Decembrrrrrrrr - dark days

Greetings, villagers, from cool and wet Oxfordshire. The rain has got steadily heavier all day. There is a large puddle in front of the side door to the garage, the area where we didn't have permeable block paving and occasionally regret it!

Aqua last night was very good and I was tired enough to sleep very well. I don't feel like going out for a walk in this rain though, so no exercise today. OH went for his walk before I was awake, knowing the weather would deteriorate. It's a day for sorting out the fridge and doing crafts. It's so gloomy that the lights have been on all day.

My sister rang last night. All there are well and looking forward to being allowed to gather together for Christmas (as long as the rules don't change of course). Her OH's mum is having a hip replacement today. She is 90 and until arthritis struck this year was a fit and active member of a walking group, going on regular trips and walking for miles every day. She is so frustrated at not being able to do what she wants. They may be replacing both hips at once, to lessen the risks from putting such an elderly person through two operations.

YD has her livestream this afternoon.

Chicken report: Dottie has laid an egg. Lilith and Griselda were on the steps last night, locked out of the Eglu. As soon as OH opened the door they hurried inside.

Stay safe.

This evening I have unfortunately joined the ranks of fallen women! When I went out to check if the hens had gone in (they hadn't - all five of them were standing in the run, looking at the closed Eglu door - bird brains!) I slipped on a muddy patch and fell over onto what we laughingly call the lawn. Luckily I put my hands out to break my fall. I was shaken up but unhurt...and had very muddy trousers!

Greetings, villagers, from mild and bright Oxfordshire.

I was a bit creaky this morning after joining the ranks of fallen yesterday, but no real harm done. I was late up and missed the Zoom coffee morning. OH had a telephone conference this afternoon so went for his walk and to the post office this morning. I dragged YD out of her room and we walked around the immediate neighbourhood with the local Christmas cards. She was quite willing to come out for some fresh air and exercise but didn't want to walk too far because she wanted to wear in some new trainers. YD walked home (she basically had a walk round the block) to get on with some work before her games evening, while I went along to JB's house at the other end of the village with a card and some hyacinths for her.

Two orders of cheese have arrived today. I really need to sort out the utility room fridge now, something I didn't get round to yesterday.

Chicken report: Lilith laid an egg this morning.

Stay safe.

Sorry to read this, Cookie, hope you´re not too bruised. Radox bath and lots of arnica. Hope you sleep well xx

Hi.
Was just pondering on How easy it is to think about poor old Slightly Foxed, (aka Steve Rudd) but how difficult to make the words.

Greetings, villagers, from cool, cloudy and breezy Oxfordshire.

I was so upset last night when I heard about Slightly Foxed. We never got to meet in real life, but corresponded on various sites. The year we were going to Arran and planned to meet Steve was a time his motor home broke down (a frequent occurrence) and he had to cancel.

OH and I have been to Abingdon farmers' market today. I didn't need all that much this time but wanted to give out my Christmas tree decorations. At least we could buy some fresh bread and vegetables, and my friend Jane from Dews Meadow was there. She doesn't usually do the markets nowadays, leaving them to her three sons, but one had to work in the shop because his dad has a painful shoulder and stiff neck so is resting. Jane had three of my felt Scottie dogs, one for each son's tree. I could buy a Yule log today, which was unexpected. There was a new cake stall and they had some. The girls there insisted on giving me some brownies when I gave them the tree decorations (apple, pear and I think, a tree). There was also a new gin stall, and a bottle of limited edition autumn spice gin has made its way home in the Tardis Trolley. I did buy a few cheeses as well, even though there is a lot in the fridge. I managed to tidy the utility room fridge-freezer yesterday, at least the fridge part. I didn't have any hard goat's cheese or Shropshire blue, and we're halfway through the Bath brie. So that lack has been remedied. The only thing I haven't found is fresh mistletoe for the hallway. I'm hoping there will be some at Deddington farmers' market tomorrow. There is a small bunch of fake mistletoe up at the moment.

The fish order has arrived this afternoon - lobster as a Christmas treat for YD and smoked haddock for OH and me. There's also some lobster bisque. YD will have the lobster and OH and I will have fish pie for dinner again tonight. I made two yesterday. The smoked haddock will keep for a few days. The freezer is absolutely full now, though I will be gradually emptying it quite a bit over the holidays.

Chicken report: Only Dottie was shut out last night. When OH went out just now there were two eggs, from Griselda and Lilith. Unfortunately OH didn't put the door back on properly and there are now five hens roaming round the garden. I know they are supposed to be in the run and covered but we are not going to attempt to put them in again.  We are not up to chasing five hens around the garden. They'll go in as soon as it starts to get dark.

Stay safe.

Of course you are Judith.