and watch the recording later. Might shut myself in the bedroom for the duration. Charles will be yelling enough to let me (and the street) know what's happening.

How can it be so different from being at SJP and watching them live? I really don't understand how that works!

HOORAY FOR THE WEEKEND!!

Not sure why really, it just feels like I'm ready for a weekend, even though I don't really benefit in any way!

But, we are going to Adrianos for dinner this evening with James, so that's a reason to be happy.

I THINK I'm up to date with all the baking and have started to prepare for a big celebration cake that goes out towards the end of next week, so feel quite relaxed about that.

Don't have to get stressed about NUFC until tomorrow, so that delays the anxiety a bit.

All in all, today could be relatively chilled and pleasant then!

TODAY...

... Is my Dads birthday.

He would have been 96.

Sadly, we lost home eight years ago, although, the reality is that we lost him long before that.

I still miss him and think about him every day.

Love you Dad xx

THIS HAS TOO BE...

... the first day that has really made you think that winter is on the way. It's really nippy out there!!

Thankfully, apart from a rapid burst of Quick fire pyrotechnics next door, Bonfire passed of relatively peacefully. Mind you, those few minutes cause Rose extreme distress, and consequently caused us some discomfort too as she barked hysterically and then took ages to really calm down, whereas Lily just ignored it to start with and only really joined in with Rose to keep the side up.

Anyway, I'm glad it's over for another year.

4.30...

... and it's dark!

Just having a bit off a sit down and a cuddle with the girls, who have just gone berserk over the footage of the most adorable panda babies on SSN.

Not sure what this evening will be like. Bonfire night is usually something and nothing up here in Fram, thank goodness, but there are bound to be a few scary noises that will upset the girls.

Right, got to get an apple pie out of the oven! It was going to be for dinner tomorrow, but looks like it'll be going to Radcliffes instead!

LOOKING FORWARD...

... to an evening in front of the telly, but can pretty much guarantee I won't be awake for long!

WHY WAS I...

... so wide awake for hours last night?

I've practically read a whole crime novel, kept up to date with all that's going on in the cake decorating blog world, planned thence tacked I'm going to be doing...

In fact I now feel more tired than I did at 3.30am... And 4.30... And 5.00.  Get the picture?

I'll probably turn into a right old grump this afternoon. Either that, or the tears will return.

WHY AM I...

... wide awake at 5am? Why have a been unable to sleep since 3.45?

I'm going to be so tired later on.

TIME...

... to get up I'm afraid.

It looks very grey outside and sounds like it's raining heavily. That means our fair weather Westies will be very unhappy.

WHEN I WAS A CHILD...

... Sunday really WAS a day of rest, certainly so far as my family was concerned. Having a clergyman for a father kind of made sure of that!

I'm just sitting here for a minute, catching my breath as I juggle the trays and pans and bowls and tins, trying to work out how many quiche will actually fit in the oven together , and how long to allow for the fruit cake to bake...

... and I'm overwhelmed with sadness again, but this time so very definitely for my Dad, who I miss every day of my life and who could always help me to get things into perspective again.

We lost  him eight years ago. Had he lived, he would have been 96 this week.

What I would give to be able to talk to him once more.

I've got to stop these tears... what is the matter with me?

ANOTHER WIN!!

Can't fault the teams commitment today at all. Three well deserved points in the bag. Thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon.

At home now and looking forward to an evening of Strictly and MOTD!!

EARLY KICK OFF TODAY!

NUFC V LFC

Well we may not win, but I bet it's a good match. Should be a cracking atmosphere!

Almost go so far as to say, I'm looking forward to it!!

Need to set off early as the A1 is currently down to one lane in each direction between Morpeth and Seaton Burn and was an absolute nightmare yesterday when I drove through to Gosforth, so with match day traffic it'll be a total mess today, I'm guessing.

I also need to call in at the station to collect a pile of quiche tins so that I can start making up their next order ready for delivery on Monday. I almost can't make quiche fast enough!!