Desperate times...

Lack of time, light and inspiration means you get Christmas decs for a blip! 

Went to bed last night and slept for just over six hours straight!  That's the longest in years.  My achey hip is so much better (the weight loss has certainly helped) so it's not niggling me so much during the night.  It's absolute bliss to be able to get into a comfortable position from the get go, and wake up still in the same position, feeling rested :-)

David discovered yesterday that I have bought him a few Christmas presents (just wee things) after saying we would just buy one thing for each other (our Christmas gift to ourselves was our holiday in Northumberl but I can't help myself.) so he had a trip to Stirling this afternoon.  He was also changing a shirt in White Stuff that he'd received damaged and the jumper Ele bought him for his birthday as it was rather snug!  

Louise, our lovely cleaning lady (and my right hand woman) arrived with her magic carpet cleaning machine and gave Alan's bedroom carpet, his living room rug and our living room carpet a deep clean.  No matter how well the wheelchair wheels are cleaned when they come indoors, it's impossible to keep the carpets spotless.  They have come up good as new though so very happy about that.  Louise is an absolute star! 

After some time pouring over recipes this afternoon I have completely changed my menu for our friends coming on 29th December.  The pick n mix starter of pates, humour olives etc and the beef bourguignon has been ditched and now making sweet potato, coconut, ginger and chilli soup with toasted ciabatta, roasted side of salmon with lemon, lime and chilli flakes, roasted red potatoes with garlic and rosemary, roasted asparagus wrapped in parma ham, and orange and honey glazed carrots.  Dessert will be toffee apple crumble with vanilla ice cream or fresh fruit salad.  Most of it can be prepped the day before so should be as hassle free as possible.  

Nikki has confirmed she, Andrew and Esme (and possibly Nikki's mum) are coming to us on New Years Day (along with Ele, Kenny and niece Jennifer) for our traditional steak pie family dinner.  Now I know how many are coming, I can order the steak pies from the butcher.

They will be bringing their new dog Bonnie with them (new to them, she's a retired greyhound age 3) That will be interesting as Bonnie is quite timid and not used to other dogs so not sure what she will think of the very bouncy you-are-my-best-friend-and-I-want-to-constantly-play-with-you-and-lick-your-ears Lola!   There will have to be a careful introduction in the back garden and I suspect both on lead indoors for some of the time!  

Hoping the last of the wrapping and food ordering will be done tomorrow.  That's the plan anyway.  But now bed.  Missed the midnight deadline again! I feel a New Year's Resolution coming on! 

D's birthday
Painted baubles
Guard dog and a funny memory :D