Hi Dita and all

[Penny]

Hi Dita andall, hope everyone has the same sunshine as us today. Tried to arrange it so that doggie could have a nice walkies, sending along lots of hugs as it is very very cold. Enjoyed lunch with son yesterday. Had quite a few shocks yesterday when shopping, so many items have shot up in price. Hubby in a quiet one, going to a funeral on Monday, an old neighbour, very nice old boy. I am not going . Atmosphere makes me ill. Cowardy custard springs to mind. Can't help it. Hope pussies are enjoying the sunshine, o.k. for a quick outside call and then dash back to the warm eiderdown. Hope every one else, and hubbies of course, is well and keeping warm. So very cold and getting colder. Put a big dish of savoury mince in the oven. Decided to warm myself up today. It's a dish we both love so settled for today. Take care. cheers Penny

[dita]

Hello Penny and all, was a bit hectic in our village last night, all hell broke loose when 3 fire engines arrived at a house almost opposite us, can still not find out exactly what it was but we think some sort of chimney fire. Strange thing is it was 8pm when it started and they were still working to put it out at 1.30am. Some fire, it is a semi and they have 2 small children living in the house next door to the one on fire which made me concerned, however it all quiet today so will have to wait for the gossip to get any more news. Needless to say doggie was very excited about the commotion and couldn't wait for walkies today for a nose round, its a nice day despite the cold and plenty happy hugs are on their way Penny. I know how you feel about funerals, I dread going too, unfortunately been far too many last year and hope it not same this. Keep smiling regardless Penny, and take care all.

[Andere Richtingen]

Hi, everyone - well, it was a lovely morning here; cool but bright and very sunny so, after my trip to the surgery for my BP check (it's OK this time. Yippeeeee! ) OH and I went off for a walk in the woods near Aveley. We didn't walk far, just had a stroll by the pond for half an hour. It was all very muddy underfoot and, even without their leaves, the trees blocked much of the sunlight but, hey, it was a change of scene and some fresh air. A month ago, I wouldn't have believed that Himself could ever walk even that far ever again so things really have come a long way. We stopped for fish and chips in a pub on the way home; really good, they were. Then, as we left the pub, it started hammering down with rain so I'm glad we weren't any later.

We need to get a builder in because we found a wet patch on the bedroom wall this morning beside one of the windows. It looks like there must be a gap between the window frame and the brickwork and, as the window faces south where almost all the rain has been coming from, water has got in there. So, filler is needed!!! OH has a mate who's done most of our odd maintenance jobs in recent years but he's doing so well he tends to spend much of the winter in the south of France so getting hold of him may be a problem... Let's hope it doesn't rain too much more for the next few weeks for the sake of Penny's roof and my bedroom.

Lucy K had a sunbathing session on an outside windowsill this morning but now she's dreaming peacefully on a chair. Purrs to doggie, Trixie and anyone else who'd like them.

[Penny]

Over the moon re your BP Andere and so pleased for hubby, sounds as though he is on the way up. Very pleased you had a good day. Big kisses for puss, have arranged weather so that puss can go out again tomorrow and doggie can have a lovely walkies. Take care and keep warm. Dita, dreadful news re-the fire stuff, do hope it is nothing too serious. Everything seems to be happening this month, lets hope that we don't now get the snow from America. Take caré, catch you tomorrow. cheers Penny

[Penny]

Morning Dita and all, just a quickie for the moment, At the last minute him indoors decided we could go out for lunch. I am pleased. better than sitting with him today. In a right old sour mood lately. One of these days. ha ha. Have arranged lovely sunshine for doggies and pussies so big hugs and kisses on their way. Take care all and do keep warm. cheers Penny

[dita]

Hi Penny and all, Yep the sunshine you arranged has made a little doggie and me very happy today Penny, thankyou from us both and big gentle hugs are on their way to you. Thank goodness noone was hurt in the fire, when seeing the fire men up high in one of those cradle things working on someones roof makes you think about how dedicated to their job they are, 4 and a half hours of patience making sure that fire was truly out. Have noticed a chimney cleaner van arrive there this morning, trouble is folk do not realise that safety includeds burning the right sort of fuel in a fireplace, wood on an ordinary open fire can line the chimney with resin if it has not been dried out properly. Still not sure what happened there, or how much damage.
The times I've said 'one of these days' Penny Hope pussies enjoying the sunshine, Good news about your BP Andere. Enjoy your lunch, keep smiling he'll be the one who cracks the mirror and take care of yourself, and all.

[Penny]

Hi Dita and all, just a quickie. A bit late today. Power seems very low and taken me ages to get lunch going. Hope doggie enjoys the walkies today have sent lots of hugs tokeep warm along with nice sunshine for today. You were =right Dita, hubby had opened the garage door at the front and I heard a noise at the kitchen door. Guess who came back to see me. Yes, the big doggie I gave hugs and kisses to the other day. His mistress said he had pulled her off the lane into our drive so she knew what he was up to. Anyway, lots more hugs and kisses, such a beautiful creature. Hope everyone is o.k. Not at all warm and weather forecast not too bright. I know where pussies will be. Big kisses on the way. Hope all hubbies are o.k. and still on the mend. Hope the people with chimney trouble don't have any more problems. Burning wood make a terrible mess inside the chimney. Hard not to when it is available but they must take care. Take care all and do keep warm. cheers Penny

[dita]

Hi Penny and all, lovely sunny day, doggie is sure its you who enabled her to have an enjoyable walk today and sending big big hugs just for you to enjoy. I knew you would get a visit from your new friend sooner or later, that lovely creature knows when he's on a good thing, or should I say -soft touch. Burning wood has gained popularity over the last few years and thats all well and good providing they make sure their fire and chimney are adapted properly, trouble is they dont. We have an open coal fire but because of the danger involved with resin, which can damage the lining we would not think of burning wood. Hope your garage floor is now dried out. Pondering over what to have for our meal later, not in a cooking mood so something simple mi thinks. Keep smiling and take care, Purrs to pussies, keep cosy all.

[Andere Richtingen]

Just checking in to say 'hi' to everyone. We sat and ate our breakfast this morning looking out at brilliant sunshine and thinking what a lovely day it was. By the time we'd finished, the sun had gone, drizzle was drizzling and it's co-o-o-o-old!! Puss was back in from sunbathing VERY quickly! Talking of pets, it sounds like that big dog's person won't have to look far if she needs a dog-sitter sometime!

OH has gone off to Grays on an errand and I'm staying in and trying to catch up on emails and all sorts of little jobs - although I'm tempted to go and curl up with a mug of tea and my Kindle; it's that sort of Sunday. I don't feel like cooking, either so I've already decided - some of my home-made soup, cold gammon, jacket potato and salad and anyone who doesn't like it can go hungry or get a take-away!

Hope all are well and enjoying some weekend peace and quiet ....

[Penny]

Sounds like all are in a quiet mood today. Must admit that is how my day started but deciding on pork chops, had fun experimenting. The chops were large so boned them and laid them on a bed of mushrooms. Covered. Cooked slowly for quite a time in oven. Did cauli,pots and sprouts for vegetables. About 30 mins before chops were finished I made up a sauce of a good teaspoon each of Demerara sugar, dried mustard and wholegrain mustard, mixed up with a little water. Painted the chops and put back in oven without the tops on the dishes. Mashed the potatoes with margerine and cream. and made a thick gravy. Desert, freshly cooked apple with heated mince pie and icecream. Both of us ate the lot, like big fat pigs today. Hubby saying - superb. (praise indeed from a foodie). Take care and have a good day off, cheers Penny
Just thought I would give you some idea for a meal one day.

[dita]

Hi Penny and all. Your recipe is a mouth watering one Penny, it jotted down in my little book now. Nice sunny day after the rain, doggie had eager walkies came back with waggy tail and hugs a plenty for you.Been flying round like a blue uno fly today, bed changing, hoovering up then washing bedding etc, not feeling very energetic now. Think a cuppa now order of thee day. Keep your pecker up Penny purrs to pussies and take care all.

[Penny]

Hi Dita and all, same workload here whilst hubby went off to the funeral of our neighbour. 200 plus attended. He left at 10.45 and has just returned, 14.15pm. now in his usual bedchair in the lounge. So, did nothing special for lunch except some egg fried rice in sweet and sour sauce for me. Cheap and cheerful. So pleased doggie enjoyed her walkies today, I kept sending hugs and sunshine over all morning. Expect pussies will be on the prowl for a time today, too nice to stay curled up all day long. Kisses sent along. Talking about the chimney fire and wood, seems that chimneys are now made with a special lining which will not plaster up from the wood. Not heard of it myself but that is what folk are saying now. Daughter popped in yesterday, first time since early December. To discuss, give you one guess. The youngsters of today have no idea what being careful means. Having a lazy afternoon, hope everyone is keeping warm and well. Take care all,. cheers Penny

[dita]

I love egg fried rice and sweet & sour sauce can easy make a good meal of it, often use Uncle Bens. My sister in law has just had a woodburner installed, you are right about the liner, better be safe than sorry, that resin can be lethal stuff. Lots of folk use damp wood too which makes more smoke instead of allowing it to dry out, they wonder then when they get a problem. Who ever the funeral was for had a good send off. Kids these days make me laugh, they always know where to come, don't they Take care cc

[Andere Richtingen]

Raining again!! It was lovely earlier and I'm not sure when the rain started but it's bucketing down once more. Oh, Penny - reading your menu for yesterday made my belly rumble. That sounds wonderful. I've just escaped from the kitchen where I was busy concocting what will be (I hope!) a fresh, delicious, and totally original pasta sauce out of some smokey bacon bits, onion, garlic, rainbow chard and some strange and bullet-like tomatoes that came in my veggie box. It looks like pink soup with green bits in but maybe it'll taste OK.

Lucy K is having an exhausting day sleeping on all the chairs in turn. She's moulting at the moment, seems to be growing an extra layer of winter coat (what does she know that we don't?) and we're being reminded every time we sit down just why it's called fur-niture!

[Penny]

Hope meal turned out O.K. Andere, sounds lovely. Know all about pussies shedding their winter coats, seems to go on forever. We just have to remember they can't put on extra clothes when it gets cold. Sorry about your rain. We had a lovely sunny day, very cold of course. Take care and do keep warm. Hope hubbies are still on the mend. cheers Penny