- Bought myself the Festive Puzzle Collection - for a change from reading - these Take a Break Puzzle magazines always come with a pen that falls to pieces after a month or so! The 150+ puzzles take me longer than the pen lasts.
- Last year it was plans for Boxing Day that got cancelled due to everyone being ill. This year it's Christmas Day that has got altered for me. The YD and EGD had planned to go to a friend and that fell through so now they are coming here instead and my plans for going to the community lunch had to be cancelled - I guess it's what Mum's do! I don't mind at all as it will be a treat to have them here.
- Hopefully this year there will be fewer winter illnesses in Son's family as DiL, YGD and MGS are all at the same school rather than 2 different schools and a pre-school. Last year the colds, sore throats etc just went round and round the three lots of small children - who love to share all germs!
- I came across this blogger who has listed lots of vintage Christmas books Babs Beloved Blogs , and I've decided that 2025 Advent photos will be pages from my Christmas books. I did this a few years ago and they were well received.
- Whoop Whoop new series of Strike (J.K. Rowling) starts tonight. I don't read the books - they are too big and wordy, but love the televised version, plus there's a Christmas special on Wednesday of The Good Ship Murder with the rather handsome Shayne Ward, who should have gone further in Strictly.
- After reading several blogs with people moaning about or refusing to go shopping in the run up to Christmas I've decided I'm odd because I don't mind shopping in the days before Christmas at all. I like the hustle bustle and the decorations in the shops. Colin never took many days off at Christmas because his holidays were more useful in the summer for smallholding so I often got a lift into Ipswich with him when he went into the office a few times before Christmas - the town would be packed, Christmas music playing and lots of Christmas lights.
- Apologies to people who had comments going into spam. If I check daily there are none there, if I forget for a few days there are dozens - including some that were published months ago. Also the follower button had vanished and is now back again - All Jolly Good Fun!
- I need a recommendation for a starling proof bird feeder, if there is such a thing, the darn hooligans flock in and clear out the mealworms in just a few minutes. Very frustrating.
Back Tomorrow
Sue
I'm impressed you are thinking ahead to Advent 2025!
ReplyDeleteI'll have forgotten by then I expect!
DeleteMy Secret Santa pressie was a puzzle book which I promptly gave away, not my favourite way to occupy my time, but love jigsaw puzzles.. hope all your family will be well this Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI used to just do Sudoku but now prefer the variety of a Puzzle Book
DeleteI'm rearranging Christmas plans because of family [it's what Mums do, as you say] looking forward to Strike tonight.
ReplyDeleteMe too - it's been an age since the last one
DeleteWe stopped putting out worms, now our feeders are full of sunflower hearts, the small birds love them, the starlings have stopped coming into our garden, they were thugs .
ReplyDeleteBrother in Law feeds just sunflower hearts too - I may need to try that idea
DeleteI seem to dislike shopping at any time of year now, but I was a Saturday Girl at Boots the Chemist for a few years and absolutely loved working the days leading up to Christmas. Everyone was so friendly, and kiddies would come in with handfuls of pennies asking if we had anything for their mum. Stock control was not what it is now, and all through the year we would put aside things from damaged packaging. We had a drawer full of single fancy soaps and the like, which we could sell off for those pennies. Dads would be standing there looking very grateful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice idea that was for children back then. Sadly wouldn't happen now - shops are too mean!
DeleteI dislike shopping of any kind at any time so am hoping that my delivery on Saturday has everything I ordered. Puzzle books are a favourite activity for me and over the last few days I have been doing a crossword book which I bought in the summer and which had been left in the motorhome. Happy me. Catriona
ReplyDeleteThe Take A Break Puzzle book has more word-searches than I like but at least they are easy for when my brain isn't working!
DeleteGood to see that there's a new series of 'Strike.'
ReplyDeleteWe used to have squadrons of starlings and I loved to watch their antics. They are in decline now.
I can’t bear shopping at any time of the year, including Christmas. The same music is on in almost every shop. I find the whole thing exhausting.
ReplyDeleteI have a Roamwild bird feeder which stops the squirrels from taking everything. They may be worth a look.
https://roamwildproducts.co.uk/collections/bird-feeders
Thank you I'll look at the link
DeleteMy goodness, that’s quite a collection Bab’s has isn’t it. All those titles to peruse means my TBR list will grow even longer
ReplyDeleteShe has book lists for everything!
DeleteIt’s amazing how the starlings have learnt to perch on Birdfeeders. I have a feeder that stops squirrels taking everything. When the squirrel lands on the bar of the feeder his weight makes the bottom drop down so he can’t get the contents. Starlings seem to be too light and I had thought of taping some small weights on the bottom of the feeder. It all depends on how heavy a starling is??? We could always try Ken Alviti’s crocodile.
ReplyDeleteI've not seen a squirrel here which is good compared to where we lived at the smallholding but the starlings flock in by the dozen!
DeletePlanning next years Advent already you really are an organised Blogger. :-)
ReplyDeleteI am really pleased that there is a new series of Strike this week, I must have watched all the old ones at least three times each. Babs has got so many lovely books hasn't she, I really must do better! I nearly always try to get to the shops a few times in the week before Christmas, as I don't buy much and never have to go mad buying enough party food to feed an army, it is nice to browse around, jigging to the music, with an almost empty trolley (no doubt annoying some people) while everyone else gets frantic. Yes, I keep finding comments going into Spam again, including my own answers, it's very annoying. As for the Startling situation ... ditto. If you find a solution let me know, we'll be going bankrupt buying mealworms at this rate.
I've just noticed that I put 'startling' instead of starling. Well I guess they do surprise me sometimes when they arrive en-masse and empty the mealworm feeder!! ;-)
DeleteI'll have forgotten doing books for advent by next year! I'll have to make a note.
DeleteI might try just feeding sunflower hearts as above like BiL although I'll need a different feeder. The starlings like the fat balls too - but it takes them longer to demolish them
Me too! I shall be watching for the solution to deterring the starlings . . . but then I guess I will feel guilty for not feeding them. But they always leave a sentry on duty so that within seconds of me replenishing the bird table, the hordes descend! oh well, live and let live.
ReplyDeleteI don't get to have birds visiting once the starlings have cleared everything out - it's annoying they come in such a crowd
DeleteRearranging holiday plans seems common at Christmas as we try to accommodate everyone but it's always fun to gather so we are happy to do it. I have lots to do yet and I can't believe that Christmas is next week! The days flew by...
ReplyDeleteI have lists which hopefully will get sorted for visitors, and the we'll sort out what else will be happening later in the month and hopefully more visitors in January!
DeleteAs Christmas cards are being sent and received at the moment, I thought I would wish you a Merry Christmas with your family and a Very Happy and Heallthy New Year. The same to all whose blogs I have commented on in the past. Best Wishes.
ReplyDeleteThank you - and to you too.
DeleteThere is a Christmas Card shortage here! The postman seems to only come once a week now - very odd
I notice that most birds love shelled sunflower seeds and the feeder empties quickly. When I use sunflower seeds still in the shell, many would rather not bother. I do not see starlings so am not sure how this would work for them.
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas and everything about it. The decor, music, and gifting. Having your daughter and grandchild for Christmas day sounds great. Sharing a festive meal and using your special plates and serving platters while admiring the Christmas tree and your newly decorated home will be wonderful.
A bit different to my plans but that's OK.
DeleteI need to decide which birds to feed - I suppose the bully starlings need feeding too - if only they weren't in flocks!
If I manage to get out early enough I really don't mind going shopping in the run up to Christmas. Not too many people hit the stores early.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
That used to work, but now I can't get moving quick enough in Winter!
DeleteIt's good that you're open to rearranging the plans. Hopefully everyone will be feeling well!
ReplyDeleteNot sure about the Starling Proof feeder. We have a lot of them in the summer and they eat us out of house and home.
We really need less illness this winter - fingers crossed
DeleteYou'll have a lovely Christmas so long as you're with people you care about. And I hope that your new year includes less sickness! Have a beautiful Christmas, Sue.
ReplyDelete