The Old goes Out---

---the New comes In! G started with a severe cold this morning so has spent a large part of the day in bed. I got up had a shower and washed my hair then set to. First call was to get kindling done and logs brought in, the wind was howling and the rain lashed down. Then breakfast before vacuuming the living room and hall. Made dough for the bread. Spoke to Layla they are all fine getting ready for going to Fife.
A lull came in the stormy weather so decided to take Ruaridh for his walk-- only out a few minutes and the heavens opened--as I had got wet decided to carry on walked towards the east Misty the croft dog joined us. We walked past the Dr's house then as the rain was relentless turned back, Ruaridh as is his want disappeared on an adventure--I shouted and whistled of him to no avail--then I saw a golden brown flash across the road, thinking it was him I walked back however Ruaridh ran out of the wood following the other animal! think it may have been a pinemarten. Spoke to mum she is not waiting up for 'The Bells' going to bed before 2400h as she has her 'party' tomorrow.
Back home made the tomato chutney, bread and the evening meal of leek and pepper quiche with new potatoes and peas.
Graham retired early so we brought the New Year in with a cuppa! Happy New Year!

Christmas

Today after breakfast we drove up from the Red Rose County where we had been visiting the memsahib to spend the remainder of Christmas Day with Joe, Layla and Bella.
The drive was uneventful and it was lovely to see the family with all their presents and the Christmas tree gave us a welcome glow.
We had a delicious Christmas Dinner Layla excelled with her nut roast on croute and vegetables. The table looked lovely and Bella did a great job of ironing the serviettes with her new iron and ironing board!
We then had a break watching two films--Grandpa had a sleep before the Christmas Pud, which was brought to the table in flames whilst we sang 'We wish you a Merry Christmas'.
After this we played Twister lots of laughs and contortions --the Wonder Dog couldn't understand why he wasn't allowed to play!
Thanks Joe, Layla and Bella we had a fun time:)
Monday was a stay at home do some cleaning day--Tuesday took Ruaridh for his constitutional then set off to meet up with Miss B we had a lovely time in Helios Fountain then a drink before heading for home. Family here for dinner--good evening.
Wednesday drove over to Newhaven to take the Wonder Dog for a walk as I was going to get my hair done. Had a lovely walk along the shore then went to get my hair done. Then over to see the girls, quick lunch then to the allotment for Bella to dig up the parsnips and potatoes (with her new fork and spade) for the Christmas dinner.
Then to a new cafe called 'The Haven' for tea and biscuits, lovely place and the girl who owns it was very pleasant -- I'm sure she will do well!
Thursday Christmas lunch with blipcentral at 'Porto and Fi on the Mound' excellent meal and company thanks for the invite.
Then as Bella's Mummy and Daddy had 'things'to do Grandpa and I took Bella on the 'Santa Express' up and down Princes St--great fun what a laugh we had:)
Friday up with the lark as we are driving down to The Red Rose county to visit the Memsahib as she decided not to come up for Christmas this year. Good journey went to 'Lannagan's' to get fish for Christmas Eve meal. Then to mum's good to see her and she was looking well, sat and had a cuppa and a chat. Dinner Ruaridh out for a walk--blowing a gale then bed!
Friday--breakfast then took the Wonder Dog for a walk on the beach how he loved it, disappearing into the sand-dunes on adventures.
Had lunch then I went to get some messages before we sat down to a lovely meal Dover sole on fennel, lovely new potatoes, peas and carrots courtesy of Graham.
Harri Ball popped in to see us all he is growing up now and is loving his 'college' life!
To bed hope Santa is good to all:)

One of those weeks!

Keep saying to myself I should start doing my Blog on a daily basis again as I do enjoy doing it! Once you let it slip though it is surprising how difficult it is to get back into that 'stream' again.
This week started off with my meeting chum Lena for lunch and a meander round some of the shops in town.
Wolfed our way through fish, chips and mushy peas with a bottle of Peroni at Seadogs Restaurant. Delicious food eaten in a great atmosphere!
Looked into one or two stores-new Primark--heaving with bodies and prams, most other shops empty! Had a coffee at La Monde then home on the bus.
Tuesday relatively uneventful, took Ruaridh walks and listened to BBC Radio 4--afternoon play 'Mclevy' brilliant. Also a programme re Dolly Parton's 'learn to read programme' very interesting!
Wednesday Layla and Bella came for lunch, we had fun doing join the numbers, spot the difference and colouring--also enjoyed a veggie bacon sandwich! They stayed for a wee while before heading off home.
Thursday nothing unusual--listened to the play on BBC Radio 4 'God Bless Our Love' excellent.
Friday down to the shore with Ruaridh, very windy lots of leaves blowing around the beach Ruaridh in his element chasing them he disappeared a couple of times!!
Drove over to see the girls and do the Damson Port only washed the bottles, must phone the wine shop re finings, then hopefully we can bottle the port. Had a coffee then the girls went off to a Story time, I went to Asda and Waitrose and got messages.
Watched the film 'Girl in the Window' a film noir from the 1940's amazing.
Late up on Saturday had a lie in Graham made bruscetta and coffee which was delicious and we ate it in bed. Had a shower and washed my hair then we took the wee fellow to the beach lots of shells thrown into the sea=a happy dog:) Went to the supermarket for messages then went to look at small Christmas trees very expensive must get one 'Up North' in future!
Watched the film noir 'Mildred Pierce' not as 'black or dramatic' the second time round and after reading the book of the same name!
Sunday up early Ruaridh and I hit the woods running (early). It was quite icy but enjoyed the solitude.
Friends were popping in for a coffee (late morning) good to see them and enjoyed the chat, also brought a boxful of homemade shortbread which is delicious.
Then this afternoon at the invitation of Family Blogs, G and moi with Granny K went to the Lyceum to see the pantomime 'Beauty and the Beast'. Oh I'm so hoarse from shouting, booing and hissing, the bairns in the audience were brilliant:)
Really enjoyed the show, thanks to the family!
Quiet evening!

5 years Old!

Tuesday dawns and Bella is five years old wow how time does fly. This Birthday was the highlight of the week of course. We telephoned a somewhat overwhelmed sounding wee girl around about 0745h and sang Happy Birthday! before she left for school.
She spent a lovely day with her mum and dad--lunch at the mosque then onto the rides on Princes St.
Graham, Ruaridh and I went over to join the family and Granny K for the Family Birthday Meal! A Fry Up--which was delicious then the singing of Happy Birthday as a lovely Birthday cake appeared. Bella you are a Star Happy Birthday to you:)
After all this excitment the rest of the week for G and moi was quiet.
Monday on the morning constitutional saw that the meadowland pond was part frozen. Spent the afternoon with Miss B, made an Apple Kuchen Cake for her to take to school for the Birthday Celebrations there on Tuesday, Bella made her own cake from flour, sugar and water looked delicious--a fun time.
Wednesday usual day well almost--gave the windows a thrill and cleaned them! Baked and my first 'blipfoto' calender arrived it is for the memsahib. It is really lovely great to see photo's one has taken in print!
Thursday on the morning constitutional disturbed a heron by the meadowland pond, by the time I had got my iPhone camera organised it was way up in the sky--freedom!
Made up the parcel for the passing the parcel game at Bella's Birthday Party on Saturday!
Friday took the Wonder Dog to the shore and beach--freezing! Didn't stop him from rushing into the sea after shells brrrr.
Over to see the girls Layla very busy baking for the party, Bella did an ace job of cutting out the special biscuits for the 'do'!
Lie in Saturday morning then Graham made a lovely treat for breakfast in bed bruschetta with delicious coffee, yummy!
Walk in the woods over to the supermarket as Graham was going to make a Pannetone and he required some goodies. It was delicious BTW.
Sunday another lie in toasted Pannetone and coffee this morning!
Down to the shore Ruaridh, he had a great play with a Cocker Spaniel. Back home hot chocolate with rum and cheese on toast! I had to much rum methinks--made a total mess of my peasant bread recipe, read it wrong and left out three cups of flour!
Then my gingerbread had a depression in the centre, although the skewer came out clean when I cut the cake, it was not baked through in the middle! Not My Day!